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Add a watermark to a PDF online

Runs in your browser — this file is never uploaded

Stamp text across a PDF so nobody mistakes the file for a finished, approved, or unrestricted copy — DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL, SAMPLE, or anything else you type. Add your file, set the text and look, and download.

Two layouts cover the two real reasons people watermark a file: one large diagonal stamp reads clearly at a glance without hiding the page underneath, while a tiled pattern repeats the text edge to edge so no crop or screenshot can remove every instance.

Your file never leaves your device. The watermark is drawn in your browser, so nothing is uploaded, stored, or scanned.

or drop them here — nothing is uploaded

How to watermark pdf

  1. Add your PDF

    Drop one PDF into the box, or click to browse.

  2. Set the text and look

    Type the watermark text, pick diagonal or tiled, choose a colour, and adjust opacity so it sits behind the content without hiding it.

  3. Pick the pages, then stamp

    Leave it on every page, or switch to a range for specific ones — for example, skipping a cover page. Press Watermark PDF and download the result.

Frequently asked questions

Is my file uploaded anywhere?

No. The watermark is drawn in your browser using JavaScript, so your file stays on your device. You can confirm this by opening your browser devtools Network tab while working — there are no upload requests.

What is the difference between diagonal and tiled?

Diagonal draws one large stamp across the centre of the page — clear and readable, the look most people expect from "DRAFT" or "SAMPLE". Tiled repeats a smaller version of the same text in a staggered grid across the whole page, so cropping or covering part of the page still leaves other copies visible — the stronger option when the watermark needs to survive someone trying to remove it.

Can the watermark be removed afterward?

It is drawn as real page content, the same as any other text on the page — not a separate layer or annotation a viewer can toggle off. Removing it again would need a PDF editor capable of erasing page content directly, which is deliberately more friction than opening a viewer's layer panel.

Can I use my own text instead of "CONFIDENTIAL"?

Yes — the text field accepts anything: a name, a date, "DRAFT", "SAMPLE", a company name, or anything else you need.

Why does the text look different from a custom font I might expect?

The watermark uses a standard bold sans-serif built into every PDF reader, so it renders identically everywhere with no font file to embed — the same trade-off page numbers and most stamped text make.

Can I watermark only some pages?

Yes. Switch "Which pages" to a range and list them — for example 2-5. This is the usual case for skipping a cover page or an appendix.

Can I watermark a password-protected PDF?

Not directly. Unlock it first, using a password you know, then watermark the result.

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