Add Watermark to PDF Online — text, a logo, or a tiled stamp across every page
Position it once, tile it diagonally if you need coverage, and save the exact settings to a library so the next document gets the same mark in one click.
Add a watermark to your PDF
Upload a PDF, create a text or logo watermark, position it, choose the pages, and download the finished file.
Drop your PDF here
or browse files
A watermark is a mark embedded into the page
Unlike a header or footer, a watermark is placed directly on the PDF page so status, ownership, branding, or sensitivity remains visible within the document itself.
Text or a logo
"CONFIDENTIAL" across a leaked draft, a logo faint behind every page of a proposal, "PAID" stamped once an invoice clears — same mechanism, different intent. What matters is that it's visible on the page itself, not attached as metadata that a copy-paste strips away.
This tool draws your text or image directly onto each selected page using pdf-lib, at the position, rotation, and opacity you set. The preview shows how the watermark is positioned and styled before export.
What you're actually controlling
Content
Custom text with font, size, color, bold, and italic controls — or an uploaded PNG/JPG logo.
Placement
Nine quick-position buttons snap it to a corner, edge, or center — or drag it freely on the preview.
Coverage
Single placement for a subtle mark, or Tiled mode to stamp nine copies diagonally across the page.
Reuse
Save any watermark — text, image, or preset — to a library stored in your browser for one-click reuse.
Stacking order
Above content for a classic overlay, or Behind content so the watermark sits under the page's text.
Four steps to a marked-up document
Position it once, then decide how far it should spread.
Upload your PDF
Drag it onto the upload area, or click Select PDF. The document renders immediately.
Build and place it
Choose text or an image, style it, and set its position:
Apply it
Click Apply Watermark. The preview updates to show the result, drawn into the file.
Rename and download
Rename the file if you like, then download the watermarked PDF.
From plain document to clearly marked
One tiled watermark changes how a document reads at a glance.
No indication of status or ownership on the page itself.
Nine subtle stamps across the page — making the document's status more visible.
Common uses for PDF watermarks
Add visible status, ownership, branding, or confidentiality marks to documents before sharing or archiving them.
| Situation | What to watermark | Typical user |
|---|---|---|
| Client proposals | Mark drafts "Confidential" before sending to prospective clients. | Sales teams & consultants |
| Internal reports | Label documents "For Internal Use Only" to prevent accidental external sharing. | Managers & HR teams |
| Draft review | Apply a "DRAFT" watermark so reviewers know the document isn't final. | Writers & editors |
| Creative work | Add a logo or copyright line before sharing samples online. | Photographers & designers |
| Branded documents | Stamp a logo in the corner of invoices and quotes for consistency. | Small businesses & freelancers |
| Contract status | Label documents "APPROVED" or "DRAFT" so the status is visible at a glance. | Lawyers & paralegals |
| Paid invoices | Stamp "PAID" once payment clears, for clear accounting records. | Accountants & bookkeepers |
| Manuscripts | Add your name before submitting to publishers or beta readers. | Authors |
PDF watermark styles and placement options
The same watermark tool, set up differently for different intent.
Single placement
One mark per page, centered or corner-placed. Minimal and unobtrusive — right for a logo or a single status label.
Tiled diagonal
Nine copies repeated across the page at your chosen rotation — useful when you want the watermark to remain visible across more of the page.
Image / logo
Upload a PNG or JPG logo; transparency is preserved, so it blends cleanly with any page background.
Behind content
Places the watermark underneath the page's text and images for a softer look — right for letterheads and branded templates.
When the mark doesn't look the way you expect
Identify the problem, then use the matching fix.
Nothing shows on the page
The text field is empty, or no image has been uploaded yet.
Type something in the watermark text field, or upload an image — the preview appears right away.
Watermark landed in the wrong spot
The drag gesture ended at an unintended position.
Click Reset to Center, or click any of the nine grid buttons for a precise snap.
Watermark covers the text
Above content is selected and opacity is high enough to obscure the page's text.
Switch Z-Order to Behind Content, or lower the opacity.
Only shows on one page
Current page only was selected instead of All pages.
Select All pages under Pages to Apply before clicking Apply Watermark.
Logo is too small
The scale slider is set to a low percentage.
Drag the scale slider up — the preview updates live as you move it.
Tiled mode looks crowded
Font size or opacity is too high for a repeated pattern.
Reduce font size and opacity — the tiled pattern becomes subtle and legible.
A password-protected PDF won't open
Some password-protected or encrypted PDFs cannot be opened by browser PDF libraries.
Remove the password first with a PDF unlock tool, then upload the unlocked copy.
A saved watermark isn't in the library
The browser's local storage is blocked or full.
Allow local storage for this site, or clear some browser data to free up space.
Nothing shows on the page
Why: No text or image content yet.
Fix: Type text or upload an image.
Wrong spot
Why: Drag ended at a bad position.
Fix: Reset to Center or use the grid.
Covers the text
Why: Above content + high opacity.
Fix: Switch to Behind Content.
Only one page
Why: Current page only was selected.
Fix: Switch to All pages.
Logo too small
Why: Scale slider set low.
Fix: Drag the scale slider up.
Tiled mode looks crowded
Why: Font/opacity too high.
Fix: Reduce both.
Password-protected PDF won't open
Why: Some encrypted files cannot be opened in-browser.
Fix: Unlock it first, then upload.
Saved watermark isn't in the library
Why: Local storage blocked or full.
Fix: Allow local storage, or free up space.
Getting the mark right on the first attempt
A working order that avoids the most common redo.
Start with a moderate opacity
For most documents, a lighter watermark keeps the mark visible without competing with the page content. Adjust it based on your document's background and intended use.
Choose contrast for the purpose
Use stronger contrast when the watermark communicates status or sensitivity; use a lighter treatment when the goal is branding or subtle identification.
Tile it for anything sensitive
A single mark can be easier to crop from an image or screenshot. Tiled placement keeps the status mark visible across more of the page.
Use Behind Content for official templates
Letterheads and branded reports read more naturally when the mark sits under the text instead of over it.
Save your standard mark once
Build your company's watermark, click Save to Library, and every future document is one click away from the same look.
Protect the file afterward
A watermark alone doesn't stop editing — run the result through Protect PDF to lock it with a password.
Questions people actually ask
If something's not covered here, the troubleshooting section above likely has it.
Is it safe to upload my documents to add a watermark?
Yes. The watermarking process runs in your browser, so your PDF is not uploaded to our server for processing.
Can I use my company logo as a watermark?
Yes. Select Image, upload a PNG or JPG logo, then position, scale, and set its opacity the same way as a text watermark.
Will adding a watermark reduce my PDF's quality?
No. The existing page content is kept in place; the watermark is added as a separate overlay. The exported PDF may be larger because the watermark is embedded into the document.
Can I apply the watermark to only specific pages?
Yes. Under Pages to Apply, choose all pages, even or odd pages only, or type exact page numbers and ranges like 1, 5, 8-12.
What happens to my file after I'm done?
Nothing — it was never uploaded. The watermarked PDF is generated in your browser and downloaded as a new file.
Can I repeat the watermark diagonally across the page?
Yes. Switch Layout Mode to Tiled — the watermark is stamped nine times across each page at your chosen rotation, the classic tiled pattern.
Can I save a watermark for reuse on other documents?
Yes. Click Save Current Watermark to Library. It's stored in your browser and available next time you open the tool, so branding stays consistent across files.
The write-up on how this was built
Because live preview, dragging, tiling, and library storage all run client-side, I wrote up the implementation — rendering a watermark to canvas, tiling math, and persisting presets in localStorage.
How to Build a Browser-Based PDF Watermark Tool Using JavaScript
Covers opacity and rotation controls, positioning systems, and client-side document editing without a server round-trip.