Watermark PDF result preview

Watermark PDF — Add a Watermark to Every PDF Page Free

Add a text watermark across PDF pages with adjustable size, color, opacity and angle.

Drop a PDF here — get it back stamped on every page

PDF files

What you can do with Watermark PDF

Review the main capabilities before you begin.

  • Stamp CONFIDENTIAL or DRAFT across every page
  • Add your own custom watermark text to a PDF
  • Mark documents as private before sharing
  • Set watermark opacity, angle and color
  • Protect drafts and proofs with a diagonal stamp

Settings reference

Available controls for Watermark PDF.

Processing modePresets
Process one input, or switch to Premium batch mode to process multiple inputs with shared settings. Available input types depend on the tool.Options: Single PDFBatch

Text

Quick presetsPresets
One-click stamps that fill in both the watermark text and a matching color at once, such as CONFIDENTIAL in red or DRAFT in grey; you can still fine-tune everything afterwards.Options: CONFIDENTIALDRAFTCOPYAPPROVEDFINALSAMPLEPAIDDO NOT COPY
Watermark textText input
The text stamped on every page of the PDF; type any custom wording such as a company name, document status, or version note.
Font sizeSliderRange: 10–120pt · Default: 60pt
Sets how large the watermark text appears on each page; big sizes suit a bold diagonal warning, while smaller sizes work better for a discreet corner stamp.

Style

PositionPresets
Places the watermark in one of nine spots on the page, or use Diagonal to run it across the center of every page in the classic anti-copy style.Options: Top leftTopTop rightLeftCenterRightBottom leftBottomBottom rightDIAGONAL
OpacitySliderRange: 5–100% · Default: 25%
Controls how see-through the watermark is; lower values keep the page content readable underneath, while higher values make the stamp stand out strongly.
RotationSliderRange: -90–90° · Default: -30°
Tilts the watermark to any angle when the Diagonal position is selected; corner and center positions always stay upright, so the slider is disabled for them.
ColorColor picker
Sets the watermark text color using nine quick swatches or a full picker where you can enter an exact hex code to match a brand or document style.
Free to use · No signup required · Without watermarkUploads are encrypted in transitRemoved under our retention policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Drop a PDF, type "CONFIDENTIAL" (or any other text), keep position on Diagonal, adjust opacity and color, then Apply & Download. The watermark is stamped on every page as real PDF text — selectable, vector-sharp at every zoom level — not a rasterised overlay.

usage

Eight positions plus Diagonal: Top-Left, Top-Center, Top-Right, Center, Bottom-Left, Bottom-Center, Bottom-Right (all upright) and Diagonal (rotated, large, centered). Diagonal is the classic anti-copy watermark; corner positions are good for branding or version stamps.

features

Yes — the watermark is part of the page content, not viewer-side decoration. It prints, exports, and screenshots along with the document. Bypassing it requires re-creating the PDF from scratch.

features

Text — we draw real vector text in the embedded Helvetica Bold standard font, so it scales infinitely without pixelation and adds minimal bytes to the file. For image/logo watermarks on PDFs, place your logo on the first page of a blank PDF then merge it on top.

technical

Use the opacity slider — 20-30% is the typical sweet spot for "visible but unobtrusive". The color also matters: light grey at 30% reads as a soft watermark on white pages, while red or orange grabs attention even at lower opacity.

tips

Currently all-or-nothing — the watermark applies to every page in the PDF. To watermark a subset, split the PDF with our Split PDF tool, watermark only the parts you want, then merge them back together.

features

Your PDF is uploaded over HTTPS so the watermark can be applied, then handled under our Security policy. If you create a share link, anyone with that link can open the result for up to 30 days. Review your organization's requirements before processing confidential files.

privacy

Free with a daily allowance — Premium removes the cap — and no watermark on the watermark (we don't add our own branding). All settings save in your browser session for quick repeat use.

pricing

Drop your PDF, type the watermark text, choose a position (Diagonal for the classic anti-copy look, or any of the eight corner/edge spots), set the opacity, color and font size, then click Apply & Download. A live preview of page 1 shows exactly how it will look before you commit, and the same text is stamped on every page.

usage

Drag the Font size slider from 10pt up to 120pt — the live preview on page 1 updates instantly so you can see exactly how large the stamp will look before applying it to every page. Larger sizes (80pt+) suit a bold diagonal warning, while smaller sizes (20-30pt) work better for a discreet corner stamp.

features

Yes — the Rotation slider runs from -90° to 90° and is only active when Position is set to Diagonal, since corner and center positions stay upright to avoid running text off the page. The default -30° gives the classic anti-copy stamp look, but you can flatten it toward 0° for a more subtle tilt.

features

Each quick preset fills in both the watermark text and a matching color in one click — CONFIDENTIAL in red, DRAFT in grey, COPY in blue, APPROVED in green and so on. It's a fast starting point you can still fine-tune afterward with the color picker, opacity slider or by typing your own custom text.

usage

For a classic anti-copy watermark, use Diagonal position with rotation around -30°, opacity at 20-25% so the text stays readable, a neutral grey or muted red color, and font size 50-70pt. For subtler branding or version marking, switch to a corner position like Bottom-Right with a smaller font size (20-30pt) and slightly higher opacity.

tips

Yes — click the color swatch to open the full picker: drag the saturation/hue square, type an exact hex code, or use the eyedropper (supported in Chrome and Edge) to sample a color straight off your screen, like from a logo. The 9 quick-pick presets next to it are just shortcuts and don't limit what color you can actually apply.

features

Yes — Pixoate supports batch and bulk processing. Switch to Batch mode, add up to 60 PDFs on Premium or 200 on Pro, set your options once, and every PDF is processed with the same settings before you download a single ZIP. Bulk processing is a Premium feature; the output uses the same quality and settings as single mode.

features

Yes — with bulk processing you configure the settings a single time and they apply to every item in the batch — up to 60 PDFs on Premium or 200 on Pro. There is no need to repeat the setup per item, and Temporary uploaded and generated files are processed securely and deleted automatically.

usage

Almost always one of three things. The file is over the 11 MB free upload limit — Premium takes 50 MB and Pro 120 MB. The format is not one this tool accepts, so check the list shown on the upload panel. Or the file is not really the format its name says: renaming a file does not change what is inside it, and that is the reason a valid-looking PDF gets refused.

troubleshooting

Page content is preserved, but anything that depended on the original file being interactive can behave differently — form fields, layers and annotations may be flattened into the page depending on the operation you ran. If you need the fields to stay fillable, do the flattening step last. Keep the untouched original until you have checked the output end to end.

troubleshooting

No. You can run Watermark PDF and download the free result without an account, and it carries no watermark. Premium is what you buy when the limits start to bite: up to 60 files in one batch, larger uploads, no daily cap, and the original-resolution result. Nothing is revealed at the download step that was not visible before you started.

pricing

No — Watermark PDF runs in the browser on desktop and phone. There is nothing to install, no trial to start, and no license to buy before you can see whether it does what you need. Try it on the file you are actually stuck with rather than a sample.

troubleshooting

How Watermark PDF helps you get it done

Real problems it solves every day — for businesses, creators, and everyday tasks. Find the use case that fits you and start.

For Business

Stamp CONFIDENTIAL on Internal Documents

Internal strategy decks, M&A diligence and board materials should be clearly marked confidential. Stamp every page diagonally before circulating to prevent leaks if a file escapes the intended audience.

Legal

Mark DRAFT on Work-in-Progress Contracts

A "DRAFT" watermark across every page prevents an early version from being mistaken for a signed contract. Remove the watermark with a new merge once the final is approved.

For Business

Client-Specific Watermarks

Add a per-client watermark (e.g. client name + date) to deliverables so if the file is shared outside the engagement, you know whose copy leaked. Subtle deterrent, strong tracking.

Education

Educational Material Branding

Online course providers stamp course PDFs with the student name and enrolment ID to discourage re-sharing. Personalised watermarks beat blanket DRM for most paid-content platforms.

Photography

Photographer & Designer Proofs

When sending PDF portfolios to potential clients, a "PROOF" watermark prevents unlicensed use before payment. Remove on invoice clearance.

Official Documents

Government Form Versioning

Mark template versions clearly (e.g. "DRAFT v3 - 2026") so reviewers know exactly which version is on their desk. Critical when multiple stakeholders are reviewing the same form across weeks.

Real Estate

Real Estate Listing Proof Stamps

Agents stamp "SAMPLE" or "NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION" diagonally across PDF floor plans and brochures sent to prospects, so drafts can't be mistaken for the final marketing package.

Finance

Invoice Status Stamping for Freelancers

Freelancers and small agencies use the color picker and text field to stamp "PAID" in green or "UNPAID" in red across invoice PDFs, so payment status is unmistakable to anyone who opens the file.

Events

Event Ticket & Press Pass Anti-Fraud Marks

Event organizers stamp attendee names or "VOID IF COPIED" across PDF tickets and press passes at a small corner position, discouraging resale and duplication.

Travel

Sample Itinerary Stamps for Travel Agencies

Travel agents stamp "SAMPLE ITINERARY — NOT VALID FOR TRAVEL" diagonally across proposed trip PDFs sent to clients before booking, preventing a draft from being mistaken for a real travel document.

Privacy & Security

Healthcare Record Confidentiality Stamping

Clinics and healthcare administrators stamp "CONFIDENTIAL - PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION" diagonally across patient record PDFs before faxing or emailing them to insurers, referring providers or legal counsel, making the sensitivity of the document unmistakable at a glance.

Watch each transformation land

Every photo crosses the slash untouched and comes out the other side finished.