Add Watermark stamps your own text, such as CONFIDENTIAL or DRAFT, across every page. Choose the size, colour, opacity and angle. Your document never leaves your device.

Add a text watermark to a PDF

A watermark is text placed across the pages of a document to show its status or ownership. Typical examples are DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL, SAMPLE, COPY or a company name. This tool stamps your own text on every page of a PDF, with control over size, angle, colour and transparency, and returns a new watermarked file.

When watermarks are useful

• Drafts and reviews. Mark a document as DRAFT so nobody mistakes it for the final version.
• Confidential documents. Remind readers that the content is not for public sharing.
• Protecting your work. Add your name or brand to samples, previews and portfolio pieces.
• Copies and samples. Mark paperwork as COPY or SAMPLE to avoid misuse.
• Distribution tracking. Add a recipient name before sending a document, so leaks are easier to trace.

Settings explained

Text. The word or phrase to show. Short text looks cleaner than long text.

Font size. Larger sizes create a bold diagonal stamp across the page. Smaller sizes are subtle and suit footers.

Opacity. A value near 0.2 keeps the watermark visible but light enough to read the page underneath. Higher values make it stronger. The minimum is 0.05.

Angle. 45 degrees is the classic diagonal watermark. Use 0 for horizontal text.

Colour. Red and grey are the most common. Pick a colour that contrasts with your page background, but avoid colours that make text hard to read.

How the tool works

The tool draws your text on each page of the PDF, centred and rotated as you chose. It uses a standard bold font, which means English letters, numbers and common symbols are supported. The text is placed on top of the page content with transparency, so the original document remains readable beneath it.

An honest note about protection

A watermark discourages casual copying and clearly labels a document, but it is not a security lock. A determined person with PDF editing software may be able to remove it. For documents that must be truly protected, combine watermarking with proper access control and share files only with trusted recipients.

Privacy

The watermark is added in your own browser and your PDF is not uploaded to us. You can safely use it with private business files.

Tips

• Try opacity 0.15 to 0.25 and angle 45 as a starting point.
• Test on a copy first, especially for long documents.
• For scanned pages with dark backgrounds, choose a light colour.
• Use uppercase text for status stamps; they are easier to notice.

Troubleshooting

I see an error about characters. The standard font supports Latin letters. Remove special or non-English characters from the watermark text.

The watermark is too strong. Lower the opacity.

It is cut off at the edges. Reduce the font size or use a shorter text so it fits the page width at your chosen angle.

A real-world example

Hina is a freelance designer who sends a proposal to a potential client before a contract is signed. She does not want the proposal to be reused without payment, so she adds the text SAMPLE in light grey at a 45 degree angle. The client can read every page clearly, but the document cannot be passed off as a finished deliverable.

Checklist before you download

• The text is short and easy to understand.
• Opacity is low enough that the page remains easy to read.
• The colour contrasts with the page but is not distracting.
• You tested on a few pages and then checked the whole document.

Related tools

To number the pages as well, use Add Page Numbers to PDF. To reduce the file size before sending, use Compress PDF, and to watermark pictures, use Add Watermark to Image.

More questions about this tool

Can I add an image or logo as a watermark?

This tool adds text watermarks only. For a logo, add the logo to your document before creating the PDF, or use a full PDF editor.

Will the watermark be printed?

Yes. The text becomes part of the page, so it appears when you print or save the file again. Test on one page first if the printed look matters.

How to use Add Watermark to PDF

1. Select your PDF file.
2. Type the watermark text and adjust size, colour, opacity and angle.
3. Click "Add watermark" and download the result.

Frequently asked questions

Which characters can I use?

English letters, numbers and common symbols are supported.

Can I make the watermark lighter?

Yes. Lower the opacity value, for example 0.15.

Is this tool really free?

Yes. All tools on this website are free to use, with no sign-up needed.

Are my files and data safe?

Yes. Everything is processed inside your own browser. Your files and text are not uploaded to our servers.

Does it work on mobile?

Yes. The tools work on modern phones, tablets and computers.