Toolkernel
  • CSV
  • JSON
  • Regex
  • PDF
  • JWT
  • YAML
  • Cron
Toolkernel

Free, privacy-focused developer tools that run entirely in your browser.

  • ✓ 100% browser-based
  • ✓ No data uploaded
  • ✓ Free forever

JSON & CSV

  • JSON Formatter
  • JSON Compare
  • JSON Auto-Fix
  • CSV Cleaner & Merger
  • YAML Formatter

PDF Tools

  • Merge PDF
  • Split PDF
  • Compress PDF
  • PDF to Images
  • All PDF Tools

More Tools

  • Regex Tester
  • JWT Decoder
  • Cron Builder

© 2026 Toolkernel. All rights reserved.

Your files never leave your device. Built for developers who value privacy.

  1. Toolkernel
  2. /
  3. PDF Tools
  4. /
  5. Add Watermark

Add Watermark to PDF

Add text or image watermarks to your documents

Your files never leave your device

Drop PDF file here

or click to browse your computer

Choose File
Max 50MB per file

How to Add Watermark to PDF

  1. 1
    Upload Your PDF
    Drag and drop your PDF file or click to browse. All processing happens in your browser.
  2. 2
    Choose Watermark Type
    Select text watermark for custom text, or image watermark to use your logo or stamp.
  3. 3
    Customize Settings
    Adjust position, opacity, size, and select which pages to watermark.
  4. 4
    Download
    Click "Add Watermark" and download your protected PDF instantly.

Watermark Types

Text Watermark

Add custom text overlay

  • • Custom text (CONFIDENTIAL, DRAFT, etc.)
  • • Adjustable font size
  • • Multiple color options
  • • Diagonal or positioned placement

Image Watermark

Use your logo or stamp

  • • Company logo branding
  • • Signature stamps
  • • Custom graphics
  • • PNG, JPG supported

Watermark Positions

Center
Middle of page
Diagonal
Across page
Top Left
Upper left corner
Top Right
Upper right corner
Bottom Left
Lower left corner
Bottom Right
Lower right corner

Why Add Watermarks to PDFs?

Watermarks serve multiple important purposes in document management. They protect your intellectual property by making unauthorized use immediately visible. A document marked with your company logo or copyright notice clearly establishes ownership and deters misuse.

Watermarks also communicate document status and handling requirements. Marking a document as 'DRAFT', 'CONFIDENTIAL', or 'FOR REVIEW ONLY' ensures recipients understand how to handle the content appropriately. This is especially important in regulated industries where document handling is audited.

For creative professionals and businesses, watermarks provide brand consistency across all shared documents. Adding your logo to proposals, reports, and client deliverables reinforces your brand identity with every page.

Common Use Cases

Confidential Documents

Mark sensitive business documents with 'CONFIDENTIAL' or 'INTERNAL USE ONLY'.

Draft Documents

Clearly identify work-in-progress documents with 'DRAFT' or 'NOT FINAL' watermarks.

Brand Protection

Add company logos to PDFs for brand consistency and protection.

Copyright Notice

Protect intellectual property with copyright watermarks on presentations and reports.

Document Tracking

Add unique identifiers or dates to track document versions.

Proof Copies

Mark preview copies with 'PROOF' or 'SAMPLE' before final approval.

Tips for Effective Watermarks

Use 20-40% opacity for watermarks that are visible but don't obstruct content readability.

Diagonal placement covers more area and is harder to remove or crop out.

Use gray text for documents that might be printed - it's less distracting than colored watermarks.

For logos, use PNG images with transparency for best results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of watermarks can I add?

You can add text watermarks (custom text with adjustable size and color) or image watermarks (your logo, stamp, or any image file).

Can I control the opacity?

Yes! Adjust opacity from 10% (very subtle) to 100% (fully opaque). We recommend 20-40% for most use cases.

Where can I position the watermark?

Choose from center, diagonal (across the entire page), or any of the four corners: top-left, top-right, bottom-left, bottom-right.

Can I watermark only certain pages?

Yes! Apply watermarks to all pages, first page only, or specify a custom range (e.g., 1-5, 8, 10-15).

What image formats are supported for image watermarks?

We support PNG, JPG, and WebP images. PNG with transparency works best for logos.

Is my PDF uploaded to a server?

No. All processing happens locally in your browser. Your PDF never leaves your device.

Can watermarks be removed after adding them?

Watermarks added with this tool become part of the PDF. To create a version without watermarks, use the original unwatermarked PDF file.

What's the best opacity for readability?

20-40% opacity is ideal for most documents. This makes the watermark visible while keeping the underlying content readable. For proof copies, you might use higher opacity (50-70%).

Will watermarks affect printing?

Yes, watermarks will appear when printing. For print documents, test with a single page first to ensure the opacity and color work well on paper.

Can I add multiple watermarks to one PDF?

To add multiple watermarks, apply the first watermark and download the result, then upload that file and add the second watermark.

Related PDF Tools

Protect PDF

Add password protection

Compress PDF

Reduce file size

Merge PDF

Combine multiple PDFs