PDF Watermark

A watermark stamps identifying or protective information directly onto PDF pages — a company name, "CONFIDENTIAL", a logo, or a draft notice. Unlike metadata, a watermark is embedded in the visual layer of the document, so it persists when the file is printed or converted. This tool adds text or image watermarks to PDFs locally in your browser using pdf-lib. Your document never leaves your device.

How to use

1. Open your PDF. Drag the file onto the drop zone or click to browse. The page count is shown immediately so you can plan your page range selection.
2. Choose text or image watermark. Text mode lets you type any message with controls for font size, color, opacity, and rotation angle. Image mode lets you upload a PNG or JPG logo and control its scale and opacity.
3. Set position. Use the 9-position grid to place the watermark at any corner, edge midpoint, or page center.
4. Select pages. Apply to all pages or enter a page range such as "1-3, 5, 8-10" to stamp only specific pages.
5. Apply and download. Click Apply Watermark. A preview of the first page is shown so you can verify placement before saving.

Tips for best results

• Use 30–50% opacity for text watermarks. Opacity below 30% may be hard to read, especially after print or JPEG conversion. Opacity above 60% can obscure document content.
• Diagonal text reads as a watermark, not content. The 45° rotation preset is the standard convention for confidentiality stamps. Horizontal text at a corner is more appropriate for branding or draft notices.
• Use a PNG with transparency for image watermarks. A PNG logo with a transparent background will blend cleanly with the page. A JPG with a white background will place a white rectangle on the page, which is rarely the desired result.
• Compress after watermarking. Embedding an image watermark can increase file size if the source image is large. Run the watermarked PDF through the PDF Compressor afterward if file size matters.
• Watermarks do not protect against editing. A PDF watermark is a visible deterrent, not a security layer. A motivated recipient with PDF editing software can remove or obscure it. For secure distribution, combine watermarking with PDF password protection in a dedicated PDF editor.

Why use PixMidas

• 100% private. All watermark processing runs in your browser using pdf-lib. Your PDF is never uploaded to any server, which matters for confidential contracts, legal documents, and sensitive reports.
• Text and image modes. Add a typed message like "CONFIDENTIAL" or "DRAFT", or stamp your company logo. Both modes support opacity and position controls.
• Page range selection. Stamp all pages at once or specify exactly which pages need the watermark — useful for cover pages, appendices, or multi-section documents.
• No account needed. Free, instant, no limits. Use it as many times as you need.

Frequently asked questions

Will the watermark affect my PDF's text and layout?

No. The watermark is drawn on top of the existing page content. Text, links, form fields, and document structure remain intact. The watermark is a new graphical layer over the original page.

Can I apply a watermark to a password-protected PDF?

No. The tool cannot read or modify password-protected PDFs. Remove the password protection first using Adobe Acrobat, Preview on Mac, or a similar tool, then apply the watermark to the unlocked file.

What font is used for the text watermark?

The text watermark uses Helvetica Bold, a PDF standard font that is embedded in the PDF specification and requires no external font file. This ensures the watermark renders correctly on any device or operating system.

Can I watermark only specific pages?

Yes. Switch from "All pages" to "Page range" and enter a range like "1-3, 5, 8-10". Each number or range refers to a physical page in the document. Page 1 is always the first page regardless of document numbering.

Does the watermark survive conversion to other formats?

Yes. The watermark is embedded in the PDF's content stream, not in metadata. It will appear when the PDF is printed, exported to JPG via the PDF to JPG converter, or opened in any PDF viewer.

Why is my image watermark not transparent?

Transparency in image watermarks requires a PNG file with an alpha channel. JPG files do not support transparency, so any white or solid background in the source image will appear as a solid block on the PDF page. Export your logo as a PNG with a transparent background before uploading it as a watermark.