Add Watermark to PDF

Stamp a text watermark on every page of a PDF.

Upload a single PDF, then set the text and appearance.

What does this tool do?

HexxPDF's Add Watermark tool lets you add text or image watermarks to your documents. Place text stamps such as "CONFIDENTIAL", "DRAFT" or "APPROVED" on PDF pages, or use your company logo, brand graphic, signature or a custom image as a watermark.

The entire process runs in your browser. Your PDF is never uploaded to our servers, and once the job is done your document content stays on your device. Text watermarks support Unicode characters, so accented letters, symbols and non-Latin scripts display correctly. Adjust position, angle, opacity and size to create subtle background marks or more prominent document labels.

Watermarks are applied without converting the PDF to images. Selectable text, vector graphics and links are preserved as far as possible. A fast, practical solution for draft contracts, documents awaiting approval, branded presentations, client files and PDFs that need protection before sharing.

How to use it

  1. Upload your PDF

    Drag the PDF you want to watermark into the upload area or click "Choose file". The first page of the document appears automatically in the preview panel.

  2. Type the watermark text

    Enter the text you want stamped on every page. Use a classic such as "CONFIDENTIAL", "DRAFT" or "APPROVED", or type your own company name, client name or note.

  3. Adjust the visual settings

    Tune font size, rotation angle (0° horizontal, 45° diagonal) and opacity to match your needs. The preview updates instantly with every change.

  4. Pick the position

    Choose a corner from the 9-cell position grid (top-left, top-center, center, etc.), or click directly on the preview to drop the watermark exactly where you want it.

  5. Apply the watermark and download

    Click "Apply watermark". The job runs locally in your browser; the new PDF, with the watermark stamped on every page using your chosen settings, is ready to download.

When you'll reach for it

  • Stamping "DRAFT" on contracts that haven't been finalized yet to prevent accidental misuse.

  • Adding your company name across customer-facing decks as a lightweight branding watermark.

  • Marking sensitive reports with "CONFIDENTIAL" so anyone receiving them understands the handling rules.

  • Tagging finalized documents with "APPROVED" to prevent confusion with earlier revisions.

  • Adding a custom watermark like "01-05-2026 — Client name" on dated deliverables.

Tips and best practices

  • Keep opacity between 30% and 50% to stay legible without overwhelming the underlying text on most documents.

  • Diagonal (45°) placement covers a larger surface and makes critical stamps like "CONFIDENTIAL" or "DRAFT" stand out more.

  • International characters (Turkish ş, ğ, German ü, ö, French é, etc.) are supported in full — type the watermark exactly as you want it to render.

  • Very thin font sizes can fade on large PDFs; don't be afraid to push the size up so the watermark stays visible.

  • Take a quick look at the preview before applying — confirm the position is right and the right pages are loaded.

Frequently asked questions

Is the watermark applied to every page?
Yes. Your chosen text or image watermark is applied to the document's pages with the position, size, angle and opacity settings you define. Different watermarks per page are not supported at the moment.
Does the original PDF lose text or quality?
No. The PDF is not converted to images or re-rasterized. The watermark is added as a separate layer on top of the PDF. Selectable text, vector graphics and links are preserved as far as possible.
Do special characters display correctly?
Yes. Text watermarks support Unicode characters and extended letter sets. Labels such as "CONFIDENTIAL", "DRAFT", "APPROVED" or your own custom text render correctly on the PDF.
Can I add a logo or image watermark?
Yes. Alongside text watermarks, you can use your company logo, brand graphic, signature or a custom image as a watermark. You can adjust the image watermark's size, position and opacity.
Can I place the watermark horizontally or diagonally?
Yes. You can position the watermark horizontally, diagonally or at the angle you choose. Horizontal suits cleaner documents; diagonal works well for attention-grabbing marks such as "CONFIDENTIAL", "DRAFT" or "APPROVED".
What opacity should I use?
For most documents, 30–50% is a good starting point. Higher opacity makes the watermark more visible but can make the document harder to read. Lower opacity keeps the mark softer, more like a background label.
Can the watermark be removed later?
The applied watermark can be removed or edited in professional PDF editors. It is therefore not full security protection; its purpose is to make the document's status, ownership or intended use clearly visible.
Can I watermark password-protected PDFs?
Encrypted or password-protected PDFs may not work. If that happens, open the file and save an unprotected copy first, then try again in HexxPDF.
What is the difference between text and image watermarks?
Text watermarks suit written stamps such as "CONFIDENTIAL", "DRAFT", a company name or client name. Image watermarks are for when you want to use a logo, signature, brand graphic or custom design.

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