How to add a text watermark to a PDF

A watermark tells readers at a glance that a document is a draft, a copy, or confidential. It can also discourage casual re-use of a document you've shared.

Step by step

1. Open the Add Watermark tool and choose your PDF.
2. Type the Watermark text. It starts as CONFIDENTIAL and can be up to 40 characters.
3. Adjust Size, Opacity and Angle with the sliders. A low opacity keeps the text readable underneath. A 45 degree angle is the classic diagonal.
4. Pick a Colour: gray, red or blue.
5. Click Add watermark. The text is placed in the centre of every page, and your file is named after the original with -watermarked added.

Good to know

• Use letters, numbers and common punctuation in Latin scripts. Other writing systems and emoji aren't supported yet, and you'll see a message if the text can't be used.
• The watermark is the same on every page. It's drawn onto the page, so it prints and shows in every viewer.
• It is a visual marker, not security. Someone determined could remove it. To control who can open a file, use Protect PDF as well.
• Your original file is not changed, and nothing is uploaded.