Label a sharing copy without hiding the document
A text watermark gives readers a visible status such as SAMPLE, DRAFT or REVIEW COPY. This tool adds centred text to the pages you select, with a chosen size, colour, opacity and angle. The existing PDF pages are not rasterised during the operation.
Use a short label that communicates the document's status without covering the information people need. A watermark is a visible mark, not an access restriction or proof of ownership. Someone who can view the document can still take screenshots, print it or use editing software to alter its contents.
Choose between a status mark and another document change
| Your situation | Recommended approach |
|---|---|
| You want every page to identify a draft or example. | Select all pages and use a short watermark. Compare light and dark page backgrounds because one colour and opacity combination may not be equally readable everywhere. |
| Only certain pages should carry the label. | Use the Pages to update field with file positions such as 1,3-5. Unselected pages stay outside this operation, so review the selection when an attachment should remain unmarked. |
| You need a logo, confidential text removed or restricted opening. | This tool provides a text mark only. Use the appropriate image, redaction or password workflow for those purposes; a watermark does not remove the original information underneath it. |
Mark all five sample pages as SAMPLE
The downloadable sample contains text, a coloured illustration and a form area. Those different backgrounds help you assess whether a centred mark remains legible without obscuring important content.
- Choose device-document-lab.pdf and select Load PDF pages. Leave Pages to update at all.
- Enter SAMPLE in Watermark text. Set Font size (pt) to 48, Opacity (%) to 18, and Rotation (degrees) to -35.
- Keep the default colour, #53665e. Select Add watermark and download the result.
- Open all five pages and compare the label over both blank areas and the illustration. Zoom in to check that the original small text and form appearance remain readable.
Expected result. Each of the five pages should show centred, angled SAMPLE text while keeping the original page order. These settings demonstrate the operation; they are not a universal readability recommendation for every PDF background.
Check the downloaded result
- Count the output pages and inspect every page selected for the mark. Confirm the spelling and status before sharing a document labelled DRAFT or CONFIDENTIAL.
- Look at numbers, signatures, diagrams and filled fields beneath the mark. A low-opacity watermark can still make dense content harder to interpret.
- Check a print preview or one physical test page when paper output matters. A colour mark that is visible on screen may become faint or distracting in grayscale printing.
Troubleshooting
- The watermark is too faint or dominates the page.
Opacity and contrast interact with the page background; the same settings affect a white text page and a coloured image differently.
Try this: Return to the original and adjust opacity, colour or size. Check several representative pages before producing the full sharing copy.
- A long watermark runs off the page.
The text is centred at the requested size but does not automatically wrap into multiple lines or shrink to fit. Long text can extend beyond the visible sheet.
Try this: Shorten the label or reduce its font size, then reopen the output. Use a header or footer for longer contextual wording.
- Some characters are changed or the settings are rejected.
The built-in text path supports basic Latin rather than arbitrary scripts, and the watermark engine accepts a font size of 8–160 points, opacity of 5–90 percent and rotation from -75° to 75°.
Try this: Use supported text and values, or choose an editor with the fonts your wording requires. Verify the actual saved label rather than assuming that a typed character was preserved.
Limits and compatibility
- A page mark, not a seal
- The result adds ordinary visible PDF text. It does not produce DRM, verify the document's author or prevent removal by another editor. Watermarking also modifies the file, so retain any signed original separately.
- Document and device limits
- The tool works locally with one PDF and a bounded thumbnail preview. Password-protected inputs must be unlocked with permission first. Check existing forms and navigation after editing, especially when the source uses unusual fonts or page boxes.
Your files and form values are processed on this device. Downloaded copies remain wherever you save them. See how to check local processing and our privacy policy for site data and optional services.
Common questions
- Can I choose an exact corner or add an image logo?
- This tool centres a text mark. Use a header/footer or a suitable PDF editor when you need a different placement or an image watermark.
- Can I remove or replace this watermark later?
- The tool adds new content; it does not track and undo previous marks. Keep the unmarked original and generate a new copy when the wording changes, avoiding stacked watermarks.
Continue your document workflow
Maintained by Shakti Prasad Ram. Found a mismatch? Report the tool, browser and steps without sending a sensitive document. Back to the tool