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How to add a watermark to a PDF

Updated 10/14/2026

Sending a copy of your ID, a quote or a draft? A watermark makes it clear what the document is for and discourages reuse. Here’s how to add one in seconds, and how to set it so it stays visible without getting in the way of reading.

Tools used

Add a watermark in 3 steps

  1. Open “Add watermark” and select your PDF.
  2. Type your text (“CONFIDENTIAL” by default), then adjust the size, opacity, color and angle.
  3. Click “Add watermark” and download the document. The text appears on every page.
Screenshot of the PDFRoll “Add watermark” tool with a sample document
Screenshot of the PDFRoll “Add watermark” tool with a sample document

What text should you write?

  • “CONFIDENTIAL”: for a document that mustn’t be shared.
  • “COPY” or “DRAFT”: so a provisional version isn’t mistaken for the original.
  • A specific purpose, such as “Only for the apartment rental – October 2026”: the best protection for a copy of an ID, because it can’t be reused for anything else.

Set the watermark properly

  • Opacity between 15 and 30%: the document’s text stays perfectly readable.
  • Diagonal angle: harder to erase or crop out.
  • Gray or light red: visible without spoiling the printout.

Make the watermark harder to remove

A watermark added to a PDF can, in theory, be removed with specialized software. For a sensitive document, two options: protect the PDF with a password and editing restrictions, or convert it to images with “PDF to JPG” and put them back into a PDF. The watermark then becomes part of the image.

Frequently asked questions

Does the watermark appear on every page?

Yes, it’s added to the center of each page of the document.

Can I use my logo as a watermark?

The tool adds text. For a brand, simply write its name or your website address.

Is my document sent to a server?

No. The watermark is added in your browser: your file stays on your device.

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