A watermark labels a document at a glance: a draft, a confidential file, a proof not meant for sharing. Stamping the text across every page makes the status obvious wherever the file ends up. This guide shows how to add a text watermark to a PDF without uploading it.
TL;DR Open the free watermark PDF tool, type your text, tune the look, and download. It runs in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.
What you can control
- The text, such as
CONFIDENTIAL,DRAFTor a name. - Size, from a subtle label to a large diagonal stamp.
- Angle, so the text can sit flat or run corner to corner.
- Colour and opacity, to keep the page readable underneath.
A live preview shows the look as you adjust each setting, so you land on the right balance before saving.
Step by step: add a watermark to a PDF
- Open the watermark PDF tool.
- Add your PDF.
- Type the watermark text and adjust size, angle, colour and opacity.
- Download the marked file.
The watermark is drawn onto every page, so it shows the same way on screen and in print.
Keep a clean original
Because the text is merged into each page, the watermark is not a separate layer you can switch off later. If you might need a clean version, save your original file before adding the mark.
Everything runs on your device, with no upload and no sign-up.
Where to go next
- Add page numbers to a PDF alongside the watermark.
- Password protect a PDF to control who can open a confidential file.
- Sign a PDF when a document needs your signature as well.