Adding a text watermark to a PDF
A watermark tells readers how a document should be treated: DRAFT for work in progress, CONFIDENTIAL for sensitive material, SAMPLE for previews, or a company or client name to show where a copy came from. It stays visible on screen and in print.
How the watermark looks
Your text is stamped diagonally across the center of every page at about 20% opacity. The size scales with each page, so it looks consistent on A4, Letter and larger formats. The underlying content remains readable.
Choosing watermark text
Short, all-capital words are easiest to read at an angle. For leak deterrence, include the recipient's name — a document marked with a specific name is less likely to be forwarded. For status, use a single word such as DRAFT or VOID.
What a watermark does not do
A watermark is a visible label, not access control. Anyone who can open the PDF can read it. To restrict who can open the document, combine the watermark with a password using Protect PDF — add the watermark first, then protect the file.
Tips
- Keep watermark text to one to three words.
- Watermark the final version, after edits and merges.
- Keep an unwatermarked original for your own records.