Add Watermark to Manuscript

Drop document here to upload
Select from device
Up to 100 MB for PDF and up to 25 MB for DOC, DOCX, RTF, PPT, PPTX, JPEG, PNG, JFIF, XLS, XLSX or TXT
Based on 12500+ reviews
Last updated on Jan 19, 2026

Add Watermark to Manuscript with pdfFiller

Adding a watermark to your manuscript can enhance its security and branding. With pdfFiller, you can easily insert any watermark into your PDF documents, preserving your original content while marking your intellectual property.

What is adding a watermark to a document?

A watermark is a recognizable image or pattern that is embedded into a document to signify ownership, authenticity, or restriction on use. It can be a logo, text, or design, usually placed in a way that does not obstruct the main content but serves as a clear indication of the document's origins or intended use.

The purpose of adding a watermark to PDF documents

Watermarks serve multiple purposes including:

  1. 1.
    Protecting intellectual property by identifying the origin of the document.
  2. 2.
    Deter unauthorized copying or distribution of your work.
  3. 3.
    Providing branding opportunities by adding logos or business identifiers.
  4. 4.
    Enhancing the professionalism of your manuscripts, making them look more formal.

How to perform adding a watermark with pdfFiller: step-by-step

Adding a watermark using pdfFiller is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:

  1. 1.
    Open your PDF document in pdfFiller.
  2. 2.
    Select the “Watermark” tool from the edit menu.
  3. 3.
    Upload your watermark image or enter the text you want to use.
  4. 4.
    Choose the preferences for transparency and position on the page.
  5. 5.
    Preview your document and make adjustments as needed.
  6. 6.
    Save the document with the added watermark.

Supported file formats for adding watermarks with pdfFiller

pdfFiller supports various file formats for watermarking, including:

  1. 1.
    PDF
  2. 2.
    DOC/DOCX
  3. 3.
    TXT
  4. 4.
    JPEG/PNG

This versatility allows you to watermark multiple types of documents easily.

Can you remove or edit watermarks in PDF after adding it?

Yes, once you've added a watermark using pdfFiller, you can easily edit or remove it as long as you have access to the document. Simply open the file, go to the watermark settings, and make the necessary adjustments.

Is a watermark visible on all PDF readers?

Most modern PDF readers display watermarks without issue. However, depending on the reader's capabilities or settings, the visibility can vary. It’s advisable to test your watermarked PDF on various readers to ensure consistent appearance.

Does adding a watermark increase the PDF file size?

The addition of a watermark can lead to a slight increase in file size depending on the complexity and size of the watermark image. Generally, text-based watermarks have minimal impact on the overall file size.

Why should you add a watermark to PDFs and other files?

Incorporating watermarks into your PDF and other documents is beneficial for several reasons:

  1. 1.
    It enhances document security.
  2. 2.
    It helps in branding and recognition.
  3. 3.
    It signifies ownership and can deter unauthorized use.
  4. 4.
    It adds a professional look to your documents.

Benefits of using pdfFiller for applying watermarks

pdfFiller provides several advantages that simplify the watermarking process:

  1. 1.
    User-friendly interface for straightforward navigation.
  2. 2.
    Cloud-based functionality allows access from any device.
  3. 3.
    Ability to collaborate seamlessly with team members.
  4. 4.
    Advanced editing features that enable customization of the watermark’s appearance.

Common use-cases for adding watermarks across industries

Various sectors utilize watermarks for specific purposes:

  1. 1.
    Publishing houses use watermarks to protect manuscripts before publication.
  2. 2.
    Legal firms may watermark sensitive documents to protect client information.
  3. 3.
    Educational institutions watermark academic papers to ensure authenticity.
  4. 4.
    Corporate businesses employ watermarks for branding marketing documents.

Conclusion

Adding a watermark to your manuscript is essential for protecting and branding your work. pdfFiller makes this process simple and effective, allowing you to focus on your content while ensuring your rights are safeguarded. With its robust features and cloud-based accessibility, pdfFiller is the go-to solution for all your PDF editing needs.

Try these PDF tools

Edit PDF
Quickly edit and annotate PDFs online.
Sign
eSign documents from anywhere.
Request signatures
Send a document for eSignature.
Share
Instantly send PDFs for review and editing.
Merge
Combine multiple PDFs into one.
Rearrange
Rearrange pages in a PDF document.
Compress
Compress PDFs to reduce their size.
Convert
Convert PDFs into Word, Excel, JPG, or PPT files and vice versa.
Create from scratch
Start with a blank page.
Edit DOC
Edit Word documents.

Brand your documents with custom watermarks

Add a final touch after editing

Add stamps, dates, and page or bates numbering to ensure PDFs are secure and professional. Customize watermarks by adjusting size, orientation, color, and transparency.
Screen

Clarify your contracts

Avoid confusion when sending documents for review or signing. Stamp them as "Draft", "Final" or "Copy" to add clarity and indicate versions during contract negotiations.
Screen

Share with confidence

Protect documents with watermarks before sharing. Ensure everyone who has access knows their status and owner.
Screen

Organize at a glance

Add watermarks to see which documents are "Drafts", "For Review", or "Archived", saving you from opening the wrong version.
Screen

How to add a watermark to a PDF?

Illustration

1. Upload

Upload your document to pdfFiller and open it in the editor.
Illustration

2. Apply a watermark

Click Watermark at the top to create and customize a watermark.
Illustration

3. Save and export

Apply your changes and choose how to export your document: download, send to cloud storage, save in your account, share, and more.
Upload your document

Who uses this tool?

Learn how professionals use pdfFiller to brand and protect their documents.
Business Owners
Finance
Real Estate
Construction
Healthcare
Education
Legal
Business Owners

Business Owners

Protect intellectual property and maintain brand consistency across all documents. Add a company name to proposals to enhance branding or apply a custom text watermark to internal documents to indicate their status before sharing.
  • Business plans
  • Pitch decks
  • Internal memos
  • Marketing materials
Finance

Finance

Indicate the status of sensitive financial documents to ensure compliance and prevent misuse. Apply text-based watermarks to differentiate between internal review versions and copies intended for client records.
  • Loan agreements
  • Investment contracts
  • Financial statements
  • Tax returns
Real Estate

Real Estate

Brand marketing materials and protect sensitive client information throughout the transaction process. Add an agency name to property listings for brand recognition or apply a text watermark to agreements to clarify their status during negotiations.
  • Purchase agreements
  • Lease contracts
  • Property disclosure forms
  • Inspection reports
Construction

Construction

Safeguard proprietary information when managing project documentation. Apply a protective watermark to project bids before submission or add a status-indicating watermark to blueprints to prevent premature use.
  • Project bids
  • Blueprints
  • Change orders
  • Subcontractor agreements
Healthcare

Healthcare

Protect patient confidentiality and maintain control over sensitive medical records. Apply a custom watermark to patient documents or medical research before sharing to indicate their current status.
  • Patient records
  • Lab results
  • Medical research
  • Billing statements
Education

Education

Manage administrative workflows and control the distribution of study materials. Add a watermark to student records to clarify their official status or stamp submitted applications for better organization.
  • Permission slips
  • Enrollment forms
  • Scholarship applications
  • Unofficial transcripts

Why trust pdfFiller to watermark your documents?

GDPR
AICPA SOC 2
PCI
HIPAA
CCPA

All-in-one solution

Handle all your document tasks in one place. Create and edit PDFs, collect data and signatures, collaborate, and manage files securely in the cloud.

Cloud-native accessibility

pdfFiller is entirely cloud-based and cross-platform, allowing you to access your documents anytime and anywhere, without installing any software or storing files on multiple devices.

Your documents—secured

pdfFiller prioritizes data protection and regulatory compliance through security measures like data encryption and signer authentication.

Watermark PDFs with a trusted, all-in-one solution

Try pdfFiller for all your document management needs.
Upload document

pdfFiller scores top ratings on review platforms

Users Most Likely To Recommend - Summer 2025
Grid Leader in Small-Business - Summer 2025
High Performer - Summer 2025
Regional Leader - Summer 2025
Love how easy it is to use. With selling our house and buy one out of state, pdf filler has made it so easy to sign documents and email. No scanning for us!
Heidi
Very good so far except that when I attempt to print completed documents the program changes the orientation of the doc so that it cannot be printed. I've managed a work around, but it's annoying.
Anonymous Customer
I had to use pdf Filler to fill out some online divorce documents, and after being initially upset at having to pay for a monthly subscription for a year to print it (very upset), I sucked it up, signed up, and have never stopped using it. Just discovered the eraser...very cool.
Mark Henry S
jE TROUVE CA TRÈS BIEN , WOW J'ADORE.....nous pouvons faire beaucoup de chose avec le PDFfiller , il est très utile et je crois que tous les gens ayant des dossiers à mettre à jours devrait avoir le PDF filler ....Je le recommande fortement
SYLVIE B
Excellent application, very smart it detects data entry fields and allows to add text to PDF document. So far I'm very satisfied with this application.
Fatina A
PDFfiller note editor Overall, it is a good site to use when you need to edit PDF's, especially for classes. I like how easy it is to upload your PDF on the website by just dragging it into an area that automatically brings it up. When it downloads on the site, you are given so many options to edit the PDF by writing directly on the PDF, attaching shapes, underlining, etc. If the PDF is many pages, all you have to do is scroll through the pages, which makes it very accessible to edit the whole PDF. Something I didn't like about PDFfiller is the pages of the PDF become a little blurry when it downloads on the site. It doesn't effect the editing options, but it does effect how it comes out and looks.
Verified Reviewer
Show more Show less

Watch PDF watermarking in action

Check out this video tutorial to learn how to protect and personalize your PDFs with custom watermarks.

FAQs

If you can't find what you're looking for, please contact us anytime!
To add a watermark to your manuscript in pdfFiller, simply upload your document and select the ‘Add Watermark’ option from the editing tools. pdfFiller allows you to customize the watermark’s text, position, and opacity. For best results, ensure your watermark is visually distinct but not overwhelming, so it enhances rather than distracts from your content. This feature is particularly useful for remote professionals and legal teams seeking document security and clear ownership.
pdfFiller employs advanced security protocols, including encryption and secure cloud storage, to protect your manuscripts when adding watermarks. Your documents remain confidential and secure during the entire editing process. An effective tip is to regularly review your document permissions to ensure that only authorized users can access and edit your sensitive materials. This is particularly vital for SMEs ensuring compliance with privacy standards.
Yes, you can customize watermarks in pdfFiller to fit various types of manuscripts. The platform allows you to change the text, font style, size, color, and positioning of the watermark. By tailoring your watermark to match the content’s tone and purpose, you enhance its professional appeal. It’s advisable to use different watermark styles for drafts versus final submissions to signify their status clearly.
When searching for guidance on adding watermarks to manuscripts, consider using long-tail keywords such as 'how to watermark documents securely' or 'best practices for watermarking academic papers.' These phrases help target more specific queries that align with your needs, attracting expert content that provides comprehensive solutions. pdfFiller’s extensive support resources can guide you effectively, ensuring that you navigate watermarking with confidence.
Absolutely, pdfFiller is designed with cross-platform compatibility, allowing you to add watermarks to your manuscripts seamlessly across different devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. This flexibility ensures you can work on your documents anytime, anywhere. Make sure to test your document on various platforms after editing to ensure the watermark appears as intended, enhancing document professionalism across all formats.
Common mistakes when adding watermarks to manuscripts include using overly large or distracting text and not considering the document's readability. To avoid these pitfalls, select a watermark size that complements the document's layout and does not interfere with essential content. A practical tip is to preview your manuscript in pdfFiller before finalizing to ensure the watermark remains subtle yet effective, maintaining the document’s integrity and professionalism.

Watermark PDFs with a trusted, all-in-one solution

Try pdfFiller for all your document management needs.
Upload document