Add Watermark to PDF — Stamp "CONFIDENTIAL", "DRAFT", or Custom Text

StayPDF's Watermark tool adds a free text watermark to every page of a PDF in one step. Mark contracts as "CONFIDENTIAL", flag working copies as "DRAFT", brand handouts with your company name — anything you can type, including non-Latin characters and symbols.

All processing happens inside your browser. Your files are never uploaded to any server. Watermark sensitive documents without exposing them to a third-party service. Free, no account, no installation.

Unlike many online watermark services, StayPDF never stamps its own branding onto your file, never limits how many pages or PDFs you process, and never adds a sign-up wall. It is a genuinely free PDF watermark tool: legal teams use it to mark confidential drafts, designers to label proofs, and businesses to brand client deliverables.

What this tool can do

  • Stamp any text (Latin, CJK, symbols) across every page
  • Choose size (small/medium/large), color (red/gray/black/blue), and opacity
  • Pick layout: diagonal center, horizontal center, or bottom-right
  • Adjust opacity so the watermark is visible but the text underneath stays readable
  • No page limit, no file-count limit, and no StayPDF branding added to your PDF
  • Preview the result before saving
  • Fully local — files stay in your browser the whole time

How to add a watermark

  1. Choose a PDF: Drag and drop your PDF, or use the file picker.
  2. Set the text and style: Type the watermark text and pick size, color, opacity, and layout.
  3. Apply and download: Click "Add Watermark and Save". Every page gets the watermark in the resulting PDF.

Frequently asked questions

How do I add a free watermark to a PDF?

Open this tool, drop in your PDF, type the watermark text (for example "CONFIDENTIAL"), pick a color, opacity, and layout, then click "Add Watermark and Save". It is completely free with no account, no installation, and no limit on the number of pages or files.

Is there a file-size or page limit?

No. Because the work happens in your browser rather than on a server, there is no upload cap. You can watermark a one-page memo or a hundred-page report the same way; very large files are limited only by your device's memory.

Will the watermark show up when I print the PDF?

Yes. The watermark is drawn into the page itself, so it prints exactly as shown and stays visible when the file is viewed, shared, or printed on any device.

Can I add a diagonal "CONFIDENTIAL" stamp across the page?

Yes. Choose the diagonal-center layout and type CONFIDENTIAL (or any text). A semi-transparent red stamp at 30–40% opacity is a common choice that keeps the body text readable underneath.

Does it work on iPhone or Android without installing an app?

Yes. StayPDF runs in your mobile browser. There is nothing to install — open the page, choose a PDF, and add the watermark just like on desktop.

Will the same watermark appear on every page?

Yes. The current version applies one watermark to every page.

Are non-Latin characters supported?

Yes. The tool uses your browser's fonts, so Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and symbols render naturally.

Can the watermark be removed later?

Once added, the watermark is part of the page rendering and can't be peeled off with this tool. Keep the original file as a backup.

Are my files uploaded to a server?

No. Everything runs locally in your browser.

Related tools

  • Sign PDF — Add a handwritten signature
  • Add Text — Place text anywhere on a PDF
  • Page Numbers — Number every page automatically
  • How to Add a Watermark to a PDF (Guide)