How to Add a Watermark to Your PDF File

[Emily Clarke]

PDF files provide an easy and convenient way to share data on web pages and as digital downloads. Many people have dedicated PDF readers on their smartphones and tablets, and PDF files can also be printed out for review offline.

Because PDF files are digital and easily shared through email and download, the issue of copyright can become a concern. If you create a PDF and simply upload it to the web without taking any steps to protect your work, there isn’t much to stop someone from simply downloading the file, copying the text, and then claiming it as their own.

The way to put a stop to this issue is to utilize security tools that password-protect or encrypt your PDF files, but this method may require a bit of technical know-how. On top of that, it puts your content at a disadvantage when it comes to sharing since only people with the password or a way to decrypt the file will have access.

Add a Watermark

An easier way to protect your files is to edit them by adding a watermark. Adding a watermark to your PDF provides a convenient way to identify it as an original copy, and it can also serve as a warning to would-be copyright infringers.

To add a watermark, you need to know how to edit a PDF file. The actual process of adding a watermark is fairly straightforward once you get into your PDF software. However, knowing how to edit a PDF file in the first place may mean you’ll need to review the documentation that came with your PDF creation app. Visit this website to know more about how to edit a PDF file.

Be Careful With Placement

When placing a watermark in your PDF, be careful not to block important text or images. Adding an automated watermark may be convenient, but if you aren’t reviewing every single page to ensure nothing is blocked by the watermark, you run the risk of marring your document.

Instead, place your watermark in an unobtrusive place on each page away from the text. Conversely, place a watermark across the entirety of each page and have its opacity turned down. This will cover each page with a watermark to identify your work, but it will still allow text to clearly show through.

Read a similar article about PDF document solutions here at this page.