Add Watermark to PDF
Add text or image watermarks to PDF files and download the results.
Watermark PDF Files with Text or Images
Add Watermark to PDF places a visible text or image watermark onto uploaded PDF files. The inspected Gouho page has two clear modes: Place Text and Place Image. Each mode has its own settings for positioning, transparency, rotation, and layer placement.
This tool is useful when a document needs a visible label before it is shared. A watermark can mark a draft, identify ownership, add a review notice, show a sample status, or place a logo-style image on the page. The output remains a PDF and appears in a result table for download.
If the page order needs cleanup before watermarking, use Organize PDF first. If multiple PDFs need to become one document before the watermark is applied, use Merge PDF before this step.
How to Use Add Watermark to PDF
- Upload one or more PDF files in the visible upload area.
- Choose Place Text or Place Image.
- For a text watermark, enter the watermark text and adjust font, font size, color, position, transparency, rotation, and overlay or underlay layer.
- For an image watermark, upload a PNG, JPG, or JPEG image and choose position, transparency, rotation, and overlay or underlay layer.
- Select Add Watermark to process the files.
- Download each watermarked PDF from the result table, or use Download All when multiple outputs are shown.
The upload interface enables PDF preview and sorting, but it does not allow protected PDFs in this view. Use files you own, control, or have permission to modify.
Text Watermark Settings
Text mode is best for labels such as Draft, Confidential, Sample, Approved, Client Copy, or an internal reference. The visible controls let you choose how the text appears on the PDF.
| Control | Use |
|---|---|
| Text field | Sets the wording that will be placed on the PDF. |
| Font and font size | Controls the style and visual size of the watermark text. |
| Color palette | Chooses the text color used for the watermark. |
| Position | Places the watermark in areas such as top, center, or bottom positions. |
| Transparency and rotation | Makes the text lighter or angled when the page content should remain readable. |
| Overlay or underlay | Controls whether the watermark is placed over or under existing page content. |
Image Watermark Settings
Image mode is useful for logo marks, seals, stamps, or visual labels. The image upload accepts PNG, JPG, and JPEG files. After choosing the image, use the position, transparency, rotation, and layer settings to fit the watermark to the document.
A large or high-contrast image can distract from the PDF content. For review copies, a lighter transparency setting is often easier to read. For document identification, a center position may be clear, while a corner position can be less intrusive.
Practical Checks Before Download
- Make sure the watermark text is spelled correctly before processing.
- Use transparency when the PDF content must remain easy to read.
- Choose overlay only when the watermark must sit visibly above existing content.
- Choose underlay when the watermark should feel more like a background mark.
- Open the downloaded result and inspect at least the first page before sending it.
After the watermarked PDF is ready, you can package final files with PDF to ZIP if the delivery should remain as separate PDFs inside one archive.
Download finished files promptly. Gouho automatically deletes uploaded and generated files after about one hour, so the result page should not be treated as long-term storage.
Choosing a Watermark That Does Not Hide the Document
A good watermark is visible enough to communicate status but not so heavy that it prevents reading the document. For draft or sample labels, diagonal rotation with partial transparency often works better than a solid label across important text. For logos or stamps, a corner position can identify the document without competing with the main content.
Overlay and underlay choices matter. Overlay is stronger because it sits above the PDF content, but it can cover text, signatures, tables, or form fields. Underlay is usually quieter, although it may be hidden by dense page backgrounds. When the PDF contains important fine print, test the first output carefully and adjust transparency, rotation, or position before using the file externally.
Watermark Review Before Sharing
Before sharing a watermarked PDF, open the downloaded result and inspect pages with dense text, tables, images, signatures, or form fields. These areas show whether the watermark is too dark, too large, or placed where it hides important information. If the watermark is meant to communicate status, the text should be readable at normal zoom without making the document difficult to use. If it is a logo or image mark, make sure it does not look stretched or accidentally cover essential content. Adjust the settings and process the file again when the first output is too intrusive.