How to Add Tamper-Proof Watermarks to Your PDFs

Traditional PDF watermarks can be removed with just a few clicks. Scanned Maker solves this by creating burnt-in watermarks that become permanent parts of your document—impossible to remove without destroying the content.

The Problem with Traditional Watermarks

Why they fail:

• Exist as separate layers that can be toggled off
• Can be selected and deleted in PDF editors
• OCR tools can read text while ignoring watermarks
• Easy to bypass with basic PDF manipulation

Scanned Maker's Solution: Burnt-In Watermarks

How it works: Scanned Maker converts your document into a scanned-style PDF where watermarks are permanently embedded into the page image itself.

Benefits:

• Watermarks become part of the visual layer
• Cannot be removed or hidden
• PDF editors can't separate watermark from content
• Resistant to OCR extraction attempts
• Survives printing and re-scanning

Adding Watermarks: Step-by-Step

1. Upload Your Document

Visit scannedmaker.com and upload your PDF or document file.

2. Enable Watermark Settings

Navigate to the watermark options in the settings panel.

3. Configure Your Watermark

Text Content:

• "CONFIDENTIAL"
• "DRAFT - NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION"
• Company name or contact info
• Custom security messages

Style Options:

• Opacity - 20-40% for subtle, 50-70% for prominent
• Angle - Diagonal (30-45°) is traditional
• Font - Professional and readable
• Color - Gray for professional, red for urgent
• Pattern - Single center or tiled repetition

For comprehensive watermark design guidance, see our complete watermark design guide covering typography, color psychology, and industry best practices.

4. Preview & Adjust

Check that:

• Watermark is visible but doesn't obscure content
• Text remains readable
• Style matches your needs

5. Apply & Download

Process the document and download your protected PDF.

Real-World Use Cases

Legal Documents:

• "ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGED"
• Diagonal, 35% opacity, gray

Business Contracts:

• Company logo + "CONFIDENTIAL"
• Subtle, 25-30% opacity

Draft Documents:

• "DRAFT - NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION"
• Prominent, 50-60% opacity, red/orange

Training Materials:

• "FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY"
• Subtle repeating pattern

Internal Use:

• "INTERNAL USE ONLY - [Department]"
• Includes date/version info

Adding Signatures

Upload Your Signature:

1. Sign on white paper with black/blue pen
2. Take clear photo or scan
3. Upload to Scanned Maker
4. Position and size appropriately
5. Apply to document

Best Practices:

• Place near signature lines or at document bottom
• Use high opacity (90%+) for clarity
• Ensure contrast against background

Security Comparison

| Method | Removability | Protection Level | |--------|-------------|------------------| | Scanned Maker | Extremely difficult | High | | Traditional PDF Layer | Easy | Low | | Background Text | Very easy | Minimal |

Quick Tips

✅ Do:

• Use subtle opacity for professional look
• Test readability with watermark applied
• Include contact/copyright info
• Use consistent style across documents

❌ Don't:

• Make watermarks so dark they obscure text
• Use overly complex fonts
• Forget to preview before finalizing

Privacy Note

All watermark processing happens locally in your browser. Your documents never leave your device, making Scanned Maker safe for sensitive files. Read more about why Scanned Maker is the most private PDF tool.

Get Protected

Create tamper-proof watermarked PDFs today.

Visit scannedmaker.com and secure your documents in minutes.