Remove a Watermark from a PDF
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The short answer
Many PDFs mark their watermark as a watermark, or keep it on a layer called Watermark. The first step finds and deletes those, and the text stays text. If the mark is painted into the page, such as on a scan, the second step cleans the pages as pictures instead.
Use this only on files that are yours, or when the owner has said you may remove the mark. Taking a watermark off someone else's work to use it as your own, or to avoid paying for it, can break copyright law.
What it can and cannot remove
- Word and PowerPoint: a watermark added with the program's own watermark feature is deleted cleanly, and nothing else in the file changes.
- PDF: a watermark the file marks as one, a layer called Watermark, and watermark notes are deleted, and the text stays text. A mark that was painted into the page can only be cleaned as a picture.
- Photos and scans: a pale mark on a plain page can be whitened, and a marked part can be filled in from its surroundings. On faces, text or busy patterns the fill can look smudged. It is not AI and cannot bring back what was hidden under the mark.
- Passwords and locked files are not opened. Everything stays on your device.
Your files stay on your device. This tool runs entirely in your browser and nothing is uploaded to a server.
How to: Remove a Watermark from a PDF
- 1Choose the PDF. Use only a file that is yours, or one you have permission to change.
- 2Press Remove the watermark. If you know its words, such as SAMPLE, type them first.
- 3If nothing is found, open step 2, mark the watermark on the preview, and clean all pages.
- 4Download the new PDF. The original is not changed.
At a glance
- Step 1
- Deletes marked watermarks; text stays text
- Step 2
- Cleans pages as pictures; text is no longer selectable
- Not opened
- PDFs locked with a password
Frequently asked questions
Why did it say no watermark was found?
The mark was probably painted into the page like any other drawing, so the file does not say it is a watermark. Use the picture method in step 2 for that.
Is it all right to remove a watermark from a PDF?
It is fine on your own files or with the owner's permission. Removing one from someone else's work to pass it off as yours or to avoid paying can break copyright law.