How to add a watermark to an image (instructions)
This online tool lets you add a text or image watermark to a photo directly in your browser. You can adjust its size, opacity, rotation, position, and repetition, then save the finished image in the format you need.
1. Upload an image
Drag your image into the “Drag images here” area or click “or click to choose files” to select a file from your device.
After uploading, the image will appear in the workspace.
2. Choose the watermark type
In the “Watermark type” field, two options are available:
- Text watermark — adds text to the image.
- Image watermark — lets you use a logo, emblem, or another image as a watermark.
3. Text watermark
If you select “Text watermark”, enter the text you want in the “Watermark text” field.
For example:
© konvertus.co
Then customize the appearance of the text.
Font
Choose a suitable font from the “Font” list.
Style
If needed, you can use:
- B — bold;
- / — italic;
- U — underline.
You can apply one or several styles at the same time.
Text color
Use “Text color” to choose the color of your watermark.
4. Adjust the opacity
The “Opacity” setting controls how visible the watermark is.
The lower the value, the more transparent the watermark becomes.
For a typical watermark, an opacity of around 30–60% often works well.
5. Adjust the size
The “Size” setting lets you make the watermark larger or smaller.
Move the slider until the watermark fits your image.
6. Adjust the rotation
The “Rotation” setting changes the angle of the watermark.
For example:
0— no rotation;-25— tilted in one direction;25— tilted in the opposite direction.
Rotation is especially useful when applying repeated or diagonal watermarks.
7. Choose the watermark position
The “Position” field includes the following options:
- Center
- Top left
- Top center
- Top right
- Center left
- Center right
- Bottom left
- Bottom center
- Bottom right
- Custom position
Choose where you want the watermark to appear.
Horizontal margin
The “Horizontal margin” setting lets you fine-tune the watermark position horizontally.
Vertical margin
The “Vertical margin” setting lets you move the watermark vertically.
These settings help you position the watermark more precisely relative to the edges or center of the image.
8. Choose the repeat mode
The “Repeat mode” field has three options:
Single
Adds one watermark to the image.
Grid
Repeats the watermark across the entire image in a grid pattern.
Diagonal
Repeats the watermark diagonally across the image.
When using repetition, you can also adjust:
- Horizontal gap
- Vertical gap
The higher the value, the more space there will be between neighboring watermarks.
9. Advanced settings
Enable “Advanced settings” if you want to choose the output format and image quality.
Format
The following formats are available:
- JPG
- JPEG
- PNG
- WEBP
- AVIF
For images intended for websites, WEBP or AVIF are usually good choices because they can reduce file size while maintaining good visual quality.
PNG is useful when preserving image quality is especially important.
Quality
The available options are:
- 100%
- 90%
- 80%
- 60%
100% — maximum quality and usually a larger file size.
90% — high quality with a good balance between quality and file size.
80% — reduces the file size further while keeping good visual quality.
60% — produces a smaller file, but quality loss may become more noticeable.
For most website images, WEBP at 80–90% quality is a good choice.
10. Download the finished image
After adjusting the watermark settings, click “Download image”.
The processed image will be saved to your device.
Recommendations
For a simple copyright or authorship mark, one small watermark in a corner of the photo is usually enough.
If you want to make unauthorized use of the image more difficult, use “Grid” or “Diagonal” and make the watermark semi-transparent.
Avoid using excessively high opacity. The watermark should remain visible without interfering too much with the image itself.
For images intended for websites, WEBP + 80–90% quality is usually a good balance between image quality and file size.
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Add a watermark to photos and images online for free
A watermark is a simple way to identify the creator of a photo, keep a brand name attached to an image, mark a draft or preview, or make unauthorized reuse more difficult. With this online tool, you can add a watermark to a photo directly in your browser without installing a separate image editor.
You can use either a text watermark or an image watermark. A text watermark can contain your name, website address, copyright notice, project status, or any other short message. An image watermark can be a logo, signature, emblem, or another graphic.
The watermark can be resized, rotated, moved, and made more or less transparent. You can place it once, repeat it in a grid, or distribute it diagonally across the image.
If you only need to add a watermark to an image, there is no need to open Photoshop, create a new layer, insert text or a logo, adjust opacity, and export the file manually. The essential watermarking controls are available in one browser-based tool.
The watermarking process runs locally in your browser. The original image does not need to be uploaded to the server to apply the watermark. This makes the tool suitable for personal photos, business graphics, client previews, scans, and images of documents.
The service works on desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones and can be used without registration.
What is a watermark?
A watermark is a visible text or graphic element placed over an existing image.
It can be subtle, small, and semi-transparent, or large and intentionally noticeable. The best style depends on what you want to achieve.
For a finished photograph, a small logo in a corner may be enough.
For a client preview, draft, or sample, a larger watermark in the center or a repeated pattern may be more appropriate.
Photographers, designers, online stores, agencies, bloggers, illustrators, publishers, and businesses all use watermarks for different reasons.
Before you create a watermark, it helps to decide whether your main goal is branding, authorship identification, document labeling, or stronger visual protection.
Add watermark to photo
Photos are one of the most common types of files that people watermark.
A photo published on a website, portfolio, marketplace, blog, or social network can easily be downloaded and shared without the original caption or source link.
When you add a watermark to a photo, the author name, website, or logo stays directly on the image itself.
For normal publishing, a small watermark with moderate opacity is usually enough.
For previews or client selection galleries, a larger watermark can help distinguish the preview from the final file.
A watermark can contain:
- a photographer name;
- a company name;
- a website URL;
- a logo;
- a signature;
- a copyright notice.
The most important thing is to keep the watermark visible without unnecessarily covering the main subject.
Add watermark to image
The tool is not limited to photographs.
You can also add a watermark to an image such as:
- an illustration;
- a screenshot;
- a product image;
- a banner;
- an infographic;
- a design mockup;
- a scan;
- an image of a document.
A screenshot can include a website address.
A product image can contain the logo of an online store.
An illustration can include the artist’s signature.
A scan can include a visible note such as “Copy,” “Draft,” or “For review.”
The same watermarking tool can therefore be used for many different visual formats and workflows.
Watermark photos online
If you need to watermark photos online, a browser-based tool can be much faster than opening a full graphic editor.
You can select the image, choose a text or logo watermark, adjust the main settings, and download the result.
This is useful when you:
- only need to watermark one or a few images;
- do not want to install desktop software;
- are working from a mobile device;
- need to prepare an image quickly before publishing;
- only need basic watermark controls.
A dedicated watermark tool focuses on the settings that matter for this task instead of presenting dozens of unrelated editing features.
Free watermark maker
A free watermark maker should make it easy to create a mark that matches the purpose of the image.
For a portfolio, that may be a discreet name or logo.
For a product catalog, it may be a consistent brand mark.
For a draft, it may be a large diagonal word such as “DRAFT.”
For a preview, it may be a repeated grid.
This tool provides the main controls needed to build a watermark directly in the browser:
- text or image watermark;
- font selection;
- text color;
- bold, italic, and underline styles;
- opacity;
- size;
- rotation;
- predefined positions;
- custom position;
- horizontal and vertical margins;
- single, grid, and diagonal repeat modes;
- output format;
- output quality.
This makes it useful both as a simple watermark maker and as a practical tool for applying an existing logo to photos.
Create watermark with text
A text watermark is the easiest option when you do not already have a prepared logo.
You can type any short message directly into the watermark field.
For example:
© example.com
John Smith Photography
Draft
Preview
Sample
For approval
Copy
Internal use
A text watermark is especially useful when the content changes from file to file.
A designer may use “Draft” on one version and “For approval” on another.
A photographer may use a name on some photos and a website address on others.
When you create a watermark with text, you can adjust the font, color, size, opacity, style, rotation, and position to fit the image.
Text watermark
A text watermark is flexible because it does not require a separate graphic file.
It can be used for:
- names;
- website addresses;
- copyright notices;
- project labels;
- internal notes;
- preview labels;
- document purposes.
Text also works well when you need to change the watermark frequently.
For a consistent visual style, you can keep the same font, opacity, and position across a series of images.
For a stronger preview mark, you can use a larger font, increase the opacity, or repeat the text across the image.
Logo watermark
A logo watermark is a good choice for branding.
Businesses, online stores, photographers, agencies, and creators can use the same logo across multiple images to maintain visual consistency.
A PNG logo with a transparent background is often especially convenient because transparent areas do not create a visible rectangular background around the logo.
After selecting the image watermark, you can adjust its size, opacity, rotation, and position.
For subtle branding, a small logo in a corner is usually enough.
For preview protection, the logo can be larger or repeated across the image.
Image watermark
An image watermark can be more than just a company logo.
You can also use:
- an artist signature;
- an emblem;
- a project badge;
- a custom icon;
- a prepared copyright graphic;
- another image designed specifically as a watermark.
The advantage of an image watermark is that its visual appearance remains consistent.
This is useful when the same branding needs to appear across many photographs.
Watermark opacity
Opacity controls how strongly the watermark appears over the image.
A fully opaque watermark is easy to see but can cover important details.
A lower opacity creates a semi-transparent result and usually works better for normal photography.
For branding or authorship, moderate opacity is often enough.
For drafts or previews, a stronger mark may be appropriate.
Opacity becomes especially important when you use a repeated grid.
A single opaque logo in one corner may look fine, but dozens of opaque copies can make the image difficult to view.
For repeated watermarks, a semi-transparent setting usually creates a better balance between visibility and readability.
Watermark size
The best watermark size depends on the dimensions of the original image.
The same logo can look large on a small image and almost invisible on a high-resolution photo.
You should also consider how the image will be displayed later.
A watermark that looks perfect on the original file may become too small when the photo is resized for a product card, social post, or thumbnail.
When you add watermark to photo online, check the actual visual result instead of relying only on a numeric value.
For branding, a small or medium watermark usually works well.
For drafts and commercial previews, a larger watermark may be more appropriate.
Watermark rotation
A watermark does not have to be horizontal.
The Rotation setting lets you tilt the text or logo.
A small angle can be used for design purposes.
A larger diagonal angle is common for:
- previews;
- drafts;
- mockups;
- samples;
- client proofs.
Diagonal placement can cover a wider part of the image and is more difficult to remove by simply cropping one edge.
Rotation can also be combined with the diagonal repeat mode to create a repeated angled pattern.
Watermark position
The best watermark position depends on the image composition.
A small signature is often placed in a corner.
A draft label may work better in the center.
A logo can be positioned where it remains visible without covering the most important part of the photo.
Available positions include:
- Center;
- Top left;
- Top center;
- Top right;
- Center left;
- Center right;
- Bottom left;
- Bottom center;
- Bottom right;
- Custom position.
The Custom position option is useful when a standard location covers a face, product, text, or other important part of the image.
Horizontal and vertical margins
Margins let you fine-tune the watermark position.
A logo placed directly against the edge of a photo can look cramped.
Adding some space often improves the appearance.
Horizontal and vertical margins are also useful for social media, where interface elements may cover parts of the image near the edges.
If you watermark a series of images for the same project, consistent margins can help create a cleaner visual style.
Single watermark
The Single repeat mode places one watermark on the image.
This is the most common choice for:
- branding;
- photographer signatures;
- website names;
- copyright labels.
A single watermark affects the image less and is usually better for finished photos.
However, a small mark in a corner can sometimes be removed by cropping.
For stronger visual protection, a grid or diagonal repeat pattern may be more effective.
Watermark grid
The Grid mode repeats the watermark across the image.
This can be useful for:
- client proofs;
- stock image previews;
- mockups;
- draft designs;
- commercial samples;
- unfinished artwork.
A grid reduces the amount of unmarked image area.
Cropping one edge will not remove every copy of the watermark.
At the same time, the grid should not be so dense that the viewer can no longer evaluate the image.
A moderate opacity and balanced spacing generally produce the best result.
Diagonal watermark
The Diagonal repeat mode places multiple watermarks across the image in an offset pattern.
This can feel less rigid than a straight grid while still covering different areas.
The final appearance depends on several settings working together:
- size;
- opacity;
- rotation;
- horizontal gap;
- vertical gap.
Small text can be repeated more densely.
A larger logo usually needs more spacing.
If you need to watermark an image for a protected preview, diagonal repetition can be a practical option.
Horizontal and vertical gap
When the watermark is repeated, the gap settings determine the distance between copies.
A larger horizontal gap leaves more space between watermarks from left to right.
A larger vertical gap increases the spacing between rows.
Being able to control both directions separately is useful for unusual image proportions.
A portrait photo, a wide banner, and a long screenshot may all need different spacing.
There is no single value that works for every image.
The best result depends on watermark size, text length, and image dimensions.
Watermark for photographers
Photographers often use watermarks as a digital signature.
A finished portfolio image may include a small photographer name, website, or logo.
A client proof can use a more noticeable watermark to make it clear that the file is not yet the final delivered image.
A large semi-transparent mark or repeated grid can be useful for this purpose.
If you regularly watermark photos online, keeping the same size, opacity, and placement across a set of images can create a more professional appearance.
Watermark for online stores
Product photos often circulate outside the original store.
They may be saved, reposted, shared on marketplaces, or used on social media.
A logo or store name placed directly on the image helps keep the source visible.
At the same time, the watermark should not prevent customers from seeing product details.
For a product catalog, a moderate size and opacity usually work better than a large opaque logo.
If the images are unique and professionally produced, you may choose a more noticeable watermark.
Watermark for websites and blogs
Images published on websites can be copied separately from the article or page where they originally appeared.
When that happens, the source information may be lost.
A small website name or logo on the image can help preserve the connection.
For normal photographs, a corner mark may be enough.
For infographics, diagrams, or original illustrations, a watermark placed slightly farther from the edge can be harder to remove with a simple crop.
Using a consistent watermark style across a site can also strengthen brand recognition.
Watermark for social media
Photos and graphics are frequently reposted on social networks.
Captions and links do not always follow the image when it is shared.
A watermark keeps the author or brand name inside the file itself.
When choosing the position, keep in mind that social apps often place buttons, usernames, captions, or other interface elements near image edges.
A watermark that is too close to a corner may be partially hidden.
Before publishing, check whether the mark remains visible when the image is displayed at a smaller size.
Add watermark to document
Watermarks are not only for photos.
You can also add a watermark to a document image or scan.
Possible examples include:
- contracts;
- forms;
- certificates;
- statements;
- proofs;
- scanned copies;
- other document images.
You might use text such as:
COPY
FOR REVIEW
FOR THIS PURPOSE ONLY
SAMPLE
DRAFT
A large semi-transparent watermark placed in the center or diagonally can work well for this type of file.
Watermark passport or ID image
In some situations, you may want to add a visible purpose note to an image of a passport or another identity document.
For example, you may want to show that a copy is intended only for a specific verification process.
The tool lets you add text, adjust opacity, and place the note in a visible area.
However, adding a watermark does not automatically hide personal data.
Names, photos, document numbers, and other details remain visible unless they are protected separately.
A watermark is a visual label, not a method of anonymization.
Before sharing an identity document, always consider which information actually needs to be visible.
Watermark drafts and previews
Designers, agencies, photographers, and other creative professionals often send work-in-progress files to clients.
A visible watermark can clearly distinguish a draft from a final version.
Common labels include:
DRAFT
PREVIEW
SAMPLE
FOR APPROVAL
These can be placed in the center or diagonally.
For more valuable commercial content, a grid can make the status of the file even more obvious.
Text watermarks are particularly convenient because the wording can be changed quickly from one project stage to another.
Add watermark without Photoshop
Photoshop can create watermarks, but a full image editor is not always necessary for a simple watermarking task.
In Photoshop, you would normally need to:
- open the image;
- create a new layer;
- add text or import a logo;
- resize the watermark;
- adjust opacity;
- position the element;
- rotate it if needed;
- export the image again.
If your goal is simply to add watermark to photo, this workflow may be unnecessarily long.
A dedicated online tool gives you direct access to the settings that matter.
You do not need to install Photoshop, a plugin, or another desktop application just to add a logo or signature.
Create watermark online for free
A browser-based tool is especially useful when you only need a watermark occasionally.
You can create a watermark online for free on the same device where the image is stored.
There is no need to install separate software or create an account for a simple edit.
You can use text or a logo, adjust the appearance, and then save the finished image.
Browser-based watermarking
One of the key features of this tool is local browser processing.
The original image does not need to be uploaded to a remote server in order to apply the watermark.
The operation is performed directly in the browser on your device.
This can be especially useful for:
- personal photos;
- unpublished images;
- client files;
- internal mockups;
- business graphics;
- scanned documents.
It also avoids waiting for a large original file to upload before the watermark can be applied.
Privacy when watermarking images
Photos and documents may contain personal or confidential information.
A personal image may include faces, locations, or private details.
A mockup may contain information that has not yet been published.
A scan may include personal data.
Because the watermarking itself is performed locally in the browser, the source image stays on the device during this operation.
For users looking for a private watermark maker or browser-based watermarking tool, this can be an important advantage.
Watermark photo, image, or graphic
The word “watermark” is often associated with photography, but the same technique applies to many other visual files.
You can watermark:
- photos;
- illustrations;
- screenshots;
- diagrams;
- banners;
- product images;
- scans;
- document images;
- mockups.
An illustration may use an artist signature.
A screenshot may use a website address.
A product image may use a company logo.
A draft can use a status label.
The same tool can therefore serve as both a photo watermark maker and a general image watermark tool.
Text or logo: which should you choose?
Text is more flexible.
It can be changed quickly and does not require a prepared image file.
It works well for:
- names;
- domains;
- copyright notices;
- warnings;
- project statuses;
- document labels.
A logo is better for permanent branding.
It keeps the visual identity of a company, store, photographer, or project consistent.
If you apply the same watermark to many images, a logo may be more convenient.
If the message changes often, text is usually the better choice.
Subtle watermark or stronger protection?
The best watermark depends on what you want to achieve.
For branding, a subtle mark is usually enough.
For protected previews, a larger or repeated watermark may be better.
A small corner watermark interferes less with the image, but it can be easier to remove by cropping.
A center watermark covers a more important area.
A grid spreads the mark across several parts of the image.
The right choice is a balance between appearance and visual protection.
Does a watermark prevent image copying?
Not completely.
A watermark is a visual protection method, not a technical download restriction.
A person can still save an image that contains a watermark.
The main purposes are to:
- identify the source;
- show authorship;
- preserve branding;
- mark a preview;
- make unauthorized reuse more difficult.
A small watermark at the edge can be cropped.
A large central watermark is harder to remove without affecting the image.
A repeated grid requires edits across multiple areas.
The practical strength of a watermark therefore depends on size, position, opacity, and repeat mode.
Supported input formats
The tool supports many common image formats.
Supported input formats include:
JPG
JPEG
PNG
WEBP
AVIF
GIF
BMP
SVG
ICO
HEIC
HEIF
TIFF
TGA
JPG and JPEG are widely used for photographs.
PNG is useful for graphics and transparent logos.
WEBP and AVIF are common modern web formats.
HEIC and HEIF are used by some smartphones.
TIFF is common in scans and professional image workflows.
SVG is often used for vector graphics and logos.
This format support makes it easier to add watermark to image files without converting them first.
Output formats
After adding the watermark, the finished image can be saved as:
JPG
JPEG
PNG
WEBP
AVIF
JPG and JPEG offer broad compatibility and work well for photographs.
PNG is useful for graphics and content with sharp text or edges.
WEBP offers a good balance between image quality and file size for websites.
AVIF provides efficient modern compression.
The best format depends on how you plan to use the final image.
Image quality settings
You can also choose the quality of the output file.
Available options include:
100%
90%
80%
60%
A higher quality setting keeps more detail but usually creates a larger file.
A lower setting reduces file size.
If your watermark includes fine text or a detailed logo, excessive compression may reduce sharpness.
For many website images, WEBP at 80–90% quality is a practical starting point.
Watermark on desktop
A desktop or laptop provides more screen space for fine adjustments.
It can be easier to evaluate:
- watermark position;
- margins;
- size;
- rotation;
- spacing;
- text readability.
This is especially convenient for photographers, designers, and online stores working with larger images.
Because the tool runs in the browser, no separate desktop application is required.
Watermark on mobile
The tool also works on smartphones.
You can choose a photo directly from the device, add a watermark, and save the processed image back to the same device.
This is useful when preparing social media posts without transferring the photo to a computer first.
On a small screen, it is especially important to check watermark size and margins before downloading the final image.
Watermark on tablet
A tablet offers more workspace than a phone while remaining portable.
It can be a practical option for editing images while traveling or working away from a desktop.
All main watermark settings remain available in the browser.
What makes a good watermark?
A good watermark should achieve its purpose without damaging the image more than necessary.
For branding, consistency matters.
Use the same logo, similar size, and similar position across a series of images.
For authorship, make sure the name remains readable after the image is resized.
For previews, use a position that is not too easy to remove or use repetition.
For documents, use text that clearly explains the intended purpose of the copy.
Always review the full image before downloading the result.
Main features of the watermark tool
This online tool can be used to add watermark to photo, add watermark to image, watermark photos online, and create watermark without installing a full image editor.
Main features include:
- text watermark;
- image watermark;
- logo watermark;
- custom text;
- font selection;
- text color;
- bold;
- italic;
- underline;
- opacity;
- size;
- rotation;
- preset positions;
- custom position;
- horizontal margin;
- vertical margin;
- Single repeat mode;
- Grid repeat mode;
- Diagonal repeat mode;
- horizontal gap;
- vertical gap;
- multiple output formats;
- multiple quality settings.
The watermarking process is performed locally in the browser, so the source image does not need to be sent to the server to apply the watermark.
FAQ — Frequently asked questions about watermarks
1. Can I add a watermark to a photo for free?
Yes. You can add text or a logo to a photo directly in the browser and then download the processed image. You do not need Photoshop or another desktop image editor.
2. Can I create a watermark online?
Yes. You can create a text watermark or use an existing logo. You can adjust the font, color, opacity, size, rotation, and position.
3. Can I use a transparent PNG logo as a watermark?
Yes. A transparent PNG is especially useful for logo watermarks because transparent areas do not cover the photo underneath.
4. Can I change watermark opacity?
Yes. Opacity can be adjusted for both text and image watermarks. You can make the mark subtle or highly visible depending on your needs.
5. Can I add a diagonal watermark?
Yes. You can rotate the watermark and also use the Diagonal repeat mode to distribute multiple copies across the image.
6. Can I repeat a watermark across the whole image?
Yes. The Grid mode repeats the watermark across different areas of the image. Horizontal and vertical spacing can be adjusted separately.
7. Can I add a watermark to a document or passport image?
Technically, yes, if the document is available as a compatible image. You can add a purpose label or other text. However, the watermark does not automatically hide personal information, so sensitive data should be protected separately when necessary.
8. Are my images uploaded to a server?
Not for applying the watermark. The watermarking process is performed locally in the browser, so the original image stays on your device during this operation.
9. Which image formats are supported?
Supported input formats include JPG, JPEG, PNG, WEBP, AVIF, GIF, BMP, SVG, ICO, HEIC, HEIF, TIFF, and TGA. The finished image can be saved as JPG, JPEG, PNG, WEBP, or AVIF.
10. Does the watermark tool work on mobile?
Yes. The tool works on desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones. You can select an image from your device, add a watermark, and save the finished result directly.