Quick answer: A watermark is a visible mark, such as a logo, name or text, placed over an image, video or document to show ownership or discourage copying.
Watermark explained
A watermark is a mark, such as a logo, name or word, placed over a picture, video or document to show who owns it or to discourage copying. Photographers and agencies watermark previews so work cannot be reused without paying. Businesses add words like Draft or Confidential to documents.
A personal watermark, showing the viewer's name or email, is a strong deterrent to leaks, because any screenshot points back to the person who shared it.
On this site, view-only links can show previews watermarked with the viewer's email and the time. You can also watermark images and PDFs yourself before sending.
Types of watermark
| Type | What it looks like | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Logo or name | Your brand or name, often semi-transparent | Portfolio images, proofs for clients |
| Status text | DRAFT, SAMPLE, CONFIDENTIAL | Documents not ready for final use |
| Personal (per viewer) | The viewer's email and the time | Unreleased work, sensitive previews |
There are also invisible digital watermarks, hidden in the pixels or sound and readable only with special software. They are mainly used by agencies and broadcasters to trace copies.
How to watermark well
- Place it over the important part of the picture, not in a corner where it can be cropped off.
- Make it semi-transparent so the work can still be judged.
- Use a lower-resolution copy for previews, so even a cleaned-up version is not good enough to use.
- Always watermark a copy. Keep the clean original safe for final delivery.
A typical client workflow
- Upload the previews and, under More options, tick View only with Watermark previews on.
- The client opens photos, PDFs or videos in the browser, with their email and the time shown over each preview, and no download button.
- Once they approve, send the clean, full-quality files with a normal download link.
No website can block screenshots completely. The personal watermark makes it clear who took one.
Frequently asked questions
Can a watermark be removed?
Sometimes, with effort. Placing it across the main content makes removal harder, and a viewer-specific watermark still discourages sharing.
Should I watermark the final files for a client?
Usually not. Watermark previews and deliver clean files once the work is approved.
Does a watermark lower the quality of my photo?
It covers part of the image, which is the point. Watermark a copy and keep the original clean.
Can I watermark a video?
Most video editors can add a logo or text overlay. On this site, view-only links also watermark video previews with the viewer's email and the time.
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