Free Watermark Image Online
Add text or logo watermarks to any photo. Control position, size, opacity and rotation — with tile mode for anti-theft watermarks. All in your browser.
Watermark Settings
Live Preview
Preview will appear here
Upload a photo to get startedWhat Is a Watermark?
A watermark is a semi-transparent text or logo overlay placed on top of an image. The name comes from the traditional paper-making process, where a translucent design was pressed into paper during manufacture and became visible when held up to the light. Digital watermarks work the same way — visible, but subtle enough not to ruin the underlying image.
Watermarks serve three main purposes:
- Ownership & attribution — a name, URL or © symbol signals who created the image.
- Anti-theft protection — visible watermarks make an image less attractive to reuse without permission.
- Branding — a logo in the corner turns every photo into a subtle advertisement for your brand.
Text vs logo watermarks
| Type | Best for | Typical placement |
|---|---|---|
| Text | Copyright notices, URLs, author names, dates | Bottom-right corner |
| Logo | Brand consistency, photography portfolios, product photos | Bottom corner, centred, or tiled |
| Tiled text | Proofs, stock previews, draft images | Repeated diagonally across the whole image |
| Tiled logo | Anti-theft protection on client proofs | Repeated diagonally |
Choosing an opacity level
The opacity slider goes from 5% to 100%. Here's the practical range for each use case:
| Opacity | Use case |
|---|---|
| 5–15% | Tiled anti-theft watermarks — visible on close inspection, unobtrusive at a glance |
| 20–35% | Centred watermarks on previews and proofs |
| 40–60% | Corner branding watermarks — the standard for portfolio and product images |
| 70–100% | Legal notices, "DRAFT" stamps, emergency copyright marks |
Positioning your watermark
The 3×3 position grid gives you nine presets: four corners, four edge midpoints, and the centre. For most use cases, a bottom-right corner watermark works best — it's visible without competing with the subject of the photo. Centre watermarks are common on proofs. Tiled watermarks fill the whole image for maximum protection.
You can also drag the watermark directly on the preview to place it anywhere. This is useful when the corner doesn't work because the image has an important element there.
Do watermarks actually protect images?
Honest answer: they discourage casual reuse, but they don't prevent it. Anyone with basic Photoshop skills can remove a corner watermark in a few minutes. That's why stock photo sites use tiled watermarks — a repeated diagonal pattern across the entire image is dramatically harder to remove without destroying the image itself.
For casual protection of personal photos and social media posts, a corner watermark is enough. For professional portfolios and client proofs, use tile mode.
Common mistakes
- Watermark too small. If a viewer needs to zoom in to read it, it won't deter anyone.
- Opacity too high. Full-opacity watermarks dominate the image and look amateurish.
- Wrong colour. White text on a light sky disappears. Use the preview to check contrast.
- Forgetting to keep the original. Always save the unmarked original — watermarking is destructive.
- JPEG with transparency. JPEG doesn't support transparency, so a PNG logo's transparent areas will be filled with your chosen background colour.
Common use cases
Photography Portfolios
Add your name or studio logo in the corner of portfolio images.
Client Proofs
Send tiled watermarked previews so clients must purchase to use the image.
Product Photos
Brand product images with a subtle logo in the corner.
Social Media
Watermark posts so they stay attributed when reshared.
Stock Previews
Tiled watermark to prevent stock image theft.
Legal Documents
Mark sensitive scans with "CONFIDENTIAL" or "DRAFT".
Blog Images
Add your blog URL to every image you publish.
Real Estate
Brand property photos with the agency logo and listing ID.
Privacy and security
This watermark tool runs entirely in your browser using the Canvas API. Your photo and your watermark image never leave your device — nothing is uploaded, stored or transmitted. Safe for confidential client work, private photos and sensitive material.