How to add a stamp to a PDF

What a PDF stamp is

A stamp is a mark you place on top of a page, much like an ink stamp on paper. It sits over the existing content rather than replacing it, so the original text stays readable underneath or beside it. People reach for stamps to show a document's status or to add a recognizable mark such as a company logo.

Stamps are handy because they carry meaning at a glance. A bold Approved across the top of a page tells a reader the state of the document instantly, without them having to read a note buried in the text.

Common kinds of stamps

There are a few types you will run into, and it helps to know which one fits your need.

• Text status stamps such as Approved, Rejected, Draft, Confidential, Reviewed, or Paid. These are the classic rubber stamp phrases.
• Date and identity stamps that add the date, a name, or a department to show who handled the document and when.
• Image stamps such as a company logo, a seal, or a scanned graphic you want to place on the page.
• Custom stamps where you type your own wording and choose the color, so the mark says exactly what you need.

A stamp is not the same as a signature. A signature represents a person agreeing to something, while a stamp marks the document's status or brands it. If you actually need to sign, use a signature tool instead, which we cover below.

Add a stamp to a PDF step by step

You can stamp a PDF right in your browser without installing anything.

1. Open the stamp a PDF tool and drop your file in. It loads in your browser and is not uploaded.
2. Choose a ready made stamp such as Approved or Draft, or create a custom one by typing your own text.
3. Click the page where you want the stamp to land. Drag it to reposition, and use the handles to resize it so it fits neatly.
4. Adjust the color or opacity if you want the stamp to sit lightly over the text rather than cover it.
5. Repeat on other pages if you need the same mark in more than one place.
6. Click Download. The stamp is placed into the page so it travels with the file.

Add your own image or logo stamp

If you want to stamp a logo, a seal, or another graphic, upload the image in the same tool and place it like any other stamp. A transparent PNG works best, because the background will not cover the content underneath. Resize it so it is clear but not overpowering, and line it up with a corner or header for a tidy look. This is a quick way to brand a document or apply a familiar mark to every page.

Tips for a clean stamp

• Mind the placement. Keep stamps away from text you need to keep readable. Corners and margins are good homes for them.
• Use opacity wisely. A slightly transparent stamp shows the page underneath, which looks natural and keeps content visible.
• Stay consistent. If you stamp many documents, use the same position and size each time so your files look uniform.
• Zoom in before placing. Working at a higher zoom helps you line the stamp up precisely.

Stamp, sign, or edit? Picking the right tool

People often confuse stamping with two nearby tasks, so here is a quick way to choose.

• To mark status or add a logo, add a stamp.
• To show that a person agreed to the document, add a signature instead.
• To change the actual text or fields on the page, edit the PDF.

If your file is a form rather than a finished document, you might also want to fill the PDF first, then stamp it once the fields are complete.

Stamp versus watermark

People sometimes ask whether to add a stamp or a watermark, since the two look similar. A stamp is usually a smaller mark placed in one spot, like an Approved badge in a corner. A watermark is typically larger and spread across the whole page, often faint, and used to label a document as Draft or Confidential from edge to edge. Both sit over the content, but a stamp is a focused mark while a watermark treats the entire page. Pick a stamp when you want a clear badge in one place, and a watermark when you want the label to cover the page.

Stamping more than one document

If you handle a stack of documents that all need the same mark, a little consistency saves time. Decide on the wording, color, and position once, then apply the stamp the same way to each file. Keeping the same corner and size across documents makes your files look uniform and professional, which is helpful when they are part of a set that someone will review together. For a single file with several pages, place the stamp on each page that needs it rather than only the first, so the mark is clear no matter which page a reader lands on.

Flattening keeps the stamp in place

When you download a stamped PDF, the mark is placed into the page so it becomes part of the document. That means the stamp travels with the file and is not easily moved or removed by whoever opens it. This is what you want for a status mark like Approved, since it should stay put. If you think you might need to reposition it later, keep your original unstamped copy so you can start fresh rather than trying to peel a placed stamp off a finished file.

Is it private to stamp a PDF online?

It depends on the tool. Many online services upload your document to their servers to process it, which is a concern when the file is a contract, an invoice, or anything with private details. Our stamp tool works in your browser, so the PDF stays on your device the whole time. Nothing is sent away to be marked and returned. That matters when a document you are approving or branding is meant to stay between you and the people you send it to.

A quick recap

A stamp is a mark placed on top of a PDF page to show its status or to brand it, from an Approved or Draft label to your own logo. To add one, open the stamp tool, choose or create your stamp, click to place it, adjust the size, color, and opacity, and download the finished file. Reach for a signature when a person needs to agree to something, and edit the PDF when you need to change the underlying text. Because the work happens in your browser, your document never leaves your device, so you can mark and share files with confidence.