You've sent the client a draft concept. They love it, say they'll be in touch about revisions, then go quiet. Two months later, you spot a near-identical version live on their website.
Watermarks won't stop every theft, but they raise the friction enough that most clients don't try.
What to watermark
Anything that hasn't been paid for. Concepts, drafts, in-progress work, proposals with sample visuals. Final delivered work doesn't need watermarks once paid for and signed off. The rule: watermark until payment clears.
Apply the watermark
Use annotate PDF to add a diagonal watermark across every page. Text like "DRAFT — Client Name — DO NOT USE" works well. Position diagonally across the centre of the page, semi-transparent so it doesn't obscure the work but is unmissable. Personalised watermarks (with the client's name) signal that the file is traceable.
Flatten after watermarking
Flatten the PDF so the watermark becomes part of the page content, not a removable annotation. A determined client can still remove flattened watermarks with effort — but the friction prevents casual reuse. For more security, combine watermark with password protection.
Remove for final delivery
Once the work is signed off and paid for, deliver clean unwatermarked files. Keep the watermarked version in your records as evidence of the draft process. The final deliverable shouldn't have "DRAFT" stamped on every page — that's the moment to switch.
FAQ
Will clients be offended by watermarks?
Professional clients expect them on drafts. Clients who object usually have the wrong expectations about pre-payment work.
Can clients remove watermarks?
With effort, yes — especially from unflattened files. Flattening adds friction; combine with password protection for higher-security work.
Should watermarks be visible from a phone?
Yes — make them visible at typical viewing size. A barely-visible watermark defeats the deterrent purpose.
Do I need to remove watermarks from drafts I'm archiving?
No — keep watermarked drafts in your records. The watermark dates the version.
Watermark before payment. Annotate in Flint and the draft-stealing scenario gets harder.