How To Remove Watermark From PDF? Easy Methods

Written by: Kaushik Jethva

Last Updated: June 24, 2023

pdf symbol with watermark
PDF Symbol with watermark

In today’s digital age, the need to manage documents efficiently is more critical than ever. One common query that frequently arises is “how to remove watermark from PDF?” Watermarks can be a nuisance if you need a clean version of a document.

Fortunately, there are several methods on how to remove watermark from PDF documents. This guide will explore various strategies, tools, and techniques that can be employed to get rid of those pesky watermarks.

In the digital age, PDF files have become an essential means of sharing information. However, these files often come with watermarks that may be distracting or unwanted. How to remove watermark from PDF is a frequent question amongst professionals and students alike. It is crucial to note that before you learn how to remove watermark from PDF, ensure you are not infringing on any copyright or intellectual property rights.

1 Why Watermarks Are Used in PDFs

Before delving into how to remove watermark from PDF, it is important to understand why watermarks are used. They are usually employed to protect intellectual property and to prevent unauthorised usage or reproduction. Some companies use them as a branding tool.

2 Why Remove a Watermark?

Before diving into how to remove watermark from PDF, it’s essential to understand why you might need to do this. There are various reasons, such as:

  • Professional Presentation: Watermarks can be distracting or detract from the content. To maintain a professional appearance, removing the watermark may be necessary.
  • Rebranding: If a document is being reused for different purposes, removing the old watermark might be essential for rebranding.
  • Readability: Some watermarks are so obtrusive that they make reading the document difficult.

However, it’s vital to recognise the legal and ethical aspects. Ensure you have the right to modify the document before proceeding with how to remove watermark from PDF.

3 Method 1: Using Adobe Acrobat Pro

Adobe acrobat pdf

Adobe Acrobat Pro is a powerful tool when it comes to managing PDFs. Here’s how to remove watermark from PDF using Adobe Acrobat Pro:

  1. Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
  2. Go to the “Tools” tab and choose “Edit PDF.
  3. You will see the “Watermark” option, click on it, and select “Remove.
  4. A dialogue box will appear, asking you to confirm the removal of the watermark. Click “Yes.
  5. Save your PDF.

This method is efficient, but Adobe Acrobat Pro is not free. However, if you need to work with PDFs regularly, investing in this software can be worthwhile.

4 Method 2: Using a Web-Based Tool

Smallpdf pdf

For those wondering how to remove watermark from PDF without installing software, web-based tools come in handy. One such tool is Smallpdf. Here’s how to remove watermark from PDF using Smallpdf:

  1. Visit the Smallpdf website.
  2. Select “PDF Watermark Remover.
  3. Upload your PDF.
  4. Smallpdf will automatically remove the watermark.
  5. Download your clean PDF.

Remember that while this method is free and doesn’t require installation, uploading sensitive documents to a third-party website involves risk.

5 Method 3: Using a PDF Editor

pdfelement pdf
PDFElement pdf

There are several PDF editors available that can help with how to remove watermark from PDF. One such editor is PDFelement. Here’s how:

  1. Open your PDF with PDFelement.
  2. Go to the “Edit” tab and select “Watermark.
  3. Choose “Remove Watermark” and confirm.
  4. Save your PDF.

6 Method 4: Convert PDF to Word

Another creative way of how to remove watermark from PDF is by converting the PDF to a Word document and then removing the watermark.

  1. Use an online converter like ILovePDF or software like Adobe Acrobat to convert the PDF to Word.
  2. Open the Word document.
  3. Go to the “Design” tab, then select “Watermark” and “Remove Watermark.
  4. Convert the Word document back to PDF.

7 Method 5: Redaction

If you’re thinking about how to remove watermark from PDF without using specialised tools, redaction can be an alternative. Although not the most efficient, this method can be useful in some cases.

  1. Take a screenshot of the PDF page.
  2. Open the screenshot in an image editing tool like Microsoft Paint or Adobe Photoshop.
  3. Use the eraser or a white box to cover the watermark.
  4. Save the image and convert it back into a PDF using an online converter or print it as a PDF.

This method should be used cautiously as it can degrade the quality of the document.

8 Method 6: Using Google Docs

google docs
Google Docs

Google Docs can be a saviour for those seeking how to remove watermark from PDF documents without spending a penny.

  1. Upload your PDF to Google Drive.
  2. Right-click on the file and open it with Google Docs.
  3. The watermark usually appears as an image over the text. Simply click on it and press ‘Delete’ on your keyboard.
  4. Go to “File”, select “Download”, and choose “PDF Document”.

9 Important Considerations

While learning how to remove watermark from PDF, it is important to take into account certain considerations:

  1. Legal Aspects: Make sure that removing a watermark doesn’t infringe on copyright laws or violate any agreements.
  2. Quality: Some tools may compress the PDF or lower the quality of the content. Make sure to use tools that maintain the original quality.
  3. Privacy and Security: When using web-based tools, be cautious, as uploading sensitive documents could pose a risk to data security.

10 Tips and Tricks

When finding out how to remove watermark from PDF, these tips and tricks can be of great value:

  1. Converting to Word: Sometimes, converting a PDF to a Word document makes it easier to remove a watermark. Once removed, you can convert the document back to PDF.
  2. Using Screenshot Tools: For smaller documents, taking a screenshot and converting it into a PDF can be a quick solution.
  3. Opt for Batch Removal: If you are dealing with multiple documents, some tools and software allow batch removal of watermarks, saving you valuable time.
  4. Professional vs Casual Use: If you frequently work with PDFs professionally, investing in a tool like Adobe Acrobat Pro can be beneficial. For casual or one-time use, web-based tools can be sufficient.
  5. The complexity of Watermark: For simple watermarks, converting to Word or using Google Docs might suffice. For more complex watermarks, a dedicated PDF editor is preferable.
  6. Document Sensitivity: If the document contains sensitive information, it’s advisable to use offline methods or a trusted, secure online tool.

11 Wrapping Up

In summary, knowing how to remove watermark from PDF is an essential skill for handling professional documents. We’ve looked at various methods, including using Adobe Acrobat, web-based tools, third-party software, and even a nifty Google Docs trick. However, it’s paramount to consider the legal and ethical aspects before removing watermarks from any document.

In the landscape of PDF manipulation, the options are vast and growing. Whether you’re a professional, student, or someone dealing with PDFs in your daily life, the tools and methods discussed in this guide on how to remove watermark from PDF should serve as a comprehensive resource for cleaning up your documents.

Keep in mind the importance of security, quality, and legal implications when you proceed with this task. May your documents be as clean and professional as you need them to be!

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About This Article

Kaushik Jethva
Written by: Kaushik Jethva author

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Updated: June 24, 2023
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