What is a Watermark?
Watermark refers to a recognizable image or pattern in paper that becomes visible when the paper is held up to light. The process is done to either prevent forgery or make it possible to spot the place on the paper where alterations have been attempted.
Watermarking is a technique/process used to add a visible message to documents, images and objects. The common practice involves the application of text and/or design over the document in question. The message can be anything ranging from copyright notices, company name or logo etc. However, one needs to ensure that the original document remains discernible even with the watermark added on it.
Watermark is just a common measure that will be taken for any PDF documents to make them confidential and protect the document from stealing any copyrights. A watermark is said to be a text or an image that appears either in front of or behind existing document content, like a stamp. For example, you could write a “Confidential” word as a watermark to pages with sensitive information, so that each and everyone understands the importance of it.
You can add multiple watermarks to one or more PDFs, but you must add each watermark separately. Unlike a stamp, a watermark is integrated into PDF pages as a fixed element and can be added or edited, or removed.
Why to Remove Watermark from PDF?
There are many reasons for removing a watermark from a PDF. Whether you have a document that was created with a company logo or perhaps a sensitive personal document that you do not want to be linked to a person or company, then removing a watermark is important.
Even though Watermark is the best common feature to protect the document from stealing copyright, it will cause a big distraction for you when you read the document. It will be like an obstacle for us while reading huge information. So it is sometimes required to remove Watermark from the PDF document. Follow the steps below to learn how to remove those annoying logos and text from your PDF files.
Part 1. Remove Watermark from PDF in Word (Free)
First of all, we’ll recommend two free solutions to remove watermark from PDF for free. Both solutions require you to convert PDF to Word at first, then remove the watermark on Word. We can use the online PDF to Word converter on EasePDF, or use Microsoft Word itself.
Option 1. EasePDF PDF to Word Converter
EasePDF is a free online platform for every PDF user to convert, edit, create, watermark, merge, compress PDF. When you choose EasePDF, you choose a cross-platform supported service that you can use on any device including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, etc. EasePDF brings an open-source service for users to convert and edit PDFs. To remove the watermark from a PDF, using EasePDF to convert PDF to Word is the first step and an ideal option to continue the process.
Now, follow this brief guide to see how EasePDF helps to remove watermark from a PDF document.
Step 1.
Upload PDF to EasePDF PDF to Word. As mentioned, you need to convert the PDF to a Word document before removing the watermark from it. Hence, you need to go to “PDF to Word” on EasePDF’s homepage. After that, hit the “Add File(s)” icon for uploading the PDF file to the converter.
Step 2.
Convert and Download PDF File. After uploading the PDF file, there will appear a “Convert” icon to convert the PDF to Word. When it provides the “Download” button, hit it and the converted Word file will be saved to your device.
Step 3.
Remove watermark. When you get the Word file, open it with the Word editing software such as Microsoft Office, LibreOffice, Google Docs, WPS, etc. Directly click on the watermark and you are available to remove it by pressing the “Delete” key on your keyboard.
If there are watermarks on every page, just go to “Design” > “Watermark” > “Remove Watermark”. For Word 2007 or 2010, choose “Page Layout” > “Watermark” > “Remove Watermark”.
How to Remove Watermark from a Secured PDF File
If the PDF file is encrypted, you need to decrypt the PDF file before you can remove the watermark on the PDF file. At this time, you can use Unlock PDF. Below are some simple steps to help you.
Step 1.
Add the PDF file by clicking the “Add File(s)” button or drag it into this page. You can also add the PDF file from Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, or any other URL link.
Step 2.
Don’t forget to read the warning on the page carefully after adding the PDF files that you want to unlock. Now, enter the password of this PDF file, and click the “Unlock PDF” button.
Step 3.
Click the “Download” button to save the PDF file, and you can remove the watermark from this PDF file.
Tips
“EasePDF will not add a watermark to the files of free users, but there will be certain restrictions on usage and times limit. If you always need to convert and edit PDF files, you can subscribe to EasePDF and have a try.”
Optional: How to Add Watermark to PDF
If you need to add a watermark back to the PDF file, an EasePDF offers the Add Watermark tool to complete the aim without hassle. Here are the simple steps you should follow.
Step 1. Navigate to “Add Watermark” and add the PDF file you desire to add watermark.
Step 2. Select to add a text or image watermark based on your requirement. You can adjust the condition of the watermark with a provided toolbar. Then submit “Save PDF”.
Step 3. When EasePDF provides the “Download” icon, hit it and the PDF with watermark added will be downloaded offline.
Option 2. Microsoft Word
If you have Microsoft Word installed on your device already, you can, of course, pass EasePDF and convert PDF to Word directly with Microsoft. Please follow these steps to remove watermark from PDF.
Step 1.
Right-click on the PDF you want to remove watermark and choose “Open with” > “Microsoft Word”.
Step 2.
A prompt will pop up warning you that this action will convert PDF to editable Word, and the resulting Word document might not look exactly like the original PDF, especially if the original file contains lots of graphics. Click “OK” and Microsoft will convert your PDF to a Word document.
Step 3.
Your PDF will be displayed with Microsoft in Word format. Now you can remove watermarks by choosing “Design” > “Watermark” > “Remove Watermark”. If you’re using Office 2010 or 2007, please go for “Page Layout” > “Watermark” > “Remove Watermark”. And all the watermarks on this document will be deleted.
Step 4.
Save it as PDF. Choose “Save As” from the main menu and select “PDF” as the saving format.
Part 2. Remove Watermark from PDF Directly
How to remove watermark from a PDF document directly without converting it to Word? Well, what you need is a professional PDF editor. Here we recommend Adobe Acrobat Pro and ApowerPDF.
Option 1. Adobe Acrobat Pro
Adobe Acrobat Pro is probably the most famous PDF software. With a bunch of PDF editing tools inside, Adobe Acrobat Pro enables users to add, edit or remove a watermark on a PDF. Go try to remove watermark from PDF now.
Step 1.
Open the PDF with Adobe Acrobat Pro after installing it on your device.
Step 2.
Go to the “Tools” tab on top and select “Edit PDF”.
Step 3.
On the editing toolbar, click “Watermark” then choose “Remove” from the drop-down list.
Step 4.
A prompt will pop up to ask “Are you sure to permanently remove the watermark”, click “OK” and all watermarks on this PDF will be deleted.
That’s it. In four simple steps, we’ve finished removing the watermark from a PDF.
How to Update A Watermark in PDF
Adobe Acrobat Pro provides the watermark updating feature, enabling users to update an outdated watermark with very simple clicks. Here is how to do it.
Step 1. Open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
Step 2. Go to “Tools” > “Edit PDF” > “Watermark” > “Update…”.
Step 3. Make changes to the watermark settings. Finally, apply them and the watermark can be updated.
Option 2. ApowerPDF
ApowerPDF is another simple way to remove watermark directly from PDF. It is a powerful PDF editor that allows you to edit PDF, create PDF, convert PDF, add watermark, remove the watermark, etc.
Step 1.
Free download and install ApowerPDF on your computer.
Step 2.
Open the PDF you want to remove the watermark with ApowerPDF. Click the “Open File” button on the main interface and the program will navigate to your local device. Click on your target PDF and click the “Open” button.
Step 3.
Click the “Pages” > “Watermark” > “Remove” to remove the watermark.
Step 4.
Then you will see a pop-up window; click the “Yes” button to permanently remove the watermark.
Part 3. How to Remove Watermark from PDF Online
What if the PDF I want to remove watermark is on my cellphone and I don’t want to install any third-party app? Don’t worry, in this part, we’ll show you how to remove watermark from PDF online with pdfFiller – a professional online editor for PDF and other documents.
Step 1.
Go to pdfFiller.
Step 2.
Choose the “Browse for a Document on Your Computer” to upload a PDF file from your computer or open a document that you already have in your account.
Step 3.
When editing your document, click the Watermark tab on the right. To show or hide the watermark, check or uncheck the corresponding checkbox. Double-click the watermark and then click the “Delete” icon. Then you can remove watermark from PDF successfully.
Step 4.
Click the “Done” button in the upper right corner then choose the format that you want to save as.
Conclusion:
Watermark, also known as an image overlay, is typically used in various other document applications, such as Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat. It is basically a digital stamp that contains selectable text or graphics linked to your identification like name, company or copyright notice. This helps make the content of your documents more secured and permits prior permission to be received before copying or redistributing contents.
Watermarks can be a very important part of your document. They can contain special information, such as warnings or copyright declarations for your protection. In certain situations these watermarks can be invaluable. However, in many cases, they’re a headache.