PDF tool for Mac

Watermark a PDF on every page.

Mark drafts as Draft, quotes as Confidential, or send a copy with “Copy for ACME only” across every page.

Download for Mac

Free 7-day trial · then one purchase, no subscription · macOS 14+

In short: To watermark a PDF on a Mac, drag it, pause and choose Watermark in Sheaf, pick Draft, Confidential or type your own words, and save. The watermark is drawn into every page so it prints and can’t be clicked away. Preview has no watermark feature.Updated 13 November 2026

Sheaf's action circle open around a dragged PDF
Watermarked“Confidential” on 18 pages
Stays on your MacNo upload, works offline
No accountNothing to sign up for
Originals untouchedEvery result is a new file
One-time purchaseNo subscription
How it works

Watermark in three moves.

No app to open, no window to find. It happens where the file already is.

  1. Drag

    Start dragging the file from Finder, Mail, Photos or your desktop.

  2. Pause

    Hold still for a moment. Sheaf’s actions open in a circle around your cursor.

  3. Choose More › Watermark

    Pick Draft or Confidential, or type your own words.

Your options on a Mac

Three ways to do it, honestly compared.

Preview (built in)

No watermark tool in Preview.

  • Free
  • Can’t add a watermark
  • Text boxes per page only

Online PDF sites

Upload the file to a website, wait, download the result.

  • Your document goes to someone else’s server
  • Free plans limit files, size or tasks per day
  • Needs an internet connection

SheafFastest

Drag the file, pause, let go.

  • Draft, Confidential or your words
  • Drawn into every page
  • Prints with the page

Watermarks that stay put

Some apps add watermarks as annotations anyone can select and delete. Sheaf draws the words into each page, so they print and stay with the file.

Watermark per recipient

Sending the same document to several people? Watermark a copy for each one (“Prepared for Jane Doe”) to discourage forwarding, then add a password.

Questions

Can I add a watermark in Preview?

No. Preview has no watermark tool.

Can a watermark be removed?

Sheaf draws it into the page, so it can’t be clicked away. Determined people with editing tools can still alter any PDF.

Can I use my own words?

Yes. Type any text, like your company name or “Copy for review”.

Keep going

Related tools and guides

Add page numbers

“Page 1 of 9”, headers, footers, Bates.

Password-protect PDF

Lock a PDF before you send it.

Redact PDF

Removes the text, not just covers it.

For small business

Invoices, contracts and receipts.

For teachers

Worksheets, handouts and privacy.

Remove PDF metadata

Author, history, comments, hidden layers.

Your next PDF takes one second.

Drag it, pause, let go. Free for 7 days, then yours with one purchase. Family Sharing included.

Download for Mac

Mac App Store · macOS 14 or later · Apple silicon and Intel