How to Add a Text Watermark to PDF Files with PDF.co and Zapier

Step 1: Create a Zap

Sign in to Zapier and create a new Zap.

Give the Zap a descriptive name, such as Add Watermark to New PDF Files.

Step 2: Configure the Google Drive Trigger

Select Google Drive as the trigger app.

For the trigger event, choose New File in Folder. This event starts the Zap whenever a new file is added to the selected folder.

Connect your Google Drive account and then select:

• The drive containing the source folder
• The folder that will receive the PDF files

Place a sample PDF in the folder and test the trigger. Confirm that Zapier retrieves the file and provides a file object or accessible file URL.

Step 3: Add the PDF.co Action

Add an action to the Zap and select PDF.co.

For the action event, choose Add Text to PDF. The current PDF.co integration lists this action with fields for the source PDF, watermark text, and placement coordinates. See the PDF.co integration page on Zapier.

Step 4: Connect PDF.co

In the PDF.co account field, select an existing connection or click the option to add a new account.

Complete the PDF.co authorization window and approve the requested access. After authorization succeeds, return to the Zap and select the connected PDF.co account.

Step 5: Configure the Text Watermark

Complete the PDF.co action fields.

Source File URL

Map the PDF file returned by the Google Drive trigger.

Select a file value that PDF.co can access and download. If Google Drive supplies several file-related fields, use the file object or direct download URL rather than the browser preview page.

Text to Add

Enter the watermark text. Common examples include:

• CONFIDENTIAL
• DRAFT
• INTERNAL USE ONLY
• SAMPLE
• APPROVED
• COPY FOR REVIEW

You can also map dynamic information from the trigger, such as a customer name, order number, email address, or processing date.

X Coordinate

Enter the horizontal position of the watermark.

The X coordinate is measured from the left side of the PDF page.

Y Coordinate

Enter the vertical position of the watermark.

The Y coordinate is measured from the top of the PDF page.

PDF coordinates are measured in points, where 72 points equal approximately one inch. Because page dimensions vary, test the coordinates with a representative source document.

You can use the PDF.co PDF Edit Add Helper to identify suitable coordinates.

Step 6: Configure the Watermark Appearance

Expand Advanced Options and configure the appearance of the text as needed. Available settings may include:

• Pages: Specify the pages that should receive the watermark. Use 0- to apply it from the first page through the end of the document.
• Font Name: Select a supported font such as Arial.
• Font Size: Choose a size large enough to remain visible on the page.
• Font Color: Enter a hexadecimal color value.
• Rotation Angle: Rotate the text to create a diagonal watermark.
• Output File Name: Provide a descriptive name for the processed PDF.

PDF.co uses zero-based page numbering, so page 0 is the first page. The range 0- means the first page through the final page.

For a traditional watermark appearance, use a large font, a diagonal rotation, and a light or partially transparent color. PDF.co supports text rotation and colors in RRGGBB or AARRGGBB format, where the first two characters in an eight-character value control transparency.

For example, 80B0B0B0 produces a partially transparent gray. Adjust the color and transparency after reviewing the test document.

A practical starting configuration is:

• Text: CONFIDENTIAL
• Pages: 0-
• Font Name: Arial
• Font Size: 48
• Font Color: 80B0B0B0
• Rotation Angle: -45

The ideal X and Y coordinates depend on the document’s page size and the length of the watermark text.

Additional text-placement options are documented in the PDF.co PDF Add API reference.

Step 7: Test the PDF.co Action

Test the PDF.co action.

A successful result should include information such as:

• The output file URL
• The output filename
• The number of processed pages
• The processing status

Open the returned URL and inspect the generated PDF.

Confirm that:

• The watermark text is correct.
• The text appears on the intended pages.
• The watermark does not obscure important document content.
• The rotation, color, and font size are appropriate.
• The PDF remains readable.

If necessary, adjust the coordinates or appearance settings and test the action again.

PDF.co output URLs are temporary. Add another action if the processed document must be retained permanently.

Step 8: Save the Watermarked PDF

To preserve the result, add a Google Drive action after the PDF.co step.

Choose an event that uploads a file, and configure it as follows:

• Select the destination folder.
• Map the output URL from the PDF.co action as the source file.
• Map the PDF.co output filename or create a new filename.
• Make sure the filename ends in .pdf.

Use separate source and destination folders to prevent the newly generated PDF from triggering the same Zap again.

You can also save the output to Dropbox, OneDrive, SharePoint, or another supported storage service.

Step 9: Publish the Zap

Run a final test with a representative PDF.

When the entire workflow succeeds, publish the Zap. New PDFs added to the selected Google Drive folder will be sent to PDF.co, marked with the configured text watermark, and saved or delivered through any subsequent actions.