How to Make a Watermark for Your Photos
A good watermark is felt more than seen — legible enough to brand and deter, subtle enough to leave the photo intact. Making one is two decisions: what the mark is, and how you set it. Here's how to get both right.
Step 1 — Choose what your mark is
Three kinds of watermark
| Type | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Logo (transparent PNG) | Brands and businesses | Must be a transparent PNG or you get a white box |
| Signature | Photographers, artists | Type a script name or import a signature PNG |
| Text | A name, handle, or © line | Simple and always legible; pick a contrasting color |
Step 2 — Set it so it works
The same mark can look professional or amateurish depending entirely on size, opacity, and placement. These starting points work for most photos:
Watermark setup that reads well
| Setting | Starting point |
|---|---|
| Size | 20–25% of photo width |
| Opacity | 50–75% (lower is subtler) |
| Placement | A corner, inset from the edge, snapped to the grid |
| Color | White or black — whichever contrasts with the photo |
Make it once, then save it as a template. A watermark you have to rebuild every time is a watermark you'll stop using; one that reapplies in a tap is one you'll actually keep on your photos.
Make your watermark
- Decide on a logo, signature, or text mark from the options above.
- Add it to a sample photo and dial in size, opacity, placement, and color using the starting points.
- Save it as a template so it's one tap next time.
- Apply it to a single photo or a whole batch and export at full resolution.
Making a watermark, answered.
How do I make a watermark for my photos?
Choose your mark (a transparent PNG logo, a signature, or text), then set its size to about 20–25% of the photo width, opacity around 50–75%, and snap it to a corner. Save it as a template so you can reapply it in a tap.
What makes a good watermark?
Legible but unobtrusive: a simple logo or name mark, sized and placed so it brands the photo and deters reuse without covering the subject. Consistency across your photos matters as much as the design.
Can I reuse a watermark I've made?
Yes. Save it as a template — its artwork, position, size, opacity, and rotation — and apply it to any new photo or batch in a single tap.