Watermarks are often added to protect ownership or promote branding. However, sometimes you need to remove them — for example, when editing your own documents or using royalty-free materials. This article explains how to remove watermarks from PDF and images for free, safely and legally.
Is It Legal to Remove Watermarks?
Before removing any watermark, it’s important to understand the legal side.
It is legal to remove watermarks only when:
- You own the file or have permission to edit it.
- The material is royalty-free or in the public domain.
- You are editing content that you created yourself.
Removing watermarks from copyrighted content without permission is illegal and unethical. Always make sure you have the right to modify the file before doing so.
Best Free Tools to Remove Watermarks
There are several free tools that make removing watermarks quick and easy — both for PDF files and images.
For PDF — SmallPDF and iLovePDF
Both tools offer user-friendly interfaces that allow you to remove or edit watermarks.
They also help you convert, compress, and manage PDF files while maintaining high quality.
To remove a watermark, you can open your PDF, choose the edit option, delete the watermark, and save your clean file.
Tip: If the watermark is text-based, you can convert your PDF into a Word document, remove the watermark, and then reconvert it back to PDF.
For Images — Inpaint and Photo Retouch
When dealing with watermarks on images, tools like Inpaint and Photo Retouch work effectively.
- Inpaint uses AI to intelligently fill the background after removing unwanted text or logos.
- Photo Retouch, available on mobile devices, lets you erase watermarks easily using a simple brush tool.
Both maintain the image’s original resolution and quality.
Step-by-Step Guide for Each Method
1. Removing Watermark from PDF
- Open your preferred PDF editing tool.
- Upload your document.
- Use the edit or watermark removal feature.
- Delete or replace the watermark area.
- Save your file once done.
2. Removing Watermark from Image
- Open your chosen image editing tool.
- Upload your photo.
- Highlight the watermark area.
- Click on the erase or retouch option.
- Download your clean, watermark-free image.
When Not to Remove a Watermark
Avoid removing a watermark if:
- The file is protected by copyright.
- You don’t have permission from the creator.
- The watermark identifies a brand, logo, or original artist.
Respecting creative ownership encourages fair use and supports creators who produce digital content.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I remove watermark on copyrighted content?
No, removing watermarks from copyrighted content without permission is illegal. Only do so for your own or royalty-free files.
Q2: Which tool is safest to use?
Tools like SmallPDF and Inpaint are among the safest, as they use encrypted uploads and automatically delete files after processing.
Q3: How to remove watermark using mobile?
You can use Photo Retouch or similar apps. Just open your image, select the watermark area, and use the removal brush to clean it up.
✅ Final Tip: Always use free and trusted online tools. Never remove watermarks from copyrighted or licensed materials — focus only on files you own or have rights to modify
