A watermark is a mark that shows where a photo you made came from. With a watermark, it's easier to trace the original source when someone reposts your photo without permission.
One spot
A small mark in a corner doesn't spoil the photo, but it's easy to crop out. Cropping the corner is all it takes to remove it, so for important photos it's safer to combine it with another method.
Tiled across the whole photo
Repeating the watermark diagonally across the whole photo makes it hard to crop out. Because it covers the photo, lower the opacity to 30–50%. A tiled pattern can feel heavy to look at, but it deters unauthorized use far better than a corner watermark.
The two methods compared
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| One spot (corner) | Photo looks clean | Easily removed by cropping |
| Tiled | Hard to crop out | Covers the photo somewhat |
Which method fits which situation?
For photos you post often on social media, a single spot is often enough, because the goal is less about preventing screenshots or reposts and more about showing who made the photo. If you sell photos or designs, or you're especially worried about unauthorized use of your portfolio, tiling is safer. Just choose the method based on your goal.
Why is 30–50% opacity about right?
If the opacity is too low (10% or less), the watermark is hard to see and loses its effect; too high (70% or more) and it gets hard to enjoy the photo. The 30–50% range is the balance point where the watermark doesn't get in the way of viewing but anyone can tell it's there.
How to make it
- Open the watermark tool and upload your photos.
- Choose a text watermark (your name, handle, etc.) or a logo image.
- Set the position (a corner or tiled) and the opacity.
- For several photos, upload them all at once to process them with the same settings.
- Download them as a ZIP.
Tips
- Use dark text on bright photos and light text on dark photos.
- Turn on the text outline so it's readable on any background.
- Process several photos at once in the watermark tool and download them as a ZIP.
Good vs. bad examples
- Good: 30–50% opacity, so it's recognizable without hiding the photo.
- Bad: 100% opacity, so the bold mark gets in the way of viewing the photo.
- Good: the same watermark applied consistently across several photos.
- Bad: a different position and text on each photo, with no consistency.
- Bad: watermark text so small it disappears when the photo is shrunk.
Common mistakes
- Making the watermark too small, so it's barely visible after a screenshot or resize.
- Choosing a watermark color too close to the photo's colors so it can't be seen. Check the contrast.
- Social platforms often recompress photos when you upload, which can blur the watermark. Make it clear from the start.
Checklist
- Are you only watermarking photos you took or made?
- Is the opacity around 30–50%?
- Is the style consistent across all your photos?
- Is there enough contrast with the background to see it?
- Is the watermark still recognizable when the photo is shrunk?
Only use this on photos you took or made. Putting your watermark on someone else's photo to pass it off as yours can be copyright infringement. Ttukttak Design has no watermark removal feature.
FAQ
Which is more effective as a watermark, a logo or text?
Both work. A logo makes your brand instantly recognizable, and text (such as your handle) lets people find you by searching. Many people use both together.
Does adding a watermark make the file much bigger?
It can grow slightly, but not by much. A watermark is usually simple text or a logo, so it affects file size far less than the photo itself.
Can I process several photos at once?
Yes. Upload several photos to the watermark tool and they are processed with the same settings and downloaded as a ZIP.
Does the font for watermark text need to allow commercial use?
Yes. A watermark is still text inside an image, so it's good to check the license of the font you use. All fonts in Ttukttak Design's editor are under the OFL, so they can be used commercially too.
Before applying a watermark, get in the habit of previewing it at the size it will appear on social media. That way you can catch watermarks that are too small or too strong before you post.