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How to add watermark to PDF file in C#, VB.NET?

4 mins read

Watermark is a text, image, logo, or a graphical shape that appears in front of an existing PDF document. For example, you can apply a “Confidential” text to the pages with sensitive information.

Syncfusion Essential PDF is a .NET PDF library used to create, read, and edit PDF documents. Using this library, you can add watermark to PDF file in C# and VB.

Steps to create a PDF programmatically:

  1. Create a new C# console application project. Create new console application in WinForms PDF
  2. Install the Syncfusion.Pdf.WinForms NuGet package as reference to your .NET Framework application from NuGet.org. Install nuget packages in WinForms PDF
  3. Include the following namespace in the Program.cs file.

C#

using Syncfusion.Pdf;
using Syncfusion.Pdf.Graphics;
using Syncfusion.Pdf.Parsing;
using System.Drawing;

 

VB.NET

Imports Syncfusion.Pdf
Imports Syncfusion.Pdf.Graphics
Imports Syncfusion.Pdf.Parsing
Imports System.Drawing

 

  1. Use the following code snippet to add watermark to an existing PDF.

C#

//Load the document
PdfLoadedDocument loadedDocument = new PdfLoadedDocument("Input.pdf");
//Get first page from document
PdfPageBase loadedPage = loadedDocument.Pages[0];
//Create PDF graphics for the page
PdfGraphics graphics = loadedPage.Graphics;
//Set font for the watermark text
PdfFont font = new PdfStandardFont(PdfFontFamily.Helvetica, 20);
//Save the graphics state for the watermark text
PdfGraphicsState state = graphics.Save();
//Set transparency level for the text
graphics.SetTransparency(0.25f);
//Rotate the text to -40 Degree
graphics.RotateTransform(-40);
//Draw the watermark text to the desired position over the PDF page with red color
graphics.DrawString("Confidential", font, PdfPens.Red, PdfBrushes.Red, new PointF(0, 250));
//Save the document
loadedDocument.Save("watermark.pdf");
//Close the document
loadedDocument.Close(true);
Process.Start("watermark.pdf");

 

VB.NET

'Load the document
Dim loadedDocument As New PdfLoadedDocument("Input.pdf")
'Get first page from document
Dim loadedPage As PdfPageBase = loadedDocument.Pages(0)
'Create PDF graphics for the page
Dim graphics As PdfGraphics = loadedPage.Graphics
'Set font for the watermark text
Dim font As PdfFont = New PdfStandardFont(PdfFontFamily.Helvetica, 20)
' Save the graphics state for the watermark text
Dim state As PdfGraphicsState = graphics.Save()
' Set transparency level for the text
graphics.SetTransparency(0.25F)
' Rotate the text to -40 Degree
graphics.RotateTransform(-40)
' Draw the watermark text to the desired position over the PDF page with red color
graphics.DrawString("Confidential", font, PdfPens.Red, PdfBrushes.Red, New PointF(0, 250))
'Save the document
loadedDocument.Save("watermark.pdf")
'Close the document
loadedDocument.Close(True)
Process.Start("watermark.pdf")

 

You can download the working sample from CreateWatermarkPDFSample.Zip

By executing the program, you will get the PDF document as follows. Screenshot of output PDF document in WinForms PDF

Take a moment to peruse the documentation, where you can find other options like adding image watermark in PDF document and features like images to PDF, Text to PDF, Layers, etc., with code examples.

Refer here to explore the rich set of Syncfusion Essential PDF features.

An online sample link to generate watermark PDF document


Note:

Starting with v16.2.0.x, if you reference Syncfusion® assemblies from the trial setup or the NuGet feed, include a license key in your projects. Refer to the link to learn about generating and registering the Syncfusion® license key in your application to use the components without a trial message.

 

Conclusion:

I hope you enjoyed learning about how to add watermark to PDF file in C#, VB.NET.

 

You can refer to our Flutter PDF feature tour page to learn about its other groundbreaking features and documentation, and how to quickly get started with configuration specifications. You can also explore our Flutter PDF Flutter PDF examples to understand how to create and manipulate data.

For current customers, you can check out our components from the License and Downloads page. If you are new to Syncfusion®, you can try our 30-day free trial to explore our other controls.

If you have any queries or require clarifications, please let us know in the comments section below. You can also contact us through our support forums or feedback portal. We are always happy to assist you!

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