How to Add a Custom Stamp ("APPROVED", "PAID", "DRAFT") to a PDF
Office workflows still rely on stamps — Approved, Paid, Confidential, Draft. PDFShed adds them digitally with the same visual weight as a rubber stamp, but in 5 seconds.
The problem
You're an AP clerk processing 30 invoices today. Each gets a "PAID" stamp on the front page before filing. Doing this in Acrobat takes 30 seconds per file. PDFShed makes it 5.
Use the tool now
Open the add stamps tool and follow the steps below.
Step-by-step
- 1
Open the Add Stamps tool
Drop your PDF in.
- 2
Pick a preset stamp
APPROVED (green), PAID (red), DRAFT (red diagonal), CONFIDENTIAL (red), VOID (red), URGENT (red), RECEIVED (blue), or upload custom logo.
- 3
Drag onto the page
Click the stamp icon, then click on the PDF page where you want it. Drag to reposition.
- 4
Repeat on additional pages if needed
For a "DRAFT" watermark on every page, use [Add Watermark](/en/tools/add-watermark) instead — applies to all pages at once.
- 5
Apply and download
Stamp is embedded as part of the page. Print or share normally.
Pro tips
- •For repeated stamping (50 invoices/day), bookmark the Stamps tool URL for fast access.
- •Custom stamps from your company logo can be uploaded as transparent PNG.
- •Stamps are different from watermarks — stamps go on specific pages at specific positions; watermarks repeat across all pages.
- •After stamping, [flatten the PDF](/en/guides/flatten-pdf-form-after-filling) so recipients can't move the stamp.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add custom text as a stamp?
Yes — type any text and pick color/size. Stamps with custom text are common for project codes or department initials.
Will the stamp print clearly?
Yes — stamps are vector-based with bold colors that print crisply on any printer.
Can the stamp be removed after applying?
In normal PDF readers, no — once applied and saved, it's embedded. Recipients see it as part of the document.
Is there a difference between "stamp" and "annotation"?
Stamps are a type of annotation. PDFShed's Stamps tool produces standard PDF stamp annotations recognized by all readers.