--- title: "Document Watermarking for Security Documents | Orbiq" description: "Automatically watermark sensitive downloads with visitor details so you know who shared what and when." canonical: https://www.orbiqhq.com/platform/document-watermarking html: https://www.orbiqhq.com/platform/document-watermarking publisher: Orbiq GmbH language: en --- # Document Watermarking for Security Documents | Orbiq Automatically watermark sensitive downloads with visitor details so you know who shared what and when. ## Know Exactly Who Shared What. Sensitive security documents get forwarded, screenshotted, and leaked. Orbiq automatically watermarks downloaded documents with visitor information — accountability without friction. - [Book a Demo](https://cal.com/emresalmanoglu/trust-center) - [See Our Trust Center](https://trustcenter.orbiqhq.com) ## TL;DR Orbiq watermarks sensitive documents with the downloader's information — name, email, company, timestamp. If a document surfaces where it shouldn't, you can **trace it back to the source**. The watermarking happens **automatically on download**. No manual work. No separate tools. Just built-in accountability. ## Features ### What Gets Watermarked Automatic Identity Tracking on Every Download Every PDF that leaves your trust center carries the identity of the person who downloaded it. No extra steps for you. - **Visitor name:** Who downloaded the document — clearly identified. - **Email address:** Their verified contact, tied to the download. - **Company & timestamp:** Their organisation and exactly when they downloaded. - **Document version:** Which version they received — full traceability. ### Watermarking Options Full Control Over Appearance and Placement Configure how watermarks appear to match your preference for visibility vs. document readability. - **Visible watermark:** Clear text overlay showing recipient information. Obvious deterrent — recipients know the document is tracked. - **Subtle watermark:** Light, unobtrusive marking. Professional appearance with accountability built in. - **Configurable placement:** Header, footer, diagonal overlay, or margin. Your choice. - **Custom content:** Choose what appears: full name, email, company, date, version, or custom text. ## Why This Matters - **Deterrence:** people behave differently when their name is on the document. Most leaks are careless, not malicious. Watermarking adds a moment of pause. - **Forensic trail:** if a document surfaces inappropriately, you can trace it back. The watermark tells you who downloaded the original. Audit logging tells you what happened inside your trust center. Watermarking stays with the document wherever it goes. Both together give you complete visibility. ## Who Uses Watermarking ### Security Teams Penetration test reports, vulnerability assessments, and architecture diagrams are high-value targets. Watermarking adds protection beyond access control. ### Legal Teams When NDAs govern document access, watermarking reinforces the obligation. The recipient's name is a constant reminder of confidentiality. ### Compliance Teams Demonstrate document control to auditors. Prove you track who accesses sensitive materials and can identify recipients. ### Sales Teams Share detailed security documentation with prospects while creating accountability — without slowing down the deal. ## Watermarking + Audit Logging - **Who accessed**: Tracked in both audit log and watermark - **When accessed**: Timestamped in both audit log and watermark - **Which document & version**: Recorded in both for full traceability - **Travels with document**: Only watermarking — the audit log stays in your dashboard - **Visible to recipient**: Only watermarking — creates awareness and deters forwarding - **Deters forwarding**: Only watermarking — people think twice when their name is on it ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Does watermarking slow down document access? No. Watermarks are applied at download time, which adds negligible processing time. Visitors experience no meaningful delay. ### Can watermarks be removed? Visible watermarks can potentially be edited out of a PDF, but doing so requires deliberate effort and is itself a red flag. The forensic value remains — you know who downloaded the original. For higher security, consider watermarks on every page or in locations that make removal difficult. ### Do visitors know documents are watermarked? That's your choice. You can make it obvious with a visible watermark, keep it subtle, or disclose in your NDA or access terms. Most organisations prefer transparency — it maximises the deterrent effect. ### What about screenshots? Watermarks appear on screen as well as in downloads. Screenshots of watermarked documents will include the watermark, extending accountability to screen captures. ### Does watermarking work with all document types? Orbiq watermarks PDF documents. For other file types, access logging provides the audit trail even without visual watermarking. ### Can I watermark retroactively? Watermarking happens at download time. Documents already downloaded won't be watermarked retroactively. However, if a visitor downloads the same document again, the new copy will be watermarked. ## Add Accountability to Your Documents Sensitive security documents deserve more than access control. They deserve tracking that travels with them. - [Book a Demo](https://cal.com/emresalmanoglu/trust-center) - [See Our Trust Center](https://trustcenter.orbiqhq.com)