Watermarks are a common way to protect documents, but traditional watermarks can often be removed or bypassed with just a few clicks. In this post, we’ll show you how to create a truly undeletable watermark using Look Scanned, a browser-based tool that simulates scanned documents for enhanced document security.

Why Traditional Watermarks Can Be Removed Easily

Most PDF editors treat watermarks as separate layers or text elements. That means:

  • Users can select and delete watermarks using tools like Adobe Acrobat or Foxit;
  • Watermarks are often not embedded into the actual content of the page;
  • OCR (optical character recognition) software can read the content beneath or around the watermark, essentially ignoring it.

The Look Scanned Approach: Burnt-In, Uneditable Watermarks

Look Scanned takes a different approach by converting the entire page into a scanned-like image, where all visible content—including the watermark—is baked into the visual appearance of the page.

Here’s why this method works:

  • Watermarks become part of the image itself, not a separate element;
  • The resulting PDF is non-editable and non-selectable—ideal for preventing content theft;
  • OCR extraction is difficult, making it harder to bypass the watermark even with advanced tools;
  • Even powerful PDF editors can’t remove the watermark, because it no longer exists as a separate layer.

How to Add an Undeletable Watermark with Look Scanned

  1. Visit Look Scanned and upload your original PDF;
  2. Go to Advanced Settings and enable the Watermark option;
  3. Customize your watermark text (e.g., company name, email address, “CONFIDENTIAL”, etc.);
  4. Adjust the style: font, size, opacity, angle, and repetition pattern;
  5. Apply the scan effect and export your watermarked PDF.

The final result:

  • A realistic scanned PDF that looks like a physical copy;
  • A watermark that is visually embedded and cannot be removed or edited;
  • A secure document that is hard to copy, modify, or tamper with.

Perfect for These Use Cases

  • Internal documents (e.g., “For Internal Use Only”)
  • Document drafts (e.g., “DRAFT” watermark)
  • Training materials and textbooks
  • Shared documents under NDA or review

Protect your PDFs from edits, leaks, and unauthorized use—add an undeletable watermark with Look Scanned.

👉 Try Look Scanned now