Every time a PDF lands in a shared folder, someone has to open it, stamp it with a logo or a "Confidential" mark, and save it again. Do that for a few hundred files and it becomes a chore you'd happily hand off. A-PDF Watermark Service is a Windows service that does this in the background.
Quick facts
- Version: 1.3.0
- Platforms: Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7
- Price: $99
- Trial: free trial version available
- Guarantee: 30-day money back
Key features
Watermark files automatically as they arrive in a folder
The program watches multiple folders at the same time, every few seconds, and processes files as soon as it detects a change. Sub-folders are handled with a checkbox.
Five watermark types: text, image, PDF, shape and dynamic date/time
Text watermarks support macros such as date and time. Image watermarks accept formats including JPEG, GIF, TIFF, PNG and BMP. You can also use a one-page or multi-page PDF, lines, rectangles and circles, or a date/time that updates when the file is opened.
Control exactly where and how the mark appears
Place watermarks in the header, center or footer, use margins for exact positioning, or tile them across the page. You can rotate them to any angle, set opacity, choose fonts, colors and styles, and put the mark on top of or behind the page content. Marks can be applied to only part of the pages, such as odd pages, and can link to a web address, an inner page or another PDF.
Run another program after each file is stamped
The service can launch an external application (.exe) after watermarking, passing it the source file, the output directory, the watermark name and the marked file as parameters.
Starts with Windows, no Acrobat required
It runs as a Windows service that starts automatically after login. It is a standalone program and does not require Adobe Acrobat Pro.
Who it's for
It suits anyone who receives or generates PDFs continuously, such as reports dropped into a shared folder, and needs each one labeled with a logo, a status like draft, approved, final or confidential, or a date and filename stamp.
Pros and cons
- Pro: fully automatic, folder-based processing.
- Pro: flexible watermark types and positioning.
- Pro: a single $99 price and a free trial.
- Con: Windows only, with requirements listed up to Windows 7.
- Con: it adds visible watermarks and stamps only; it is not a general PDF editor.
FAQs
Do I need Adobe Acrobat?
No. It is a standalone program and works without Acrobat Pro.
Can it watch more than one folder?
Yes. It monitors several folders at once, with an option to include sub-folders.
Can I try it first?
Yes. A free trial version is available, and purchases carry a 30-day money back guarantee.
Does it change my original files?
It can watermark and print a range of pages in one step without modifying the original PDF.
System requirements
Windows 2000, XP, Vista or 7.