How to Add a Watermark in Lightroom (Text or Logo)

Lightroom never stamps a watermark onto your actual photos. It adds the watermark to the copies you export, which is exactly what you want: the originals in your catalogue stay clean, and you can change the watermark at any time without re-editing anything. The flip side is that if you forget the export step, there's no watermark at all, which is the most common reason people think it isn't working.

How to create a watermark in Lightroom Classic

1. On Windows, choose Edit, then Edit Watermarks. On a Mac, choose Lightroom Classic, then Edit Watermarks.
2. Choose Text or Graphic as the watermark style.
3. For text, type your name or business name. For a graphic, choose your logo file, ideally a PNG with a transparent background.
4. Set the opacity so it's visible without spoiling the photo.
5. Set the size, the inset from the edge and the anchor position, such as bottom right.
6. Click Save and give the preset a name.

How to add the watermark when you export

1. Select the photos you want to share.
2. Choose File, then Export.
3. Scroll to the Watermarking section.
4. Tick Watermark.
5. Choose your saved preset from the menu, or Simple Copyright Watermark.
6. Click Export.

Lightroom can watermark JPEG, PSD, PNG, JPEG XL, AVIF and TIFF exports, so it works for web images and print files alike.

Text or logo watermark?

Type	Good for	Watch out for
Text	Your name or web address, quick to set up	Pick a clean font and keep it small
Graphic	A consistent brand mark on every photo	Use a transparent PNG or you'll get a box around it
Simple copyright	Fast protection with no design work	Looks plain on portfolio images

Why your watermark isn't showing

• You're looking at the original in Lightroom. Watermarks only appear on exported files, so open the exported copy to check.
• The Watermark box wasn't ticked in the Export dialog for that export.
• The opacity is too low or the colour matches the photo, so it blends in.
• Your version needs updating. Adobe's own fix for missing watermarks is to choose Help, then Check For Updates.

Save an export preset with the watermark built in

If you share photos often, set up the Export dialog once, with your size, format, file naming and watermark, and save it as an export preset with the Add button on the left. Next time, right-click your photos, choose Export, then your preset, and the watermark is applied without opening the dialog at all. I'd make one preset for social media and another for client previews, each with its own watermark.

Where to place a watermark

• A corner is least distracting and fine for social media and portfolios.
• Across the middle at low opacity is harder to crop out, which suits client proofs before they've approved the shoot.
• Use the inset setting so it isn't jammed against the edge, where it can look like a mistake.

How strong should a watermark be?

A watermark is a balance between protection and looking good. A faint mark in the corner tells people who took the photo, but anyone can crop it off. A larger, centred mark at low opacity is much harder to remove, but it gets in the way of enjoying the picture. For photos you share to build your name, I'd go subtle. For proofs a client hasn't signed off yet, go bold.

Adding a watermark in Lightroom on your phone

Lightroom on mobile has its own watermark option, set up in the app's share and export settings. It's separate from Lightroom Classic, so a watermark you made on your computer doesn't appear on your phone automatically. Set it up in both places if you export from both.

If you're posting the watermarked photos to Instagram, my guide to editing an Instagram post with multiple pictures covers what you can change after posting.

Watermarks and your website

If you show photos on your own site, think about the size you upload as well as the watermark. A watermarked image at a modest size is far less useful to anyone who wants to reuse it than a full-resolution file with a small mark in the corner. Set the export preset's image size to what your site needs and you get faster pages and better protection in one step.

One more tip: keep a high-resolution copy of your logo just for watermarks, sized larger than you need. Lightroom scales a graphic watermark down to fit, and starting from a big, crisp file stops it looking fuzzy on large exports.

My verdict

Make your watermark once in Edit Watermarks, save it as a preset, then build it into an export preset so it's added every time without thinking. Remember it only ever appears on exported copies, which keeps your originals clean. Use a transparent PNG for a logo, keep it subtle for sharing and bolder for proofs. If you're building somewhere to show your photos, see my list of website builders for photographers.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Watermark Editor in Lightroom Classic?

Choose Edit, then Edit Watermarks on Windows, or Lightroom Classic, then Edit Watermarks on a Mac.

Does Lightroom add the watermark to my original photos?

No. It's added only to exported copies, so your originals stay clean.

Can I use my logo as a watermark in Lightroom?

Yes. Choose the Graphic style and pick your logo file, ideally a transparent PNG.

Why isn't my Lightroom watermark showing?

Check the Watermark box was ticked on export and open the exported file. If it's still missing, check for updates.

Which file types can Lightroom watermark?

JPEG, PSD, PNG, JPEG XL, AVIF and TIFF exports.

Can I add a watermark to lots of photos at once?

Yes. Select them all and export with the Watermark box ticked, or use an export preset.