A watermark is a semi-transparent overlay placed on top of a video to indicate ownership, branding, or copyright. It can be text (your name, brand, or website URL) or an image (a logo). Watermarks discourage unauthorized reuse by making it obvious who created the content and making it difficult to remove the branding without degrading the video.
When you should use a watermark
Content creators who share preview clips or teasers often watermark the preview version while keeping the full-quality version behind a paywall or exclusive channel. Photographers and videographers sharing work samples use watermarks to prevent clients from using unwatermarked proofs. Businesses add their logo to marketing videos, training content, and webinar recordings for brand consistency.
If you are uploading to social media for general sharing, watermarks are less common because they can be distracting and platforms already credit the uploader. But for videos that may be downloaded and reshared without attribution, a watermark provides persistent identification.
Where to position a watermark
The most common positions are the four corners and center. Bottom-right is the convention for most professional watermarks because it is visible but not distracting. Center watermarks are more aggressive and harder to crop out, useful for proofs or samples. Top corners work well for logos that should appear as persistent branding throughout the video.
Avoid placing watermarks over faces, important text, or critical visual elements. The goal is visibility without obstruction.
Opacity and size matter
A watermark at 100% opacity blocks the content underneath it. Most effective watermarks use 30% to 60% opacity, making them visible enough to identify but transparent enough to see through. For text watermarks, a font size that is readable but not dominant works best. For logo watermarks, a size between 10% and 20% of the frame width is a common guideline.
Text versus image watermarks
Text watermarks are quick to create and do not require any additional files. You type your name or URL, choose a font size and position, and the tool overlays it on every frame. Image watermarks (logos) look more professional and are instantly recognizable. They require you to upload a PNG file with a transparent background for best results.
How to watermark a video in your browser
The MediaBrew watermark tool lets you add text or image watermarks to any video. Choose the position (any corner or center), adjust opacity and size, and preview the result. The tool processes the video entirely in your browser using FFmpeg WebAssembly. Your video and logo files never leave your device. No account, no watermark on the watermark tool itself.