Stock footage sites provide watermarked previews for editing and low-resolution review. When you purchase a license, you download the clean, unwatermarked version. But sometimes the clean version becomes unavailable: the download link expired, the site restructured, the clip was removed from the library, or you simply never downloaded the clean version after purchasing.
First: try to re-download from the platform
Before attempting watermark removal, exhaust these options:
Check your purchase history: Most stock sites (Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, iStock, Pond5) maintain a download history. Log into your account, find the purchase, and re-download the clean version.
Contact support: If the clip was removed from the library, the platform may still have it in their archives. Contact customer support with your order number and request a re-download. Most platforms accommodate this for licensed customers.
Check your email: The purchase confirmation email may contain a direct download link that still works, or the order details needed to request a re-download.
Check your downloads folder and cloud backups: Search for the filename across all your storage locations. Cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud) with automatic backup may have a copy you forgot about.
If re-download is not possible
If the platform cannot provide a re-download and you have a valid license, removing the watermark from the preview version you already have is a practical solution. You have paid for the right to use the content. The watermark is only present because you did not download the clean version, not because you lack the license.
Keep your license receipt. If anyone questions the watermark removal, your purchase proof establishes your right to use the content without the watermark.
Stock watermark characteristics
Stock footage watermarks typically have specific properties that affect removal difficulty:
Shutterstock: Large, semi-transparent "shutterstock" text repeated diagonally across the frame. Moderate opacity. Consistent position throughout the clip.
Adobe Stock: Semi-transparent logo with "Adobe Stock" text. Usually centered, moderate size.
iStock: "iStock" text or Getty Images watermark. Semi-transparent, centered or corner-positioned.
Pond5: "Pond5" text, usually semi-transparent and centered.
Most of these are semi-transparent overlays, which means the background content partially shows through the watermark. Removal algorithms can leverage this visibility to reconstruct the underlying content.
Quality expectations
Stock footage watermarks cover large portions of the frame (often centered and spanning 40-60% of the width). The removal quality depends on the background complexity:
Simple backgrounds (sky, water, walls): Excellent removal quality. The inpainting algorithm has consistent texture to work with.
Complex backgrounds (detailed architecture, crowds, detailed vegetation): Moderate quality. The algorithm may produce visible softness or texture discontinuities in the watermark region.
Moving camera with complex content: Lower quality. Each frame presents a different background behind the watermark, requiring more sophisticated per-frame processing. The MediaBrew remove watermark tool lets you select the watermark region and reconstructs the covered content. Keep your license documentation with the final file.