How to remove watermark from a PDF document

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I recently ordered a new cannon camera online. To familiarize myself with the camera in advance of delivery (next Tuesday), and knowing that the full user manual was only on the included CD (apparently nobody provides printed manuals anymore), I went to the manufacturer’s (Canon) web site and down loaded a PDF version of the manual, which I then printed.

When I view the PDF file on my computer, everything looks perfect, but the printed version has the word “COPY” in light grey in the center of every page, “behind” the print. I assume that this is done as a “watermark”, but I’m not sure, and I don’t know how to remove it. And why wouldn’t I be able to see this when viewing the document on my computer?

This is not a major issue (i.e., I’m not going to re-print the document because of it), but I would like to know how to remove it for future reference.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

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Hi Les, I use the free http://www.cutepdf.com/products/cutepdf/default.asp just follow install info. 31011-Installing

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The free CutePDF does not do watermarks according to the form on the web site.

Les, which PDF reader are you presently using? Readers may or may not be able to change PDF files to eliminate a watermark. This may be the problem you are finding. Most PDF readers can view, copy, save, print and in some cases do simple manipulation such as adding comments, but cannot edit PDF files. I would think removing watermark would be considered an editing operation.

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Ted, I’m using Adobe Reader 9.

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It doesn’t matter what reader you use.

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Roderunner, given that it doesn’t matter which reader I use, is Ted’s comment that free CutePDF does not do watermarks correct, and if so, what are my other options?

Also, shouldn’t I be able to see the watermark (if that’s what it is) on my computer screen, regardless of which reader I use?

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If it’s just one or two images you want to remove watermarks from, download this free trial application: http://www.pdfwatermarkremover.com/

If you get any distortion when printing, do the following:

[*]Right click the program’s shortcut on the desktop and then click the “Compatibility” tab.
[*]Checkmark the top option and choose “Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows Vista”.

If no desktop shortcut was created, find the application’s .exe file in Program Files, right click it and choose “Send to desktop/Create shortcut”.

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CutePDF writes PDF’s without watermarks. I use it frequently.
Look in Programs and features to see how large Adobe Reader is, their are others that do the job as well if not better. i.e. Foxit Reader.
My pdf reader is http://www.portablefreeware.com/?id=1436

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This should get you started:How to remove watermark from a PDF document

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How to remove watermark from a PDF document[/url]

Hi CLiNT, I’ve just re read the first post. It looks to be the printed item thats got the watermark.

I went to the manufacturer’s (Canon) web site and down loaded a PDF version of the manual, which I then printed.

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It has been said that if you download your camera manual from Canon Europe then it won’t come with a watermark: Go to canon-europe.com for all manuals without watermark

Bruce

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Thank you all for responding. Sorry I took so long to get back to you, but apparently I’m no longer receiving e-mail notifications of responses on this thread (???).

Bruce, you hit the nail on the head. I went to the European site and was able to download a copy without the watermark There was also a watermarked copy, and the “Getting Started” manual was also watermarked (same as the US version). Interestingly, the watermarked versions had the word “Secured” in their title.

Of course, I won’t re-print the manual (246 pages!!!), but it’s good to know where to find the unwatermarked manuals for future reference.

Again, thanks for all your responses.

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Never overlook the ultimate. Download a trial version of Adobe and try everything in the suite for a month, beginning with what your heart desires.

A word of caution: the learning curve for many of us is steep.

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Best free PDF creator out there is PrimoPDF it allwos stitching of documents and is really fast – oh did I mention it’s free?
http://www.primopdf.com

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Best free PDF creator out there is PrimoPDF it allwos stitching of documents and is really fast – oh did I mention it’s free?
http://www.primopdf.com

But can it remove watermarks when printing from “secured” PDF documents? Nothing I have yet seen in their documentation suggests that it or Nitro Pro can do this. Am I missing something here?

-- rc primak

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I have used the following to sort out a secured PDF that could not be printed (but its the same concept).

Trial version of Awinware PDF Security Remover – this takes away the security or amends it as appropriate. The trial version leaves a watermark on the PDF.
Open the PDF that has been cleaned of securty, and simply select the offending watermark, and delete…..

It seems that you have two steps that you’ll need to follow. Remove security, then remove the watermark.

As always try this on a copy of the PDF file, in case you do something that you regret!

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No one has mentioned that many sites watermark their publications for copyright purposes. I am active in the Vintage sewing machine world and many, many photos, publications belonging to dealers are watermarked to keep them from showing up fraudulently on Ebay in someone else’s listing.

BJ

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No one has mentioned that many sites watermark their publications for copyright purposes. I am active in the Vintage sewing machine world and many, many photos, publications belonging to dealers are watermarked to keep them from showing up fraudulently on Ebay in someone else’s listing.

BJ

My most recent post in this thread was a direct response to the mention of watermarks in a previous post in this thread. No matter — we have yet to find an application which can remove the watermarks, and probably for the reason posted by Photorer above.

-- rc primak

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My most recent post in this thread was a direct response to the mention of watermarks in a previous post in this thread.

The whole thread is about watermarks. You didn’t mention copyright.

Bruce

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Midnight is absolutely correct – the removal of a watermark / password that is placed there to protect copyright is not condoned…. even if you can!

My scenario resulted from a document provided by a colleague who sent through a draft document created in Word, and then printed to PDF with one of the PDF Printers available – the default setting was full security (why, I do’t know) and it was not even possible to print out to use.

Please respect the copyright of a person who has worked hard to produce a document – they deserve the benefit of their hard labour!

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