This article explains how to add a text watermark to an image in version 4.2.1 of the Paint.NET image editing software for Windows, not to be confused with the website of the same name.

What to Know

  • Open an image in Paint.NET. Select Layers > Add New Layer to add a new layer for the watermark.Select the Text tool. Click the image and type the watermark text. Adjust the size, style, font, and color.Position the text box. Double-click the text layer in the Layers palette. Move the Opacity slider to make the text semitransparent.

How to Add a Text Watermark to Images in Paint.NET

Adding a watermark to your images with Paint.NET can help protect your copyright. Watermarks aren’t a foolproof way to protect your images from misuse, but they make it harder for casual users to infringe your intellectual property.

Watermarks don’t have to be big fancy logos; you can create an effective watermark using text:

  • Select File > Open to open your photo in Paint.NET.
  • Select Layers > Add New Layer to create a new layer for your watermark.
  • Select the Text tool, then click on the image and type your copyright text. You can adjust the size, font, and style in the top tool bar, and you can change the color using the Colors palette.
  • When you select a different tool, the text will no longer be editable. However, there is an editable text extension for Paint.NET that lets you go back and make changes.
  • Click the corner of the text box and drag it to where you want it to go.
  • You can reposition the text later using the Move Selected Pixels tool.
  • Double-click the layer that the text is on in the Layers palette to open the Layer Properties dialog.
  • If the Layers palette isn’t visible, select the layers icon in the top-right corner (between the clock icon and the color palette icon).
  • Move the Opacity slider to the left to make the text semi-transparent and then select OK.
  • Select Adjustments > Hue/Saturation to open the Hue/Saturation dialog.
  • Drag the Lightness slider left to darken the text or slide it to the right to lighten it. Select OK when you are satisfied.
  • If your text is a color other than black or white, you can also adjust the Hue slider to alter its appearance.
  • Save your image as a JPEG or PNG to share it on the web.

After you save your image in a different format, the watermark will no longer be editable in Paint.NET, which means that no one can easily erase the watermark from the image.

Select File > Open to open your photo in Paint.NET.

Select Layers > Add New Layer to create a new layer for your watermark.

Select the Text tool, then click on the image and type your copyright text. You can adjust the size, font, and style in the top tool bar, and you can change the color using the Colors palette.

When you select a different tool, the text will no longer be editable. However, there is an editable text extension for Paint.NET that lets you go back and make changes.

Click the corner of the text box and drag it to where you want it to go.

You can reposition the text later using the Move Selected Pixels tool.

Double-click the layer that the text is on in the Layers palette to open the Layer Properties dialog.

If the Layers palette isn’t visible, select the layers icon in the top-right corner (between the clock icon and the color palette icon).

Move the Opacity slider to the left to make the text semi-transparent and then select OK.

Select Adjustments > Hue/Saturation to open the Hue/Saturation dialog.

Drag the Lightness slider left to darken the text or slide it to the right to lighten it. Select OK when you are satisfied.

If your text is a color other than black or white, you can also adjust the Hue slider to alter its appearance.

Save your image as a JPEG or PNG to share it on the web.

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