As many as 2.5 billion images are stolen per day on the web. If you’re a victim of this, it can have an impact on your brand. Whether it’s a product image or a piece of art, this kind of theft could keep you from getting the credit you deserve. So, what can you do to reduce the risk of this happening to you?
In this post, you’ll learn what you need to know about watermarks and why you should watermark your assets. Plus, we’ll show you how you can do this yourself in minutes with Shutterstock Create.
What Is a Watermark and Why Does It Matter?
This term comes from the fact that some early forms of watermarks were created by pressing paper into water. The design would become visible when it dried out and became part of the paper’s texture. Watermarks were used as identifiers and sometimes as a form of security on documents.
Today, when we think about digital watermarks, the idea is the same but the application is a bit different. Watermarks often identify the origin of an image or graphic. They can also be used to mark ownership of digital images and protect them from unauthorized use.
How Is a Watermark Different from a Logo?
It’s true that watermarks and logos are two sides of the same coin, but there are distinctions. A logo is the face of a company or organization, while a watermark is a fingerprint. Logos are used to identify a brand and can be used to make an impactful statement. Watermarks, on the other hand, are often used to protect intellectual property.
Some companies may choose to use a version of their logo as a watermark, but that may not always be the right option. It all depends on the specific goal for the watermark and what type of asset you’re using it with.
Why Should You Watermark Your Assets?
Need some help understanding why watermarking should be part of your process. Let’s look at some of the most common reasons why you should watermark your images and graphics.
It Discourages Theft
Watermarks help protect your images from being stolen by other people who are using them without permission. If someone steals your image and posts it on their website or social media page, they will have to include the watermark before they can post the image anywhere else.
This makes it much easier for you to report these stolen assets and recover them quickly.
It Increases the Visibility of Your Brand/Artwork
If done correctly, a strong watermark design can actually make people more aware of who made an image or piece of art—which is exactly what you want when promoting yourself as an artist or designer.
How to Make Your Own Watermark
Now you know why you should put a unique stamp on your creations. Want to put a watermark on the images you share? Using Shutterstock Create, you can craft your own watermark to protect your work in a few simple steps.
Here’s how it works:
Prepare Your Canvas
In Create, select Custom Size and enter the dimensions for your watermark design.
Find a Starting Point
From here, you can continue on with a blank canvas. You’ll have access to thousands of fonts, graphics, textures, effects, and color combinations to pick from.
If you want to start with a template instead, simply click Templates then search and select one that meets your needs. You can transform a logo template into your own watermark.
No matter what you choose, you’ll have access to the same customization options.
Make Design Changes
Click on any element to make your adjustments and see what options are available to you in the toolbar on the left side of the editor.
Select Your Visuals
Want to add something extra to your watermark? Update images and graphics to meet your needs by clicking Images or Graphics. From here, you can upload, browse through the photo library, or select from your catalog.
Download Your Watermark
When you’re ready to download, click the Download button in the top-right corner and select your format. PNG is the right choice here, as it supports transparency for your watermark.
Finally, save the asset to your device.
Start a New Design
Now it’s time to add your new watermark to the image you want to protect. Select File and Create new… and choose a canvas to open a new design.
Upload Your Image
Click Images and upload the image you want to watermark. Selecting your image will add it to your canvas.
Choose Your Image
Find the image you own and want to watermark in the Images section. Once you select it, right-click on the image and select Move layer to back before positioning it on the canvas.
Add Watermark to Your Image
Select the watermark you just uploaded and drag it onto the canvas over your image. Position the watermark to your liking.
Download Your Watermarked Image
High-five, you’ve done it. Navigate to the Download option and choose the format you’d like for your watermarked image. Finally, save it to your device.
License this cover image mockup via Roman Samborskyi and Kseniia Belka.
