What PDF Overlay does
PDFGrover's PDF Overlay tool stamps one PDF on top of another. Upload a base document — a contract, a generated invoice, a blank form — and an overlay PDF such as a company letterhead, a signature seal, or a branded background. The output is a single PDF where every page of the base carries the overlay design on top.
This is different from merging (which appends pages one after another) and from a text watermark (which stamps a simple text string). Overlay lets you reuse an already-designed PDF asset — your real letterhead, a pre-built "DRAFT" stamp, a regulatory disclosure block — without rebuilding it as plain text or a flat image.
When to use PDF Overlay
- Letterhead/branding — apply your designed letterhead to every page of a system-generated document.
- Stamps & seals — drop a pre-made "CONFIDENTIAL" stamp or a signature seal onto contract pages.
- Template backgrounds — put a branded background behind a form.
- Disclosure blocks — add a fixed regulatory notice to all pages.
How to overlay PDFs
- Upload the base PDF (the first file) — the document to stamp.
- Upload the overlay PDF (the second file) — the design to apply.
- Save — a new PDF downloads with the overlay on every base page.
What the output preserves
- Base content — text, images, fonts, and links stay exactly as they were; base text remains selectable.
- Page dimensions — the output uses the base PDF's page sizes.
- Consistent placement — the overlay anchors to the same corner of every page, so a top-anchored letterhead stays at the top throughout.
Overlay vs Watermark vs Merge
| Need | Use |
|---|---|
| Apply a designed PDF (letterhead/seal) to every page | PDF Overlay (this tool) |
| A simple text stamp with opacity/position control | Add Watermark |
| Join documents end-to-end | Merge PDF |
What to watch for
- Opaque overlays cover content — if the overlay has a solid background it hides the base. Export it with transparency (a faded watermark, a translucent stamp) so the base stays visible.
- Size mismatch — if the overlay's page size differs from the base, it's placed from the origin and may not align perfectly; Resize Pages the overlay to match first.
- Encrypted PDFs — unlock password-locked files with Unlock PDF before combining.
Privacy and file handling
PDF Overlay runs entirely in your browser — both files stay on your device, nothing is uploaded, and there's no sign-up or watermark on the output. The in-memory copies are released when you navigate away.
Troubleshooting
- Base content disappeared — the overlay has a solid background; re-export it with transparency.
- Overlay is off-position — page sizes differ; resize the overlay to match the base, then retry.
- Won't combine — one file is password-protected; unlock it first.