The internet is a powerful platform for connecting and sharing your message. If you’re an entrepreneur or business owner, your website is essential for marketing and growth. However, with ownership comes responsibility. It’s important to know which images are safe to use and how to protect your original content from unauthorized use.
Unfortunately, there are dishonest individuals who freely steal and claim others’ work. I’ve personally experienced the frustration of seeing an image I created used without permission on someone else’s website. To prevent such theft, many use watermarks on their images. In my article, I’ll explain the importance of watermarks and guide you on creating your own to safeguard your visual content.
What’s a Watermark?
A watermark is a faint design, image, or text that is added to a document, photo, or video. A watermark helps identify its source (who created it) and protect its authenticity. It’s similar to a signature on a painting or a seal on a letter.
Watermarks help prevent the unauthorized use or distribution of copyrighted material. They’re usually transparent and can be placed in different parts of the image or document, depending on the creator’s preference. When you see a watermark, it means that the creator owns the image or graphic, and it’s not meant to be used or shared without their permission.
Watermarks on Stock Photos
If you’re getting images online for your website, be sure to look at whether the image has watermarks. Stock photos are often protected with extensive watermarking to prevent people from using the images without purchasing them. Always be aware of where you download “free” images and the terms of usage.
Below is an example of a watermarked image that iStock.com shows publicly on its site. Once you buy the image, they’ll let you download the image in better quality without the watermark. (I purchased this particular image and used it to promote a live event in San Diego I did.)
Do you see how there are watermarks all over the image?
Stock Photo with Watermark
Stock Photo with Watermark (Circles to enhance watermark)
Purchased Stock Photography without Watermark
Identifying Watermark Images
In this video, I review what a watermark is and then how to check your site for stock images that have watermarks. You’ll definitely want to remove any you find! Or, if you love the image, then purchase the image and replace the watermarked comp image.
Watermarks on Your Own Images
You can add watermarks to your original images and graphics, or stock photography that you have altered. I can’t give legal advice, so I suggest that you contact a lawyer if you have any questions or concerns about how you can use an image.
Here’s an example of an image I created in Canva and then added my own watermark so that no one could copy it. Creating your own images is easy and much more affordable than hiring a graphic designer! I teach people how to create their own graphics and images in my Graphics Creation Workshop.
Why Should You Use a Watermark?
There are a few benefits to using watermarks on your images. First, it’ll protect your intellectual property by preventing others from using your images without permission. Content thieves are much less likely to steal an image with another person’s branding on it to use on their own website. They know their credibility would tank if they did that.
A watermark can also help promote your brand or business by increasing visibility and awareness. When people see your watermark on an image, they’ll be able to associate it with your brand or business. This can help build trust and credibility with your audience, and ultimately lead to more sales or clients.
Finally, a watermark can make your images look more polished and professional. Overall, watermarks are a simple and effective way to protect your images and build your brand at the same time.
How to Watermark Your Images
Graphic design software like Photoshop, Canva, and iPiccy makes it easy to add a watermark to your original images. Depending on your needs, you may want to superimpose your website URL or anything else that shows that the image belongs to you. You can also use this tool called Watermarkly that will automatically add a watermark to your images. They have a free and a paid version
When creating your watermark, make sure it’s clear and easy to read. Also, it should be subtle, and not detract from the overall look of your image. Experiment with different placement options to find the one that works best for your particular image. Once you’ve created your watermark, you can save it as a preset or template so that you can easily apply it to multiple images at once.
With a little bit of practice, you’ll be able to watermark your images like a pro in no time!
Other Ways to Protect Your Images with WordPress
Another way to protect your original images online is by disabling right-clicking on your website. Most images online can be easily “snagged” by right-clicking on the image, selecting “save image as”, and then downloading it to your computer. Since this is exactly how online thieves often get images, the WordPress community came up with some solutions.
Here are a couple of WordPress plugins that will disable right-clicking. If you have images on your site you want to protect, consider using one of these:
- WP Content Copy Protection and No Right Click (https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-content-copy-protector/) (Top Recommendation!)
- Disable Right Click For WP (https://wordpress.org/plugins/disable-right-click-for-wp/)
Summing it Up
Images are an important part of your website and marketing materials. Eye-catching graphics engage your audience. Images provide a visual story of you, your business, and how you can help them.
A watermark is a simple and effective way to keep others from stealing your images. Consider adding a simple watermark to your original images and graphics. This will help protect your intellectual property and promote your brand or business.
Tools like Canva and iPiccy make it easy to edit photos to add your unique watermark. If you’re interested in learning more about how to create your own images with watermarks, join my Graphics Creation Workshop. You’ll get instant access to the training and live coaching webinars!
[Originially published Dec. 2015, Updated June 2023]
Great post Christina. I figured this out a while back and it has helped me protect my images and also to bring new people to my site. I’m going to poke around your site a bit more. 🙂
Jessica,
Glad you liked it! Get yourself a gravatar so your picture shows up
Christina, you make a powerful point about protecting our photographic intellectual property. I use all photos that: I took, I purchased, or photographer friends gave specific permission for me to use. I usually add text to turn them into quote posters. Always, I add a copyright line. But I’ve seen websites that use their own pale watermark mid-photo, which I’m considering doing. It eliminates someone cropping the copyright line off and just republishing. Thanks for another great piece!
Kebba,
Thanks for your note. Yes there are lots of different kinds of watermarks. TV stations do it do on their broadcasts of news
Great timing as I’ve been wondering about this aspect of copyright security but would never have thought to look for a plug-in!
Which of these three listed do you use, may I ask?
Thank you again
Laura
Laura,
I used the third plugin and it works great!
This is something that drives me crazy.
I paint wall murals and my photos are “kidnapped” all the time. I did add my website address to the bottom of all of photos on my site but sometimes people cut it off. It is disheartening when I see my images in google image search not leading to my site where they are supposed to go after working so hard on putting together fun examples of murals for people to look at….and for my site to be user friendly.
I will look into these plugins you mention!
Colette,
do a watermark and a disable right click! Your murals are beautiful!
Thanks!