What Is a Watermark?
A watermark is a visible mark, like a logo or name, placed over preview images so clients can browse them but cannot use the photos properly until they pay.
A watermark is a visible overlay, often a logo, studio name or repeating pattern, placed across preview images. It lets clients browse and choose photos while making the previews unusable as finished images, so originals stay protected until purchase.
Watermarking is standard on sales galleries: the client sees enough to decide what to buy, but only receives clean, full-resolution files once they have paid or been granted access.
Frequently asked questions
Do all client galleries need watermarks?
Mainly sales galleries, where you want originals protected until purchase. Fully paid delivery galleries can offer clean downloads behind a PIN instead.
Does a watermark stop screenshots?
It protects the full-resolution original and makes a screenshot of the preview unusable as a finished image, which is its purpose, rather than preventing the screenshot itself.
Run your whole studio in one place
Client galleries, per-image sales, bookings and contracts — free to start.
Create your free account →