Software & Apps > Design How to Add a Graphic Watermark in GIMP Protect your photos with a semi-transparent watermark By Ian Pullen Ian Pullen Writer Ian Pullen is a former Lifewire writer and an experienced graphic designer and web developer with a strong interest in free and open-source graphics software. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 5, 2021 Design Graphic Design Photoshop Animation & Video 3D Design Trending Videos Close this video player What to Know Open image in GIMP, then select File > Open as Layers. Choose graphic for watermark > select Open.Next, select Move tool > position graphic in the desired location. Then, go to Windows > Dockable Dialogs > Layers.Select layer with watermark graphic > drag Opacity slider to the left to make image semi-transparent. This article explains how to add graphic watermarks to images using GIMP version 2.10 for Windows, Mac, and Linux, How to Add a Graphic Watermark to an Image in GIMP To overlay a semi-transparent watermark on an image in GIMP: Open the image in GIMP and go to File > Open as Layers. Choose the graphic you want to use as a watermark, then select Open. Select Convert if prompted to convert the image to RBG. Select the Move tool, then position the graphic in the desired location. Go to Windows > Dockable Dialogs > Layers to open the Layers palette (if it isn't visible). Select the layer with your watermark graphic, then drag the Opacity slider to the left to make the image semi-transparent. Depending on the photo being watermarked, change the color of the graphic. For example, to apply a black graphic as a watermark on a dark image, change the graphic to white to make it more obvious. In the Tools palette, select Foreground Color to open the Change Foreground Color dialog box, choose a color, then select OK. Go to Edit > Fill With FG Color to change the color of the graphic. Go to the Layers palette, select the graphic layer, then select the paintbrush icon. Click the empty space under the paintbrush to ensure that transparent pixels remain transparent if you edit the layer. Adding graphic watermarks to digital images doesn't guarantee that they won't be stolen, but the time required to remove a semi-transparent watermark discourages most would-be image thieves. It's possible to make a watermark in GIMP without the need for any extra plugins or extensions. It's easier to add text-based watermarks to images using GIMP, but using a graphic that's consistent with other marketing materials can help you establish a recognizable brand. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit