How to stamp a received date onto an incoming document pdf
- Step 1Decide: graphic stamp vs text watermark — If you want to type "RECEIVED [date]" as text, the watermark tool is simpler — it has a text field, opacity, and font size. Use the Stamp tool when you have a designed received-stamp graphic (e.g. a branded box with RECEIVED + a date).
- Step 2Build the RECEIVED stamp as a full-page transparent PDF — Make a page the document's size, place the RECEIVED graphic where you want it (commonly upper area), include the date as baked-in artwork (the tool can't type a date), keep the rest transparent, and export a single-page PDF. Convert a received-stamp image via image-to-pdf if it isn't already a PDF.
- Step 3
- Step 4Add the incoming document first, the stamp second — First PDF = base document, second PDF = stamp. Drop the incoming document, then the RECEIVED stamp PDF; confirm the order in the queue.
- Step 5Process the two files — Click Process 2 files. The stamp's first page is centred, fit-scaled, and drawn at 50% opacity on every page. Note: this means every page, not just page 1.
- Step 6File the stamped PDF — Download
yourdoc.stamp.pdfand store it in your records system. If you needed the mark on page 1 only, see the edge cases for the extract-stamp-merge approach.
Stamp tool vs Watermark tool for a RECEIVED mark
Two real tools, two different mechanisms. Pick the one that matches your RECEIVED need.
| Capability | Stamp tool | Watermark tool |
|---|---|---|
| Type text directly (e.g. the date) | No — graphic only | Yes — text field |
| Adjustable opacity | No — fixed 50% | Yes — 0.05 to 1.0 (default 0.15) |
| Adjustable font size | n/a (graphic) | Yes — 12 to 200 pt |
| Position | Centred only | Diagonal, centred |
| Applies to | Every page | Every page |
| Best for | Designed/branded received-stamp graphic | Quick text RECEIVED mark |
What the RECEIVED stamp overlay does
Fixed behaviour — there is no options panel for the Stamp tool.
| Aspect | Behaviour |
|---|---|
| Stamp input | PDF only; first page used (convert images via image-to-pdf) |
| Date generation | None — the date must be drawn into the stamp artwork |
| Pages stamped | Every page (no page-1-only option) |
| Position / scale | Centred; fit-to-page, scaled down only |
| Opacity | Fixed 50% |
Free vs Pro limits (PDF tools)
Per-file limits for the incoming document and the stamp PDF.
| Limit | Free | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Max file size (per PDF) | 2 MB | 50 MB |
| Page limit (per PDF) | 50 pages | 500 pages |
Cookbook
Document-control recipes, including when to reach for the watermark tool instead.
Quick text RECEIVED mark (use watermark)
You just need 'RECEIVED 06 JUN 2026' typed across the page. The watermark tool is the right tool here.
pdf-watermark: text: RECEIVED 06 JUN 2026 opacity: 0.25 fontSize: 48 → diagonal text on every page, no graphic needed
Branded received-stamp graphic (use stamp)
AP has a branded RECEIVED box graphic with a date field filled in. Overlay it with the Stamp tool.
stamp PDF: received-20260606.pdf (full A4 page, RECEIVED box near the top, date drawn in, rest transparent) base: invoice-7741.pdf Process 2 files → received box centred + 50% opacity on every page Output: invoice-7741.stamp.pdf
Received-stamp image → stamp PDF
Your received stamp is a scanned PNG. Convert it before overlaying.
image-to-pdf: received-stamp.png → received-stamp.pdf pdf-stamp: base: claim.pdf stamp: received-stamp.pdf → claim.stamp.pdf
RECEIVED on the first page only
Convention is page 1 only, but the tool stamps all pages. Isolate page 1 first.
1. extract page 1 → page1.pdf 2. pdf-stamp: page1.pdf + received.pdf → page1.stamp.pdf 3. pdf-merge: page1.stamp.pdf + (pages 2..n) → final.pdf (RECEIVED only on page 1)
Date appears stale on later documents
Reusing yesterday's stamp PDF stamps the wrong date — the tool can't refresh it.
Problem: stamp PDF says 05 JUN but today is 06 JUN
Cause: the date is baked into the artwork; the tool
does not generate today's date.
Fix: regenerate the stamp PDF with today's date,
or use the watermark tool and type the date.Edge cases and what actually happens
You expected to type the date in the tool
no text inputThe Stamp tool has no text or date field — it overlays a graphic. The date must be drawn into the stamp PDF beforehand. For a typed date, use the watermark tool, which has a text field.
RECEIVED stamp landed on every page
By designThe overlay applies to all pages; convention puts a received stamp on page 1 only. To stamp page 1 only, extract page 1, stamp it, and merge it back with pdf-merge.
Stamp mark sits in the page centre
By designThe stamp is centred. A small RECEIVED graphic appears mid-page. Draw it on a full-page transparent PDF in the upper area so centring the full page places it near the top.
Received-stamp supplied as PNG/JPEG
invalid inputOnly PDFs are accepted. Convert the image with image-to-pdf into a single-page PDF first.
Stamp date is out of date
stale artworkThe tool overlays the stamp exactly as designed and never updates the date. Regenerate the stamp PDF for today's date each day, or switch to the watermark tool and type the date inline.
Mark too faint to read
design issueFixed 50% opacity with no control. Author the RECEIVED graphic in a strong colour (stamp red/blue) so it stays legible at half opacity.
Only one file uploaded
errorTwo files are required ("Upload a base PDF and a stamp PDF."). The Process button stays disabled until both the document and the stamp PDF are queued.
Is a digital RECEIVED stamp legally equivalent to a physical one?
Practical evidenceIn most contexts a digital received-date stamp serves as practical evidence of the receipt date, the same as an ink stamp. For legally required timestamping, use a qualified digital time-stamp service, not a drawn graphic.
Encrypted incoming PDF
SupportedThe engine ignores encryption where it can, but a strongly encrypted incoming file may fail to parse. Unlock it first, then stamp the decrypted copy.
Over free-tier size/page limit
tier limitFree tier caps each PDF at 2 MB and 50 pages; Pro raises it to 50 MB and 500 pages. Large incoming scans may need compressing or splitting first.
Frequently asked questions
Can I type today's date into the RECEIVED stamp?
Not in the Stamp tool — it overlays a graphic and has no text or date field. You must draw the date into the stamp PDF before uploading. If you want to type the date inline, the watermark tool has a text field (plus opacity and font-size controls), which makes it the easier choice for a text RECEIVED mark.
Can I use the Watermark tool for a RECEIVED text stamp instead?
Yes, and for a text-only mark it is usually better. The watermark tool lets you type "RECEIVED [date]", set the opacity (0.05–1.0) and font size (12–200 pt), and applies it to every page. Use the Stamp tool when you have a designed, branded received-stamp graphic rather than plain text.
Should the stamp go on every page or just page 1?
Conventionally a received stamp goes on page 1 only, but the Stamp tool applies the overlay to every page. To stamp page 1 only, extract the first page, stamp it, and merge it back with pdf-merge. Alternatively, an every-page mark is acceptable in many document-control setups.
Why is the stamp in the middle of the page?
The tool always centres the stamp. A small RECEIVED graphic therefore appears mid-page. Place the graphic in the upper area of a full-page transparent stamp PDF; when the full page is centred, the mark lands near the top.
My received stamp is a scanned image — can I use it?
Only as a PDF. Convert the scanned image with image-to-pdf into a single-page PDF, ideally laid out at the document's page size, then use that PDF as the stamp.
Why does the date never update?
Because the date is part of the stamp artwork — the tool draws the stamp exactly as supplied and does not generate the current date. Regenerate the stamp PDF for each day's date, or use the watermark tool and type the date directly.
Can I control the opacity of the received stamp?
No — the Stamp tool draws at a fixed 50% opacity. If you need adjustable opacity, the watermark tool offers a 0.05–1.0 opacity slider for text marks. For a graphic stamp, design it in a strong colour so it reads at 50%.
Is a digital RECEIVED stamp legally valid?
In most jurisdictions a digital received-date mark serves as practical evidence of the receipt date, much like an ink stamp. For legally required, tamper-evident timestamping, use a qualified time-stamp service rather than a drawn overlay.
Does the order of files matter?
Yes. The first PDF added is the incoming document (base); the second is the RECEIVED stamp. Add the document first, then the stamp, and confirm the order in the queue before processing.
Is my document uploaded anywhere?
No. Both PDFs are processed in your browser. Incoming invoices, claims, and legal mail never leave your device; only an anonymous usage counter is logged when signed in — which matters for sensitive financial and legal documents.
How large a document can I stamp?
Free tier allows 2 MB and 50 pages per PDF; Pro raises this to 50 MB and 500 pages, applied to the document and the stamp independently. Large incoming scans may need compressing first.
What file do I get back?
A standard PDF named yourdoc.stamp.pdf with the RECEIVED stamp overlaid on every page, ready to file in your DMS. If the embedded stamp grew the file, compress it losslessly before archiving.
Privacy first
All PDF processing runs locally in your browser using PDF-lib and pdf.js. No file is ever uploaded — only metadata counters are saved for signed-in dashboard stats.