All About Watermarking (+ a FREE template!)
Watermarking - The Deets!
Hey, fellow small shop owner! Whether you’re a handmade seller, direct seller, wholesaler, boutique owner, or digital designer like me, you pour your heart into your craft. But are you protecting it? If you’re not watermarking your product photos or designs yet, you might be missing out on a simple way to safeguard your business and boost your name. But beyond that...you may also be violating terms of use if the product, design, mockup, or anything else you are using is from another business or creator! Here’s the lowdown on what watermarking is, how to do it, and why it’s a must in our industry!
What Is Watermarking?
Watermarking is adding a visible mark—like your shop name, logo, or a faint overlay—to your images. Think of it as your “Made/Sold by Me” stamp. For physical goods, it goes on product photos to stop others from stealing your shots or copying your designs. For digital creators, it’s perfect for mockups of t-shirt graphics or other products, keeping your ideas safe while shouting out your brand. For anyone purchasing from wholesalers or digital designers...you are protecting THEIR hard work and many times this is actually something they require to use their images! But beyond that...it also leads to brand recognition and can help bring in new people checking out your stuff!
How to Do It
You don’t need to be a tech wizard to watermark. Here’s the easy way:
- Type of Marks: You can use your logo, text or (best choice) an overlay!
- Grab a Tool: Try Canva (free and beginner-friendly), Photoshop (if you’re fancy), or apps like PicsArt. Upload your photo or mockup, slap on your watermark, and tweak its size and opacity. Are you a CinchShare user? If so they have a watermarking tool built DIRECTLY into their app! Batch watermark an entire folder of graphics or product images in a cinch!
- Place It Right: No need to worry when using an overlay! These types of watermarks fit over your entire image! If using a logo or text on product pics, stick it on the product enough so that nobody can crop out your logo/text mark or lift any design from the product without also getting a piece of your business on it as well! You can lower opacity to make your products/designs still visible but not able to be screenshotted, shared, etc without your branding on it! AVOID using a logo or business name in the corner or away from the product, design, etc as these can easily be cropped out or covered!
- Check It Out: Save it and view it on your phone or computer. Make sure it’s noticeable but doesn’t hinder the ability to view your photo/graphic/etc.
Why It’s a Big Deal for Small Shops
If you’re thinking, “Eh, no one’s stealing my stuff,” - remember it may not just be about you! If you are using a photo of a product from a wholesaler, a mockup from a transfer seller that features a digital designer's artwork or a graphic from a social media content creator....this is protecting THEIR hard work, too! But - back to you! Imagine your image gets shared by someone reposting "this is so me!" - and someone else wants to grab your product....thank goodness you watermarked because now they can figure out where the image is from and check it out directly from you!
RECAP:
- Stop the Copycats: Online, it takes two seconds for someone to nab your photo or design and pass it off as theirs. A watermark makes it harder to steal and gives you proof it’s yours if they try.
- Get Your Name Out There: Every watermarked image is a chance to shine. When customers share your work or wholesalers show it off, your shop name travels with it. It’s free branding for us small fries who can’t afford big ads.
Don’t Sleep on This
Look, as small shop owners, we’ve got enough on our plates—don’t let stolen work or missed branding opportunities pile on. Watermarking takes five minutes and protects what you’ve worked hard to source or create! So next time you snap a product pic or mock up a design, add your mark. It’s your craft, your hustle—own it!