Tutorial:
Create a transparent watermark for Watermark Studio using the free GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Related Downloads:

• GIMP for Windows (GPL, freeware)
• Arclab Watermark Studio

This tutorial requires that you have installed GIMP for Windows and  Arclab Watermark Studio on your computer. We use GIMP version 2.6 and Watermark Studio 2.2 in this tutorial. Future version might look a bit different, but the basics should be the same.

Its also possible to make an existing image transparent using Arclab  Watermark Studio (click on "Make Transparent"), but the edges might look a bit outlined, depending on the image which should be used as watermark. The problem might be the gradient from the foreground to the background. You will get the best results when using an image with a transparent background (alpha-layer).

1. Create a new image in GIMP

• Open GIMP
  
  
• Click on "File" -> "New"
  
  
• Expand the "Advanced Options"
  
  
• Go to "Fill with:" and select "Transparency".
  
  

2. Add some Text, Drawing or Logo

We use a simple text with a drop-shadow for this sample.

Its important that you see the squares, which means it has a transparent background. This also illustrates why its the best solution to use a 32bit transparent image. If the image would have a fixed, e.g. white background then the shadow would be on a white background, which means the shadow (and also the edges of the text) would be outlined on a different background color.

3. Save the Image as PNG

• Click on "File" -> "Save As"
  
  
• Enter the "Name" (we use demo.png) in this tutorial.
  
  
• Expand the "Select File Type"
  
  
• Select "PNG image"
  
  
• Click on "Save"
  
  

4. Save Options - Merge Visible Layers

Now the "Export File" dialog opens. Our image contains multiple layers, but a PNG cannot contain multiple layers, so we have to select what should happen with the layers. If your image does not have multiple layers, then this dialog won't open and you can skip the following.

• Select "Merge Visible Layers" - don't use "Flatten Image" !!!
  
  
• Click on "Export".
  
  
• Now another dialog opens with the title "Save as PNG". Keep the default settings and click on "Save".
  
  

5. Run Arclab Watermark Studio

• Start "Arclab Watermark Studio"
  (The free version is fully functional, but adds an additional watermark to the output.)
  
  
• Click on "Load Watermark"
  
  
• Select the PNG image we saved in the last step. (demo.png).
  
  
• Click on "Open" (sorry, the screenshots are from a german windows version)
  
  

Now you should see the transpart image in "Watermark". I have changed the "Watermark-Size %" to 100, so that you can see the shadow of the transparent image. If we wouldn't have saved the image as transparent PNG, then the shadow would be outlined.

Now we are done.

6. Next Steps

• Click on "Add Images" to select the image files to which the watermark should be added ... or click on "Add Folder" to add a structure (folders with subfolders).
  
  
• Select "Position", "Watermark-Opacity" and "Watermark-Size %"
  
  
• Optional "Add some Text" (see the user manual for details on this issue)
  
  
• Click on "Output" and select the "Output-Folder"
  
  
• Click on "Start"
  
  

Thank you for using Arclab Watermark Studio!