Overlay Two PDFs

Lay one document over another so every page carries your letterhead, stamp or form — or place it behind as a background that shows through the gaps.

Files are never uploaded

How to use it

Add the base document first

Drop the document you want to keep as the main content. This becomes the base that everything else is laid over.

Add the overlay second

Add the PDF holding the letterhead, stamp or form. Order matters: the first file is the base, the second is the overlay. Drag the file cards to swap them if you added them the wrong way round.

Choose where it sits

Pick "On top of the document" to stamp the overlay over your content, or "Behind the document" to use it as a background that shows through any blank areas.

Match pages or repeat one

Use "the first page on every page" when the overlay is a single letterhead. Use "page for page" when both documents have the same number of pages and you want them paired.

Check the overlap and save

Lower the opacity if the overlay is too heavy, then download. Open the result and check a page or two before relying on it.

Common issues

The overlay ends up underneath the text

Check the "Where the overlay goes" setting. If your stamp is hidden, switch to "On top"; if it is covering everything, switch to "Behind".

Files added in the wrong order

The tool cannot tell a letterhead from a body of text. If the result looks inverted, drag the file cards to swap them, or remove both and add them again in the right order.

The overlay is cropped or has white edges

A "Fit inside the page" overlay keeps its own proportions and is centred, so it may not reach the edges. Use "Stretch to fill the page" when the overlay is meant to be a full-bleed background.

A solid overlay hides the content

A heavy overlay at full opacity hides whatever is beneath it. Reduce the opacity, or move it behind the document instead.

Frequently asked questions

Which file goes first?

The base document — the one whose content you want to keep — goes first. The second file is placed over or behind it. You can drag the file cards to reorder them.

What is the difference between foreground and background?

Foreground draws the overlay on top, so it can hide part of your content. Background draws it underneath, so your content sits over it and any blank areas of the overlay show through.

What if the two documents have different page counts?

"Page for page" pairs them one to one and repeats the overlay’s pages if it runs out. "Use the first page on every page" always uses the overlay’s first page, which is what you usually want for a letterhead.

Why does my overlay look too strong?

Lower the opacity. A letterhead or stamp over dense text is often clearer at 60–70% than at full strength.

Can I put a scanned signature on top?

Yes, as long as the signature is a PDF with a transparent or white background. A scan with a grey background will cover the page beneath it.

Are links in the base document kept?

With the overlay on top, the base pages are copied as they are, so their links are preserved. With the overlay behind, the base is re-embedded and its clickable link areas are not carried over.

Does the export keep text selectable?

Yes. Both documents are embedded as vector content rather than flattened to images, so text stays selectable and searchable.

Is my document uploaded?

No. Both files are read and combined in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server.

Can I overlay a Word document?

Not directly. Convert it to PDF first, then use the resulting PDF here.

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About this page. Written and maintained by the AI-Mind team. Last reviewed 11 October 2026. This tool runs entirely in your browser. Found an error or have a suggestion? Use the feedback form above or email [email protected].