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A watermark and a logo are two items you will hear about often in the professional world. If you don’t know the proper definitions of each word, it’s easy to get confused. You might wonder – what is a watermark? What is a logo? Is there a critical difference between the two, or are they the same?
Most of the time, a watermark and a logo are the same thing. However, there is one critical difference. A watermark is a transparent version of your logo, placed over the top of a document or image. A logo can be that or sit in the corner, top, or bottom of a page.
If you’re interested in learning more about a watermark and a logo, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about what separates the two, the purpose of each, and if a watermark is a version of a trademark. The more you know about each item, the better you can navigate the professional world.
What Differentiates Watermark from Logo?
Watermarks and logos are very similar. Most of the time, you can refer to them, and they mean the same thing. However, if we take a look at differences, there is one difference that sets apart a watermark from a logo.
Here are a few additional items that separate the two:
- Translucency: Watermarks are more see-through than a logo on a page.
- Size: A watermark is typically large, while a logo is smaller and sits in a corner of a page.
These push them apart.
Most of the time, a watermark is a logo. Both serve to defend your pieces and inform the world who created them. Still, it helps to understand what separates the two in the professional world.
What Is the Purpose of a Watermark?
A watermark works to protect confidential information and one-of-a-kind masterpieces from theft. If there is a large watermark over a page, it makes it much trickier for another person to make a copy of the product and steal it from you.
You can use a watermark for purposes such as:
- Placing artwork on the internet
- Putting a critical document out in an email
- Claiming intellectual property
It will provide a defense for these needs.
A watermark is a valuable tool that provides legal protection for a critical piece of information. It can be a logo, too – but what is a logo?
What Is the Purpose of a Logo?
A logo is another form of protection. It can be a watermark, but a logo also works as a stamp. It can sit anywhere on a product – in the corner, at the top of the page, or in any other spot that gets the point across to the recipient of the document.
You can use a logo for needs such as:
- Stamping an envelope before mailing it out
- Putting on the header at the top of a corporate email
- Placing the logo in the corner of a professional letter
It will lay claim to a document in this way.
A logo tells the world who you are. It also puts your name out there, showing everyone what the product stands for in the world. There are valuable purposes to a logo.
Is a Watermark a Trademark?
A trademark is not a watermark, but you can trademark a watermark. Trademarking is the process of registering an item as unique intellectual property. If you want to make your watermark more legal than it already is to form further protection, you can go through the trademarking process for the item.
Although a trademark can be beneficial, a watermark doesn’t need to provide protection for your document. Consider a trademark if your company is at a point where additional defenses on work might be necessary.
Final Thoughts
It can be tricky to determine the difference between a watermark and a logo. Often, the lines are blurred – a logo can work as a watermark, and they may be the same thing. Both work to lay a claim to a page or company and define it as their own. However, one can operate as more than a claim of ownership.
We hope this information was helpful! Watermarks and logos are critical items in the workplace, whether you’re claiming an item or attempting to put your company’s face into the world. Now that you know the difference between the two, you can have a better time in the creation process, whether making a document or an image.
