> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.scriptation.com/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# How does Scriptation handle watermarks?

**Watermarked scripts work fine in Scriptation — as long as the watermark is a vector image and the PDF isn't flattened.** Most major script distribution platforms create watermarks that Scriptation handles cleanly.

### What makes a watermark "Scriptation-friendly"

Two things, both controlled by whoever creates the PDF:

1. **The watermark is a vector image, not text.** Vector watermarks sit on top of the script without interfering with the text underneath. Text-based watermarks get mixed in with the script text and can confuse features like [Text Highlight](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-do-i-use-the-text-marking-tools-highlight-underline-squiggle-and-strikethrough-5i7wnp/) and [Auto-Highlighting](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-is-auto-highlighting-17llf2q/);
2. **The PDF is exported non-flattened.** Flattening a PDF removes the ability for *any* app — Scriptation or otherwise — to recognize text. See [What is a Flattened PDF?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-is-a-flattened-pdf-p2vq4m/) for more.

### Services that handle watermarks well

These commonly used tools and platforms produce Scriptation-friendly watermarks by default:

* [Final Draft](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-does-scriptation-work-with-final-draft-na8vyd/)
* Adobe (Acrobat, InDesign)
* DAX
* Doczilla
* SetKeeper

| ✅ TIP: Scriptation's algorithm can usually filter out text-based watermarks too — but if a feature like Auto-Highlighting suddenly stops working on a watermarked script, the watermark style is the first thing to check with the file creator.

### What to do if a PDF won't take annotations

If [Text Highlight](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-do-i-use-the-text-marking-tools-highlight-underline-squiggle-and-strikethrough-5i7wnp/) doesn't recognize any text in a watermarked file, the PDF has likely been flattened during the watermarking step. There's no way for Scriptation (or any PDF app) to undo flattening — the file's creator will need to re-export a non-flattened copy. Share [What is a Flattened PDF?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-is-a-flattened-pdf-p2vq4m/) with your production office if you need to make the case.

|| 📝 NOTE: This is a production-side issue, not a Scriptation limit. The same flattened file will behave the same way in Adobe Acrobat, Preview, or any other PDF app.

# What's Next

[What is a Flattened PDF?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-is-a-flattened-pdf-p2vq4m/)
[Auto-Highlighting or Character Names not working correctly](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/auto-highlighting-or-character-names-not-working-correctly-sx94zb/)
[Why aren't the Annotation tools recognizing text in my script?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/why-arent-the-annotation-tools-recognizing-text-in-my-script-1nf9vfl/)
[How does Scriptation work with Final Draft?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-does-scriptation-work-with-final-draft-na8vyd/)