How do I add a custom stamp to my PDF document?

Go to 'All tools' and select 'Add a stamp'. Choose 'Custom stamps' and then 'Create'. Select your image file (like PDF, JPEG, PSD) and give your new stamp a name. Click on the page to place your custom stamp where you want it.

What is the difference between a stamp and a digital signature in Adobe Acrobat?

Feature Purpose Authenticity / Proof. Stamp Visual mark, status indicator (e.g., DRAFT, APPROVED), branding. No cryptographic proof; it's an annotation, like a picture. Digital Signature Verifies identity of signer, confirms document integrity, legal validity. Cryptographic proof; legally binding in many cases, shows document has not been altered.

Why would I want to create a custom stamp instead of just using the standard ones?

You can use your company logo for branding. You can create specific project identifiers not available as standard. You can include unique text or images relevant to your specific needs. It allows for greater personalization and professional appearance on documents.

Stamp Project Identifier in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Add page numbers and the project ID TR-203 across every page of the multi-document EIS appendix…+

Add page numbers and the project ID TR-203 across every page of the multi-document EIS appendix PDF so reviewers can cite sections easily before the public release next Monday.

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

BImprove — “do it better”Prepare the appendix for citation: apply consecutive page numbers and bates-style TR-203…+

Prepare the appendix for citation: apply consecutive page numbers and bates-style TR-203 identifiers across all PDFs, ensure placement doesn't obscure figures or tables, and produce a mapping file showing original filenames to bates ranges for reviewers.

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open the PDF file you want to use as the base for your custom stamp in Acrobat.
2
Select the area where you want dynamic text (such as date or username) to appear and add a text field using the Prepare Form tools.
Best practiceUsing a text field instead of static text allows you to insert JavaScript for dynamic content.
3
Right-click the new text field and choose to open its Properties.
4
Go to the Actions tab in the Properties dialog.
5
Set the action to Run a JavaScript, then enter code to insert the current date or username (e.g., for date: event.value = util.printd('mm/dd/yyyy', new Date()); for username: event.value = identity.name;).
CautionThe username field uses the identity.name property, which must be set in Acrobat’s Preferences > Identity.
6
Save the PDF form with the dynamic field as a new file.
7
In Acrobat, go to the Stamp tool and choose to create a new custom stamp, selecting your saved PDF as the source.
8
Complete the custom stamp creation process, assigning a category and name.
9
Apply your custom stamp to a PDF; the dynamic text field will automatically populate with the current date or username each time it is placed.
Best practiceIf the dynamic field does not update, ensure JavaScript is enabled in Acrobat’s preferences.

In the appWith the API

When you use a custom stamp with a dynamic text field, Acrobat runs the JavaScript each time you place the stamp, updating the field automatically.

This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.

Glossary

words on this page

StampTo put a mark or number directly onto the page, so it shows up when you print or share the document.ExampleYou stamp the word 'CONFIDENTIAL' across the top of a document before printing it.

Dynamic StampA dynamic stamp automatically fills in information like your name or the date when you place it.ExampleWhen you click to add the 'Approved' stamp, it automatically includes your name and the current date.

AnnotationAn annotation is a note or mark added to a document, like a highlight or a stamp, without changing the original text.ExampleHe added an annotation to the PDF, circling a key sentence and adding a question mark.

The real tasks

the one, listed here

Add page numbers and a project identifier across every page of a multi-document EIS appendix so reviewers can cite sections easily.

FAQ

about this task

Go to 'All tools' and select 'Add a stamp'.
Choose 'Custom stamps' and then 'Create'.
Select your image file (like PDF, JPEG, PSD) and give your new stamp a name.
Click on the page to place your custom stamp where you want it.

A dynamic stamp is a special type of stamp that can automatically fill in details such as your name, the current date, and time. This is useful because it saves you time from manually typing this information for common tasks like marking documents as 'APPROVED' or 'RECEIVED'. The information comes from your Acrobat Identity preferences, making it easy to keep your stamps consistent and professional without extra effort.

No, a 'FINAL' stamp on your contract does not make it legally binding or prove its authenticity. A stamp is simply an annotation, like a visual note on the document. For legal proof and to ensure authenticity, you must use a digital signature. Digital signatures use cryptography to verify the signer's identity and ensure the document has not been changed after signing. Always use the 'Sign' feature for legal documents.

Feature	Purpose	Authenticity / Proof
Stamp	Visual mark, status indicator (e.g., DRAFT, APPROVED), branding.	No cryptographic proof; it's an annotation, like a picture.
Digital Signature	Verifies identity of signer, confirms document integrity, legal validity.	Cryptographic proof; legally binding in many cases, shows document has not been altered.

You can use your company logo for branding.
You can create specific project identifiers not available as standard.
You can include unique text or images relevant to your specific needs.
It allows for greater personalization and professional appearance on documents.

Stamp Project Identifier

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help