What should you know before stamping scanned image PDFs that lack a text layer?
Understanding what stamping does and does not do for scanned documents.
Scanned versus digital PDFs
A scanned PDF is essentially a picture of a page, with no underlying text. A born-digital PDF has selectable text built in.
This difference shapes what you can do beyond stamping.
Stamping still works
Applying a Bates number or watermark to a scanned page works fine, since the stamp is added on top. The visual result looks identical.
Numbering does not require a text layer to function.
What you do not get
Stamping does not make a scanned page searchable, because it adds no text layer. If you need search, that is a separate step.
Being clear on this avoids false expectations.
Planning your workflow
If searchability matters, run recognition before or after stamping using a dedicated tool. Sequence the steps deliberately.
Knowing the limitation lets you plan the right order.
- Scanned PDFs are images without a text layer
- Stamping applies cleanly on top of scanned pages
- Stamping alone does not make pages searchable
- Add text recognition separately if search matters
Julien Jimenez
Julien Jimenez is an independent software builder based in Paris. He designs, ships, and operates focused SaaS products for small businesses and independent professionals. Read the full author page.
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