A PDF stamp is a visual mark used to add additional information or status to a PDF document. It works similarly to a physical rubber stamp and can contain text, dates, signatures, initials, custom images, or logos.
Since Adobe Acrobat is a trusted PDF editor, many people want to use it to add stamps to their documents. You can create a stamp in Adobe, but the entire process is quite time-consuming. If you don't want to spend too much time on this task, a simple and lightweight software such as SwifDoo PDF would be a better choice.
In any case, you can try both tools and see which one works best for you.
How to Create a Stamp in Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat can help you add stamps to PDF documents. It's a solid choice if you work with PDFs regularly. Check to learn the detailed steps.
How to Create a Custom Stamp in Adobe
1. Open Adobe Acrobat Pro or Reader and import the PDF document.
2. Click Add a stamp under All tools.
3. Then, select the Custom stamps option and click Create.
4. Click Browse to select a file. In Adobe Acrobat Pro, you can import files in various formats, including PDF, JPEG, BMP, PSD, AI, and DWG. In Adobe Acrobat Reader, the supported format is limited to PDF.
5. In the setup dialog, select a category, enter a name for your stamp, and click OK. Your new stamp has been added to the stamp menu.
6. To add the stamp to the PDF, please go to Stamp, select the correct type to find the created stamp, click the stamp, and place it on the desired page.
How to Create a Dynamic Stamp in Adobe
Adobe Acrobat can also help you add dynamic stamps in PDF to share the name, data, and time from your computer or from the Identity panel of the Preferences dialog box.
1. In Adobe Acrobat, open the PDF document. Go to Tools and choose Add a stamp.
2. Click Custom stamps and choose Create. Import the file by clicking Browse.
3. Select Dynamic next to Category and name the stamp. Click OK to continue.
4. Then, locate the stamp on your computer and open it. The stamp is usually stored in the following paths:
- Windows: C:\Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Acrobat\DC\Stamps
- macOS: /Users/[user name]/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Acrobat/DC/Stamps
5. Go to Tools and select Prepare Form. Please ensure the stamp created before is selected and click Start.
6. Click the Add a Text field option and place the field where the date should display.
7. Double-click the text field and choose All Properties. Go to Calculate and select Custom Calculation Script. Click Edit to enter a JavaScript:
event.value = util.printd ("h:MM tt, mm dd, yyyy" , new Date);
8. Close the Text Field Properties dialog and the Prepare Form mode. Finally, save the file.
Save the stamp file. It's now a dynamic stamp that will automatically insert the date and your identity.
Is Adobe Acrobat A Good Choice to Create a Stamp?
Acrobat Reader is free and lets you create custom PDF-based stamps. However, it cannot create dynamic stamps or import image-based stamps in formats other than PDF. To create a complete custom dynamic stamp that can dynamically obtain the current date/time or identity information, you need to use Acrobat Standard or Pro.
Acrobat is a strong choice for stamp creation if:
- You need dynamic stamps that include automatic date, time, and identity information.
- You want to manage templates consistently for business or legal workflows.
- You're already invested in Adobe’s ecosystem.
However, Adobe may not be a good choice if:
- You have a limited budget.
- Want to avoid the learning curve and complete the task in minutes.
- Need a fast, lightweight tool that can run on older or low-spec computers.
Find that Adobe isn't right for you? Please keep reading to get the best Adobe Acrobat alternative to help you make it easily.
Create a Custom Stamp with the Best Adobe Acrobat Alternative
If you are looking for a lightweight PDF tool that is simpler than Adobe Acrobat, then SwifDoo PDF may be a better choice—especially for creating stamps.
✅ This tool simplifies the process of creating and adding stamps. There is no steep learning curve.
✅ Compact installation (≈150MB) that runs smoothly even on older Windows systems.
✅ It offers a free trial with full features and provides a lifetime license.
✅ You can add a time stamp to the PDF signature to ensure document integrity.
Here is how to use SwifDoo PDF to create and add a custom stamp:
1. Download, install, and launch SwifDoo PDF.
2. Open the PDF document. Go to Annotate and select Stamp.
3. Pick a built-in template. For example, select a dynamic stamp that shows the date and time.
4. Or import an image as the stamp. Click OK and place the stamp on the PDF.
SwifDoo PDF is a great lightweight alternative to Acrobat for basic stamp creation. It also offers various other PDF annotation and editing tools to help you make the PDF more readable and attractive. Why not give it a try? Don't miss this opportunity to become an expert in handling PDF files!
Conclusion
That’s all about how to create a stamp in Adobe Acrobat. Although the steps are somewhat cumbersome, you can complete the task by following the steps one by one. If you find it too time-consuming, consider using SwifDoo PDF, a lightweight, fast, and easy-to-navigate tool. It can also help you edit, convert, split, merge, and protect PDFs without effort.
