Watermarking

What it means

A watermark is a note added to the ebook file for each buyer, such as their email address and the date. The book is not locked, so it opens on any device or reading app. People sometimes call it “social DRM”, because it discourages sharing without stopping the reader using the book they paid for.

A science fiction author might watermark every copy sold from their store, so a pirated file can be traced back to where it came from. A business writer selling a guide to a professional audience might watermark it so a whole team does not share one copy. A romance author sending early copies to reviewers might use a watermark to make leaks less likely.

Why it matters when you sell direct

Readers who buy direct want a file they can read on their Kindle, Kobo, phone or tablet. Locking the file with DRM makes that harder. A watermark keeps the file open while still reminding readers that the copy is theirs.

A watermark does not stop a determined pirate. It is a gentle deterrent, not a lock.

How Lanternbee handles it

Lanternbee watermarks every EPUB a reader downloads from their library. Each buyer gets their own copy, with their email, your store name and the purchase date in the book’s rights details and on a page at the end of the book. PDFs and audiobook files are delivered as you uploaded them, without a watermark.