Field guide
Stamping a document scan
A document stamp should communicate status while leaving the underlying record readable. Placement and opacity matter more than decorative style.
01
Use explicit wording such as DRAFT, COPY or CONFIDENTIAL and record who applied it outside the pixels when audit history matters.
02
Avoid dates, signatures, barcodes and official seals. A translucent mark can still make automated reading fail even when a person sees through it.
03
Keep the stamp visually separate from genuine document ink through colour, angle and typography. It should not be mistaken for content present at capture time.
04
Retain the untouched scan and distribute the stamped derivative as a separate file. Never overwrite the only evidentiary copy with an administrative mark.