If you’ve ever worked with photographers, designers, or even online print shops, you’ve probably seen a “proof” image before. These are usually low-resolution previews or watermarked versions of a photo with the word proof splashed across it—sometimes in big bold letters, sometimes as a faint, see-through logo.

That mark isn’t there to annoy you—it’s there to protect the creator’s work. Now, here’s the thing: there are completely legitimate reasons you might want to remove a proof watermark.

Maybe you’re cleaning up your own marketing shots, restoring old family photos you took years ago, or prepping images for a presentation. The key rule? Only do this if you own the rights to the image or have direct permission to edit it.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through 11 tested methods—from Photoshop tricks to quick, AI-powered online tools (both free and paid)—so you can remove proof watermarks cleanly, keep your image quality intact, and most importantly, do it the right way.

Everything you need to know about proof watermark

A proof watermark is like a digital “handle with care” tag for images. Photographers, design studios, and print companies often use it when they share sample images with clients. You’ve probably seen it before a faint but noticeable word like “PROOF” stretched diagonally across a photo, or a semi-transparent logo stamped right in the middle.

You’ll usually find proof watermarks on:

• Wedding or event photography previews are similar to the main page of the photography agency.
• Stock image samples from agencies like Shutterstock or Getty Images.
• Custom design mockups before final approval.

Why removing a watermark matters (legal & technical pointers)

From a legal point of view

• Not always wrong—depends on ownership and permission.
• If you own the image (e.g., you took it or bought full rights), removal is fine.
• Without explicit rights, removal is unethical and can be illegal.
• Copyright laws protect images; unauthorized removal can lead to fines or legal action.

From a technical point of view

• Watermarks can hide important details in a photo.
• They may cover faces, logos, or background patterns.
• Proper removal put back full visual clarity.
• Using the right tools ensures high-quality results.

How to remove a proof watermark from a photo using Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a professional image editing software widely used for a range of applications like watermark removal, photo upscaling, and more. Let’s now explore the three most popular techniques to use Photoshop to remove a watermark.

1. Spot Healing Brush Tool

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to remove a watermark from a photo, the Spot Healing Brush Tool is a great place to start. It’s one of Photoshop’s smartest tools—kind of like a digital eraser that removes all the unnecessary objects from the image. 

How to use the tool?

Step 1: Open your image in Photoshop by clicking on File and then Open.

Step 2: Create a duplicate layer by pressing Ctrl+J (Windows). Always work on a duplicate to preserve the original.

Step 3: Select the Spot Healing Brush Tool from the left toolbar.

Step 4: In the top settings bar, select the “Content-Aware” type for blending.

Step 5: Adjust your brush size to be slightly bigger than the watermark text.

Step 6: Zoom in on the watermark area by pressing Alt.

Step 7: Click or drag over the watermark. Photoshop will automatically remove the watermark and fill in the area using nearby pixels.

2. Clone Stamp Tool

Sometimes, Photoshop’s automatic tools like Spot Healing fail to remove a watermark when the background behind a watermark has patterns, textures, or details (like bricks, leaves, fabrics, or faces). That’s where the Clone Stamp Tool works. It gives you total control and works great for tricky spots where Photoshop’s guessing might mess things up.

How to use the tool?

Step 1: Start by opening your image and then duplicate the layer by selecting the generative layer.

Step 2: Select the Clone Stamp Tool from the toolbar on the left side.

Step 3: Then adjust your brush size and hardness in the options bar.

Step 4: Now hold Alt and click on a clean area near the watermark to sample pixels.

Step 5: Release the key and paint over the watermark using thin strokes.

Step 6: Constantly re-sample different parts (hold Alt and click again) to prevent obvious repetition.

Step 7: Use light strokes for fine removal of the watermark.

Step 8: Zoom in to clean the edges for a clean result.

3. Content- Aware Fill  Tool

Imagine if Photoshop could “see” your image and intelligently guess what should be removed from the image; that's what Content-Aware Fill does. This tool gives you more control than the basic Fill option.

How to use the tool?

Step 1: Duplicate your image layer.

Step 2: Use any selection tool (Lasso, Marquee, or Quick Selection) to select the watermark.

Step 3: Go to Edit and then to Content-Aware Fill.

Step 4: A new window will open:

Keep a note that the Green overlay = sample area

Adjust the sampling brush to exclude irrelevant parts

Step 5: Under Output Settings, choose “New Layer” for non-destructive editing.

Step 6: Click OK. Photoshop will create a new layer with the filled result.

Step 7: Use Healing Brush or Clone Stamp for minor touch-ups.

How to remove a proof watermark from a photo using online tools

Here’s a breakdown of eight noteworthy online tools—with rankings, why I like them, steps, and any known pricing.

4. Pixelbin’s AI Watermark Remover

PixelBin is a modern, AI-powered image editing platform designed for photographers, designers, and content creators who want quick yet precise watermark removal. It works with a wide range of file formats, including professional ones like RAW and HEIC, making it suitable for both casual users and industry experts.

The tool automatically detects the system to ensure a smooth, beginner-friendly process while maintaining high image quality.

Why did I like it?

• AI-driven one-click removal with excellent accuracy on various watermark styles.
• Supports multiple file formats (JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC, WEBP), even in bulk up to 25 MB, along with three monthly credits.
• Fast processing—typically under two seconds per image.
• No sign-up required for basic usage. 

How to remove the proof watermark with Pixelbin?

Step 1: Head over to Pixelbin Watermark Remover.

Step 2: From the dashboard, click on “Upload Image” and select the test image.

Step 3: Once the image is ready, select Auto on the right panel. The AI will process within 5–7 seconds. If you have a premium plan, you can use the brush feature to highlight the watermark.

Step 4: It provides a before/after preview slider called compare for your easy understanding what my image became after removing watermark. You can perform it before downloading the final image.

Step 5: Once you are done, click on “Download” and select the image’s file format, and download the watermark-free version.

What’s the cost?

Pay as you go

• 50 Credits - $0.18/Credit and $9.00 billed once
• 200 Credits - $0.11/Credit and $22.00 billed once
• 500 Credits - $0.09/Credit and $45.00 billed once
• 1000 Credits - $0.08/Credit and $80.00 billed once

 Benefits

• Full access to all AI tools
• Batch processing
• 2 GB storage

Lite plan

• 1800 credits/year and billed $6.00/month or $72.00 yearly

Benefits

• Full access to all AI tools
• Batch processing
• 10 GB storage 

Pro plan

• 6000 credits/year and $21.00/month or $252.00 billed yearly

 Benefits

• Full access to all AI tools
• Batch processing
• 50 GB storage

5. WatermarkRemover.io  

WatermarkRemover.io is a free, AI-powered online tool that specializes in quick watermark removal for photos. It’s designed for absolute beginners—no editing skills needed—and works entirely in your browser, so there’s no need to install software.

The tool is especially handy for batch processing, allowing you to remove watermarks from multiple images at once while preserving the original resolution as much as possible.

Why did I like it?

• Just upload, and the tool does the rest.
• No signup or login is required to use the basic features, which are free to use with 3 credits and 3 downloads. 
• Beginner-friendly interface.
• The AI algorithm works great for images with complex backgrounds.
• No added watermark on the output image.

Steps to remove the proof watermark with Watermark Remover.io

Step 1: Go to watermarkremover.io.

Step 2: Click the “Upload Image” button (they accept JPG, PNG, WEBP, HEIC, and JPEG).

Step 3: After uploading the image, click on remove text or " remove logo according to your need. 

Step 4: After using the features. The tool will automatically show a before-and-after slider, so I can compare.

Step 5: Hit Download and save the cleaned-up image to your desktop. 

What’s the cost?

Subscription Plan - $0.03/ credit$69.99 billed yearly

• 100 Credits/month - $0.04/credit and $44.99/year
• 200 Credits/month - $0.03/credit and $69.99/year
• 500 Credits/month - $0.02/credit and $99.99/year
• 1000 Credits/month - $0.01/credit and $139.99/year 

One-time payment - $0.12/ credit and $24.99 billed once

• 50 Credits - $0.16/credit and $7.99 billed once
• 200 Credits - $0.12/credit and $24.99 billed once
• 500 Credits - $0.11/credit and $54.99 billed once
• 1000 Credits - $0.08/credit and $84.99 billed once

5. Fotor’s Watermark Remover

Fotor is a versatile online photo editor that goes beyond watermark removal—offering editing tools like background removal, retouching, and color correction. Its AI-powered watermark remover is perfect for beginners because it’s simple, fast, and effective.

Whether you’re cleaning up personal photos or prepping images for professional use, Fotor delivers smooth results while keeping your images sharp and clear. It also works on desktop, mobile, and directly in your browser. 

Why did I like it?

• The zoom-in feature is available, allowing you to adjust the brush size for precision. 
• The before/after slider made it easy to compare results. 
• It includes batch processing, and you can add 50 images at once.
• If you want to edit the image, some extra tools like crop, adjust, and text are available.
• Remove watermarks fast, even from HD images, without deteriorating the quality.  

Steps to remove the Proof watermark with Fotor’s Watermark Remover

Step 1: Go to Fotor’s watermark remover.

Step 2: Upload the image by selecting “upload image.”‍

Step 3: Highlight the watermark using the “brush” tool (you can adjust the brush size to fit closely around the watermark). Or else you can use the “advanced” feature for free with credits, and the AI will remove the watermark automatically.  

Step 4: Click on “Apply”‍

Step 5: Click “Download” and you’re done– but you have to sign up or upgrade to Fotor Pro for high-resolution export.  

What’s the cost?  

Fotor Basic - US$0

Benefits

• Basic editing features
• Basic design & collage templates
• Limited effects, fonts, elements
• Limited credits for generative AI
• Export in normal JPG/ PNG/ PDF
• Download with watermark
• 500M of cloud storage

• Fotor Pro - US$3.33/month or US$39.99 billed yearly

Benefits

Everything in Fotor Basic, plus:

• Advanced editing & AI tools
• Premium design & collage templates
• Premium effects, fonts, elements
• 100 credits/month for generative AI
• Private mode & custom AI styles
• HD & transparent PNG download
• No watermark
• Ad-free
• 2 GB of cloud storage

• Fotor Pro+ - US$7.49/month and US$89.99 billed yearly

Benefits

Everything in Fotor Pro, plus:

• AI slides
• AI batch editing
• Brand kits
• 300 credits/month for generative AI
• 10 GB of cloud storage

6. PicWish

PicWish is a free, AI-powered watermark removal tool that you can access on your pc as well as your mobile. When I first tried PicWish’s watermark remover, it felt like a no-brainer—just upload and click.

But once I tested the image, I discovered it’s deeper than just that. This tool blends speed, precision, and batch processing in a way that makes cleanup genuinely painless. 

Why did I like it?

• Super fast auto removal of watermarks generally vanishes in under 5 seconds.
• Batch processing is available, so you can upload multiple product shots at once.
• Clean interface with minimal distractions, no ads, no pop-ups.
• High-quality output with background preserved, no blur or artifacts. 
• Free to use and no login required, no forced resolution limits for watermark removal.

Steps to remove the Proof watermark with PicWish  

Step 1: Visit the PicWish watermark remover page and click “Upload Image”.

Step 2: Drop in a photo with a semi-transparent text watermark.

Step 3: Default to Auto mode, and click Remove.

Step 4: In about 3 seconds, the tool flashed the result, and it looked surprisingly clean.

Step 5: Optionally switch to Manual mode: Select the brush tool, resize it, and brush areas needing touch-up.

Step 6: Toggle the Compare button to check before vs after.

Step 7: Hit Download—high quality, no added watermark. 

What’s the cost?  

Pro Plan

• $9.99/month, and it is billed monthly

Benefits

• 50 HD downloads per day

• 450 credits

• 32 free chats/day for AI Designer

• $4.99/mo and 3 days free, then billed $59.99/yr

Benefits

• 50 HD downloads per day

• 450 credits per month

• 32 free chats/day for AI Designer

• $5.99 /wk and billed weekly

Benefits

• 50 HD downloads per day

• 90 credits

• 32 free chats/day for AI Designer

Pay as you go 

• 300 credits -$12.99 ($0.043/credit)

• 1000 credits - $33.9 ($0.034/credit)

• 5000 credits -$65.99 ($0.013/credit)

• 10000 + 1500 credits -$99.95 ($0.009/credit)

7. AI Image Watermark Remover by LightPDF

When I first landed on LightPDF’s Image Watermark Remover page, I was curious about how a tool known for PDFs handles image watermarks. After testing it with an image, I found it to be surprisingly smart and fast. For your convenience, I have listed what I found out after using the tool.   

Why did I like it?

• The AI algorithm handles most cases smoothly, but if the AI misses a spot, Manual mode (with brush/lasso/rectangle tools) gives me fine precision. 
• I uploaded 10 product shots and processed them all at once—time savings for the win.
• After removing the watermark, I tapped “Photo Enhancer” to sharpen and restore colour—no extra tools needed.
• No pop-ups, no forced sign-up before trying—it’s straightforward to use. 

Steps to remove a proof watermark using LightPDF  

Step 1: Open LightPDF’s AI Image Watermark Remover.

Step 2: Click on Upload Image and select an image with a watermark.‍

Step 3: Choose Auto Remove—AI processed it in ~6 seconds.‍

Step 4: Notice a tiny blur on a textured area, then switch to Manual Mode: Use the Brush tool to retouch the edge.‍

Step 5: Hit Download to get a high-resolution PNG with no new watermark and preserved quality.

What’s the cost?    

Weekly - $13.99

Benefits

• 1-week full access to all PDF conversion and editing tools
• 1-week full access to the powerful AI toolkit
• 200 credits added to the account weekly
• Analyze, summarize, & translate PDFs
• Chat with multiple files & URLs at once
• Create mindmaps from URLs or text
• AI-powered watermark remover for photos & PDFs

• Annual - $4.16/mo 

Benefits

• 1-year full access to advanced tools to convert, edit, sign & secure docs
• 1-year full access to our constantly evolving AI toolkit
• 12000 credits added to account annually
• Analyze, summarize & translate PDFs
• Chat with multiple files & URLs at once
• Create mindmaps from URLs or text
• AI-powered watermark remover for photos & PDFs

• 3 Years - $2.77/mo

Benefits

• Pay once, enjoy uninterrupted access to PDF & AI tools
• 36000 credits added to account in the lowest price
• Chat with multiple files & URLs at once
• Create mindmaps from URLs or text
• AI-powered watermark remover for photos & PDFs
• Exclusive early access to new PDF and AI features
• Priority customer support

• Monthly - $19.99

Benefits

• 1-month full access to all PDF conversion and editing tools
• 1-month full access to the powerful AI toolkit
• 1000 credits added to account monthly
• Analyze, summarize, & translate PDFs
• Chat with multiple files & URLs at once
• Create mindmaps from URLs or text
• AI-powered watermark remover for photos & PDFs

8. Aiseesoft

Aiseesoft offers free watermark remover tool. It’s great for beginners who want a quick solution, but it also includes manual editing for more control. The tool works directly in your browser, so you don’t need to download software, and it supports various image formats without deteriorating the output quality

Why did I like it?

• Easy-to-use with both automatic and manual removal options.
• Web-based—no software installation required.
• Maintains image clarity after removal.

Steps to remove the Proof watermark using Aiseesoft   

Step 1: Go to the Aiseesoft Free Watermark Remover.

Step 2: Click on upload image to add the image with the proof watermark.

Step 3: Use the brush, lasso, or polygonal tool to mark the watermark area.

Step 4: Click Remove to clean the watermark.

Step 5: Download the processed image.

9. AIEase Watermark Remover

After scrolling through a lot of tools, I stumbled upon AIEase. I was convinced by its tagline: “one-click watermark removal.” I decided to test it with an image having logo and signature watermarks mixed over different backgrounds, and here is what I found out after using the tool.  

Why did I like it?

• Simple and fast AI watermark cleanup.
• Batch processing is available up to 10 images.
• It works on a smartphone using a browser.
• Supports image formats like JPG, JPEG, WEBP, PNG, and BMP.

Steps to remove the Proof watermark using AIEase   

Step 1: Visit the AIEase Image Watermark Remover page.‍

Step 2: Upload images that you want to test.‍

Step 3: Click on “Auto mode”—the AI detected and removed the watermark instantly.‍

Step 4: Toggle to “Manual” to clean small remnants using the brush, rectangle, and eraser tools.‍

Step 5: Hit “Remove”, preview the result with the “eyes” icon.‍

Step 6: Download the final image—no sign-up, no watermarks.   

What’s the cost?    

• Pro-monthly - $9.99/month 
• Pro-yearly - $59.99/ year

10. Dewatermark.AI

Dewatermark.ai is an AI-powered platform designed specifically for fast and accurate watermark removal. It’s particularly good at handling semi-transparent and complex watermarks, like “proof” stamps, without leaving visible artifacts.

The interface is clean and beginner-friendly, yet the results are professional enough for photographers and designers. Since it’s web-based, you can use it instantly without downloading anything.

Why did I like it?

• Excellent at removing complex and semi-transparent proof watermarks.
• Simple, clutter-free interface for quick edits.
• AI ensures minimal quality loss.

Steps to remove the Proof watermark using Dewatermark.ai 

• Open Dewatermark.ai in your browser.
• Upload the photo with the proof watermark.
• Let the AI auto-detect and remove the watermark.
• Preview the result to ensure clarity.
• Download your cleaned image.

What’s the cost? 

• Free - $0 
• Pro Plan 
  
  • $3 /month - 1200 credits 
  • $5 /month - 2400 credits 
  • $8 /month - 6000 credits 
  • $10/month - 12000 credits

Final thoughts

Watermark removal isn’t bad; it depends on why and how you do it. Maybe you’re cleaning up for restoring cherished memories, or prepping presentation visuals using your license or permission. In these cases, the right tool makes all the difference.

And that’s a wrap. If you want to remove proof watermarks from your photos with full control, Photoshop is great for manual control. And if you just want fast, clean results with no effort, WatermarkRemover.io and Pixelbin are my personal favourites because they remove the watermark without leaving any artefacts. Give all the 11 aforementioned methods a shot!