How to Mark Exhibits
in PDF Documents
Learn the proper way to mark PDF exhibits for court. Whether you need exhibit numbers, letters, or party-specific labels—get professional results in minutes, not hours.
You've got 25 exhibits to mark and court is tomorrow...
Each document needs a clear, professional exhibit stamp
Manual labeling takes forever and looks unprofessional
Adobe Acrobat requires a subscription you don't have
You need to ensure stamps are placed consistently
Exhibit Numbers vs. Letters: Which to Use?
Most jurisdictions follow a simple convention for distinguishing between parties' exhibits. Here's the standard approach:
Numbers (1, 2, 3...)
Typically for Plaintiffs
- Plaintiff's Exhibit 1, 2, 3...
- Claimant's Exhibit 1, 2, 3...
- Petitioner's Exhibit 1, 2, 3...
Letters (A, B, C...)
Typically for Defendants
- Defendant's Exhibit A, B, C...
- Respondent's Exhibit A, B, C...
- Third-Party Exhibit A, B, C...
Note: Always verify with your local court rules. Some jurisdictions have different conventions or allow either format for all parties.
How to Mark Exhibits in 4 Simple Steps
Upload Your PDF Documents
Drag and drop your PDF files into ExhibitPrep, or click to browse. Upload one document or an entire batch—up to 100 files at once.
Choose Your Label Format
Select from 26 professional templates including Plaintiff's Exhibit, Defendant's Exhibit, or generic formats. Choose numbers or letters based on your party role and court requirements.
Position and Preview
Drag the exhibit stamp to your preferred position—most courts prefer bottom right corner. Preview each page to ensure stamps don't obscure important content. The position applies to all documents automatically.
Download Marked Exhibits
Download individually stamped files or combine everything into a single PDF with an automatic table of contents. Ready for e-filing or printing for court.
Documents You Can Mark as Exhibits
ExhibitPrep works with any PDF document regardless of source or content type.
Exhibit Marking Best Practices
DO
- Use consistent placement across all exhibits
- Follow your jurisdiction's numbering convention
- Create an exhibit list for easy reference
- Ensure stamps are clearly legible
- Keep original unmarked copies as backup
DON'T
- Hand-write exhibit labels (looks unprofessional)
- Place stamps over important content
- Skip numbers in your sequence
- Use inconsistent formatting between exhibits
- Forget to verify stamps before filing
Mark Exhibits Faster Than Ever
| Method | Time (25 docs) | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hand-written labels | 1-2 hours | Free (but unprofessional) |
| Adobe Acrobat | 45-60 min | $22.99/month |
| Physical exhibit stickers | 30-45 min | $15-30 for supplies |
| ExhibitPrep | Under 5 minutes | $4.99 or $14.99/day |
At $75/hour, saving 1 hour on exhibit prep recovers $75 in billable time.
Ready in Under 60 Seconds
No account required. No software to install. Upload your first PDF and see professional exhibit stamps applied instantly. Preview free—pay only when you're ready to download.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to mark an exhibit?
Marking an exhibit means adding a permanent, visible label (such as "Exhibit A" or "Plaintiff's Exhibit 1") to a document for court identification. This mark establishes the document's identity in the court record and allows attorneys, judges, and witnesses to reference specific documents during proceedings. Exhibit marks must be clear, consistent, and placed where they don't obscure important document content.
Should I use numbers or letters for exhibit labels?
The choice between numbers (1, 2, 3) and letters (A, B, C) typically depends on your party role and jurisdiction. Most courts follow the convention where plaintiffs use numbers and defendants use letters, though this varies. California Rule of Court 3.1110(c) specifies this convention. Check your local rules or ask the court clerk for guidance on your specific jurisdiction's requirements.
Where should exhibit marks be placed on a document?
Most courts prefer exhibit stamps in the lower right corner of the first page, as this location is least likely to obscure important document content. However, placement requirements vary by jurisdiction. Some courts accept upper right corner placement. ExhibitPrep allows you to position stamps anywhere on the page and apply them consistently across all documents in your set.
Can I mark exhibits without Adobe Acrobat?
Yes. ExhibitPrep runs entirely in your browser with no software installation required. Unlike Adobe Acrobat which requires a subscription ($22.99/month or $239.88/year), ExhibitPrep offers pay-per-use pricing starting at $4.99 for a single document or $14.99 for unlimited documents in 24 hours. Upload your PDF, apply the exhibit stamp, and download immediately.
What's the difference between exhibit marking and Bates numbering?
Exhibit marking labels entire documents for identification at trial (Exhibit A, Exhibit 1), while Bates numbering assigns unique sequential numbers to every page for discovery tracking (e.g., SMITH001, SMITH002). Exhibit marks identify documents during proceedings; Bates numbers create a permanent page-level reference system. ExhibitPrep handles exhibit marking; for Bates numbering, use dedicated litigation support tools.
How do I mark multiple exhibits at once?
Upload all your PDF documents to ExhibitPrep at once. The tool automatically assigns sequential exhibit labels (1, 2, 3 or A, B, C) to each document. You can reorder documents by dragging them, and the labels update automatically. Download all marked exhibits as individual files or combined into a single PDF with a table of contents.
Related Resources
Mark Your Exhibits in Minutes
Professional exhibit stamps without the learning curve. Upload, stamp, download—ready for court.
Start Marking Exhibits →ExhibitPrep is a document preparation tool. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify exhibit requirements with your specific court or jurisdiction.