How to Stamp Scanned PDF Exhibits
Scanned PDFs — the image-only files produced by copiers, dedicated scanners, and mobile scanning apps — can be stamped as exhibit labels just like any other PDF. No OCR, no text conversion, no special software required.
- ExhibitPrep stamps image-only PDFs without requiring OCR — the stamp is applied as a vector overlay on top of the scanned page.
- Scanned PDFs from document scanners, copiers, and mobile apps like Adobe Scan and CamScanner are all fully supported.
- Stamping a scanned PDF does not re-encode or compress the original scan, so image quality is preserved at 100%.
- The output file is typically less than 5% larger than the input PDF — the stamp adds minimal file size overhead.
- ExhibitPrep is free to preview, so you can verify the stamp position on your scanned pages before paying to download.
- Password-protected or editing-locked scanned PDFs must be unlocked before stamping; use iLovePDF or Adobe Acrobat to remove restrictions.
- Batch stamping works on scanned PDFs: upload multiple scanned exhibits and stamp all of them in a single session.
- No files are uploaded to a server — all PDF processing happens in your browser, keeping scanned documents private.
Why Scanned PDFs Are No Different From Regular PDFs
A scanned PDF is simply a PDF whose pages contain images of documents rather than selectable text. ExhibitPrep's stamping engine works at the PDF page level, not the text level, so the presence or absence of a text layer has no effect on stamping. Whether your exhibit was originally typed, handwritten, or printed and then scanned, the stamping process is identical.
5-Step Process for Stamping Scanned PDFs
Upload Your Scanned PDF
Click "Upload Files" and select your scanned PDF. ExhibitPrep accepts image-only PDFs from any source: flatbed scanners, multifunction copiers, and mobile apps including Adobe Scan, Microsoft Lens, and CamScanner. There is no file size limit enforced by ExhibitPrep (browser memory permitting), though some e-filing systems cap submissions at 10–35 MB per document.
Select an Exhibit Stamp Template
Choose from 26 templates. The most common for scanned documents are "Plaintiff's Exhibit" (numbered: 1, 2, 3) and "Defendant's Exhibit" (lettered: A, B, C). Each template auto-increments the label counter when you stamp multiple documents in a batch.
Position the Stamp on the Scanned Page
Drag the stamp preview to your desired corner. Most court rules — including California Rules of Court 3.1110(c) — specify the bottom-right corner of the first page. The position you choose is applied consistently to all exhibits in the batch, saving repositioning time when processing large sets of scanned documents.
Preview the Stamp on Your Scan
Click "Preview" to see how the stamp looks overlaid on your actual scanned page. Verify that the stamp does not obscure handwriting, signatures, or important content near the edge of the page. Scanned documents sometimes have content closer to page edges than digital documents, so a quick preview check is worthwhile.
Download the Stamped PDF
Click "Download" to export the stamped exhibit. The resulting PDF contains the original scanned image exactly as it was, with the exhibit stamp overlaid as a new vector element on top. The stamp is visible when viewed or printed, and the text within the stamp is selectable and searchable even though the underlying scan may not be.
Stamp scanned and digital exhibits together in one batch
Upload a mix of scanned PDFs and native digital PDFs. ExhibitPrep handles both in the same session — no sorting required.
Scanned PDF Stamping: What Works and What to Watch For
What Works
- Single-page and multi-page scanned PDFs
- Black-and-white, grayscale, and color scans
- PDFs created by any scanner brand or model
- Mobile-scanned PDFs (Adobe Scan, CamScanner, Microsoft Lens)
- Mixed PDFs with both scanned and digital pages
- Batch stamping of many scanned documents at once
Things to Check
- Password-protected PDFs: unlock before uploading
- Very dark edges: ensure stamp placement avoids content bleed
- Rotated scans: correct rotation in your PDF viewer first
- Very large scans (>50 MB): may be slow to process in-browser
- E-filing file size caps: compress after stamping if needed
- Courts requiring PDF/A: convert after stamping via iLovePDF
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does ExhibitPrep work on image-only PDFs from a scanner?
Yes. ExhibitPrep works on image-only PDFs — the kind created by document scanners and mobile scanning apps. Because the stamp is applied as a new overlay layer, there is no need for the underlying document to contain selectable text. It works equally well on scanned PDFs, native digital PDFs, and mixed documents that contain both scanned and typed pages.
Do I need to run OCR before stamping a scanned PDF?
No OCR is required to stamp a scanned exhibit. OCR (optical character recognition) is useful for making scanned text searchable or copy-pasteable, but it has no effect on stamping. ExhibitPrep overlays the stamp directly on the page image regardless of whether the PDF contains a text layer.
Will stamping reduce the quality of my scanned PDF?
No. ExhibitPrep adds the stamp as a separate vector layer on top of the scanned image without re-encoding or compressing the original scan. The underlying scan resolution and image quality remain identical to the original file. The output PDF is typically only slightly larger than the input — usually less than 5% larger per stamp added.
What if the scanned PDF is password-protected or locked?
Password-protected PDFs that restrict editing cannot be stamped without first removing the restriction. Remove the password using the document owner's password (not the user/open password), either through Adobe Acrobat, a free tool like iLovePDF, or by printing to PDF. Once the restriction is removed, upload the unlocked PDF to ExhibitPrep for stamping.
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