How to Remove Exhibit Stamps from a PDF
Exhibit stamps are embedded directly in the PDF — there is no single "undo" button. But there are two reliable methods to correct a stamped exhibit: re-stamp from the original unstamped file, or cover the old stamp with a white rectangle and re-stamp the modified file. Here is exactly how to do both.
- PDF exhibit stamps are embedded in the document and cannot be removed with a single click using standard PDF viewers or free tools.
- The cleanest correction method is to re-stamp from the original unstamped file — ExhibitPrep produces a clean document with no trace of the old label.
- ExhibitPrep never modifies the original file on your disk, so your source documents are always preserved as long as you have not overwritten them manually.
- Free tools that can place a white rectangle over a stamp include PDF24 (pdf24.com, web-based), LibreOffice Draw (free desktop), and Smallpdf (smallpdf.com).
- Adobe Acrobat Pro's Redact tool can permanently remove content from a PDF, but requires a paid subscription and may remove underlying text needed for the exhibit.
- Courts generally accept corrected exhibits when the error is disclosed in writing and the correction is made before trial — most courts do not require a formal motion for minor administrative corrections.
- If the incorrectly labeled exhibit was already filed with the court, file a corrected copy with a brief cover letter identifying what changed and why.
- Maintaining separate "Originals" and "Stamped" folders before any exhibit preparation is the single most effective way to prevent stamp removal problems.
Two Methods: Which One Should You Use?
Method 1: Re-Stamp from Original (Preferred)
- • Requires the original unstamped PDF
- • Produces a perfectly clean document
- • No white boxes or artifacts
- • Courts always prefer this approach
- • Takes under 2 minutes in ExhibitPrep
Method 2: White Box + Re-Stamp (Backup)
- • Use when original is unavailable
- • Leaves underlying content in PDF
- • Visible at high zoom (300%+)
- • Disclose correction in cover letter
- • Works with PDF24, LibreOffice, Acrobat
5-Step Process to Remove and Replace an Exhibit Stamp
Check Whether You Have the Original Unstamped File
Before trying any stamp-removal technique, spend a few minutes looking for the original PDF. Check your Desktop, Downloads folder, email attachments from the client or discovery production, your firm's document management system, and any cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive). If the document was received in discovery, opposing counsel's production folder may have the native file. Finding the original takes the guesswork out of the rest of this process.
Re-Stamp from the Original in ExhibitPrep
If you found the original: upload it to ExhibitPrep, select the correct party template and exhibit label, position the stamp in the bottom-right corner (per CRC 3.1110(c) and most court rules), and download the corrected exhibit. You are done — the resulting PDF has only the new correct stamp with no trace of the old one. Skip to Step 5 to confirm whether you need to notify anyone.
If No Original Exists: Cover the Old Stamp with a White Rectangle
Open the stamped PDF in PDF24 (free, web-based at pdf24.com), LibreOffice Draw, or Adobe Acrobat. Use the shape or annotation tool to draw a white-filled, white-bordered rectangle over the old stamp. Make the white box slightly larger than the stamp to ensure no text bleeds through at the edges. Save the file. The old stamp will no longer be visible at normal viewing zoom, though it technically remains in the PDF's content stream.
Re-Stamp the Modified File in ExhibitPrep
Upload the white-box-modified file to ExhibitPrep. Apply the correct new stamp using the appropriate template. Drag the stamp to the bottom-right corner and verify in the preview that (a) the white box fully covers the old stamp and (b) the new stamp is clearly readable. Download the corrected file. View it at 200% zoom to confirm the old stamp text is not visible through or around the white box edges.
Verify Appearance and Disclose the Correction if Filing
If these exhibits have not yet been served on anyone, simply use the corrected files going forward. If you already served the incorrect version on opposing counsel, send them the corrected file with a brief email noting the error. If the exhibits were already filed with the court, file the corrected exhibit with a cover letter identifying the exhibit, describing the error, and noting that the correct version is attached. In most courts this does not require a motion — contact the clerk's office directly if you are unsure of the procedure in your jurisdiction.
Re-stamp exhibits from originals — no white boxes, no artifacts
Upload your original unstamped PDF and ExhibitPrep applies a fresh, correct label. Clean output, ready to file, in under 2 minutes.
Free Tools to Cover a Stamp with a White Box
PDF24
Web-based (no install)
pdf24.com
Use the PDF Editor → Add shapes tool. Draw a white-filled rectangle over the stamp area.
LibreOffice Draw
Free desktop (Win/Mac/Linux)
libreoffice.org
Open PDF in Draw. Use Insert → Rectangle. Set fill to white, line color to white. Export back to PDF.
Smallpdf
Web-based (limited free)
smallpdf.com
Use PDF Editor → Shapes → Rectangle. Set to white fill. Free tier allows limited edits per day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can ExhibitPrep remove a stamp from a PDF?
ExhibitPrep does not have a stamp-removal feature. The best workflow for correcting a stamped exhibit is to use ExhibitPrep with the original unstamped file — upload the original and apply the correct stamp. Because ExhibitPrep never modifies your source files on disk, the original is always preserved on your computer unless you stamped the file in a different tool that modified it in place.
What free tools can cover a stamp with a white box?
Three free tools can place a white rectangle over an existing stamp area: PDF24 (pdf24.com) is entirely web-based and requires no download; LibreOffice Draw is a free desktop app available on Windows, Mac, and Linux that allows placing shapes over PDF pages; Smallpdf (smallpdf.com) offers a PDF editor with shape tools in its free tier. Adobe Acrobat Pro (paid) offers more precise redaction and content editing tools if you already have a subscription.
What if the court already has the incorrectly stamped version?
If the incorrectly labeled exhibit has already been filed with the court, you will need to file a corrected copy. In most courts, you can do this by filing the corrected exhibit with a brief cover letter explaining the error — no formal motion is usually required for minor administrative corrections like a wrong exhibit number. If the case is in federal court, check the local rules for the procedure to substitute or replace an exhibit. Notify opposing counsel at the same time you file the correction.
How can I avoid this problem in the future?
The single most effective prevention is to maintain a folder of original unstamped PDFs that you never overwrite. Create a folder structure with separate "Originals" and "Stamped" subfolders before you begin any exhibit preparation. ExhibitPrep processes files in your browser without modifying anything on disk, so your originals are always safe as long as you do not delete them. Additionally, using ExhibitPrep's preview feature to verify every label before downloading prevents most stamping errors before they happen.
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