Free · No signup · Private
3D File Watermark
Embed watermarks in STL files using header metadata or imperceptible vertex perturbation. Protect your 3D designs and track distribution.
Drop an STL file here or click to upload
Binary or ASCII STL files
How to Use
1
Upload a binary or ASCII STL file
2
Enter your watermark message
3
Choose a method: header metadata or vertex perturbation
4
Download your watermarked STL file
Frequently Asked Questions
What is STL file watermarking?
STL watermarking embeds identifying information into a 3D model file. This can be done by modifying the file header (metadata) or by making imperceptible changes to vertex positions (vertex perturbation).
What is the difference between metadata and vertex perturbation?
Metadata embeds your message in the 80-byte STL header — simple but easy to strip with a hex editor. Vertex perturbation micro-adjusts vertex positions by ±0.001mm, which is invisible to printers and much harder to detect or remove.
Will vertex perturbation affect print quality?
No. The changes are on the order of 0.001mm (1 micron), which is far below the resolution of any 3D printer. FDM printers typically have a layer height of 100-300 microns, so 1 micron changes are completely imperceptible.
What STL formats are supported?
Both binary and ASCII STL formats are supported. The tool auto-detects the format and preserves it in the output. Binary STL is more common and produces smaller files.
Is my STL file uploaded to a server?
No. All processing happens directly in your browser. Your 3D model files are never uploaded, stored, or transmitted anywhere.
Can I verify that the watermark was applied?
For metadata watermarks, you can open the watermarked STL in a hex editor and see the message in the first 80 bytes. For vertex perturbation, the changes are deterministic based on your message, but there is no built-in detector — the approach is designed to be hard to detect.
Why would I watermark an STL file?
Common reasons include proving design ownership, tracking unauthorized distribution on file-sharing sites, embedding version or license information, and identifying which recipient leaked a shared design.
Is there a file size limit?
There is no hard limit, but very large STL files (over 100MB) may be slow to process in the browser. Most STL files are well under this size.
Can the watermark be removed?
Metadata watermarks can be stripped by editing the file header. Vertex perturbation watermarks are much harder to remove — you would need to know the exact perturbation algorithm and message to reverse the changes.
Is this tool free?
Yes, the STL watermark tool is completely free to use with no limits. No account or signup is required.