How to Add a Watermark / Logo to Video in Avidemux

A watermark or logo overlay is a small image burned into the video frame — typically channel branding or a copyright notice sitting in a corner for the whole duration of the video. Avidemux has a built-in Add logo filter that does exactly this, no external editor required.

Step-by-step: add a logo with the Add logo filter

  1. Set Video Output to an encoder (e.g. Mpeg4 AVC) — overlays require re-encoding, they do not work in Copy mode.
  2. Open Video > Filters, switch to the overlay/miscellaneous category and select Add logo, then add it to the active filter list.
  3. Choose your logo image. PNG with transparency is the best choice so the video shows through around the artwork.
  4. In Avidemux 2.8.x the logo is scalable and can be repositioned by dragging it directly in the preview window — place it in a corner where it does not cover important action.
  5. Set the position, opacity, and the start/end time if you only want the logo visible for part of the video.
  6. Close the Filter Manager, save your output, and check the result.

Tips for a clean result

  • Pre-scale the logo to a sensible size (a few hundred pixels wide) before loading it — a giant source image is harder to position and scales down less crisply.
  • Keep it subtle: a small corner logo at reduced opacity looks professional; a big opaque stamp looks amateur.
  • Avoid placing the logo over faces, subtitles, or on-screen text.
Important: overlays are burned in permanently and require re-encoding. Always keep a clean master copy of your original video before you add a watermark — you cannot remove it later.

Frequently asked questions

Which image format is best for a logo overlay?

PNG with transparency is the best choice. The transparent background lets the video show through around your logo, so it looks like a professional broadcast bug instead of a white rectangle.

Can I move the logo after adding it?

Yes. In Avidemux 2.8.x the logo is scalable and can be repositioned by dragging it directly in the preview window until it sits where you want it.

Will adding a watermark affect video quality?

The overlay itself is cheap, but the filter requires re-encoding the video, so choose good encoder settings to keep quality loss minimal.

Can I remove a watermark from a video later?

No — the logo is burned into the video frames permanently. That is exactly why watermarks work for branding. Always keep a clean master copy of your original video.