🔏 ARC & review copies

What is an ARC?

An Advance Review Copy — a free copy you send to reviewers before (or at) launch to gather early reviews and buzz.

Does my manuscript upload to your server when watermarking?

No. The ARC Watermarker stamps every copy in your browser — nothing uploads. The only exception is ARC Delivery, where you ask us to email copies.

What is the difference between ARC Watermarking and ARC Delivery?

Watermarking stamps copies for you to send yourself. Delivery goes further — we email each reviewer their copy with a tracked download link.

Is watermarking the same as DRM?

No. DRM tries to technically lock a file; watermarking marks it so a leaked copy can be traced. Ours is deterrence, not a lock.

Can a watermark prevent all copying?

No — nothing can. A determined person can strip any watermark. The point is to deter casual sharing and make leaks traceable.

Which file types can I watermark?

PDF and EPUB — the two formats reviewers actually read. Bring in one manuscript file and stamp a copy per reviewer.

Can I personalize a copy for each reviewer?

Yes — that's the point. Each reviewer gets their own copy stamped with their name, plus a manifest so you know which file is whose.

Where does the reviewer's name appear?

On the cover banner and in a discreet line on the pages ("Prepared for [name]"), with options you control.

Can I change the watermark wording and opacity?

Yes. Toggle the banner, the personalization line, and the per-page stamp, and use the intensity slider to set how prominent the stamps are.

What is the traceability manifest?

A manifest.csv listing each reviewer, their file, and a checksum — so if a copy leaks, you can identify whose it was. It stays on your computer.

Can I remove a reviewer after generating the files?

Yes — just edit your reviewer list and generate again. The copies are made fresh each run, so removing someone is simply leaving them off the list.

Will the watermark affect readability?

No — the stamps are designed to be clear but unobtrusive, and you control their intensity. Reviewers read a normal, comfortable copy.

Can I watermark an EPUB as well as a PDF?

Yes — both. Reviewers on Kindle-style e-readers usually want the EPUB; reviewers who read on a computer or tablet often prefer the PDF.