Batch Photo Watermarking with Gimp Free Photo Editing Software

It's finally here--batch watermarking with Gimp!  I guess they released it back in January, it just took me this long to find it :)  Before you read this tutorial, you'll need to check out how to install Python plug-ins in Gimp.

Did you install the plug-in?  Good!  Let's start!

Step 1) Copy the photos you want to watermark and put them in their own folder.  Copy the photos so that if you mess up, you still have the original, and you have an un-watermarked copy for yourself.  Put them in their own folder so Gimp can distinguish which photos are to be edited.

Step 2) Open Gimp (duh!)

Step 3) Go to tools>batchwork>watermark.  

 From here you can choose either "bump map" or "difference map".  To be honest, I have no clue what either means but this is what they look like:

The first is bump map, the second is difference map.  As you can see, bump map gives the text a little of a bubble feel.  It actually bumps out parts of your photo to make the words.  The difference map just overlays the words on your photo.

Step 4) If you choose "difference map":  it's super easy--

 a) In both the input and output directory you'll want to go down to "other" and find your folder of pictures to be watermarked.

b) You'll need to change the opacity because the default of 5 is not enough.  After playing around, I liked 35.  You may like something different.  You'll also choose your font and put in your text.  Then hit "ok" and watch how fast you are watermarking your photos!

c) When it's done, you'll get this little warning screen.  Don't worry, it says "warning" but if you look close, it actually says that it's complete.  You'll get an error message if your watermarking didn't work.  Find your folder again and check out your photos!

Step 4) If you choose "bump map":  a little more confusing--
a) Just like the first one, go down to "other" and find your folder.  You'll also select your font and enter your text.

 b) There are more options in this one.  I fooled around with them and really didn't get a good grasp of what they do.  You'll probably have to play to find out what you like.
I'll give you a few hints: when I dropped the depth to 0 the watermark really stood out!

When I brought the water level down to 0 the watermark barely showed up.  In fact, you can only really see it on the top dog's chest.

  The rest of the settings, I didn't notice much of a difference when I changed them.  You can play...

There you have it--batch watermarking with Gimp!

I'm personally not thrilled with the bump map option.  I like the difference map option much better.

I'm also not too thrilled that the text repeats and it's in two spots on the photo.

You're limited to just text but I can live with that.

Hey, if you're a mom with a camera and a blog, and you don't want to go through and individually watermark all your photos, this Gimp plug-in will do just fine!