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Mark25045282vuw1
Participating Frequently
May 6, 2026
Answered

Overlay one multi-page PDF over another multi-page PDF

  • May 6, 2026
  • 4 replies
  • 114 views

I need to overlay two multi-page PDFs - one containing the main content, the second containing a unique label at the bottom of each page - to produce a single PDF where each page shows its own corresponding label.

The Background and Watermark tools get me closest (Tools → Edit PDF → Background / Watermark).

Both accept a multi-page PDF as the label source, but then only allow a single numeric page number to be selected from it, so the same label appears on every page. If there were a "use all pages" or page-range option at that point, this would be straightforward.

Is there a way to achieve a true page-by-page overlay in Acrobat Pro?

Thanks. 

    Correct answer PDF Automation Station

    You can automate almost anything you can do with the Acrobat UI, using JavaScript.  Since you were asking about how to do it manually I provided a solution for that.  If you want to automate it use the following script in the console on the PDF that you want to add the watermarks to.  Make sure both PDFs are the only ones open and make sure you open the one you want to add the watermarks to first:

    var sourceDoc=app.activeDocs[1];
    if(this.numPages!=sourceDoc.numPages)
    {app.alert("Number of pages does not match.",1)}
    else
    {
    for(var i=0;i<this.numPages;i++)
    {
    this.addWatermarkFromFile(sourceDoc.path,i,i,i)
    }
    }

    4 replies

    PDF Automation Station
    Community Expert
    PDF Automation StationCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    May 11, 2026

    You can automate almost anything you can do with the Acrobat UI, using JavaScript.  Since you were asking about how to do it manually I provided a solution for that.  If you want to automate it use the following script in the console on the PDF that you want to add the watermarks to.  Make sure both PDFs are the only ones open and make sure you open the one you want to add the watermarks to first:

    var sourceDoc=app.activeDocs[1];
    if(this.numPages!=sourceDoc.numPages)
    {app.alert("Number of pages does not match.",1)}
    else
    {
    for(var i=0;i<this.numPages;i++)
    {
    this.addWatermarkFromFile(sourceDoc.path,i,i,i)
    }
    }

      M
      Mark25045282vuw1Author
      Participating Frequently
      May 13, 2026

      I’ve found a free solution that will complete this task, PDF24 Creator. The online PDF Overlay
      tool allows the merger of two multipage PDFs - I’m going to look at the offline tool, but need to work with our IT team to see if it’s safe to download and use.

      I just wish Acrobat Pro had a tool that completed this task as simply as this tool does.

      PDF Automation Station
      Community Expert
      PDF Automation StationCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      May 13, 2026

      You don’t need that.  I gave you the script.  Acrobat allows for endless customization through the JavaScript engine but they can’t think of every scenario and build it into the user interface - just like Excel and other office programs.

        Thom Parker
        Community Expert
        Thom ParkerCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        May 7, 2026

        The base script for overlaying pages from two different document is not too complicated.  It’s the details that get complicated.  I can provide you with a simple script here, and then you can modify it to run against the PDFs, or you could hire me to create a real tool.

        There may also be another way to do this. If the label overlay has a consistent format, with just a few text items changed, then a page template could be used. The data for each page would come from a CSV file.

          

        Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often
        M
        Mark25045282vuw1Author
        Participating Frequently
        May 7, 2026

        If possible, solution should be easily documented and followed, so the process can be replicated with minimal training. 

        Thom Parker
        Community Expert
        Thom ParkerCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        May 6, 2026

        Yes, but it has to be scripted.  Is this a one time operation? or will you need to do this periodically? 

         

        Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often
        M
        Mark25045282vuw1Author
        Participating Frequently
        May 7, 2026

        Periodically. We would prepare materials to match up. 

        M
        Mark25045282vuw1Author
        Participating Frequently
        May 7, 2026

        In my ask I tried to keep the solution as simple as possible, just merging two collated and combined PDFs, but if scripting is considered then it would be great if the script could match single page PDFs, each with unique references, together e.g. [UNIQUEID.pdf] to [UNIQUEID_label.pdf]. 

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