Watermarks on PNG exports

[brelliott]

I recently moved into a new MacBook and updated Photoshop. I exported some original image files that I created on my own to print onto fabrics. When I checked the images for repeat overlaps, I saw that every new file I uploaded came with a watermark showing my name. Is this a new option in Photoshop that I missed turning off? I hesitate to have fabric printed just to see if the watermarks appear. Does anyone else have this issue?

[Michael Bullo · Accepted solution]

Have you reviewed the files immediately after exporting from Photoshop? Any watermarks? If so, how specifically are you exporting out from Photoshop?

You said you are uploading the images. Could the site you are uploading to be adding the watermarks?

[brelliott]

Great questions. I used File > Quick export as PNG. The fabric printing site prefers PNGs. I posted a help request with them to ask whether this is a new feature on their site. I thought it was because my file was closer to a full yard compared to previous uploads. I rebuilt my file again (creating artwork again on a new canvas). The same thing happened. I've combed through preferences to see if there was a watermark option checked.

[Michael Bullo]

Could you please explicitly confirm that Photoshop is adding the watermark and not the website you are uploading to.

[brelliott]

I don't see the watermark when I view my files. I've opened them in Preview and still don't see the files. I uploaded smaller files to the printer's website and didn't see watermarks. I'm thinking this is happening on their side with larger files. I hope I'm correct that there isn't a new hidden preference in photoshop that automatically adds @name to files.

[Michael Bullo]

If you review the files exported out of Photoshop and there is no watermark then you are good to upload. If the website is adding a watermark to uploaded images then that is a conversation you will need to have with them. Do they perhaps have some tier system where you have to pay to unlock certain features for images that exceed a particular size?

[brelliott]

Mystery solved! The printing website returned a reply. Watermarks showing the file owner's name are now applied to newly uploaded designs as a copyright protection strategy. These are not included when the fabrics are printed.

[Michael Bullo]

Good to hear Photoshop isn't to blame. Best of luck with all your designs.