This guide was tested using the ClonyPDF PDF Editor on desktop and mobile browsers.
How to Edit a PDF and Add an Image
Need to insert a company logo, add a photo to a form, or paste a scanned signature? Learn how to edit a PDF and embed images directly in your browser without compromising formatting.
Our tool is browser based, requires no installation, features mobile support, guarantees secure processing, and allows you to quickly save edited PDFs.
Supported Image Formats
Our editor accepts standard web image formats so you can easily embed the files you already have:
- PNG: Best for signatures and company logos, as this format supports transparent backgrounds.
- JPG / JPEG: Ideal for inserting photographs or complex colorful graphics.
- GIF: Supported for standard static image placement.
Step-by-Step: Adding an Image to Your PDF
Inserting visuals into a static document doesn't require heavy software. Follow these steps to embed images into any standard PDF:
- Upload Your Document: Open the editor and select the PDF file from your computer or mobile device.
- Activate the Image Tool: Locate and click the "Image" icon on the main toolbar.
- Select Your Image: Choose a compatible image file from your local storage. If you are adding a signature, a PNG with a transparent background works best.
- Place and Resize: Click the exact location on the PDF page where you want the image to appear. Drag the corner handles to resize the image proportionally without warping it.
- Finalize Changes: Once your image is perfectly placed, review our guide on how to save your PDF edits to ensure your new layout is permanently locked in.
Common Image Insertion Issues & Limitations
Adding Images to Scanned PDFs
If your PDF is a scanned document, it lacks an interactive text layer and functions entirely as a background image. You can still add new images on top of it. The new image will simply act as a separate, draggable layer over the scanned background.
Working with Password Protected or Locked PDFs
If a document has modification restrictions set by the author, you will not be able to insert images or alter the layout. You must unlock the document with the appropriate permissions password before the editing toolbar becomes active.
Formatting Preservation
Unlike editing raw text strings—which can sometimes cause paragraph reflows—adding an image is an overlay action. It will not disrupt your existing text formatting or shift paragraphs around. If you do need to push text down to make room for your new image, you will first need to modify the underlying document structure. Read more about editing PDF content to handle complex layout adjustments.
Combining Text and Images
Often, adding an image is only part of the task. If you are inserting a chart, graph, or photo, you may also need to add a caption or fill out corresponding form fields. You can easily switch between tools in the top menu. If you need step-by-step instructions for text handling, check out our tutorial on how to edit a PDF and add text.
Frequently Asked Questions
Blurry images usually occur if the original image has a low resolution, or if it is stretched too far beyond its original dimensions inside the PDF editor. For best results, use high-resolution PNG or JPG files and avoid enlarging them past their native size.
Yes. A scanned PDF functions like a flat image. When you add a new image, it simply creates an additional visual layer on top of the scanned document.
Yes. Files are encrypted during upload and automatically deleted after processing. We do not store your private documents or the images you insert into them.
Yes. The editor is fully compatible with mobile browsers on both Android and iOS devices. You can upload a PDF and insert an image directly from your phone's camera roll.
Yes. PNG files with transparent backgrounds work well for digital signatures because only the signature itself appears on the page without a white box around it.
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