sleeping* you meant? 
No. Slipping.
As in, slipping to keep up with things.
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I don’t like PDF24 (prefer pdfsam), but it’s allowed and used at my work, and they are really careful with software provided. Just don’t use web version, but desktop program, if it has what you need.
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I actually recommended and use PDFSam for splitting and merging PDFs at work and another person for education use, all I can say is avoid the installer as I have no idea what happened, for some reason it replaced PDFSam basic with enhanced. Overall great software though for FOSS
I found a temporary solution. My sister who is visiting has Foxit PDF Editor installed on her computer, and it supports watermarking with tiled text. It was super easy. It’s not FOSS, but it worked.
I will consider getting it for myself, but I really think a FOSS/Privacy company should create a free PDF cross-platform watermarking and password protecting app for everyone, so we don’t have to rely on untrustworthy companies.
Just as a reminder, when it comes to watermarking photos, you can use Proton’s or ImageToolBox for Android. They are both FOSS, free, and don’t require uploading files to the internet.
Thank you everyone for your valuable feedback! 
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Bentopdf is the open source alternative that works on the browser side, although alternatively you can also self-host stirlingPDF.
Edit: Just in case, I don’t recommend the StirlingPDF web option since it works on the server side, but its interface may be better for some who can self-host it.
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Damn, both amazing solutions!
Especially if self-hosted stirling indeed. 
I used to chain those with some clunky CLI workflow but having it as a FOSS platform is very powerful! Maybe a bit overkill even but plenty useful.
Thanks a lot for the sharing, never heard of those 2. 
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Wow! I’m extremely impressed by BentoPDF. Although it doesn’t support tiled text watermarks, or let you see a preview of how the watermark is applied, this is exactly the kind of FOSS project I am looking for. Too many people use PDF tools, with no consideration for how their data is being used. THANK YOU! 
I see that that the person behind BentoPDF has a contact email address. I will reach to them and ask if they can implement the feature I am looking for.
It’s unclear if StirlingPDF supports tiled text watermarks, but I am trying to find out.
Does the desktop version require an account? I am trying to download it, and it’s asking me to create an account. This suggests to me that the desktop might require the internet to use, and hence work on their servers. I would appreciate clarification on that.
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Some time ago, I looked for online options to replace PDF24. I haven’t tried the StirlingPDF desktop application, nor do I have the knowledge to self-host, so I ended up sticking with BentoPDF. Another alternative for self-hosting that I forgot to mention and that you could try is SignaturePDF, which is more focused on signing PDFs.
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You probably don’t even need to ask by email, an issue is already open, hence maybe continue the discussion there. 
For the desktop app, you can always create an account and use Wireshark to double-check if it calls home or not I guess. 
I reached out to StirlingPDF, and got a reply within an hour. To my understanding, unless you self-host, you need an account and be connected to the internet to use their desktop app.
May I just say, you are on fire today! 
I checked out SignaturePDF, and it turns out they support watermarks with tiled text!
It turns out, that is their default way of applying watermarks. And apart from changing the color of the text, there is nothing you can change in how the watermark is applied (opacity, font size, spacing, etc..). That is a bit of a bummer, but overall very impressive, since it’s almost exactly what I am looking for. THANK YOU!!
I will reach out to them and ask if it’s possible to add a few more settings, but this app is definitely going on my list with BentoPDF.
Thanks. I had already reached out to BentoPDF about the missing features. I hope I hear back from them. But commenting on the GitHub to request tiled text for watermarks is also a good idea.
Never heard of Wireshark, but I appreciate the recommendation and will look into it.
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Quite a lot of conditions too. 
It indeed shows public interest and people can back it up further.
Also helps the maintainer keep track of their issues more efficiently I think.
I guess we can mark this as resolved 
because we’re 90% there. 
Until we have something better!
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lol I’ll take it. I guess I’m a little picky.
Yes. I welcome anyone to comment on this thread if they discover any new FOSS apps that support watermarking PDFs and images easily with tiled text, or if they hear of new updates to the ones we’ve discussed.
I love this community! All your feedback was extremely useful!
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