Add the option to remove the Beat Note watermark from generated PDFs
Matt Duffy
Hey Buddy. We met at the UK Drum Show a few weeks back. I love the app so far and will be going Pro when my 14 day trial finishes.
I am just wondering if there is a way to remove the watermark when exporting the as a PDF or other format.
I am very happy to share the app with people and my students but I would like the ability to remove the watermark for when I feel it not appropriate. Is this possible currently (I can't find in settings) and if not would it be possible to add this?
Love the app and happy to help you spread the word.
Matt
Derek Lee
Hi Matt,
It was great meeting you at the UK Drum Show, and I’m thrilled to hear that you’re enjoying your Beat Note experience! Thank you so much for your support and thoughtful feedback. Super sorry for the delayed response on this - I got buried under some other tasks and this slipped past me. 😅
The PDF export feature has been around since January, and at the time, it was the most requested feature by users. Before releasing it, I carefully considered the idea of including a watermark, as I believed it could help spread the word about the app. Getting the word out has been a challenge, so I consulted with users and experimented with various watermark designs. Initially, the feedback I received was that the watermark was too large and distracting, so I revised it several times based on user input to make it simpler and less obtrusive.
Since the feature’s release, you’re actually the first person to ask about the possibility of removing the watermark, so I’ve taken that as a sign that it’s been generally accepted. However, I do understand your concern, and I’d love to hear more about the specific situations where you feel it might not be appropriate.
I’ve also had users who sell their PDFs online ask if they can include their own branding, which is something I’ve considered. So, I’d love to know more about your scenario—what is it about the watermark that feels limiting in your case? Maybe there’s a way to approach this that works for both of us.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! Please feel free to share here, email me from within the app under the settings tab, or we can set up a time to chat 1:1 that works for you. 👍🏻
Best,
Derek
Matt Duffy
Derek Lee Hi Derek, thanks for getting back to me.
I think for me, having the option to remove the watermark on a paid for service is pretty routine. This could be something that is turned on by default but a paying customer has the option to turn off in settings if they need or want to do so. Often apps offer a free to use service but with watermarks turned on and some features missing and then for a paid account you can get extra features and Watermark removal option.
I work a lot in schools and I feel like the water mark is a distraction and does not look professional. I would then need to take further steps to go and remove the watermark myself from the sheet before sending it out to people. I feel that having to do that would take away the convienece of using the app in the first place.
I'm not saying I will always remove the watermark at all. I like the app and want it to thrive so that it stays around but in some circumstances I would need the watermark removed.
Please don't take anything negative from what I am saying. I think the app is fantastic.
Many thanks
Matt
Derek Lee
Hi Matt Duffy - Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in detail—it’s incredibly helpful to hear how the app fits into your workflow, especially in a school setting. I’m thrilled to know you’re finding value in Beat Note, and I really appreciate your support and kind words! 😊 Apologies for the delayed reply. It's been a whirlwind few weeks! 😅
Regarding the watermark, I totally understand your perspective about wanting an option to remove it for certain situations, particularly in professional or educational contexts. My goal has always been to ensure that every exported artifact from Beat Note presents professionally, while also balancing the need to spread awareness about the app, especially as an indie developer with limited resources for marketing.
You’re absolutely right that many apps offer a watermark removal feature as part of their paid service. While no other users have brought this up so far, I do recognize that what works for most users might not meet everyone’s needs. Some users have even asked about adding their own logos alongside the watermark to maintain a balance of branding and professionalism.
To explore this further, I’ll rename this as an enhancement request to “Add the option to remove the Beat Note watermark from generated PDFs.” This way, other members of the community can vote and comment on it, which will help me understand how important this feature is to the wider user base. Your use case is here as an example—it’s a great way to highlight the needs of teachers and professionals like yourself.
In the meantime, I’d love to continue hearing about how you’re using the app and what’s working well (or could be improved). If there’s anything else on your mind, feel free to reach out anytime! I’m always happy to chat 1:1 if that’s helpful too.
Thanks again for your thoughtful feedback, and I’m so glad to have you in the Beat Note community!
Best,
Derek