The watermark question is a board-policy question, not a styling preference. Treat the original photo and the disclosure text as part of the same publishing workflow.
| MLS / board | On-image watermark | Other documented requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Bright MLS | Not specified as a watermark requirement | Disclose virtually staged photos in the MLS |
| Stellar MLS | No — custom text overlays are prohibited | Use the photo description, checkbox, and required public-remarks language |
| CRMLS | Explicitly not required | Label the photo description and place the original adjacent to the staged photo |
| ARMLS | No — optional on top of the required Flexmls disclosure | Apply the Flexmls "Digitally Altered" disclosure and pair the staged photo with the original photo |
How the StageMLS watermark option works
The optional StageMLS Virtually Staged watermark is a disclosure badge for boards that permit a visible image label. It is separate from the promotional watermark applied to free previews.
Paid final renders have no promotional watermark. Agents can choose the optional disclosure badge for a particular render when it matches the board's rule — but it does not apply an in-system disclosure step like ARMLS's Flexmls feature for you.
Do not rely on a watermark alone. Your MLS may also require a photo-description label, public-remarks language, a checkbox, an adjacent original image, its own in-system disclosure step, or a California AB 723 public-link disclosure.
Try StageMLS on your own listing
Upload a room, choose a supported style, and review the result before you publish. The free tier includes 6 watermarked previews per day, no signup required.
Try it free on one photoFrequently asked questions
- Are free StageMLS previews watermarked?
- Yes. The free tier provides six watermarked preview renders per day. This is a promotional preview watermark, not a substitute for a board-specific MLS disclosure.
- Can I use the same watermark on every MLS?
- No. ARMLS requires its own Flexmls disclosure step rather than relying on any watermark, and Stellar MLS prohibits custom overlays outright. Check your current board policy before publishing.