Why is my watermark text so rotten?

I can't figure out what I am doing wrong.
Here is my process (all in Lightroom 2.6)

In the LR export dialogue box I use Mogrify to add a watermark.
The watermark file is 800 x 600, 2.04 kb and a PNG format.
I check resize watermark, and enter 30% of shortest edge.
Overlay mode = normal.

When I made the watermark graphic, I used CS3 and used save for web device option.
Font is Arial, black
I haven't applied any opacity

Thanks for any suggestions,
Tom

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Probably because you're taking only 30% of a .png file that's already only 10% as big as the entire image.

Try 100% on the watermark size and see what you get.

As requested

100% of watermark file:

Thanks for the advice.
I'll work on getting the font size correct in the original file and skip the resize step. I'm not sure why LR chose to put the watermark there, I have checked the lower right location box in the dialogue box, I guess that is how the original file has the text positioned.

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I think we found the size problem...

Now just anchor it and fade it to taste!

I think I'm getting somewhere

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FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10024948
I think we found the size problem...

Now just anchor it and fade it to taste!

What do you mean by "anchor it"?

Indeed!

Anchor: Pick which corner you want it...

Do you have Photoshop? It may be your best option if you wanted to add watermark in your images. If you make an action for it, everything can be done in one push of a button. Mine frames my image and adds the information outside the border of the frame.

Thanks.
What dimensions should my PS file be that I start with?

pinoyplaya wrote in post #10024996
Do you have Photoshop? It may be your best option if you wanted to add watermark in your images. If you make an action for it, everything can be done in one push of a button. Mine frames my image and adds the information outside the border of the frame.

Thanks,
This is indeed something I am considering. Do you use Lightroom at all? Or do you exclusively use PS?

tomd wrote in post #10025016
Thanks,
This is indeed something I am considering. Do you use Lightroom at all? Or do you exclusively use PS?

I have both CS4 and LR 2.6.

My "gallery" watermark is a .png file uploaded to and adjusted by Zenfolio:

Jay,
What is the file size of your LR watermark (as seen in example #2)?

I assume you are also using Mogrify in LR 2?

tomd wrote in post #10025066
Jay,
What is the file size of your LR watermark (as seen in example #2)?

I have no control over it. It's a default size and placement in LR 2.6

tomd wrote in post #10025016
Thanks,
This is indeed something I am considering. Do you use Lightroom at all? Or do you exclusively use PS?

I use lightroom for minor adjustments and photoshop for major ones.

Once all my images are in the final stage and ready to be exported, I export them as JPEG files with the longest side having a resolution of 1024, so with a 2:3 ratio my images will turn out to be 1024*683 landscape or portrait. Once these JPEG files are exported using lightroom, I open them all up in photoshop all at once, then click my action button to add borders and signatures. Its amazing how a single button can do something that would normally take you 3 minutes to do.

I'm still messing with this watermark problem.
I always get some white noise around the text. Any idea what the heck it could be from?

(font is comic Sans MS)
my PNG file is 800 x 600 and 3.25kb

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