How to Add Backgrounds in Microsoft Word: Watermarks, Images, & Colors

Want to add a watermark to the background of your Word document? Or maybe you want to swap out the white background for an image or new color. All of this is easy to do using the Design tab! There are tons of options for preset and custom backgrounds, including some stock watermark text with options like "Confidential," "Do Not Copy," and "Draft." This wikiHow will show you how to add watermarks and backgrounds in Microsoft Word on your Windows PC or Mac.

How to Insert a Background Image in Word

Click the design tab.
Select Page Color.
Click Fill Effects.
Tap the Picture tab.
Select the image you’d like to be the background.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Adding a Background Picture

Download Article

1
Click the Design tab. This tab is in the top-left side of the Word window.
- Use this method if you want to fill the background of your document with a custom image. This is different than a watermark, which would be more transparent on the page.
It's in the top-right side of the Word toolbar near the top of the window.

Advertisement
It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu here.
You'll see it at the top of the "Fill Effects" window.
It's near the top of the window.
6
Click From a File. This option is at the top of the "Printed Watermark" window. Clicking it will open your computer's default picture storage file (e.g., "Photos") for browsing.
- You can also choose Bing or OneDrive from this menu if you'd rather search for a photo or use one from Cloud storage, respectively.
Doing so will select it.
9
Click OK. It's at the bottom of the window; doing so will apply your selected picture to your document's background.
- Unlike with an image watermark, this background picture won't be transparent.
Your text color will change to stay visible if the picture you chose is too dark or too light to adequately display text.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Changing the Background Color

Download Article

1
Click Design. This tab is in the top-left side of the Word window.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source

Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

Go to source}
- Use this method if you want to change the background of your Word document to a color other than the default white option.
It's in the top-right side of the Word toolbar near the top of the window.
3
Click a color. Doing so will apply it to your document's background. If needed, your document's default font color will change in order to stay visible. Now you’re ready to add text, create tables, and format your next paper.
- If you want to create your own color, click More Colors below the color options here. You'll be able to click and drag a slider around a color gradient to create a custom color.
- You can also click Fill Effects to add pre-determined textures or patterns to your document's background.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Adding a Stock Watermark

Download Article

1
Click the Design tab. This tab is near the top-left of the Word window.
- A watermark is an image that's superimposed on the background with transparency. Use this method if you want to choose a built-in watermark image that says "Confidential," "Draft," "Sample," "Do Not Copy," or similar behind the text and objects in your document.
It's in the top-right side of the Word toolbar, near the top of the window. You'll see this option to the left of the "Page Color" and "Page Borders" options.
3
Click a watermark template. You can select any of the following templates to apply their text to your Word document's background:
- "CONFIDENTIAL"
- "DO NOT COPY"
- "ASAP"
- "URGENT"
4
Add text to your document, like usual. The watermark will remain in the background of your document, meaning anything you type will remain on top of the watermark.
- You can remove a watermark by clicking Remove Watermark at the bottom of the watermark templates drop-down menu.
- Don’t forget to occasionally save your Word document to prevent losing any work!

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Adding a Custom Image Watermark

Download Article

1
Click Design. This tab is in the top-left side of the Word window.^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source

Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

Go to source}
- A watermark is an image that will be superimposed on the background with transparency. Use this method if you have a specific image, such as a company logo or "Confidential" image that you want to appear behind the text and objects in your document.
It's in the top-right side of the Word toolbar near the top of the window. You'll see this option to the left of the "Page Color" and "Page Borders" options.
This option is near the middle of the "Watermarks" drop-down menu. Clicking it will bring up the "Printed Watermark" window.
It's near the top of the "Printed Watermark" window.
You'll see this button just below the "Picture watermark" section.
6
Click From a File. This option is at the top of the "Printed Watermark" window. Clicking it will open your computer's default picture storage file (e.g., "Photos") for browsing.
- You can also choose Bing or OneDrive from this menu if you'd rather search for a photo or use one from Cloud storage, respectively.
Doing so will select it for your watermark.
It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. This action will take you back to the "Printed Watermark" window.
9
Click OK. You'll find this at the bottom of the window. Your selected picture will appear as your document's background watermark.
- You can also resize your picture by clicking the "Auto" box and choosing a percentage (e.g., 200).
- Uncheck the "Washout" box to prevent your picture from appearing transparent.
10
Add text to your document, like usual. The watermark will remain in the background of your document, meaning anything you type will remain on top of your selected image. Your text color will also change to stay visible if the picture you chose is too dark or too light to adequately display text.
- Did you know you can cross out words in your Word document? It’s a great way to indicate a completed or canceled task.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Adding a Custom Text Watermark

Download Article

1
Click the Design tab. This tab is in the top-left side of the Word window.
- This method will add your custom text to the background of your document. This is helpful if you want certain text to appear behind the main text and objects in your document, such as your company name or a legal notice.
It's in the top-right side of the Word toolbar near the top of the window. You'll see this option to the left of the "Page Color" and "Page Borders" options.
This option is near the middle of the "Watermarks" drop-down menu. Clicking it will bring up the "Printed Watermark" window.
It's in the middle-left side of the "Printed Watermark" window.
5
Type your watermark's text into the "Text" box. This box is near the middle of the window; it should say "ASAP" by default. Your other customization options include the following:
- Font - The style of text that your watermark uses.
- Size - Your watermark's size. "Auto", which automatically resizes your text, is the default setting.
- Color - The watermark's color.
- Layout - You can click Diagonal or Horizontal here to determine how your watermark is oriented.
- You can also uncheck the "Semitransparent" box to display your watermark in a bold format.
You'll find this at the bottom of the window. Your custom text watermark will be applied to your document's background.
The watermark will remain in the background of your document, meaning anything you type will remain on top of your watermark text, even the page numbers.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Can I put a different watermark on each page?

Teela Borrowdale

Community Answer

No. If you add a watermark to one page, it will appear on every page of the document.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 9 Helpful 28
Question

How can I add a watermark?

Community Answer

Open your Word document and click on the Design tab in the ribbon. Select the watermark option on the Page Background menu. If you want to add a picture, click on Custom Watermark.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 8
Question

How do I write text onto a background that I have imported?

Community Answer

You would have to edit the photo itself using a picture editor, like Photoshop or Paint. After editing the photo, you can import the new version.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 6

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

You can find suitable images that are free to use by searching the Internet for images with a Creative Commons license. There are plenty of free stock image websites as well!

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Never use an image that is subject to copyright when you add a background to a document you plan on printing or distributing. Whenever possible, create your own images or upload photographs you have taken instead.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0