Inserting a Watermark on a Microsoft Word Document

Watermarks are faded background images or texts that show behind the primary text in a document. They add some context to the item. In confidential documents, a watermark adds to their status or importance.

It also implies an extra layer of protection. For example, a paper with a “draft” watermark would prevent people from interpreting it as the final copy. By default, Microsoft Word has a list of predefined watermarks, with variations being:

Urgent
ASAP
Sample
Draft
Do Not Copy
Confidential

These are the easiest watermarks to include in a document. They sit on a different layer from the text on the paper. Microsoft Word also has a second list of watermarks in the drop-down textbook menu that has the option of creating a custom watermark. Besides the above list of watermarks, you may also get:

Personal
Original
Top Secret
Copy

Adding a Built-In Watermark

When creating your document, you can add a watermark as the first or last thing. Some people would prefer to add it later as it can be distracting as you type your content.

Open a new Word document.
Type your text or create your content
If using Microsoft 365 for Windows, navigate to the far right, where there’s the Page Background group.
Select the Watermark button and if a small definition box appears, click the button again.
A drop-down panel will appear with default examples. Each has a diagonal and horizontal layout sample.
Choose the watermark you prefer, and it’ll appear beneath your text in light gray.

Inserting a Custom Watermark

You can create custom watermarks, either as texts or images.

Navigate to the Watermark drop-down menu
Click on Custom Watermark
In the Printed Watermark window that appears, click on Text Watermark
Insert the text you want to appear on the text box and configure other settings like font, orientation, language, size, and color.
Click OK when you finish.
Words will insert the custom watermark behind the standard document text.

Inserting Custom Picture Watermarks

You can use a picture as your custom watermark, and to achieve that effect:

Click the Picture Watermark button and then Select Picture button
Choose a picture from the files on your computer or look for an image on Bing. You also have the option to select a photo from the OneDrive storage.
Click the Insert button once you’re sure which picture you want to use.
On the Printed Watermark Window, you have several options for how you want your image to appear. Use the Scale option to resize the watermark.

The Washout option lets you insert the image as a pale layout of the watermark. If you want the picture to appear in its full glory, disable that option. Click Okay once you’re satisfied with the settings.

Words will insert the picture watermark behind the text on your document.

Moving or Resizing a Watermark

After inserting a build-in or custom watermark, you may wish to reposition it in the document. You can do this in the following steps:

Open the header or footer area on the paper by double-clicking anywhere in these two areas
Whether you’re using a text or picture watermark, the watermark becomes editable.
Drag the image or move it around or grab and drag the handles to make it bigger or smaller, just like you would with any other image.
Since a watermark appears on all pages, editing it on one page means the same changes occur on all pages.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft 365 is a platform that provides a lot of convenience for users. The above is a tip on adding a watermark to personalize a document or make it more secure.

If you have concerns or questions about Microsoft 365 as your business platform, K2 Technologies can come to your rescue. Contact us for all your business, Microsoft 365 and IT needs.

Inserting a Watermark on a Microsoft Word Document