How to Add a Watermark in Microsoft Word

Where to find the watermark tool in Word

The watermark button lives in the Design tab at the top of Word. Open any document, click the Design tab, and look for the Watermark button in the toolbar — it's usually near the middle of the ribbon. Click it and you'll see a list of preset watermarks like "CONFIDENTIAL" or "DRAFT" already formatted and ready to use.

If you want something custom instead of a preset, click the Watermark button and scroll to the bottom of the list. You'll see "Custom Watermark" — that's where you build your own text, choose the angle, and adjust how dark or light it appears behind your document text.

Key Takeaways

Watermarks appear behind your document text on every page and are found in the Design tab, not the Insert tab.
Word includes preset watermarks like "DRAFT" and "CONFIDENTIAL" that you can explore in one click.
Custom watermarks let you type your own text, rotate it, and control how faded or bold it looks.
Watermarks print with your document by default, but you can remove them from the Design tab without affecting your actual text.

Using a preset watermark

Preset watermarks are the fastest option if one of Word's built-in choices matches what you need. Click Design, then Watermark, and you'll see options like "CONFIDENTIAL," "DO NOT COPY," "DRAFT," and several others. Click whichever one you want and it appears when ready behind all your text on every page.

The preset watermarks come pre-formatted with a specific angle, size, and transparency level. If you want to change how they look — make them darker, lighter, or rotated differently — you'll need to use the Custom Watermark option instead. Removing a preset watermark is just as straightforward: go back to Design > Watermark and click "Remove Watermark" at the top of the list.

Creating a custom watermark with your own text

Click Design, then Watermark, then scroll down and select "Custom Watermark." A dialog box opens where you can type whatever text you want — your company name, a project code, "INTERNAL USE ONLY," or anything else. Type your text in the box labeled "Text."

Below the text field you'll see options to change the font, size, color, and angle. The angle dropdown lets you choose between horizontal (0 degrees) or diagonal (45 degrees), or you can type a custom angle. The transparency slider controls how faded the watermark appears — move it left to make it lighter and less distracting, or right to make it darker and more visible. Once you've set everything the way you want it, click OK and the watermark appears on every page.

Using an image as a watermark

Word also lets you use a picture or logo as a watermark instead of text. In the Custom Watermark dialog, select the "Picture" radio button instead of "Text." Click "Select Picture" and browse to the image file on your computer — it can be a PNG, JPG, or other common image format.

Once you've chosen your image, you can adjust the scale (how large it appears) and choose whether you want it to wash out (fade into the background) or stay at full color. A washed-out image watermark is usually less distracting to readers, but a full-color logo might be what you need for branding. Click OK and the image appears behind your text on every page of the document.

Adjusting watermark appearance and removing it

If you've created a custom watermark and want to change how it looks, go back to Design > Watermark > Custom Watermark. The dialog opens with your current settings already filled in. Adjust the transparency, angle, size, or color, then click OK. The watermark updates across the entire document when ready.

To remove any watermark — whether it's a preset or custom — click Design, then Watermark, then click "Remove Watermark" at the very top of the dropdown list. The watermark disappears from every page, but your actual document text stays exactly as it was. You can add a watermark back later without losing any of your work.

Watermarks in different sections of the same document

By default, a watermark appears on every page of your document. If you need different watermarks in different sections — for example, "DRAFT" on the first half and "FINAL" on the second half — you'll need to break your document into sections first. Click where you want the section break, go to Layout, click Breaks, and choose "Continuous" or "Next Page" depending on whether you want the new section to start on the same page or a new one.

Once you have sections, click in the first section and add your watermark. Then click in the second section and add a different watermark. Each section can have its own watermark. If you see a watermark appearing in sections where you don't want it, check that the "Link to Previous" button in the Design tab is turned off for that section — when it's on, sections share the same watermark.

Printing and sharing documents with watermarks

Watermarks print with your document by default. If you're printing a draft and want to include the "DRAFT" watermark so readers know it's not final, just print normally — the watermark comes out on the page. If you're printing a final version and want to remove the watermark before printing, delete it from the Design tab first, print, then add it back if you want to keep it in the digital file.

When you share a Word document with someone else, the watermark travels with it. If you email a document with a "CONFIDENTIAL" watermark, the recipient will see that watermark when they open the file. If you want to remove it before sharing, delete the watermark, save the document, and then send it. The watermark won't appear in the file the other person receives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the watermark while I'm editing?

Yes, watermarks appear in the normal editing view and in Print Layout view. If you're in a different view and don't see the watermark, switch to Print Layout by clicking View and selecting "Print Layout." The watermark will appear behind your text.

Why doesn't my watermark show up when I print?

Check your printer settings. Some printers have a "Print Background Colors and Images" option that needs to be turned on for watermarks to print. In your print dialog, look for advanced or graphics settings and make sure background printing is enabled. If it's already on, try printing to a PDF first to see if the watermark appears there.

Can I make a watermark appear on only the first page?

Not directly through the watermark tool — watermarks explore to the entire document. To get a watermark on just the first page, you'd need to create a separate one-page document with the watermark, then insert it as a page break or use sections with different headers and footers. For most purposes, a watermark on every page is the standard approach.

What's the difference between a watermark and a header or footer?

A watermark appears behind your text across the entire page, while a header or footer appears at the top or bottom in a separate area. Watermarks are usually lighter and more decorative, while headers and footers hold information like page numbers or document titles. You can use both in the same document.

Can I use a watermark in Word Online?

Word Online doesn't have a watermark feature. If you need to add a watermark, open the document in the desktop version of Word, add the watermark there, save it, and then you can view it in Word Online. Any watermarks you created in the desktop version will display in Word Online, but you can't create new ones from the browser version.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.