What a watermark is and why you might add one
A watermark is text or an image that appears behind the main content of a document — visible but not in the way. In Microsoft Word, watermarks sit in the background of every page, usually faded so they do not interfere with reading. You might add one to mark a document as a draft, to show it is confidential, to add your company logo, or to protect against unauthorized copying.
The watermark stays on every page automatically. Once you add it, you do not have to repeat the step for each page. If someone prints the document or converts it to PDF, the watermark prints too.
Key Takeaways
- Word watermarks live in the header area and appear behind your text on every page.
- You can use text (like "DRAFT" or "CONFIDENTIAL") or upload your own image as a watermark.
- The Design tab in Word contains the watermark tool; the exact location depends on which version of Word you use.
- Removing a watermark takes the same steps as adding one — you straightforward choose the "Remove Watermark" option instead.
How to add a text watermark in Word
Open your document in Microsoft Word. At the top of the screen, click the Design tab (in older versions of Word, this may be called Page Layout). Look for the Watermark button — it usually appears in the middle section of the ribbon.
Click Watermark and you will see a dropdown menu with preset options like "CONFIDENTIAL," "DRAFT," and "DO NOT COPY." Select the one you want. The watermark will appear when ready on every page of your document, faded and diagonal across the background.
If none of the presets match what you need, click Custom Watermark at the bottom of the dropdown. A dialog box opens where you can type your own text. You can also adjust the font, size, and how faded it appears using the transparency slider. Click OK when you are done.
How to add an image watermark in Word
If you want to use a logo or image instead of text, open the Design tab and click Watermark. Select Custom Watermark from the dropdown. In the dialog box that opens, choose the Picture option instead of Text.
Click Select Picture and browse to the image file on your computer. Word accepts common formats like JPG, PNG, and GIF. Once you choose the image, you can adjust its size and transparency. A smaller, more transparent image usually works better so it does not overwhelm your document. Click OK to explore it.
Image watermarks work best with logos or straightforward graphics. Complex images can make your document harder to read. Test how it looks on the first page before finalizing.
Where the watermark tool is in different Word versions
The watermark feature has moved slightly between versions of Word. In Word 2016, 2019, and Word for Microsoft 365, it is under the Design tab. In Word 2010 and 2013, look for it under the Page Layout tab instead. The steps are the same once you find the button.
If you are using Word Online (the browser version), the watermark tool may not be available. You will need to use the desktop version of Word to add or edit watermarks. Once you add a watermark in the desktop version and save the file, it will display in Word Online, but you cannot change it there.
How to remove or change a watermark
To remove a watermark, go to the Design tab (or Page Layout in older versions) and click Watermark. At the bottom of the dropdown menu, select Remove Watermark. The watermark disappears from all pages when ready.
To change an existing watermark to a different one, straightforward click Watermark again and choose a new option. The old watermark is replaced. If you want to edit the current watermark — for example, to make it darker or change the text — click Custom Watermark, make your changes, and click OK.
What happens to watermarks when you share or print
Watermarks print on every page when you send the document to a printer. They also appear in PDF files if you export or save the document as a PDF. This makes watermarks useful for marking documents as drafts or confidential before sharing them.
If you email the Word document itself to someone else, they will see the watermark when they open it. They can remove it if they have access to the Design tab, so watermarks are not a security feature — they are a visual label. If you need to prevent someone from editing a document, use Word's password protection or permission settings instead.
Troubleshooting watermark problems
If you added a watermark but it does not appear on your screen, check the view you are in. Watermarks show in Print Layout view and in printed output, but they may not appear in Draft view. Switch to Print Layout by clicking the view buttons at the bottom right of your screen or using the View tab.
If the watermark appears too faint to see on screen but you want to check it before printing, zoom in or look at a print preview. Go to File and select Print to see how the document will look on paper. You can adjust the transparency in the Custom Watermark dialog if you want it darker.
If you cannot find the Watermark button, make sure you are on the Design tab (not another tab like Home or Insert). In some versions of Word, the button may be grouped with other page formatting tools. Hover over buttons to see their names if you are unsure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have different watermarks on different pages?
No. Word applies the same watermark to every page in the document. If you need different watermarks on different sections, you would have to create separate documents and combine them later, or use a more advanced tool like Adobe InDesign.
Does the watermark take up space or move my text?
No. Watermarks sit in the background layer behind your text and do not affect where your words appear on the page. Your document layout stays exactly the same.
What image file types work for image watermarks?
Word accepts JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, and TIFF files. PNG and GIF work well because they support transparent backgrounds, which can make your logo look cleaner. Avoid very large file sizes, as they can slow down your document.
If I remove a watermark, does it come back when I reopen the file?
No. Once you remove a watermark and save the document, it is gone for good. The next time you open the file, there will be no watermark unless you add a new one.
Can I make the watermark darker or lighter?
Yes. Click Design, then Watermark, then Custom Watermark. Use the transparency slider to adjust how faded it appears. Moving the slider to the left makes it lighter; moving it to the right makes it darker.