Watermarks are see-through graphics that are embossed behind text. They will appear on every page, and you can only view them in Print layout or Print Preview.

 

You can insert a picture and customize it to appear as a watermark (using the Washout colour setting and Behind Text choice for text wrapping, for example), or you can insert one of Word’s built-in watermarks.

 

To insert a watermark, click the Format menu, choose Background, and choose Printed Watermark.

 

Once you click that command, this dialog will appear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can choose one of the following settings:

 

Type of Watermark	Options	Option Details
No watermark	None	None
Picture watermark	Select Picture	Browse to the picture you want to insert as watermark.
	Scale	Choose a percentage to enlarge or shrink the photo.
	Washout	Washes out the picture. You can uncheck the box for the picture to be displayed as normal.
Text Watermark	Text	Choose text for the watermark, such as URGENT, TOP SECRET, or CONFIDENTIAL. You can also type in your own text.
	Font	Choose the font for the text.
	Size	Choose a size for the text (from 36 to 144 point size) or have it set automatically to fit the page.
	Colour	Choose a colour for the text or have it set automatically. You can also check Semitransparent to have the text see-through.
	Layout	Choose to have your text typed on a diagonal or straight across the page.

 

Note that you can only choose one watermark type (none, picture, or text) at a time. Once you have chosen your options, you can click Apply to see your changes but stay in the dialog box. Clicking OK will apply your changes but close the dialog box; while Cancel will discard your changes. You can change your watermark at any time by going back to Format – Background – Printed Watermark.

 

Here are some watermark samples: