To add a watermark in Word, go to the Design tab, select Watermark at the right end of the ribbon, and choose a preset such as CONFIDENTIAL or DRAFT. For your own text or a logo, choose Custom Watermark, pick Text watermark or Picture watermark, and select OK. The watermark appears faintly behind the text on every page.
Applies to: Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024, 2021, 2019 and 2016 on Windows and Mac. Word for the web shows existing watermarks but can’t add them. Last reviewed October 8, 2026.
Add a preset watermark
- Go to the Design tab.
- Select Watermark in the Page Background group.
- Choose a preset: CONFIDENTIAL, DO NOT COPY, DRAFT, SAMPLE, ASAP or URGENT, in diagonal or horizontal versions.
Add a custom text watermark
- Go to Design > Watermark > Custom Watermark.
- Select Text watermark.
- Type your text in the Text box, such as your company name or “For Review”.
- Choose the Font, Size (Auto fits the page) and Color.
- Keep Semitransparent ticked so text stays readable, and choose Diagonal or Horizontal.
- Select OK.
Add a picture or logo watermark
- Go to Design > Watermark > Custom Watermark.
- Select Picture watermark > Select Picture, and choose an image from your PC or OneDrive.
- Set Scale, for example 100% or Auto.
- Keep Washout ticked so the picture is faded behind the text.
- Select OK.
Move or resize the watermark
Watermarks live in the header. Double-click the header to open it, then click the watermark to select it. Drag it to move it, drag a corner to resize it, or use the rotation handle. Close the header when you’re done. To place images freely in the body instead, see how to place a picture anywhere in Word.
Watermark on some pages only
Because the watermark is in the header, it follows section headers:
- Insert a Next Page section break where the watermark should start or stop; see how to add a section break in Word.
- Double-click the header in the new section and turn off Link to Previous.
- With the cursor in that section’s header, add or remove the watermark.
For title pages, tick Different First Page in the header options and leave the first-page header without a watermark. More on this in how to make different headers in Word.
Ideas for using watermarks
- DRAFT on documents still being reviewed, so nobody mistakes them for the final version.
- CONFIDENTIAL on HR, legal or financial documents shared inside a company.
- A faded company logo on letterhead, certificates or price lists.
- SAMPLE on templates or proofs sent to clients before payment.
Keep watermarks light. A size of Auto with Semitransparent, or a picture at 100% with Washout, stays readable when printed in black and white.
Remove a watermark
Go to Design > Watermark > Remove Watermark. If it doesn’t disappear, double-click the header, click the watermark and press Delete. Check each section if the document has several. See also how to delete a header in Word.
Troubleshooting
The watermark doesn’t print
Check that the printer isn’t set to draft or ink-saving mode. Watermarks print as part of the header.
The watermark covers text or images
Make sure it’s semitransparent or washed out. Images set to In Front of Text in the body can also sit above it.
The Watermark button is greyed out
The document is in Compatibility Mode or you’re in Word for the web. Save as .docx in the desktop app.
Frequently asked questions
Does a watermark stop copying?
No. It’s a visual label. Saving as a PDF with a password is better for protecting content.
Can I add a watermark in Excel?
Not with a button; see how to put a watermark in Excel.
Related: how to change the page color in Word.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.