How to Add a Watermark in Word (2026)
A watermark is faint text or an image that sits behind your document content — “Confidential,” “Draft,” a company logo. Word has ready-made stamps plus full custom options. Here’s how to add, customize, and remove one.
1. Add a Built-In Watermark (Windows & Mac)
- Go to the Design tab.
- Click Watermark.
- Pick a preset such as Confidential, Draft, or Do Not Copy.
It appears on every page automatically.
2. Create a Custom Text Watermark
- Design > Watermark > Custom Watermark.
- Select Text watermark.
- Type your text, then set the Font, Size, Color, and Layout (Diagonal or Horizontal).
- Click OK.
3. Add a Picture Watermark
- Design > Watermark > Custom Watermark.
- Choose Picture watermark > Select Picture and pick your image.
- Set a Scale, and keep Washout checked so the image stays faint behind text.
- Click OK.
4. Put a Watermark on One Page Only
Built-in watermarks apply to the whole document. For a single page, insert it as a floating object:
- Double-click the header on the target page to open the Header & Footer area.
- Insert a Text Box or Picture, position it, and set its Layout Options to Behind Text.
- Use Different First Page or section breaks to limit which pages show it.
5. Remove a Watermark
Design > Watermark > Remove Watermark. If it lingers, it may be anchored in the header — double-click the header, click the watermark, and press Delete.
6. Troubleshooting
The watermark only shows on some pages
It was added as a header object in one section. Use Design > Watermark for a document-wide stamp instead.
My picture watermark is too dark behind the text
Re-open Custom Watermark and make sure Washout is checked.
Remove Watermark doesn’t work
The watermark is a manual header object. Double-click the header, select it, and delete it directly.
Word for the web has no Watermark button
Correct — Word for the web can’t add watermarks. Open the document in the desktop app.
Related Word guides: How to insert a signature · How to insert a text box · How to track changes · How to add page numbers · How to create a table
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