How to Add and Customize a Watermark in MS Word
Adding a watermark to your document in Microsoft Word can be an effective
way to protect your content, mark a document as confidential, or simply brand
your work. Here’s a step-by-step guide to adding and customizing watermarks in
MS Word.
Step 1: Open Your Document in Microsoft Word
Start by opening Microsoft
Word and load the document in which you wish to add the watermark.
Step 2: Access the Watermark Feature
Go to the
"Design" Tab:
Click on the Design
tab in the top ribbon of MS Word. (In some versions, this may be labelled
as Page Layout.)Click on
"Watermark":
In the Page
Background group, click on the Watermark
button. A drop-down menu will appear with some predefined watermark
options, such as "Confidential," "Draft," and
"Do Not Copy."
Step 3: Choose a Predefined Watermark or Customize One
For Predefined
Watermarks:
Simply click on one
of the options such as Confidential, Draft,
or Urgent. This will automatically apply the watermark
across all pages of your document.To Customize the
Watermark:
1.
Click on “Custom Watermark” at the
bottom of the dropdown menu.
2.
This will open the Printed Watermark
dialog box.
Step 4: Customize Your Watermark
There are two options to create a customized watermark:
·
Text Watermark:
In the Printed
Watermark dialog box, select Text watermark.
Choose the text you
want (for example, "Confidential," "Draft," or any
custom text like your company name).
Customize
font:
- You can change the font,
size, and colour.
- Use the Transparency
slider to make the watermark lighter or more prominent.
- Choose whether you
want the watermark to be diagonal or horizontal
by checking the respective option.
Click Apply
to see a preview of the changes.·
Picture Watermark:
Select Picture
watermark.
Click Select
Picture, which will allow you to upload an image (like your
company logo).
Adjust the Scale
of the picture and check the Washout box to make the
image more transparent (or leave it unchecked for a solid image).
Click Apply
to confirm your choices.Step 5: Adjust the Watermark’s Placement
The watermark will
typically appear on all pages, cantered diagonally. To adjust its position
or remove it:
If you want the
watermark to appear only on specific pages, you can insert a Section
Break and then remove the watermark from the unwanted sections.
If you need to
reposition the watermark, you may need to adjust the header
or footer section manually.Step 6: Save Your Document
Once you’re happy with the
appearance and placement of your watermark, save the document. To keep the
watermark for future use, you can also save the document as a template.
Tips for Customizing a Watermark:
1. Use
a Subtle Watermark: If it’s a text watermark, avoid using fonts that
are too bold or large. The watermark should not distract from the content, just
subtly mark the document.
2. Consider
Image Quality: When using a logo or custom image, ensure the image is
of high quality but does not overpower the text in the document. The opacity
should be enough to make the watermark visible without obscuring the text.
3. Apply
Watermark to Specific Pages: If you want to apply the watermark to
specific pages (for instance, the first page or every other page), use section
breaks to apply it selectively.
4. Use
Light Colours: If you're using text-based watermarks, lighter colours
like grey or pale blue tend to be the best for keeping the watermark visible
without making it too distracting.
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