How to Make Watermarks

A watermark is a transparent text or graphic image that covers a large section of a word document. It lies behind the main text and adds to the design without preventing readers from seeing the text. You can create your own watermark in just a few simple steps and make your business documents more professional or add a personal touch to any Word document. Read on to learn how to make watermarks.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Inserting a Graphic Watermark

1. Open Word. Click "View" then "Page (or Print) Layout."

2. Click "Format" then "Background" then "Watermark," if you have a PC, or if you have a Mac click "Insert" then "Watermark." Click the "Picture" button and "Select Picture." Word automatically opens the "Clip Art" folder so that you can browse images and choose your watermark graphic.

3. Uncheck the box that says "Washout" as it can make your image too transparent to see. You should now see the image in the "Insert Watermark" windowpane.

4. Change the scale of the watermark by typing your own percentage into the box.

Adding a Text Watermark

5. Open Word. Click "View" then "Page (or Print) Layout."

6. Click "Format" then "Background" then "Watermark" if you have a PC, or "Insert" then "Watermark" if you have a Mac Click the "Text" button and type the word or phrase that you want to use as your watermark. Four words or less is best.

7. Change the font style, size and color as desired. Experiment with the percentage of transparency, taking note that zero percent makes the watermark as dark as normal text and 100 percent makes the watermark invisible.

8. Choose between vertical and horizontal orientation within the document. Click "OK" and save your work.

Tips & Warnings

• If you realize that you need to alter the watermark after it has been created click "Format" then "Background" then "Watermark." For a Mac click "Insert" then "Watermark," and make your changes.

Resources

• Tips for Adding Watermarks in Other Microsoft Programs