How to Document a Copy Control Watermark Image

Watermark images are very light and are placed behind text in a document.

A watermark image is a very light image in the background of a document that is only slightly visible. However, if the document is put on a copier for black-and-white duplication, the watermark image will show dark and solid on the duplicate copy. This was the best way to control duplication of company-distributed documentation. However, watermark images have expanded their use into background advertising, conveying messages such as "Do Not Copy" and placing company logos to replace letterhead logos.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Word 2007

Instructions

Create Watermark

1. Open Microsoft Word.

2. Click the "Watermark" icon from inside the "Page Layout" tab. Choose the "Custom Watermark..." option in the menu.

3. Choose either a text watermark or add a custom image. Click the "OK" button to insert the watermark. Add headers, footers, or letterhead elements to the template as desired.

Save as a Template

1. Click the "Office Button" in the far upper-left corner of Microsoft Word. Highlight "Save As..." from the menu, and then choose "Word Template."

2. Type in the name of the template for future use, and then click the "Save" button.

3. Click the "Office Button" and choose "Close" to close the template.

4. Click the "Office Button" and choose "New" from the menu. In the "New Document" dialog box, choose "New from existing..." from the left "Templates" pane.

5. Navigate to the saved template, highlight it and click the "Open" button. A new document can now be created on top of the template. When ready to save, choose "Save As...," and the document will save with the template watermark image and formatting. The template can be reused as a blank.

Tips & Warnings

• To document any changes done to a Word document, use the "Protect Document" feature from the "Review" tab.

• Send the .dotx document, which is the template file, to all who will need to use the watermarked document. Do not send the .docx files, as they are the Word documents.

• A watermark image cannot be protected within a template. However, an image can be placed in a header or footer and be protected.

• A watermarked document can be duplicated without the watermark image appearing dark with a high-quality color printer. Do not depend on the watermark for complete duplication control; it acts only as a hindrance.

References

• Microsoft: Add a background or watermark
• Microsoft: Save a Word document as a template