How to Insert and Modify Image Watermarks in Microsoft Word

Today, we’re going to insert and modify image watermarks in Microsoft Word.

This is the second in a three-part series about watermarks in Microsoft Word. In the first part, we inserted and modified text watermarks. In the third part, we will insert text and image watermarks on specific pages in Word.

Image watermarks can be anything from logos to background pictures or graphics used for security, branding, or design.

Quick Links:

How to Insert Image Watermarks
How to Modify Image Watermarks

This tutorial is available as a YouTube video showing all the steps in real time.

Watch more than 150 other writing-related software tutorials on my YouTube channel.

The images below are from Word for Microsoft 365. These steps will also work in Word 2021, Word 2019, Word 2016, and Word 2013. However, your interface may look slightly different in those older versions of the software.

How to Insert Image Watermarks in Microsoft Word

These steps show how to insert image watermarks on every page of your document.

Select the Design tab in the ribbon.

Design tab in Word 365 — Figure 1. Design tab

Select Watermark in the Page Background group.

Watermark button in Word 365 — Figure 2. Watermark button

Select Custom Watermark from the drop-down menu.

Custom Watermark option in Word 365 — Figure 3. Custom Watermark option

Select the Picture watermark button in the Printed Watermark dialog box.

Picture Watermark button in the Printed Watermark dialog box in Word 365 — Figure 4. Picture watermark button

Select the Select Picture button.

Select Picture button in the Printed Watermark dialog box in Word 365 — Figure 5. Select Picture button

Select From a file in the Insert Picture dialog box to locate an image stored on your computer.

Alternatively, you can choose Bing Image Search to search for an image online or OneDrive to locate an image stored in the cloud.

Insert Picture dialog box in Word 365 — Figure 6. Insert Picture dialog box

The Insert Picture dialog box will close automatically after you make your selection.

Find and select your image in the second Insert Picture dialog box, and then select the Insert button.

Insert button in the second Insert Picture dialog box in Word 365 — Figure 7. Insert button

(Optional) Select a scale (sizing) option.

Scale menu in the Printed Watermark dialog box in Word 365 — Figure 8. Scale menu

(Optional) Select Washout to lower your image’s color intensity. (The brightness and contrast can be customized, as shown in step 7 in the modification section below.)

Washout option in the Printed Watermark dialog box in Word 365 — Figure 9. Washout option

Select the OK button to close the Printed Watermark dialog box.

OK button in the Printed Watermark dialog box in Word 365 — Figure 10. Printed Watermark OK button

Your image watermark should appear in your document.

How to Modify Image Watermarks in Microsoft Word

These steps show how to modify the size, position, and color options for an existing image watermark.

Important Note: Each time you add a watermark, it replaces the existing watermark. So, if you want to replace your watermark, repeat all the steps in the section above.

Double-click the top of any page to open the Header & Footer tab. (In Word, watermarks are part of the header even though they typically appear in the middle of the page.)

Header & Footer tab in Word 365 — Figure 11. Header & Footer tab

Hover your cursor over the watermark until your cursor becomes two crossed arrows. Then, double-click to select the watermark.

Double-arrow cursor over image watermark in Word 365 — Figure 12. Double-arrow cursor (enlarged to show detail)

Small, gray adjustment handles (squares and circles) will appear when the watermark is selected.

Watermark adjustment handles in Word 365 — Figure 13. Adjustment handles

Important Note: The selection process can be a bit temperamental, so you may have to try more than once to reveal the adjustment handles.

Resizing and Repositioning

Select, hold, and drag the adjustment handles to change the size of your watermark. (The top, center handle tilts the watermark to the left and right.)
To reposition your watermark, hover your cursor over the watermark until the cursor becomes two crossed arrows (see figure 12). Then, click, hold, and drag your watermark to a new position.

Color Options

Right-click the watermark with the crossed-arrow cursor, and then select Format AutoShape/Picture from the shortcut menu.

Format AutoShape/Picture option in Word 365 — Figure 14. Format AutoShape/Picture option

(Optional) Select an option from the Color menu in the Format Picture dialog box:

- Automatic (This option is usually a washout.)
- Washout (This option reduces color intensity.)
- Grayscale
- Black & White

Color menu in the Format Picture dialog box in Word 365 — Figure 15. Color menu

(Optional) Adjust the Brightness and Contrast, as necessary.

Brightness and Contrast options in the Format Picture dialog box in Word 365 — Figure 16. Brightness and Contrast options

Pro Tips:

Select the Reset button to return the watermark to the default settings.
Select the Compress button to reduce the image’s resolution or delete cropped areas in order to minimize the file size for printing or web display.

Select the OK button to close the Format Picture dialog box.

OK button in the Format Picture dialog box in Word 365 — Figure 17. Format Picture OK button

Additional Picture Format Options

(Optional) Explore the Picture Format tab for additional options such as Shadow Effects. (Note that this tab only appears when an image watermark or other image is selected.)