Word watermarks sit behind the main document text, usually as faint diagonal words such as Draft or Confidential, or as a washed-out logo. Because they live with the header and footer layer, they are not removed like normal body text.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2021, and Word 2019 on Windows or Mac when you need to remove an existing watermark or add one for review, confidentiality, or branding.
Remove a watermark
This removes the watermark from the current document section.
- Click in the document body.
- Open the Design tab.
- Click Watermark in the Page Background group.
- Choose Remove Watermark.
If the document has multiple sections and only some pages change, click in another section and repeat the removal there.
Add a built-in watermark
Use Word presets for common labels.
- Open Design > Watermark.
- Choose a built-in option such as Draft, Confidential, or Do Not Copy.
Word applies the watermark behind the text on the document pages.
Add a custom text or picture watermark
Use this for custom wording or a company logo.
- Open Design > Watermark > Custom Watermark.
- For words, choose Text watermark and enter your custom text. Adjust font, size, color, and diagonal or horizontal layout.
- For a logo or image, choose Picture watermark, select the image file, and keep Washout enabled if the image should be faint.
- Click Apply and close the dialog.
More control
Remove stubborn watermarks section by section
A watermark that remains on some pages is usually tied to a separate section. Click on an affected page, open the header/footer area if needed, check Link to Previous, and remove the watermark in that section.
Watermark only certain pages
Insert section breaks before and after the page range, unlink headers from previous sections, then apply the watermark only in that section.
Make a picture watermark lighter
Return to Custom Watermark and confirm Washout is checked, or choose a lighter image so body text remains readable.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Insert a watermark in Word (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Remove a watermark (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Edit headers or footers (2025)