Troubleshoot backgrounds and watermarks

By default, Microsoft Word does not print document backgrounds that you create by using the Background command on the Format menu. If you want to print document backgrounds, you can change this setting. To do so, click Options on the Tools menu. On the Print tab, select the Background colors and images check box.

Microsoft Word does not display document backgrounds in normal view or outline view. To display a document background, switch to a different view, such as Web layout view or print layout view, by clicking the name of the view on the View menu. If you want Word to display your document in that view the next time the document is opened, save your document in that view before you close the document.

Microsoft Word displays watermarks in print layout and print preview only. To use to these views, click Print Layout on the View menu or Print Preview on the File menu.

If the watermark interferes with the legibility of the text on the page, you can lighten the object you used to create the watermark.

• If you are using a picture, make sure that the Washout check box is selected in the Printed Watermark dialog box (point to Background on the Format menu, and then click Printed Watermark).
• If you are using text, select the Semitransparent check box in the Printed Watermark dialog box, or select a lighter color, such as light gray, in the Color box.

Watermarks won't appear on every page if you change your header or footer for part of the document. For example, the first page may have a unique header or footer, or none at all.

Or the document may contain different headers and footers on odd and even pages or in particular sections. You can check whether the document contains sections by reading the status bar at the bottom of your screen.

If you reinsert the watermark again, it should appear on every page of your document.