How To Put an Image Behind Text – Microsoft Word

Sometimes, having a plain old text document just won’t cut it and you’ll need to add a background image to make it pop. Even though it is not as powerful as Photoshop or as dedicated to multimedia presentations as PowerPoint, Word still has some aces up its sleeve. Read on if you’d like to find out how to add background images to a Word document.

How Does It Work?

If you want to add a background to your word document, there are two main ways to go about it.

The first and the simpler way is to add an image as a custom picture watermark. This route doesn’t let you edit the image once it’s inserted.

The other way to do it is the classic Insert Picture method. If you choose this way, the image will remain editable and you will be able to change its contrast, brightness, and many other options.

Custom Watermark/Picture Watermark

Adding a custom watermark image to a document in Microsoft Word is a quick and easy job. In order to do it, follow these steps:

1. Double-click on the shortcut and open Microsoft Word.

2. Click on the “File” tab and open the document you want to add a background image to.

3. Next, click on the “Design” tab in the main menu.

4. Once the tab opens, you should click on the “Watermark” option which is located in the “Page Background”
segment. It will show you a drop-down menu where you can select a number of predefined watermarks. Scroll past
them, as “Custom Watermark…” is the option you’re looking for. Click on it.

5. A dialogue box will then open up. First, you should click on the “Picture Watermark” radio button.

6. Then, click on the “Select Picture” button. Browse for the image you want to insert and click on “Insert”.

7. After that, you should choose the scale of the inserted picture. Click on the “Scale” drop-down menu and choose
the one you want. The options include Auto, 500%, 200%, 150%, 100%, and 50%.

8. Next to the dropdown menu, there’s the “Washout” tick box. Tick it if you want your background image to appear
washed out. Even if you don’t tick it, the image will look a bit washed out in the document. This is completely
up to you, though a washed out image makes it easier to read the text in front of it.

9. Below are the options for text watermarks. Since you’ll be adding a picture watermark, you don’t need them.

10. After you’re done configuring your background image/watermark, click on the “OK” button.

You should note that the background picture added this way will appear on every page of the document. This method applies and works the same for Microsoft Word 2010, 2013, and 2016.

Insert Image Route

You should pick this route if you would like to add a background image to one or two pages of your document. Also, if you’d like to have different background images throughout the document, you should choose this method. Here’s the step-by-step guide:

1. Double-click on the icon and open Microsoft Word.

2. Click on the “File” tab and choose the document you want to add a background picture to.

3. Click on the “Insert” tab in the main menu.

4. Click on the “Picture” option and browse for the image you want. You can select an image from your computer or download one from the internet.

5. Once the image is inserted into your document, you can resize and reposition it as you see fit.

6. When you’re satisfied with its position and size, click on the little “Layout Options” icon to the right of your image (Word 2013 and 2016). If you are using Word 2010, click on the “Page Layout” tab and then click on the “Wrap Text” option.

7. This step is the same for all three versions of Word. Here, you should choose “Behind Text” option. Note that your image is still editable, despite being in the background.

8. Next, you should click on the “Format” tab and select the drop-down menu in the lower-right corner of the “Picture Styles” segment.

9. A dialog box will open up, offering you numerous ways to edit your background image. You will be able to adjust the contrast and brightness with a pair of sliders. There is also a slider which enables you to soften or sharpen your background image as you desire. If you click the “Presets” drop-down menu in the “Picture Corrections” segment, you will also be able to select one of the predetermined contrast and brightness settings. Other options like “3D Format” and “3D Rotation” are also available, as are “Reflection” and “Glow and Soft Edges” options.

10. When you’re done, click on “Close”. There is no “OK” button, as the settings you modify are instantly applied to the image.

Wrap Up

Outfitting a Word document with a background image can enrich reading experience and make it more enjoyable. Whichever way you choose to do it, your documents will certainly make for a more interesting read.