How do you print a background on a microsoft word document?

Question

I want to be able to know how to print a background along with the document. I know how to set a background by going to format and then backgrounds, but when I print the document the background doesn't print with it. How can I be able to print a background along with the document?

Answer 1

in word 2003 go to File > Page Setup

select the Paper tab.  Then click the Print Options button.  There's an option there to include background text/images when you print (Background Colors and Images)

in word 2007...don't know but I'm sure it's there somewhere :-)

Answer 2

This is a bit of a nomenclature problem.  "Backgrounds" are used for web pages, and won't print.  "Watermarks" are used for printed documents, however, a watermark can be a graphics file, that is, essentially a background.

If you have your document in Web Layout view, you can't get to Watermarks. Switch to Print Layout to get to Watermarks (backgrounds still won't print, though).

First, set up a graphic file with the background you want.  This might be an image or a color.

Then, to get to watermarks in Word versions prior to Word 2007 (Vista), while in Print Layout View,

1. Click on the Format->Background->Printed Watermarks menu item.

2. Click the Picture Watermark radio button.

3. Click the Select Picture button.

4. Navigate to and select the graphics file you created above.

5. Click the Insert button.

6. You might want to select Washout so the background doesn’t fight with the foreground for attention.

7. Click OK.

Also, be sure to set Drawing Objects to print this way:

5. Click the Tools->Options menu item.

6. Click the Print Tab.

7. Under Include with Document, check the checkbox for Drawing Objects.

8. Click OK.

In Word 2007 (Vista):

1. Click the Page Layout tab on the ribbon.

2. Click the Watermark item.

3. Click Custom Watermark.

4. Click the Picture Watermark radio button.

5. Click the Select Picture button.

6. Navigate to and select the graphics file you created above.

7. Click the Insert button.

8. You might want to select Washout so the background doesn’t fight with the foreground for attention.

9. Click OK.

If the watermark still doesn’t print, try this:

10. Click the Office button.

11. Click the Word Options button.

12. Click the Display section.

13. Click Print Background Colors and Images.

14. Click OK.

Hope that helps.