Adding a background picture to a Word 2013 document works well for flyers, certificates, and letterhead. Word offers two ways: a page background picture, which fills the page on screen, or a picture watermark, which prints reliably behind the text. Office 2013 reached end of support on April 11, 2023, so it no longer receives security updates. The steps are similar in newer versions of Word.
Quick Answer
Go to Design, Page Color, Fill Effects, open the Picture tab, click Select Picture, choose an image, and click OK. To make sure it prints, use Design, Watermark, Custom Watermark, Picture watermark instead.
How to Add a Background Picture in Word 2013
- Open the Design tab.
- Click Page Color, then Fill Effects.
- Open the Picture tab and click Select Picture.
- Choose an image from your PC or online and click Insert, then OK.
- To print it, turn on File, Options, Display, Print background colors and images, or use a picture watermark from Design, Watermark, Custom Watermark.
Background Picture Options
| Method | Best for |
|---|---|
| Page Color, Fill Effects, Picture | On-screen or PDF documents |
| Picture watermark | Printed documents with a faded image |
| Insert picture behind text | Precise placement on one page |
| Header picture | The same image on every page |
Troubleshooting
- The picture tiles or repeats: Fill Effects tiles images that are smaller than the page. Use a larger image or a picture watermark.
- To place one image behind text on a single page, see how to layer an image behind text in Word.
- The background does not print: turn on Print background colors and images in Word Options, Display.
- To add text on top of photos, see how to add captions to photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fade the background picture?
Yes. The picture watermark option includes a Washout setting that lightens the image.
Will the background appear on every page?
Yes. Page Color and watermarks apply to all pages.
How do I remove it?
Choose Design, Page Color, No Color, or Design, Watermark, Remove Watermark.
Summary
- Open Design, Page Color, Fill Effects.
- Select a picture on the Picture tab.
- Turn on background printing if needed.
- Use a picture watermark for reliable printing.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.