Adding a draft watermark in Word is a simple process that helps ensure your document is clearly marked as a draft. This is particularly useful in professional and academic settings where it’s important to distinguish a working document from a final version. By following a few straightforward steps, you can insert a watermark that says “DRAFT” into your Word document in no time.
How to Add a Draft Watermark in Word
In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the exact steps to insert a draft watermark into your Microsoft Word document. This will make sure everyone knows the document is a work in progress.
Step 1: Open Your Document
First, open your Word document.
Make sure the document you want to mark as a draft is open and ready to be edited. This ensures that any changes you make, including adding the watermark, are applied to the correct file.
Step 2: Go to the Design Tab
Next, click on the "Design" tab in the top menu.
The "Design" tab is where you can find all sorts of layout and design options for your document, including the watermark feature. This tab is usually located between the "Insert" and "Layout" tabs.
Step 3: Click on Watermark
Then, in the "Design" tab, find and click on the "Watermark" button.
This button is located on the right side of the toolbar. Clicking it will open a dropdown menu with various watermark options.
Step 4: Choose "Draft" Watermark
Select the "Draft" watermark from the dropdown menu.
The dropdown menu will show several predefined watermarks like "Confidential" and "Urgent." For this tutorial, simply click on “Draft” to apply it to your document.
Step 5: Customize Your Watermark (Optional)
You can customize the watermark by selecting "Custom Watermark" from the Watermark menu.
If the predefined "Draft" watermark doesn’t suit your needs, you can click on "Custom Watermark" to tweak things like font, size, and color. This gives you more control over how the watermark looks in your document.
Once you complete these steps, your document will have a "Draft" watermark overlaid on each page. This makes it clear to anyone reading it that the document is not yet finalized.
Tips for Adding a Draft Watermark in Word
- Use the Print Layout View: Always switch to the Print Layout view to see how the watermark will appear when printed.
- Adjust Opacity: If the watermark is too bold or too faint, you can adjust its opacity in the Custom Watermark settings.
- Positioning: Make sure the watermark does not obscure any important text or images in your document.
- Check Compatibility: Ensure that the watermark appears correctly in different versions of Word.
- Save a Copy: Always save a backup copy of your document before adding a watermark, just in case you need to revert to the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove the watermark later?
Yes, you can remove or change the watermark by going back to the Design tab and selecting "Remove Watermark."
Will the watermark show up when printed?
Yes, the watermark will be visible on both the digital and printed versions of your document.
Can I use a custom text for my watermark?
Absolutely! You can use the "Custom Watermark" option to type in any text you want.
What if my watermark is covering important text?
You can adjust the watermark’s transparency and positioning in the Custom Watermark settings to avoid obscuring essential content.
Can I add a watermark to specific pages only?
Word does not natively support adding watermarks to specific pages, but you can work around this by using section breaks and adding the watermark only to certain sections.
Summary
- Open your document.
- Go to the Design tab.
- Click on Watermark.
- Choose "Draft" watermark.
- Customize your watermark if needed.
Conclusion
There you have it—a complete, easy-to-follow guide on how to add a draft watermark in Word. Adding a watermark not only helps indicate the status of your document but also adds a layer of professionalism and clarity. It’s a simple yet effective way to communicate to readers that they are viewing a draft version. Now that you know how to do it, you can apply this technique to any of your documents with confidence.
For further reading, consider exploring other features in the Design tab that can help you enhance your document’s appearance. Whether it’s tweaking themes, colors, or fonts, there’s a lot you can do to make your document stand out. So, go ahead and try it out on your next draft!

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.