This article explains how to remove watermarks in Microsoft Word. This information applies to Word 2019, 2016, 2010, 2007, Word for Mac, Word for Microsoft 365, and Word Online.

Watermarks in Word highlight pages of your document, protecting your content and identifying the status or security needs of your project. Removing them once they’ve served their purpose is as easy as adding them in the first place.

Select Watermark under the Design tab, on the far right of the screen. Select Remove Watermark. In Word 2010 and Word 2007, Watermark is under the Page Layout tab and in the Page Background group.

If the watermark is still there, it is possible that Word has embedded the watermark in the header area if it is associated with a specific section. Double-click the header area, select the watermark itself, and press Delete.