how do I place a watermark over an image, not just over the text

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how do I place a watermark over an image, not just over the text

Anonymous

I have created an image and saved it in a Word document. I know how to put the watermark over the text, but it doesn't appear over the image. It's the image that I need to protect. Is there a way to do this? I'm using Word 2008

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Answer 1

Watermarks go into the Header & Footer story of a Word document. When you insert an image into a document, usually you are inserting it into the Content story. Think of these stories as planes, layers, or levels that are staked upon each other. The content story is the "top" story or said another way it's in the foreground. Watermarks are actually in the background and text layers over them, and not the other way around.

So if you want a Watermark on your image, then they have to be placed in the same story layer and then you can use the Arrange feature to place one above or behind the other ... but that only applies to the layer they are in together.

If you need a watermark on your image, it's far better to make a new image that includes, permanently as part of it, the watermark.

Hope this helps

Answer 2

It doesn't work because Word DOES NOT SUPPORT what you're trying. And this is what all the above comments FAIL to say, but focused instead of explaining WHY.

Again the WHY: Word adds watermarks in the Header/Footer which is always in background, i.e. behind all text and images.

The only alternative in Word is to add a "customized" watermark; note: not the "custom watermark" button that you have in Word, but to IMPROVISE a watermark using Insert Wordart or Picture.

Microsoft article:

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Move-a-watermark-1e8f78f2-f22a-49cf-b31d-a2353326d2af?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US

Is this what an user is expecting from a watermark feature? Not really. According to most definitions of watermark, it must be "visible when the paper is held to the light"; if you had a picture in word on the entire page and you print it out, of course the watermark wouldn't be visible. So Word seems to have its OWN definition of "watermark". Other software (e.g. Acrobat) doesn't behave this way.

Answer 3

You are not using Word's "Watermark" feature, are you? Because that will place the watermark in the header, and the watermark will always appear behind the main text flow.

If you placed the watermark in the main text flow, as a floating element:

Right click on the watermark
Select "Format Word Art" or "Format Picture" or "Format Shape" (the choice will vary according to the element)
Select Layout and click on In front of text

If this makes no sense, it's because there are several layers in Word:

The header/footer layer, which will always be behind everything
There is a "behind the text" layer
A text layer
And an "in front of text" layer

Pictures placed in the "behind the text" layer will always be covered by pictures placed in the "in front of text" layer.

Within each "behind/in front of" layer, you can reorder the pictures with "Bring forward," "Bring to front," etc.

Answer 4

Instead of a watermark, how about using a Stamp some applications I have, have what are called stamps. The way they work is similar to:

You sent out a Bill.

You received payment.

So you get out your copy of the Bill.

Grab a Stamp and slammed down on Paper marked [PAID], or place on paper press down the plunger the presses the Stamp

Only on the computer, a stamp is created, electronically. Stamps usually reside on the top layers of most programs.

Word may work differently I know in the distant past when I was treasurer of an Association I created invoiced after receiving and depositing the Money, I would go back and add a Paid Stamp.

_________

Disclaimer:

The questions, discussions, opinions, replies & answers I create, are solely mine and mine alone and do not reflect upon my position as a Community Moderator.

Answer 5

Your explanation makes perfect sense, however, when I try to follow your directions I can't get past the first step. When I right click on the watermark I don't get the options you mentioned. I get paste, paste special, font, paragraph, bullets, look up, translate and hyperlink. I am using Word 2008. I really appreciate your help on this. It has me baffled.

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how do I place a watermark over an image, not just over the text

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