Removing Watermarks in Word: 5 Methods You Should Know

Introduction

Have you ever opened a document and noticed a watermark that you didn’t intend to be there? Watermarks can be pesky and appear in many Word documents, whether it’s a draft or final copy. They can occur due to the document template, printer settings, or other reasons. Removing watermarks may seem challenging at first, but there are various ways to do it in Word.

Importance of Removing Watermarks

Watermarks are usually unwanted and can be distracting, especially if you need to present the document to someone else. Plus, it can be an issue if the document is confidential, and the watermark contains your personal information. Therefore, it’s essential to learn how to remove watermarks in Word. In this article, we’ll explore five ways to do that.

Method 1: Using the Remove Watermark Feature in Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word has a built-in feature that lets you remove watermarks easily. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Word document with the watermark.
2. Navigate to the “Design” tab and click on “Watermark” on the Page Background group.
3. Choose “Remove Watermark.”

If you’re using an older version of Word, the steps may differ slightly. However, this method generally works for most versions of Microsoft Word.

Method 2: Using a Third-Party Watermark Remover Tool

If the “Remove Watermark” feature in Microsoft Word doesn’t work, or there is no such feature in your version of Word, you can use third-party tools. Here are some of the top watermark remover tools:

• PDFelement: This tool is versatile and can remove watermarks from text, images, and other elements. With a user-friendly interface, it also offers OCR (Optical Character Recognition) and batch processing.
• Apowersoft Online Watermark Remover: This is an online tool that lets you remove watermarks from images and PDF files. It’s free to use, and you don’t need to download any software.
• SoftOrbits Watermark Remover: This tool can remove watermarks from images and offers batch processing. It’s easy to use and provides a preview of the image before and after the watermark removal process.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Use Them

We’ll use PDFelement as an example:

1. Download and install PDFelement on your computer.
2. Open the tool and click on “Open File.”
3. Select the PDF file containing the watermark.
4. Click on “Edit” > “Watermark” > “Remove.”
5. Save the PDF file without the watermark.

Method 3: Manual Removal of Watermarks

If you prefer to remove watermarks manually, you can do so by following these steps:

1. Open the Word document with the watermark.
2. Select the watermark by clicking on it.
3. Right-click on the watermark and choose “Cut” or “Delete.”
4. If there is still a residue of the watermark, highlight it and adjust the font color to match the background color.

Manually removing watermarks requires more effort, and it’s not always effective. However, it’s still a valid option for simple documents.

Method 4: Replacing Watermark with Picture

If you want to replace the watermark with an image, follow these steps:

1. Choose the image you want to use as a replacement for the watermark.
2. In the “Design” tab, click “Watermark” and “Custom Watermark.”
3. Choose “Picture Watermark,” then click “Select Picture.”
4. Select the image and click “Insert.”
5. Choose the “Washout” option to make the image appear as a watermark.

You’ve successfully replaced the watermark with an image. Note that this method works best for simple images with transparent backgrounds.

Method 5: Cropping Out the Watermark

If your document’s format permits, you can crop out the watermark. Here’s how:

1. Right-click on the watermark and click on “Format Picture.”
2. Choose the “Crop” option and drag the edges of the image until the watermark disappears.
3. Click “Close.”
4. If the watermark still appears, continue to crop the image until the watermark is removed.

Be careful not to crop too much and cut out important elements of the document.

Conclusion

Watermarks can be a nuisance, but now you know five ways to remove them in Word. Whether you choose to use the built-in feature, third-party tools, manual removal, replacing watermarks with pictures, or cropping them out, make sure to choose the method that suits your document’s needs. Remember that removing watermarks from copyrighted materials or confidential documents without permission is illegal. Stay mindful of the ethical considerations when removing watermarks.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Our top recommendation is to use PDFelement for removing watermarks. It’s a powerful tool that provides more options than the built-in feature in Microsoft Word. If you prefer to use free tools, Apowersoft is an excellent option. Remember to be cautious when removing watermarks and to comply with copyright laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines.