How to Print Background Images in Word 2010

Microsoft Word 2010 includes a variety of options for adding pictures to your document. In many cases, these pictures will print along with the document by default.

However, if you have added a background picture to your document via the Page Color tool on the Page Layout tab, then you may find that your picture is not printing.

The option to print background pictures (and background page colors, for that matter) is turned off by default in Word 2010. But the ability to view background pictures is not limited to individuals that are reading a document on the computer, and you can adjust the settings in Word 2010 so that your background picture prints along with your document.

Print a Background Image in Word 2010

The steps in this article will show you how to change the settings in Microsoft Word 2010 so that any images that you have added to the background will also print when you print your document.

Note that this setting will allow you to print a picture that you have added via the Page Color tool on the Page Layout tab. Images added as watermarks will print without adjusting this setting. To learn how to add a picture as a watermark, you can read this article.

Step 1: Open the document with the page background that you want to print in Word 2010.

Step 2: Click the File tab at the top-left corner of the window.

click the file tab

Step 3: Click the Options button at the bottom of the column on the left side of the window. This opens the Word Options window.

click the options button

Step 4: Click the Display tab at the left side of the Word Options window.

click the display tab

Step 5: Scroll down to the Printing section of the window, then check the box to the left of Print background colors and images.

print background colors and pictures

Step 6: Click the OK button at the bottom of the window to apply your changes.

click the ok button

Now that you know how to print background images in Word 2010, you can use this setting to ensure that any logos, watermarks, or other images you have added to the document will be there when you print a physical copy.

This setting will remain active for other documents that you open in Word 2010. If you have a background picture in a document that you do not want to print, then you will need to follow these steps again to turn off the option.

Note that printing background images can use a lot of ink, especially if you are printing a multi-page document.

If you find that your background picture is tiled when you print it, then it may be due to a conflict between Word 2010 and your print driver. You may have better luck adding your picture as a watermark, or adding your picture to the header.

Do you need to add your name and page numbers to your document? This guide will show you how.

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