Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007 and 2010. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Adding a Horizontal Watermark with a PostScript Printer.
In other issues of WordTips you discovered how to print a diagonal watermark across a page if you are using a PostScript printer. There may be times, however, when you do not want the watermark to be diagonal. The following command, when placed in a field inserted in a header or footer, will print the word DRAFT in a 100-point font across the center of your page.
Print \p page " /Wmark (DRAFT) def /WSize 100 def wp$x wp$right sub wp$left add 2 div wp$y wp$top sub wp$bottom add 2 div translate /Helvetica-BoldOblique findfont WSize scalefont setfont .7 setgray 3 setlinewidth Wmark stringwidth pop 2 div neg WSize .4 mul neg moveto Wmark true charpath stroke "
Remember that all the text shown here must be placed within a field. You can insert the field braces by pressing Ctrl+F9. The font used is bold italics Helvetica; if you do not have that font in your printer, you can change the font name in the code to a font you do have. You can also change the word that is printed by changing the word DRAFT on the first line.
Finally, don't forget that this tip will only work if you are using a printer that understand PostScript and are using a PostScript printer driver with that printer. Some printers understand multiple printer control languages, including PostScript, so it is important to determine which language the printer driver itself uses. If the driver uses a different language, such as the HP Printer Control Language (HPPCL), then the field will not display the watermark.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (10307) applies to Microsoft Word 2007 and 2010. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Adding a Horizontal Watermark with a PostScript Printer.
Do More in Less Time! Are you ready to harness the full power of Word 2013 to create professional documents? In this comprehensive guide you'll learn the skills and techniques for efficiently building the documents you need for your professional and your personal life. Check out Word 2013 In Depth today!
One of the formatting attributes you can add to text is to make it "hidden," which means you can control whether it is ...
Discover MoreDo you like using ASK Fields in your documents to get information from the user but don't want Word to update the fields ...
Discover MoreTired of your page borders not printing out as you expect? The problem could be due to any number of settings or ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007 and 2010. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: 
Comments