How to Print Background Images in Word 2010 (Step-by-Step Guide)

Have you ever designed a beautiful Word document with a background image—only to find that it disappears when you print it? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. By default, Microsoft Word 2010 doesn’t print background colors or images to save ink. But if you want your printed page to look exactly like what’s on your screen, you can easily change that setting.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you how to print background images in Word 2010—step by step. You’ll also learn how to troubleshoot common printing issues, use custom background designs, and ensure your document looks perfect both digitally and on paper.

Why Word Doesn’t Print Background Images by Default

If you’ve ever tried printing a Word document and noticed that the background color or image doesn’t show up, it’s not a glitch—it’s a feature.

Microsoft Word 2010 disables this setting by default to:

• Save printer ink or toner

• Improve printing speed

• Avoid blurred or distorted images

However, when you’re working on invitations, flyers, brochures, or reports, you may want that background image printed. Thankfully, Word gives you full control to turn this feature back on.

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What Is a Background Image in Word 2010?

A background image in Word 2010 is any image or color that appears behind your text. You can use it to:

• Enhance the visual appeal of your document

• Add branding or a logo

• Create custom letterheads, certificates, or marketing materials

There are two main ways to add backgrounds in Word:

1. Page Color → Fill Effects → Picture (for full-page backgrounds)

2. Watermark (for faint logos or light text behind content)

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How to Print Background Images in Word 2010 (Step-by-Step)

Let’s get to the main part — enabling background printing.

Follow these simple steps to print background images in Word 2010:

Step 1: Open Word 2010

Launch Microsoft Word 2010 and open the document that contains your background image or color.

Step 2: Go to the File Menu

Click the File tab at the top-left corner of the screen to open the Backstage View.

Step 3: Choose “Options”

From the left-side menu, scroll down and click Options.
A new “Word Options” dialog box will appear.

Step 4: Open the Display Settings

In the sidebar of the dialog box, click Display.

Step 5: Enable Background Printing

Under the “Printing Options” section, check the box next to:

Print background colors and images

Step 6: Save the Settings

Click OK to save your changes.

Step 7: Print Your Document

Now go to File → Print, choose your printer, and click Print.
Your document should now include the background image or color!

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Alternative Way: Print Using PDF Format

If you still face issues or want more control over print layout, try saving your document as a PDF first.

Here’s how:

1. Click File → Save As.

2. Under “Save as type,” select PDF.

3. Choose a file name and location.

4. Open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

5. Print from Acrobat — background images usually appear perfectly.

This method ensures your document retains its design, colors, and layout exactly as seen on screen.

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How to Insert a Background Image in Word 2010

If you haven’t yet added a background image, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Page Layout tab.

2. Click Page Color in the “Page Background” group.

3. Select Fill Effects.

4. Go to the Picture tab.

5. Click Select Picture and browse for your image.

6. Click OK to apply.

You’ll now see your image behind the text across all pages.

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How to Add a Watermark as a Background

If you prefer a subtle logo or light text background, use a Watermark instead.

Here’s how:

1. Go to the Page Layout tab.

2. Click Watermark in the “Page Background” group.

3. Choose a preset (like “Confidential” or “Draft”), or select Custom Watermark.

4. Choose Picture Watermark and select your desired image.

5. Adjust transparency if needed.

6. Click OK to apply.

Watermarks are great for professional documents where you want branding but not distraction.

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Difference Between Background Image and Watermark

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Tips for Choosing the Right Background Image

Choosing the right image is key to professional-looking results. Here are some quick tips:

• ✅ Use high-resolution images (at least 300 DPI) for clear printing.

• Pick light backgrounds if your text is dark.

• Avoid busy images that make text hard to read.

• Match your brand colors or theme.

• ⚖️ Keep file size moderate to prevent lag or crashes.

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How to Adjust the Image Transparency or Brightness

If your text becomes hard to read, adjust the image’s brightness or transparency:

1. Click on your background image (if inserted as a shape).

2. Go to Format → Picture Tools.

3. Click Corrections or Color to adjust brightness, contrast, or saturation.

4. Alternatively, use Transparency slider to make it lighter.

This makes your text pop while keeping the background visible.

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How to Ensure High-Quality Printing

To get the best output when printing backgrounds:

• Use photo-quality paper for rich colors.

• Set printer quality to High (in Printer Properties).

• Ensure Print background colors and images is enabled.

• Always preview before printing to save ink.

• If colors look dull, check if grayscale printing is enabled — and turn it off.

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Troubleshooting: Background Image Still Not Printing?

If your background still doesn’t print even after enabling the setting, try these fixes:

1. Check the box again: Sometimes the option resets when Word restarts.

2. Printer driver update: Outdated drivers can cause display issues.

3. Save as PDF and print from Adobe Reader.

4. Check ink levels or color cartridge availability.

5. Disable draft printing mode in your printer settings.

Still stuck? Restart your printer and Word, and test with a different image file.

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Why Printing Backgrounds Might Not Be Ideal

While printing background images looks great, it has some drawbacks:

• Uses more ink or toner

• Can slow down printing

• May cause paper curling with heavy color

• Sometimes text becomes unreadable

If you’re printing multiple copies, consider using lighter watermarks or borders instead to save ink.

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How to Revert to Default Print Settings

If you want to disable background printing again:

1. Go to File → Options → Display.

2. Under “Printing Options,” uncheck the box for:

   Print background colors and images

3. Click OK to confirm.

Your future printouts will now exclude backgrounds, saving ink and time.

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Best Practices for Printing Backgrounds Professionally

• Always do a test print before mass printing.

• Use high-quality paper for better absorption.

• Keep background images light and simple.

• Ensure text contrast is high for readability.

• Save a PDF backup to preserve formatting.

These small steps can make your printed Word documents look polished and professional.

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Conclusion

Learning how to print background images in Word 2010 is simple once you know where to look.
By default, Word hides these images to save ink—but with a quick settings change, you can make your printed page match what’s on your screen.

Just remember:

• Go to File → Options → Display.

• Check Print background colors and images.

• Save and print confidently.

Whether you’re designing flyers, reports, or invitations, this small tweak can make a huge visual difference.

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FAQs

1. Why won’t my background image print in Word 2010?

Because the “Print background colors and images” setting is disabled by default. Enable it under File → Options → Display.

2. Can I print background images in Word 2013 or later?

Yes, the same method works in newer versions like Word 2013, 2016, and 2019.

3. How do I print a watermark in Word 2010?

Watermarks print automatically; you don’t need to enable background printing.

4. Why does my background look blurry when printed?

The image may be low-resolution. Use a higher-quality image (300 DPI or more) for better results.

5. Does printing backgrounds use more ink?

Yes, especially with dark or detailed images. Use lighter shades or adjust transparency to save ink.

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Key Takeaways

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By following this guide, you’ll master how to print background images in Word 2010 — easily, efficiently, and without frustration.