Adding a background color to your Office Word document can make your reports, flyers, or presentations stand out. While applying background colors on-screen is straightforward, printing them requires specific steps because Word’s default settings often omit background colors during printing. This guide walks you through how to effectively print a Word document with a colored background, ensuring your documents look professional both on screen and on paper. Before you start, make sure you have your Word document ready and access to a printer connected to your computer. No additional tools are needed beyond Microsoft Word and a printer.
What You’ll Need
- Microsoft Word (2010 or later recommended)
- A computer with Word installed
- Printer connected and ready to use
Step-by-Step
- Open your Word document that contains the background color you want to print.
- Go to the “Design” tab on the Ribbon at the top of Word. If you’re using an older version, this may be under the “Page Layout” tab.
- Click on “Page Color” in the “Page Background” group. A color palette will appear.
- Select the background color you want to apply to your document. This will immediately change the background on your screen.
- To ensure this background prints, go to the “File” tab and select “Options” (or “Word Options”).
- In the Word Options window, select “Display” from the sidebar.
- Scroll down to the section labeled “Printing options.” Check the box next to “Print background colors and images.”
- Click “OK” to save your settings.
- Return to your document and go to the “File” menu, then select “Print.”
- In the print preview, verify that the background color appears. If it does, proceed to print.
- Click the “Print” button to print your document with the background color included.
Common Mistakes
- Not enabling background printing in Word options—this is a common reason background colors don’t print.
- Using a very light or transparent color that appears on screen but is hard to see when printed.
- Applying background colors to only certain sections without realizing the print settings are not enabled.
- Printing on a non-color printer or using print settings that override background colors, such as “Print in Grayscale.”
Tips
- Choose darker or bolder colors for backgrounds if you want them to be visible in print.
- Use the “Print Preview” feature before printing to confirm the background appears as expected.
- If your printer supports it, consider printing on higher-quality paper for the best appearance.
- Save your document after applying the background so you don’t lose your settings.
Troubleshooting
If your background color doesn’t print as expected, try these steps:
- Double-check that “Print background colors and images” is enabled in Word’s options.
- Ensure you are not printing in grayscale or black and white mode, which can omit background colors.
- Verify that your printer supports color printing and that color cartridges are not empty.
- Update your printer drivers to the latest version, as outdated drivers can cause print issues.
- Try printing a test page with a solid background color directly from your printer settings to isolate whether the issue is with Word or the printer.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I print a background color that I added in Word?
Yes, but you must enable the option to print background colors in Word’s print settings.
2. Why doesn’t my background color print even after enabling options?
Check that your printer supports color printing, and ensure you are not printing in grayscale mode. Also, verify your background color isn’t too light.
3. How do I remove the background color after printing?
Simply go back to the “Design” tab, click “Page Color,” and select “No Color” to remove the background.
4. Will printing background colors use more ink?
Yes, printing backgrounds consumes more ink, especially with darker or solid colors. Consider this if you are printing many pages.
5. Can I print only certain pages with a background color?
Yes, apply the background color to specific pages or sections, but remember to enable background printing in the print settings for those pages.
6. Is there a way to set a background color for printing by default?
Currently, Word does not support setting a default background color for printing. You need to enable the print background option each time or set it in the options as described.
By following these steps and tips, you can confidently add and print background colors in your Word documents, adding visual impact to your printed materials. Remember to always check your print settings before printing large batches to save ink and avoid surprises.
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