Word Parchment Paper Background: How to Add It

To give a Microsoft Word document a parchment paper background, go to the Design tab, click Page Color, and choose a light tan or beige color, or select Fill Effects > Texture and pick the Parchment texture. This changes the entire page background to look like aged paper, which is often used for certificates, invitations, or historical-themed documents. Below, we explain the different methods, how to customize them, and how to avoid common issues like printing problems.

Why Use a Parchment Background?

A parchment background gives a document an antique, elegant, or formal feel. It is commonly used for:

• Certificates and awards
• Wedding invitations or programs
• Historical or fantasy-themed projects
• Menus or special event flyers
• Poems or quotes meant to look like old manuscripts

The effect mimics the look of animal skin or aged paper, which historically was used for important documents. In modern digital documents, it adds visual interest without the cost or fragility of real parchment.

Method 1: Using the Built-in Parchment Texture

The quickest way to add a parchment background is through Word’s built-in texture. This works in Word 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365.

1. Open your document in Word.
2. Go to the Design tab (or Page Layout in older versions).
3. Click Page Color in the Page Background group.
4. Select Fill Effects at the bottom of the dropdown.
5. In the dialog box, click the Texture tab.
6. Scroll through the textures and select Parchment (it looks like a light tan sheet with subtle speckles).
7. Click OK.

The texture will fill the entire page background. If you want to adjust the color or intensity, you can instead use a solid color or create a custom gradient.

Method 2: Using a Solid Color or Gradient

If the built-in texture isn’t exactly what you want, you can use a solid color that resembles parchment. Common colors are tan (#F5DEB3), wheat (#F5DEB3), or beige (#F5F5DC). To apply a solid color:

1. Go to Design > Page Color.
2. Choose a color from the palette, or click More Colors to enter a specific RGB value.
3. To create a gradient (which gives a subtle aged look), choose Fill Effects > Gradient tab.
4. Pick a two-color gradient, such as light tan to slightly darker tan, and choose a shading style like Diagonal up.

A gradient can look more natural than a flat color, especially for large areas. For a more textured look, combine a gradient with a texture overlay using the Picture option in Fill Effects (you can upload a parchment image).

Method 3: Inserting a Parchment Image

For complete control, you can insert a parchment image as a background. This is useful if you have a specific parchment texture you like (e.g., from a stock photo site or your own scan).

1. Go to Insert > Pictures and select the image file.
2. Right-click the image and choose Wrap Text > Behind Text.
3. Resize the image to cover the entire page (drag the corners while holding Shift to keep proportions).
4. If the image is too bright or too dark, use the Picture Format tab to adjust Corrections or Color.

This method works well but has a drawback: the image is anchored to a specific position. If you edit text above it, the image may move. To keep it fixed, you can place it in the header (double-click the header area, insert the image, and set it behind text).

How to Remove or Change the Background

To remove the parchment background, go to Design > Page Color > No Color. If you used an image in the header, delete the image from the header. If you used a texture, selecting No Color will revert to white.

Printing Considerations

One of the most common issues with page backgrounds is that they don’t print by default in some versions of Word. To ensure your parchment background prints:

1. Go to File > Options > Display.
2. Under Printing options, check the box for Print background colors and images.
3. Click OK.

Also, note that printing a full-page background uses a lot of ink. If you’re printing many copies, consider using a lighter texture or a border instead. Some printers may also have a setting to print background graphics; check your printer preferences.

Common Problems and Solutions

• Background doesn’t print: Enable the print background option as described above.
• Texture looks too dark: Use a solid color instead, or adjust the image brightness if using a picture.
• Background only appears on one page: Page color applies to all pages in a section. If you want it on only one page, you need to insert a section break and apply the color to that section only.
• Text is hard to read: If the background is too busy, add a subtle shadow to text or increase contrast by using a darker font color.
• Image background moves when editing: Place the image in the header as described earlier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the parchment background work in Word Online?

Word Online (the free web version) does not support the Page Color feature. You can only view a background if it was already added in the desktop app. To add a background, you must use the desktop version of Word.

Can I use a parchment background on only one page?

Yes. Insert a section break (Layout > Breaks > Next Page) before and after the page you want, then apply the page color to that section only. The color will not appear on other sections.

How do I make the parchment background look more realistic?

Use a high-resolution image of parchment and set it behind text. You can also add a subtle vignette effect using image editing software before inserting. In Word, you can adjust the image’s transparency (under Picture Format > Transparency) to blend it with the page.

Will the background affect how the document prints in grayscale?

Yes. If you print in grayscale, the tan color will appear as a light gray. This may make text less readable. Test a print preview before printing a large batch.

Can I save the parchment background as a template?

Yes. After setting the background, go to File > Save As and choose Word Template (.dotx). Then you can reuse it for future documents.

Why is the Page Color option grayed out?

This happens if the document is in compatibility mode (created in an older version of Word). Click File > Info > Convert to upgrade the document to the current format, which enables the feature.

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