How to Change the Background Color of a Page in Microsoft Word

By default, Microsoft Word documents have a stark white background. While this is standard for printing, staring at a bright white screen for hours can cause significant eye strain. Alternatively, you might be designing a digital flyer or PDF brochure where a colored background is essential for the design.

Fortunately, you can easily change the page color to something softer, like a pale yellow or light gray, or apply dramatic dark colors for digital-only documents.

How to Change the Page Color

1. Open your document in Microsoft Word.
2. Click on the Design tab in the ribbon menu at the top of the screen.
3. Look all the way to the right side of the ribbon for the Page Color button (it looks like a small paint bucket).
4. Click the button to open a color palette. You can select one of the Theme Colors or Standard Colors by clicking on the small square.

As you hover your mouse over the colors, Word will show a live preview of how your page will look. If you don’t see a color you like, click More Colors… to open a custom color wheel where you can select the exact shade you want.

Advanced Backgrounds (Gradients and Textures)

If a solid color is too plain, Word allows you to use gradients, textures, or even pictures as your background.

1. Go to Design > Page Color.
2. Select Fill Effects… at the bottom of the menu.
3. A new dialog box will open with tabs for Gradient, Texture, Pattern, and Picture.
4. Select your desired effect and click OK. (Keep in mind that complex textures can make text very difficult to read).

Will the Background Color Print?

By default, Microsoft Word assumes you are only changing the page color for your own visual comfort on the screen. If you click File > Print, you will notice the background color disappears in the print preview.

If you actually want to print a solid block of color on your paper, you must change a system setting:

1. Click File > Options at the bottom left.
2. Select Display from the left sidebar.
3. Under the ‘Printing options’ section, check the box for Print background colors and images.
4. Click OK.

Now, when you print or export the document as a PDF, the background color will be included. However, keep in mind that printing a full page of solid color will consume a massive amount of printer ink. If you want a colored background, it is often much cheaper to simply buy colored paper and print on it normally.