Printing Problems

How to Remove Diagonal Chain or Bear-Print Marks From Printed Word Documents

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to remove unexpected diagonal chain-like lines or bear prints that appear on physical printouts of their documents but are not visible on the computer screen.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Printing a standard text document to a physical printer.
Observed behavior: A diagonal chain-like line or bear-print mark is produced on the printed paper despite the document appearing completely clean and normal on the screen.

Before you start

Before troubleshooting the software, print a standard test page directly from your printer's hardware menu to confirm whether the marks are caused by dirty printer rollers or if they are originating from the document itself.

Solution 1Recommended

Check and Remove Hidden Watermarks

Unexpected marks that only show up during printing are most commonly caused by hidden or transparent watermarks saved within the document layout.

Sometimes watermarks are formatted in a way that makes them invisible in the standard Web Layout or Draft view, but they will still render when the document is sent to the printer.

Open the document

Launch Microsoft Word and open the document that is printing with the unwanted marks.

Navigate to the Design tab

Look at the ribbon menu at the top of the window and click on the Design tab.

Remove the watermark

Click on the Watermark button located in the Page Background group, then select Remove Watermark from the drop-down menu.

Test your document: After removing the watermark, print a single page of the document to verify that the marks have been completely eliminated.

Solution 2

Isolate the Issue Using a PDF

If removing the watermark doesn't work, converting the document to a PDF can help determine if the issue is embedded in the document formatting or caused by the printer communication.

Solution 3

Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver

Corrupted printer drivers can sometimes misinterpret document data, resulting in strange artifacts like chains or random graphics on the printed page.

Manage Watermarks and Print Flawlessly with WPS Office

WPS Writer offers an intuitive and highly accurate Print Preview feature, ensuring that what you see on your screen is exactly what prints. Easily manage background elements and hidden watermarks to prevent unexpected printing errors.

1. Open your document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open the document that has the printing issue.
2. Remove background watermarks: Navigate to the Insert tab, click on Watermark, and choose Delete Watermark to clear any hidden graphics.
3. Verify before printing: Click the Print icon and use the built-in Print Preview to confirm the document background is perfectly clean before sending it to your printer.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.doc and .docx) formatsIntuitive watermark management tool to quickly clear hidden backgroundsAccurate print preview that reveals all printable elementsLightweight, fast, and completely free to use

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do marks appear on my printed document but not on the screen?

This usually happens when a document contains a hidden watermark or background image that is formatted to only render during the printing process. It can also occur if the printer's rollers are dirty and stamping the paper as it passes through.

How can I check if my printer hardware is causing the marks?

Try printing a completely blank document or printing a test page directly from the printer's physical control panel. If the marks still appear, the issue is related to the printer's hardware, such as a dirty drum unit or damaged rollers.

What should I do if removing the watermark doesn't fix the issue?

Save the document as a PDF and print the PDF version. If the issue persists, try updating or reinstalling your printer drivers. If the marks still show up across all formats and different programs, run a cleaning cycle on your physical printer.

Document & File Issues