The fastest way to change your canvas background
Open the File menu, select Document Setup, and look for the Artboard tab. In the right panel under Appearance of Black, you will see a white rectangle labeled Artboard. Click that rectangle to open the color picker, choose your color, and click OK. The background of your canvas changes when ready.
This method changes the artboard background — the actual working surface you see in Illustrator. It is permanent for that document and will print or export with your file unless you specifically remove it later. If you want a temporary background just for viewing while you work, there is a separate method using the canvas color, which we cover below.
Key Takeaways
- The artboard background is set through File > Document Setup > Artboard tab, and it exports with your file when you save as PDF or print.
- The canvas color (the area outside the artboard) is changed through Edit > Preferences > General, and it does not export — it is only for your screen.
- You can change the background of individual artboards separately if your document has multiple artboards.
- White is the default artboard background; transparent artboards are useful when you plan to place your illustration over another image or background later.
Changing the artboard background through Document Setup
The Document Setup dialog is the standard place to set your artboard color. Go to File > Document Setup. The dialog opens with several tabs across the top. Click the Artboard tab if it is not already selected.
On the right side of the dialog, you will see a section labeled Appearance of Black. Below that is a white rectangle with the label Artboard. Click directly on that rectangle. A color picker window opens. Choose your color using the color slider, the color field, or by typing a hex code if you know the exact color you want. Once you have selected your color, click OK in the color picker, then click OK again in the Document Setup dialog. Your artboard background is now that color.
Changing the canvas color for a cleaner workspace
The canvas is the gray area surrounding your artboard — the space outside the white rectangle where you work. Many designers change this to reduce eye strain or to see their artwork against a different background while designing. This color does not export or print; it is only what you see on your screen.
To change the canvas color, go to Edit > Preferences (on Windows) or Adobe Illustrator > Preferences (on Mac). In the Preferences window, click General on the left side. Look for the option labeled Canvas Color. Click the color swatch next to it, choose your color, and click OK. The canvas around your artboard changes to that color when ready.
Setting different backgrounds for multiple artboards
If your document contains more than one artboard, you can set a different background color for each one. Select the artboard you want to change by clicking on its name in the Artboards panel (Window > Artboards if the panel is not visible). Then open File > Document Setup and change the artboard color as described above. That change applies only to the selected artboard.
Alternatively, you can double-click the artboard directly on the canvas to select it, then use the same Document Setup method. This is useful when you are building a multi-page document or a set of designs where each page needs its own background color.
Using a transparent background instead of a solid color
If you want no background at all — a transparent artboard that shows a checkerboard pattern in Illustrator — open File > Document Setup > Artboard tab. Click the artboard color rectangle, and in the color picker, set the opacity (the A value) to 0. This creates a fully transparent artboard. When you export as PNG or another format that supports transparency, the background will be transparent in the final file.
Transparent artboards are helpful when you are creating graphics that will be placed over existing backgrounds, such as logos, icons, or web graphics. The checkerboard pattern in Illustrator shows you where the transparency is, but it will not appear in your exported file.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Changing the wrong color: Many new users change the canvas color (the gray area) and wonder why their artboard is still white. Remember: the artboard is the white rectangle where you actually draw. The canvas is the surrounding area. If you want the actual working surface to be a different color, use Document Setup, not Preferences.
Forgetting that artboard color exports: If you set an artboard background and then export as PDF or print, that color will be included in the output. If you only wanted a temporary background for viewing, use the canvas color instead. You can always change it back before exporting.
Not selecting the right artboard: If you have multiple artboards and change one, make sure you have selected the correct artboard first. Click its name in the Artboards panel or double-click it on the canvas before opening Document Setup.
Exporting and printing with your background color
When you export your Illustrator file as PDF, the artboard background color is included in the exported file. If you export as PNG or another raster format, the background is also included. If you want to remove the background before exporting, open Document Setup, set the artboard to transparent (opacity 0), and then export.
When you print your document, the artboard background will print as well. If your printer cannot print white or if you want a borderless print, you may need to remove the background before printing. Test a small print first to see how your chosen background color appears on paper, since screen colors and printed colors often look different.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my artboard still look white even though I changed the color?
You may have changed the canvas color instead of the artboard color. The canvas is the gray area outside your working surface. To change the actual artboard (the white rectangle), use File > Document Setup > Artboard tab, not Edit > Preferences. If you did use Document Setup and it still looks white, try clicking View > Fit All in Window to refresh your view.
Can I have different background colors on different artboards in the same document?
Yes. Select each artboard individually by clicking its name in the Artboards panel, then open File > Document Setup > Artboard tab and set the color for that artboard. Each artboard can have its own background color, and they will all export or print with their respective colors.
Will my background color print if I print my document?
Yes, the artboard background color will print. If you do not want it to print, open File > Document Setup > Artboard tab and set the artboard to transparent (opacity 0) before printing. The canvas color never prints — only the artboard color does.
What is the difference between the artboard color and the canvas color?
The artboard is your actual working surface (the white rectangle). Its background color exports and prints with your file. The canvas is the gray area surrounding the artboard and is only visible on your screen — it does not export or print. Use artboard color for permanent backgrounds and canvas color for a more comfortable viewing experience while you work.
How do I make my artboard transparent so the background shows through?
Open File > Document Setup > Artboard tab, click the artboard color rectangle, and set the opacity (A value) to 0. This makes the artboard fully transparent. When you export as PNG or another format that supports transparency, the background will be transparent in the final file.