The fastest way to change your canvas background
Open the File menu, select Document Setup, and click the Edit Artboard button in the dialog that appears. In the Artboard panel on the right side of your screen, look for the Background Color checkbox — tick it, then click the color swatch next to it to open the color picker. Choose your color and click OK. The artboard background updates when ready.
This method changes only the artboard background — the canvas you see while working. It does not affect the actual artwork or any objects you have drawn. The background color you set here is what prints or exports with your file unless you specifically remove it before saving.
Key Takeaways
- The artboard background color is set through File > Document Setup > Edit Artboard, then enabled in the Artboard panel on the right.
- Enabling the background color checkbox makes the background visible and printable; unchecking it removes the background without deleting your artwork.
- The color picker in the Artboard panel lets you choose any color, including custom swatches or hex values you type directly.
- Changing the artboard background does not affect objects already on the canvas — it only changes what sits behind them.
Opening the Document Setup dialog
Go to the File menu at the top of your screen. Click it to open the dropdown menu. You will see Document Setup listed near the top, usually above Print and below New. Click Document Setup.
A dialog box opens showing your current artboard settings. Look for the button labeled Edit Artboard — it is usually on the right side of the dialog. Click it to move to the artboard editing panel. If you do not see this button, make sure you have an artboard selected on your canvas (click once on the artboard edge to select it).
Finding and enabling the background color option
Once you click Edit Artboard, the Artboard panel appears on the right side of your workspace. Scroll down in this panel until you see the Background Color option. It appears as a checkbox followed by a color swatch.
The checkbox is unchecked by default, which means your artboard has no background color — it appears white or transparent depending on your view settings. Click the checkbox to enable the background color. Once checked, a color swatch appears next to it, usually showing white or the last color you selected.
Choosing your background color
Click the color swatch next to the Background Color checkbox. The color picker window opens. You can choose a color in several ways: click anywhere in the color gradient square on the left, use the vertical hue bar on the right, or type a specific hex value into the field at the bottom if you know the exact color code you want.
If you have already created color swatches in your document, they appear in a list within the color picker. Click any swatch to explore that color when ready. Once you have selected your color, click OK or press Enter to confirm. The artboard background updates when ready on your canvas.
Removing the background color
To remove the background color without affecting your artwork, return to the Artboard panel and uncheck the Background Color checkbox. The background disappears, but all objects on your artboard remain exactly as they were. You can re-enable the background at any time by checking the box again.
If you want to change the background color later, straightforward click the color swatch again and select a new color. You do not need to uncheck and recheck the box — just click the swatch and pick a different color from the picker.
What happens when you export or print
If the Background Color checkbox is enabled when you export your file as PDF, PNG, or another format, the background color is included in the exported image. If the checkbox is unchecked, the background will be transparent (in formats that support transparency like PNG) or white (in formats like JPG that do not support transparency).
When you print your document, the background color prints if it is enabled. If you want to print only your artwork without a background, uncheck the Background Color box before printing, then re-enable it afterward if you want to keep working with the background visible.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is looking for background color options in the wrong place. Some users check the Appearance panel or try to change the workspace background (the gray area around the artboard) instead of the artboard background itself. The artboard background is always set through File > Document Setup > Edit Artboard.
Another mistake is forgetting to check the Background Color checkbox. If you select a color but the checkbox remains unchecked, the background will not appear on your canvas or in exports. Always verify that the checkbox is ticked before assuming the color did not explore.
Do not confuse the artboard background with the workspace background. The workspace background is the gray area surrounding your artboard and is controlled by your process preferences, not by document settings. Only the artboard background — the area inside the artboard boundary — is affected by the steps above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have different background colors on different artboards?
Yes. Each artboard in your document can have its own background color. Select one artboard, open Document Setup, click Edit Artboard, and set the background color. Then select a different artboard and repeat the process with a different color. Each artboard remembers its own background setting independently.
Why does my background color look different on screen than in the exported file?
Your monitor's color profile and brightness settings affect how colors appear on screen. The actual color in your file is what you see in the exported image. If the difference is significant, check your monitor calibration or adjust the color in the color picker using the hex value field for precise control.
Does the background color affect the transparency of my artwork?
No. The background color sits behind your artwork and does not change how transparent or opaque your objects are. If you have transparent objects, they will remain transparent regardless of the background color you choose.
Can I use a gradient or pattern as the artboard background?
The artboard background color option only accepts solid colors. To use a gradient or pattern as a background, create a rectangle on a layer below your artwork, fill it with your gradient or pattern, and lock that layer so you do not accidentally move it while working.
What if the Edit Artboard button does not appear?
Make sure you have clicked on the artboard itself to select it — click the edge or corner of the artboard on your canvas. If no artboard is selected, the Edit Artboard button may be grayed out or missing. Once the artboard is selected (you will see a blue border around it), the button should appear in the Document Setup dialog.