The fastest way to change your canvas background

Open your document in Adobe Illustrator, then go to File > Document Setup. In the dialog box that appears, look for the Artboard tab on the left. Under Background Color, check the box next to "White" or "Transparent" — or click the color swatch to open the color picker and choose any color you want. Click OK to explore it.

This method changes the background of your artboard, which is the white or transparent area you see when you open a new file. It does not affect any objects you have already drawn. The change applies to the entire artboard at once.

If you want to change the background color of just one artboard in a multi-artboard document, select that artboard first by clicking on it with the Artboard tool (keyboard shortcut: Shift + O), then follow the same steps.

Key Takeaways

  • The artboard background is set through File > Document Setup > Artboard tab > Background Color checkbox.
  • You can choose white, transparent, or any custom color from the color picker.
  • In documents with multiple artboards, select the specific artboard first using the Artboard tool before changing its background.
  • Changing the artboard background does not affect objects already on the canvas — only the empty space behind them.
  • The background color you set in Document Setup is what prints or exports with your file, unlike the canvas color in the View menu.

Using the View menu to change what you see on screen

If you want to change the background color temporarily while you work — without affecting what prints or exports — use the View menu instead. Go to View > Canvas Color and pick from the preset options: white, light gray, medium gray, dark gray, or black.

Canvas color is different from artboard background color. Canvas color only changes what you see on your screen while working. It does not change what gets printed or exported. This is useful when you are working on a design with a light color scheme and want a darker background to reduce eye strain, or vice versa.

You can also set a custom canvas color by choosing View > Canvas Color > Custom, which opens the color picker. Pick any color and click OK.

Changing the background of a specific object or group

If you want to add a colored background behind text, a logo, or a group of objects, you are not changing the artboard background — you are creating a shape behind those objects. Draw a rectangle with the Rectangle tool (keyboard shortcut: M), position it behind your object, and fill it with the color you want.

To send the rectangle behind your object, right-click it and choose Arrange > Send to Back, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + [ (Windows) or Cmd + [ (Mac). You can remove the stroke (outline) by clicking the stroke color in the toolbar and pressing Delete, or set it to None.

If you have many objects and want them all to sit on a colored background together, select all of them, then go to Object > Group (keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + G or Cmd + G). Then draw your background rectangle and send it to the back of the group.

Exporting with the background color you set

When you export your file as a PDF, PNG, JPG, or other format, Illustrator includes the artboard background color you set in Document Setup. If your artboard background is set to transparent, the exported file will have a transparent background (in formats that support it, like PNG). If it is set to a color, that color will appear in the exported file.

To check what your export will look like before you save it, go to File > Export As, choose your format, and look at the preview. For PNG files, you can also choose whether to include transparency in the export options dialog.

Resetting the background to default

If you want to return the artboard background to its original white or transparent state, go back to File > Document Setup > Artboard tab. Uncheck the Background Color box to make the artboard transparent, or check it and select white from the color swatch.

For canvas color, go to View > Canvas Color and select White to return to the default working view.

Troubleshooting: background color not showing up

If you set a background color in Document Setup but it does not appear on your artboard, check whether the Background Color checkbox is actually checked. It is straightforward to miss — the box must have a checkmark in it for the color to display.

If the checkbox is checked but you still see white or transparency, your artboard background may be set to white or transparent intentionally. Open Document Setup again and click the color swatch next to the checkbox to pick a different color.

If you are changing the canvas color through the View menu and it is not updating, make sure you are not in Outline mode. Go to View > Mode and select RGB or CMYK depending on your document color mode. Outline mode does not display colors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing the background color affect what prints?

Yes, but only if you change the artboard background in Document Setup. The canvas color you set through the View menu does not print — it is only for your screen. If you set an artboard background color and then print, that color will print with your document.

Can I have different background colors on different artboards?

Yes. Select each artboard with the Artboard tool, then go to File > Document Setup and set its background color individually. Each artboard can have its own background color.

What is the difference between artboard background and canvas color?

Artboard background is the actual background of your document and prints or exports with it. Canvas color is only what you see while working and does not affect output. Use artboard background for final designs, canvas color for comfortable working conditions.

How do I make the background transparent instead of white?

Go to File > Document Setup > Artboard tab and uncheck the Background Color box. This makes the artboard transparent. When you export as PNG, the transparent background will be preserved.

Can I change the background color of just the canvas, not the artboard?

Yes. Use View > Canvas Color to change only what you see on screen. This does not affect your artboard or what exports. It is useful for reducing eye strain or improving visibility while you work.