The fastest way to change your canvas background

Open the File menu, select Document Setup, and click the Edit Artboard button. In the panel that opens on the right side, look for Artboard settings. Click the small arrow next to Color to open the color picker, choose your color, and click outside the panel to explore it. This changes the background you see while working—the color that appears behind your artwork on screen.

If you want to change only the artboard background (the white or colored rectangle that represents your canvas), this is the method to use. The artboard background is what you see in Illustrator while you work, and it does not affect what prints or exports unless you specifically include it in your file.

Key Takeaways

  • The artboard background color is changed through File > Document Setup > Edit Artboard, then adjusting the Color setting in the Artboard panel on the right.
  • Changing the artboard background only affects what you see on screen while working; it does not change the actual background of your artwork.
  • If you want a colored background to be part of your final artwork, you must create a rectangle shape behind your other objects and fill it with color instead.
  • The canvas background (the gray area outside the artboard) is controlled separately through Illustrator > Preferences on Mac or Edit > Preferences on Windows, under User Interface.

Changing the artboard background through Document Setup

The Document Setup dialog is the main place to control what color your artboard shows. Go to File at the top of the screen and click it. Scroll down until you see Document Setup and click it. A dialog box will open showing your document settings.

Look for the Edit Artboard button in this dialog—it is usually near the bottom. Click it, and a panel labeled Artboard will appear on the right side of your screen. Find the row labeled Color and click the small colored square or dropdown arrow next to it. A color picker will open. Select the color you want, then click anywhere outside the panel to close it and explore the change.

Creating a colored background that exports with your file

If you want a background color to be part of your final artwork when you save or export it, you cannot rely on the artboard background alone. Instead, you must draw a rectangle shape and place it behind all your other objects.

Select the Rectangle Tool from the toolbar on the left side of the screen. Click and drag to draw a rectangle that covers your entire artboard. With the rectangle still selected, open the Fill panel (usually on the right side, or go to Window > Fill if it is not visible). Click the color square in the Fill panel and choose your background color. Then right-click the rectangle and select Arrange > Send to Back so it sits behind all your other artwork. Now when you export or save your file, the colored background will be included.

Changing the canvas background (the gray area outside the artboard)

The gray area that surrounds your artboard is called the canvas background. This is different from the artboard background itself. To change it, go to Illustrator on Mac (or Edit on Windows) and select Preferences.

In the Preferences window, click User Interface on the left side. Look for the section labeled Canvas Color and click the color square next to it. Choose a new color from the picker that opens. Click OK to save your preference. The canvas background will change the next time you open Illustrator or create a new document. This setting affects all your documents, not just the one you are currently working on.

Common mistakes when changing background colors

The most common mistake is changing the artboard background color and then expecting it to appear in an exported PDF or image file. Remember: the artboard background is only for your viewing comfort while you work. If you need a background in your final file, create a rectangle shape and fill it with color instead.

Another mistake is confusing the artboard background with the canvas background. If you change the canvas background through Preferences, it affects every document you open in Illustrator going forward. If you only want to change the background for one specific document, use the artboard background method instead.

A third issue happens when you draw a background rectangle but forget to send it to the back. Your rectangle will sit on top of your artwork and hide it. Always use Arrange > Send to Back after creating a background shape.

Why you might want different background colors

Changing your artboard background can reduce eye strain if you work for long periods. A light gray or off-white background is easier on the eyes than pure white. Some designers prefer a darker background to make bright colors in their artwork stand out more clearly.

If you are designing for print, you might want your artboard background to match the paper color you will use, so you can see how your colors will look on that specific paper. If you are designing for screen, a darker background can help you see how your design will appear against a dark website or app background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the artboard background color show up when I print my document?

No. The artboard background is only visible on your screen while you work in Illustrator. When you print or export your file, the background will not be included unless you create a rectangle shape and fill it with color. The artboard background is purely for your convenience while designing.

Can I have different background colors for different artboards in the same document?

Yes. Click on each artboard individually, then go to File > Document Setup > Edit Artboard and change the Color setting for that specific artboard. Each artboard can have its own background color independent of the others.

How do I change the background back to white?

Go to File > Document Setup > Edit Artboard, click the Color dropdown, and select white from the color picker. If you want the default light gray canvas background, go to Illustrator (or Edit on Windows) > Preferences > User Interface and set Canvas Color back to the default gray.

What if the artboard background color option is grayed out?

This usually means you are not in Edit Artboard mode. Make sure you clicked the Edit Artboard button in the Document Setup dialog. If it is still grayed out, try clicking directly on your artboard with the selection tool first, then opening Document Setup again.

Can I use a pattern or image as the artboard background instead of a solid color?

The artboard background setting only accepts solid colors. If you want a patterned or image background, create a rectangle that covers your artboard, fill it with a pattern or place an image inside it, and send it to the back using Arrange > Send to Back.