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, look for Artboard settings. Click the small arrow next to Background Color to expand it, then click the color swatch to open the color picker. Choose your color and click OK.

This method changes the artboard background — the visible canvas area where you work. It is the most common approach because it affects what you see while designing and what prints or exports with your file. The change applies to the current artboard only if you have multiple artboards in one document.

If you do not see the Artboard panel on the right, go to Window menu and select Artboard to open it. The panel will appear as a docked window on the right side of your screen.

Key Takeaways

  • The Artboard panel in Document Setup is where you change the background color that appears on your canvas and in exports.
  • You can set a different background color for each artboard if your document contains multiple artboards.
  • The background color you set in Artboard settings is separate from object fill colors and does not affect shapes or text you have already drawn.
  • If the Artboard panel is not visible, open it through the Window menu to access background color controls.

Changing background color for a single artboard

When you have one artboard and want to change only its background, the Artboard panel method is the direct route. Open File > Document Setup, then locate the Artboard section on the right side. You will see a row of settings including Background Color with a small colored square next to it.

Click that colored square to open the color picker. You can enter a hex code, use the color slider, or click anywhere in the color spectrum to select. Once you have chosen your color, click OK to explore it. The artboard background updates when ready, and the new color will appear in any export or print of that artboard.

Setting different backgrounds for multiple artboards

If your document has more than one artboard, each can have its own background color. Click on the artboard you want to modify in the Artboards panel (open it via Window > Artboard if it is not visible). The panel shows a list of all artboards in your document.

Once you have selected the artboard, open File > Document Setup again and change the background color in the Artboard settings. Only the selected artboard changes. Repeat this for each artboard you want a different background on. This is useful when you are designing multiple pages or variations of the same layout.

Why the background color does not always show

If you set a background color but do not see it on your canvas, check your view settings. Go to View menu and make sure Hide Artboards is not checked. If it is checked, the artboard outline and background are hidden from view, though they still exist in your file.

Another reason the background may not appear is if you have objects covering the entire artboard. Select all objects with Ctrl+A (Windows) or Cmd+A (Mac) and move them aside temporarily to see the background. You can also lower the opacity of objects to see the background through them.

Exporting with your chosen background color

When you export your file as PNG, JPG, or PDF, the background color you set in Artboard settings will be included in the export by default. Go to File > Export As, choose your format, and click Export. In the export options dialog that appears, make sure Artboard is selected (not Selection) so the full artboard including the background is included.

For PNG and JPG exports, the background color becomes part of the image. For PDF, the background color is preserved in the PDF file. If you want to export without a background — for example, to place the design over a different background later — you can temporarily set the artboard background to transparent before exporting, then change it back afterward.

Using transparency instead of a solid color

If you want a transparent background instead of a solid color, open File > Document Setup and look at the Artboard settings. Click the Background Color swatch and in the color picker, set the opacity (Alpha value) to 0. This makes the artboard background transparent.

A transparent background is useful when you plan to place your design on top of other images or backgrounds in another program. When you export as PNG with a transparent background, the background area will show as transparent in programs that support it, like Photoshop or web browsers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the background color of just one object instead of the whole artboard?

Yes, but that is a different task. To change the background of a single shape or object, select it and use the Fill color in the toolbar or the Color panel. The artboard background color affects the entire canvas area behind all objects.

Does changing the artboard background color affect my existing artwork?

No. The artboard background is a separate layer that sits behind all your objects. Changing it does not alter any shapes, text, or images you have already created. You can change the background color as many times as you want without affecting your work.

What if I want the background to be a gradient instead of a solid color?

The Artboard background color setting only accepts solid colors. To use a gradient background, create a rectangle that covers the entire artboard, fill it with a gradient, and send it to the back using Object > Arrange > Send to Back. Lock it so you do not accidentally move it while working.

Will the background color print if I print my Illustrator file?

Yes, the artboard background color will print along with your artwork. If you do not want it to print, set the background to transparent or delete the background before printing. You can always undo the change afterward.