How to Change the Background Colour in Adobe Illustrator

The fastest way to change your canvas background

Open the File menu, select Document Setup, and look for the Artboard tab on the right side of the dialog box. Click the small square next to Background Color to open the colour picker, choose your colour, and click OK. The canvas behind your artwork will change when ready.

This method changes the colour you see while working in Illustrator, but it does not affect what prints or exports. The background colour is purely visual — it helps you see your design against a different shade while you work, which is useful when designing for dark backgrounds or checking contrast.

If you want the background colour to be part of your final artwork (so it prints or exports with your design), you will need to create a rectangle shape instead. That process is covered in the section below.

Key Takeaways

The Document Setup background colour is visual only and does not print or export with your file.
To create a background that exports with your design, draw a rectangle, fill it with colour, and send it to the back layer.
You can change the artboard background from the File menu without affecting any objects on your canvas.
The colour picker in Document Setup lets you choose from the full colour spectrum or paste a hex code directly.

Creating a background that exports with your design

If you need the background colour to be part of your final file, create a rectangle shape instead of using the Document Setup option. Select the Rectangle Tool from the left toolbar (or press M), then click and drag to draw a rectangle that covers your entire artboard.

With the rectangle still selected, open the Fill panel on the right side and click the colour square to choose your background colour. The rectangle will fill with that colour when ready. Now you need to send it behind all your other artwork: right-click the rectangle and select Arrange > Send to Back. The rectangle will move to the bottom layer, and your design will sit on top of it.

This background rectangle will print and export with your file. When you export as PDF, PNG, or any other format, the coloured background comes along. This is the method to use when you are designing a poster, social media graphic, or any piece where the background colour is part of the final product.

Using the Appearance panel to add a document-wide background

Another approach is to add a fill to the artboard itself through the Appearance panel. First, click on the artboard (the white rectangle outline, not any object on it). Open the Window menu and select Appearance if the panel is not already visible.

In the Appearance panel, click the Fill row and choose your colour from the colour picker. This method colours the artboard without creating a separate shape, which keeps your layers cleaner. However, the artboard background still does not export by default — it is mainly useful for changing what you see while working.

Changing background colour for different artboards

If your document has multiple artboards, each one can have its own background colour. Click on the artboard you want to change (click its name in the Artboards panel on the right, or click the artboard outline itself), then open File > Document Setup and change the background colour as described in the first section.

The colour change applies only to the artboard you selected. This is useful when you are designing multiple pages or variations and want each one to have a different working background. Switch between artboards by clicking their names in the Artboards panel, and each will retain its own background colour.

Exporting with a background colour

When you export your file, the Document Setup background colour will not be included unless you have created a shape or filled the artboard itself. If you want the background to appear in your exported file, make sure you have drawn a rectangle or used the Appearance panel method described above.

When you export, go to File > Export As, choose your format (PDF, PNG, JPG, etc.), and click Export. In the export options dialog, look for a Background Color or Transparency option depending on your format. For PNG files, you can choose whether to include transparency or a solid background. For PDF and print formats, any coloured rectangle or artboard fill will be included automatically.

Common mistakes when changing background colour

The most common mistake is changing the background colour in Document Setup and then expecting it to print or export. Remember: that colour is for your screen only. If the background needs to be in your final file, create a rectangle shape or fill the artboard through the Appearance panel.

Another mistake is forgetting to send the background rectangle to the back. If you draw a rectangle and it covers your entire design, right-click it when ready and choose Arrange > Send to Back. If you forget this step, your artwork will be hidden behind the coloured rectangle.

A third issue is drawing the rectangle too small. Make sure it covers the entire artboard — extend it beyond the edges if needed, or use the rectangle tool to draw from one corner of the artboard to the opposite corner for a perfect fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the background colour I set in Document Setup print?

No. The background colour in Document Setup is visual only and appears on your screen while you work. It will not print or export with your file. To create a background that prints, draw a rectangle filled with colour and send it to the back layer.

How do I make the background transparent instead of white?

Click on the artboard, open the Appearance panel, and click the Fill row. At the top of the colour picker, click the None button (the empty square icon). The artboard will become transparent, shown as a checkerboard pattern in Illustrator. When you export as PNG, the transparent areas will remain transparent.

Can I have different background colours on different pages?

Yes. Each artboard can have its own background colour. Select the artboard you want to change, open File > Document Setup, and set the colour. Switch between artboards using the Artboards panel on the right, and each will keep its own colour.

What if I want a gradient background instead of a solid colour?

Create a rectangle that covers your artboard, then open the Fill panel and click the gradient icon instead of the solid colour square. Choose or create your gradient, and send the rectangle to the back. Gradients will export and print with your file when applied this way.

How do I remove a background colour I added?

If you created a rectangle, select it and press Delete. If you filled the artboard through the Appearance panel, click the artboard, open Appearance, click the Fill row, and click the None button (empty square icon) at the top of the colour picker.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.