How to Change Background Color Using Adobe Illustrator for Beginners

May 27, 2022Ashley Mae

Adobe Illustrator is one of the best vector-graphics editing software around the world. Adobe keeps introducing new features to expand the software. Much like Photoshop, Illustrator relies on layers to edit graphics. When you create a new graphic, the software creates a background artboard, which is the first layer of your paint. By default, the canvas is white, but you can change the background color in Illustrator following our guide below.

Change Background Color Using Illustrator

Part 1: How to Change Background Color in Illustrator
Part 2: Best Alternative to Illustrator to Change BG Color
Part 3: FAQs about Changing Background Color in Illustrator

Part 1: How to Change Background Color in Illustrator

There are at least two ways to change background color in Illustrator, the setup option or creating a new background. To help you understand the procedures, we share the steps respectively.

Way 1: How to Change Background Color in Illustrator Setup

Step 1:

Start your Illustrator and create a new document. Go to the File menu, and choose New. Then the New Document dialog will pop up, set the options according to your need, and click OK.

Step 2:

Next, go to the File menu again, and choose Document Setup this time to display the Document Setup dialog.

Step 3:

Locate the Transparency and Overprint Options section, and tick the checkbox next to Simulate Colored Paper.

Step 4:

Then click on the canvas icon, and you will get the palette dialog. Select your favorite background color, and hit OK.

Step 5:

Now, click the OK button on the Document Setup dialog to confirm the background color change in Illustrator.

Way 2: How to Change Illustrator BG Color with New Background

Step 1:

Also, create a new document in Illustrator.

Step 2:

Choose the Rectangle tool on the left toolbar, and create a rectangle of the same size as the background.

Step 3:

Press the background color icon to trigger the Palette dialog. Here you can pick the desired color. Click the OK button to confirm it.

Step 4:

Next, go to the Windows menu and choose Layers. That will pop up the Layers panel displaying the layers available.

Step 5:

Double-click on the rectangle layer to display the Options dialog. Check the box next to the Lock option, and click the OK button. That will lock the changing of the background color in Illustrator. Then you can make graphics above the rectangle background.

Part 2: Best Alternative to Illustrator to Change BG Color

Is it possible to change the background color after making graphics in Illustrator? Yes. If you have the right tool, you can replace the background color with a new one at any time. Aiseesoft Free Background Remover Online is just the right tool you need. Compared to Adobe Illustrator, this web app is completely free to use. Moreover, it works online and does not ask you to install anything on your computer or mobile device. The built-in AI makes the whole process easier. Here are the steps to get what you want.

Step 1.

Visit https://www.aiseesoft.com/online-bg-remover/ in your web browser, and click the Upload Portrait button to upload the image or graphic that you need to edit.

Step 2.

By default, the web app will detect the main object in the image, and remove the original background automatically. You can use the Keep and Erase tool to adjust it manually.

Step 3.

Head to the Edit tab from the left side, choose the Color tool and select the desired background color. If you want to get more colors, click the three-dot icon to get the palette.

Step 4.

When you are done changing background color with the Illustrator alternative, click the Download button to save the image to your device immediately.

Note: Although the web app is free of charge, it won't add watermarks or other limitations to your images.

Extended Reading:

Part 3: FAQs about Changing Background Color in Illustrator

What is the fastest way to change the background color in Illustrator?

The fastest method is the Simulate Colored Paper setting. It just needs a few clicks, but this way cannot change individual artboards.

Why my simulated background color disappears when I reopen my project in Illustrator?

The Simulate Colored Paper settings will revert to standard after you quit Adobe Illustrator. Therefore, you need to reset it if you intend to have the color again.

How much does Illustrator cost?

The newest Illustrator is only available as a subscription model. It costs $19.99 per month for individuals, students, and teachers. Businesses have to pay $29.99 per month to use it.

Conclusion

For beginners, it is difficult to find the right way to change background color in Adobe Illustrator. Fortunately, you should learn at least two approaches to replace the standard background color with your favorite one. Bear in mind that the Simulate Colored Paper settings require you to reset every time you reopen the project. Of course, you can try the alternative solution, Aiseesoft Free Background Remover Online. More questions? Please contact us by leaving a message below.

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