Change a Background in Adobe Illustrator

In Adobe Illustrator, there are two ways to change the background color of your artboard. Creating a background layer will permanently change the color of your artboard. If you choose to alter the color of the artboard itself, note that this change will only appear within Adobe Illustrator. It will not appear on any exported or hard copy versions of your project.

Steps

Creating a Background Layer

  1. Make a rectangle the size of your artboard. The only way to permanently change the color of your background is to create a separate background layer. If you simply change the background color, the color will disappear when you print your artwork. To create a background layer:
    • Select the “Rectangle Tool” in the left tool bar. (Right column, fourth item from the top).
    • Place your cursor in the upper left corner of the artboard.
    • Click and drag your cursor to create a rectangle that is the exact size of your artboard.[1]
  2. Fill in the rectangle with color. Locate the “Fill Tool” (fourth column up from the bottom of the tool bar). Double-click on the tool to make a “Color Palette” dialogue box appear. Select your color from the color palette. Click “Ok” to set the background color.[1]
  3. Lock the layer in place. As you create your artwork, you will want the background to remain static. This is achieved by locking the layer in place.
    • Locate the “Layer” panel to the right of your screen. If it is not visible, click on “Window” and select “Layers” from the drop down menu.
    • The rectangle should be listed as “Layer 1.” As you add more layers, “Layer 1” needs to remain at the bottom of the list.
    • Click on the blank box next to the “Eye” icon to lock the layer in place.[2]

Altering the Color of the Artboard

  1. Open “Document Setup.” While it is possible to alter the color of the artboard itself, this change is only visible in the digital version of the project. The altered artboard color will not appear in any printed versions of your work. Select “File” and choose “Document Setup” from the drop down menu.[1]
    • This change only exists within Adobe Illustrator. When you print or export your project, the artboard will revert to its original white color. To change the background color permanently, you need to create a separate background layer.
  2. Change the transparency settings. Locate the “Transparency” section. Check the box next to “Simulate Colored Paper.
    • The “Simulate Colored Paper” feature mimics actual paper. The darker the paper, the darker your artwork will appear. If you set the background color to black, your artwork would disappear because it would not be visible on real black paper.[3]
  3. Change the background color. Within the “Transparency” section, locate the white rectangle. Click on the white rectangle to open up a “Color Palette” dialogue box. Select a color from the palette and click “Ok.” To save the changes you made to the artboard, click “Ok” again.[3]
    • Even though you saved the changes, the new artboard color only exists within Adobe Illustrator. If you print or export your work, the artboard will revert to its original white color. Creating a separate background layer is the only way to permanently change the background color.



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Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gFxJ78I6aY
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V91XOSV7PE
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/seven-helpful-techniques-that-every-adobe-illustrator-artist-should-know--vector-36, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gFxJ78I6aY
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