How to Change the Background in Adobe Illustrator: Methods and Tips

Adobe Illustrator is a powerful tool used by designers to create vector-based graphics. One of the common questions among users is how to change the white background to another color. Here’s a detailed guide with three methods to achieve this.

Method 1: Change the Artboard Color

This method involves modifying the Artboard's background color.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Select the Artboard Tool: Use the shortcut Shift O or select the Artboard Tool from the toolbar. Select the Artboard: Click on the specific Artboard you want to change. Change the Background Color: Go to the Properties panel on the right. Find the Artboard Options section and click on it. Change the Background Color to your preferred color.

Method 2: Create a Rectangle for Background

Another approach is to create a custom background using a rectangle.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Create a New Layer: Go to the Layers panel (Window Layers) and create a new layer. Draw a Rectangle: Select the Rectangle Tool (M) and click and drag to create a rectangle that covers the entire artboard. Fill the Rectangle: With the rectangle selected, go to the Fill color in the toolbar or the Color panel. Choose Background Color: Select your desired background color. Send the Rectangle to the Back: Right-click the rectangle, select Arrange, and choose Send to Back. This will place your rectangle behind all other artwork.

Method 3: Change the Document Color Settings

This method involves changing the document settings to a colored background.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Open Document Color Mode: Go to File Document Color Mode and choose either RGB or CMYK based on your needs. Set the Background Color: If you want a colored background, ensure you have a colored rectangle as described in Method 2.

Note: The default background in Illustrator is transparent. For a seamless editing experience, creating a rectangle as described in Method 2 is recommended.

Changing the Interface Background Color

Changing the interface background color can also be done:

Step-by-Step Guide:

Open Illustrator Preferences: Go to Edit Preferences User Interface. Change Brightness of Interface: Adjust the brightness to suit your preference. Change Art Board Background Color: Create a new layer with the same measurements as your art board which can serve as your new background. Fill the new layer with your choice of color.

By following these methods, you can effectively change the background color in your Illustrator project. If you have further questions, feel free to ask!