The artboard background color is separate from your document color mode
The background you see behind your artwork in Illustrator is called the artboard, and changing its color is different from changing how your file will print or export. The artboard background is mostly for your own workspace — it helps you see your design clearly while you work, but it does not automatically change what color prints or exports unless you specifically add a background shape to your design.
To change what you see on screen, you adjust the artboard color through the Preferences menu. To change what actually prints or exports with your design, you add a rectangle shape behind your artwork and color that instead. This guide covers both approaches so you know which one solves your actual problem.
Key Takeaways
- The artboard background (what you see on screen) changes in Preferences > User Interface, where you can pick from preset colors or set a custom color.
- If you want a colored background to print or export with your design, you must draw a rectangle shape, send it to the back, and color it — the artboard color alone will not export.
- Artboard background changes apply to all open documents, while a background shape affects only that single file.
- You can also change the canvas color (the area outside the artboard) separately from the artboard itself if you want visual contrast.
Changing the artboard background through Preferences
Open the Preferences window by going to Illustrator > Preferences > User Interface on Mac, or Edit > Preferences > User Interface on Windows. In the User Interface panel, look for the section labeled "Artboard" or "Canvas and Artboard".
You will see a color swatch next to "Artboard Background Color" or similar wording depending on your Illustrator version. Click that swatch to open the color picker. You can choose from preset colors like white, light gray, dark gray, or black, or click the color field to open a full color picker where you can enter specific RGB or hex values. Once you select a color, click OK to apply it.
This change affects all documents you open in Illustrator going forward, not just the current file. If you want different artboard colors for different projects, you will need to change this setting each time you switch files.
Adding a background shape that exports with your design
If you need a colored background to actually appear in your exported file or print, the artboard color alone will not do it. Instead, draw a rectangle that covers your entire artboard, fill it with your chosen color, and send it behind your artwork.
First, select the Rectangle tool from the left toolbar (or press M). Click and drag to create a rectangle that covers the full artboard. If you want it to be exactly the artboard size, you can draw any rectangle, then go to Object > Transform > Reset Bounding Box to snap it to the artboard edges precisely.
With the rectangle selected, choose your background color by clicking the fill color swatch in the toolbar or using the Color panel. Then send the rectangle to the back by right-clicking it and selecting Arrange > Send to Back, or by pressing Shift + Ctrl + [ on Windows or Shift + Command + [ on Mac. Lock the background layer so you do not accidentally move or edit it while working on your design.
Changing the canvas color separately from the artboard
The canvas is the area outside your artboard — the gray or dark space you see around the edges. You can change this separately from the artboard background if you want visual contrast. Go to Illustrator > Preferences > User Interface (Mac) or Edit > Preferences > User Interface (Windows) and look for "Canvas Color" or "Background Color".
Click that swatch and choose a new color. A darker canvas can make a light artboard stand out more, or vice versa. This is purely visual and does not affect what exports or prints — it only changes what you see while working.
Why your background color might not export or print
If you changed the artboard background color in Preferences but it does not appear in your exported file, that is because the artboard background is a workspace feature only. To fix this, add a background rectangle as described in the section above, or check your export settings.
When you export to PDF, PNG, or another format, go to File > Export, choose your format, and click the Settings button. Look for an option like "Transparency" or "Background Color" and make sure it is set to include a background. If the option is grayed out, you need to add an actual shape to your design instead of relying on the artboard color.
Resetting the artboard background to default
If you want to return the artboard background to its original color, go back to Preferences > User Interface and click the color swatch next to Artboard Background Color. Select the default option, usually white or light gray depending on your Illustrator version and theme. Click OK to apply it.
If you have added a background rectangle to your design and want to remove it, simply select the rectangle and delete it. This will not affect the artboard background color setting in Preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing the artboard background color affect how my design prints?
No. The artboard background is only what you see on screen while working. To add a background that prints, you must draw a rectangle shape, color it, and send it to the back of your design. The artboard color setting in Preferences does not print or export.
Can I have different background colors for different artboards in the same file?
The artboard background color in Preferences applies to all artboards in all open files. However, you can add individual background rectangles to each artboard in your design, and each rectangle can be a different color. This way each artboard has its own background that will export with it.
Why does my background color look different on screen than in the exported file?
If you used the artboard background color from Preferences, it will not appear in the export at all. If you added a background rectangle, the color might look different due to color mode or export settings. Check that your document is in RGB or CMYK depending on where the file will be used, and verify your export color settings match.
Can I make the artboard background transparent?
The artboard background in Preferences must be a solid color — you cannot make it transparent. However, when you export to a format like PNG that supports transparency, you can leave the background empty (no rectangle shape) and the transparent areas will show through. The artboard background color does not affect this.
How do I change the background color for just one document?
The Preferences setting changes the background for all documents. To have a unique background for one file only, add a background rectangle to that specific design instead of changing Preferences. This way the color stays with that file and does not affect other projects.