The fastest way to change artboard color

Open the Artboards panel on the right side of your screen. If you do not see it, go to Window > Artboards. Right-click on the artboard you want to change in that panel and select Artboard Options. A dialog box opens. Look for the color swatch next to Color and click it to pick a new color. Click OK when you are done.

That color change affects only the artboard background — the canvas you work on — not any artwork you have already placed on it. The artboard color is purely visual and does not export with your file unless you specifically include it in your export settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click any artboard in the Artboards panel and choose Artboard Options to access the color picker.
  • Artboard color is a workspace setting that helps you see your design against different backgrounds without changing the actual artwork.
  • You can set different colors for different artboards in the same file, which is useful when designing multiple versions or layouts.
  • The artboard color does not appear in your exported file unless you turn on the Artboards option in your export dialog.

Using the Artboards panel to manage multiple artboards

If you have more than one artboard in your file, the Artboards panel shows them all in a list. Each one can have its own background color. This is helpful when you are designing multiple pages, mockups, or variations — you can color-code them so you know at a glance which is which.

Double-click an artboard name in the panel to rename it. Double-click the artboard itself on the canvas to select it and make it active. When an artboard is active, any new objects you create go on that artboard. The active artboard has a thicker border than the others.

What happens when you export with artboard color

By default, when you export your file as a PDF, PNG, or other format, the artboard color does not come with it. Your exported file has a transparent or white background instead. If you want the artboard color to show up in the exported file, you need to change your export settings.

When you go to File > Export As, choose your format and click Export. In the dialog that appears, look for an option called Artboards or Use Artboards and make sure it is checked. For some formats like PDF, you may also see a Transparency option — if you want the artboard color to show, turn off transparency. Test one export first to see if the color appears the way you want it.

Choosing colors that work for your design process

The artboard color you pick should contrast with your artwork so you can see what you are doing. If you are designing a dark logo, a light gray or white artboard makes it visible. If you are working on a light design, a darker artboard helps you spot any areas that blend in.

Some designers use artboard color to simulate the final background their design will sit on. If your design is going on a dark website, set the artboard to dark gray or black while you work. This lets you see how your colors and contrast will actually look in context, rather than guessing.

Resetting artboard color to the default

If you want to go back to the standard white or transparent artboard, open Artboard Options the same way — right-click the artboard in the Artboards panel and select Artboard Options. Click the color swatch and choose white, or click the small trash icon next to the color field to remove the color entirely and return to the default.

You can also set a default artboard color for all new artboards you create. Go to Edit > Preferences > General (on Mac, Illustrator > Preferences > General). Look for the Artboard section and set your preferred default color there. Any artboards you create after that will use the color you chose.

Artboard color versus canvas color

Illustrator also has a separate canvas color, which is the background behind all your artboards. You change this through Edit > Preferences > General and looking for Canvas Color. The canvas color is what you see in the empty space around your artboards when you zoom out. The artboard color is what sits directly behind your artwork on each individual artboard.

Most of the time you only need to change artboard color. Canvas color is useful if you find the default gray distracting, but it does not affect your design or exports at all — it is purely a comfort setting for how your workspace looks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does artboard color show up when I print my file?

No. Artboard color is a screen-only setting. When you print, Illustrator prints only the artwork on the artboard, not the background color. If you want a colored background to print, you need to draw a rectangle behind your artwork and fill it with color.

Can I use a photo or pattern as my artboard background instead of a solid color?

No. Artboard color in Illustrator is limited to solid colors only. If you want a patterned or photographic background to work against, place an image or pattern on a layer below your artwork instead.

Why does my artboard color look different on screen than in my export?

This usually happens because your export settings are not including the artboard color, or because your color profile is different between screen and export. Check that you have turned on the Artboards option in your export dialog, and consider whether your file is using RGB or CMYK color mode.

Can I change the artboard color for just one artboard without affecting the others?

Yes. Each artboard has its own color setting. Right-click the specific artboard you want to change in the Artboards panel and open its Artboard Options. The color you set applies only to that artboard.