How to create a transparent background in Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator handles transparent backgrounds two ways: toggling the transparency grid when starting a new file, or using Image Trace to remove a white background from an existing image. Linearity Curve does the same in fewer steps: toggle off the background at export, or use the one-tap Background Removal tool. This guide covers both methods in both tools, with step-by-step instructions.

Learn two simple ways to create a transparent background in Illustrator. We'll also show you how to get the same result with Linearity Curve.

While a white background can be useful at times, there are numerous reasons why you might need to remove it and have a transparent background instead.

Adobe Illustrator ’s default setting saves your work with a white background, but you can toggle a setting to change it to a transparent background.

We'll also look at transforming the white background into a transparent one using Linearity Curve.

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We need to examine two use cases in detail. The first one involves starting from scratch with a transparent background and then creating your artwork on top of it.

The second use case is to transform a finished design's white background into a transparent one.

Transparent backgrounds are one of many tasks where Linearity Curve offers a faster workflow than Illustrator. For a full comparison of how common Illustrator tasks map to Curve, see the switching from Illustrator to Curve guide.

Enable a transparent background in Illustrator

Image source: Adobe

Open a new file in Illustrator

The first step you need to take is to create a new file in Illustrator. To do so, click on the “Create new” button on the main panel menu.

You can also open an existing file from the file menu and follow the steps to edit the image file to have a transparent background.

There are two ways you can do that:

• Go to File > Open menu to add the file to your workspace, or
• Drag and drop the file onto your workspace.

‍Show the Transparency Grid

Image source: Adobe

To enable the Illustrator's Transparency Grid and remove the white artboard background saved as a default, go to the View tab at the top menu, scroll down, and select Show Transparency Grid.

The background is now transparent when the white background transforms into a white and gray grid.

‍Create an image

Image source: Adobe

Now that the white background is gone, you can create a new design on the transparent background.‍

Save the file

Image source: Adobe

When you save the final work, the file will also be saved with a transparent background.

Go to File, scroll down, select Export, and then Export As.

You'll have several options for saving your file. PNG, SVG, and TIFF are just some of the most essential transparent file types.

Get started for free

Get started for free

Remove an image's background in Adobe Illustrator

How often have you downloaded an image, thinking it has a transparent background, and you notice it has a white background? It can be annoying, but there's an easy fix.

You won’t need to search tirelessly for another version of the same image with a transparent background. You can still use the same image and remove the unwanted background in Illustrator.

We'll show you how to remove the white background with Illustrator's Image Trace feature.

Image source: Adobe

You can use Image Trace for a variety of functions. For instance, Image Trace can convert raster images (such as JPEG, PNG, PSD file format) to vector images.

You can also use Image Trace from the Trace Window to convert any drawing you have created ( such as a pencil sketch) on paper into a vector form.

‍ Open the image of your choice with Adobe Illustrator.

‍ To check whether the image has a transparent background or not, you'll need to take a look at the transparency grid. To do so, press Ctrl + Shift + D (or Command + Shift + D on Mac).

Image source: Adobe

If the image does not have a transparent background, feel free to continue with the next steps.

Use the Selection Tool to select the image on the artboard. Press V on your keyboard to activate this tool.

Activate Image Trace. Go to the menu bar on the top, click on Window, and select Image Trace.

‍ Change Mode from Black and White to Colored.

‍Then, open the advanced settings by clicking on the triangle right next to it. Once the options appear, check the Ignore White box.

The last step is to click on the Trace button at the bottom right corner of the same window.

Once you follow all these steps, Image Trace will be activated. It will turn your images into vectors and make the background transparent by removing the white color.

Once you have the final version of the file or have reached the stage where you need to export and share it, remember to select the correct file type when you export it.

As mentioned, PNG, SVG, and TIFF are the most common export files for transparent images.

1. Go to the menu bar on the top and select File.
2. Hover on Export and select Export As.
3. Select the export destination of your choice, input the file name, and then select PNG from the Save As menu.

Image source: Adobe

‍ Click Export. The PNG Options window will appear. Go to the preview section and ensure the Background Color is set to Transparent.

Click OK, and you're done.

Image source: Adobe

Image source: Adobe

You can follow the same steps for other types of files you need to export, such as an SVG file.

Before exporting, select the correct file under the Save As menu and set the Background Color to Transparent.

Make a transparent background in Linearity Curve

Linearity Curve handles both transparent background use cases, starting fresh with a transparent canvas, and removing an existing white background from an imported image, with significantly fewer steps than Illustrator.

Use case 1: Starting a new file with a transparent background

In Curve, transparency is the default canvas state. There's no transparency grid to toggle on — the canvas is transparent unless you've added a background fill. When you export, you control whether the background is included or excluded.

On iPad:

1. Open your file in Linearity Curve.
2. Go to the Layers tab in the Inspector on the right.
3. Long press on your artboard and select Export To → PNG (or SVG or PDF — all support transparency).
4. In the export modal, find the Include Background toggle — turn it off.
5. Tap Export. Your file exports with a transparent background.

On Mac:

1. Go to File → Export.
2. Select PNG as the format.
3. In the export settings, untoggle Include Background.
4. Click Export.

Toggle off the white background in Linearity Curve

On iPad, go to the Layers tab in the Inspector on the right.

Long press on your artboard for more options and select Export To > PNG. You can also choose another file type that allows transparency, like SVG or PDF.

A new modal will open with Export options. The white background may be toggled on by default.

You can untoggle Include Background to add a transparent background. Then, tap on Export to finish.

Use case 2: Removing a white background from an imported image — one tap

Where Illustrator requires Image Trace and seven steps to remove a white background from an imported raster image, Linearity Curve does it in one tap.

1. Import your image into Linearity Curve (File → Import, or drag and drop).
2. Select the image on the canvas.
3. In the Inspector panel on the right, tap Remove Background.
4. Curve's AI-powered background removal processes the image and removes the background immediately.
5. Export as PNG to preserve the transparency.

Use case 3: Fine-tuning with the Magic Eraser

For images where the automatic background removal leaves traces, or where you need to remove a specific element rather than the whole background, use the Magic Eraser.

1. Select the image in Linearity Curve.
2. Choose the Magic Eraser tool from the toolbar.
3. Swipe over the area you want to remove.
4. The tool uses machine learning to fill the erased area with matching pixels, making the edit seamless.

The Magic Eraser is ideal for cleaning up edges after background removal, removing objects from within an image, or removing logos and text from product photos.

With our Magic Eraser feature you can quickly and easily remove unwanted elements like blemishes, objects, people, text, and logos from photos. It automatically fills in the empty spaces with matching pixels, making your edits seamless without needing a reshoot.

It’s easy to use: open your photo in Linearity Curve, select the Magic Eraser tool, and swipe over the unwanted area. The tool uses machine learning to analyze and fill in the blank space instantly.

Magic Eraser is perfect for cleaning up personal snapshots, product images, or social media photos.

Get started with Linearity

We can’t wait to see what you design and the creative ways you use transparent backgrounds in your work. If you decide to try Linearity Curve for your designs, tag us on social media. We'd love to share your work as well.

There's also so much more under the hood. Linearity's software suite has all the vector design tools you need to create marketing assets that convert, from social media posts to promo videos.

Learn more about our special pricing for pros, teams, and education.

Comparison: Illustrator vs Linearity Curve for transparent backgrounds

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