You can change the background color displayed behind your artboard in Illustrator by using the "Simulate Color Paper" option in the Document Setup settings.
While the artboard itself is typically transparent unless you export it with a background, Illustrator allows you to simulate the appearance of working on colored paper. This can be helpful for visualizing how your design will look on a non-white background without affecting the actual artwork transparency.
Steps to Change the Artboard Background Color
Based on the provided information, here's how to adjust the background color seen in your Illustrator workspace:
- Open Document Setup: Access the Document Setup menu. You can do this by pressing the keyboard shortcut Alt + Control + P (Windows) or Option + Command + P (macOS). Alternatively, navigate to File > Document Setup... in the menu bar.
- Enable Simulation: In the Document Setup dialog box, locate and tick the box labeled "Simulate Color Paper". This option tells Illustrator to display a colored background instead of the default transparent checkerboard or white.
- Choose Your Color: Once "Simulate Color Paper" is enabled, you will see options to change the colors of the checkerboard grid (which is now acting as your simulated paper). You can select a color from the swatches or use the color picker to choose whatever color you'd like your artboard background to appear as.
By following these steps, you effectively change the visual background of your workspace to simulate colored paper, helping you design in context.
Important Note: Using the "Simulate Color Paper" feature only changes the color displayed behind your artboard within the Illustrator application. It does not add a background layer to your artwork or change the transparency of the artboard itself. When you export your file, the simulated color will not be included unless you specifically add a background shape or layer to your design.
