How to Remove a Background in Adobe Illustrator: The Ultimate Guide

Understanding background removal in Adobe Illustrator

Background removal in Illustrator is a totally different process from that in Photoshop or other raster-based tools. Since Illustrator is a vector editing program, there is no background layer that can be simply deleted with an eraser. Removing the background involves merely selecting the items you want to keep, while the rest are removed or hidden. This method not only keeps your graphics clean but also allows them to be resized, which is a key factor in professional design.

Designers frequently require background removal in case of logos, eliminating white background backdrops, taking out objects from the scanned artwork, or creating transparent PNGs for websites and e-commerce. The point is to make your creations adaptable so that they can be easily placed on different backgrounds without any visible edges or color blocks.

The three different ways you can go about removing the background in Illustrator are:

• Deleting – Techniques for removing the background of simple vector shapes or areas with solid color, where it is possible to directly delete the background without affecting the object.
• Masking – A non-destructive method that utilizes clipping masks to cover up the background, making it perfect for highly detailed works or layered designs.
• Tracing – Employing the Image Trace feature to change raster images (e.g., JPEGs or PNGs) into editable vectors and then cutting out the unwanted parts of the background

Using these methods will let you decide the most suitable way to handle the task, whether it is for cleaning up a logo, preparing marketing visuals, or converting a flat image into a flexible design asset.

Methods to remove background in Illustrator

Illustrator doesn't have a one-click option specifically for removing background layers. The best solution in this case depends on what kind of art you want to remove the background from. Different methods allow you to get a transparent background with other types of images while working in Illustrator. Let's find out methods to remove the image background in Illustrator:

Method 1: Using the transparency panel (For simple backgrounds)

If images have simple or solid backgrounds, the Transparency panel in Illustrator provides a fast method to get rid of the areas that you don't want to be seen. It is possible to have the background as an invisible one without the need to erase it physically by making an opacity mask. This technique does not damage the original image, allowing for the possibility of changing parameters or undoing the action at any time – ideal for product shots, flat designs, or graphics with well-defined edges.

Let's explore how to delete a background in Illustrator:

STEP 1
1. Place your image into Illustrator (File > Place) and select it.
STEP 2
2. Open the "Transparency" panel by going to Window > Transparency.

STEP 3
1. In the panel, click on the "Make Mask" button. Your image will now be linked with an opacity mask.

STEP 4
1. With the mask selected, use the "Brush Tool" or "Shape Tool" to paint black over the background you want to hide. (Black conceals areas, white reveals them.)
STEP 5
2. Adjust the mask as needed until the background is fully hidden. You can always return to the mask for refinements. Save or export your design as a PNG with a transparent background.

Method 2: Using the pen tool (For precision cutouts)

The pen tool is your best choice if you want the most exact control over removing or retaining parts of the picture. You can use it to define exact paths around the item you want to leave, so it is perfect for intricate shapes, trademarks, or photographs in which even the newest cutting tools fail to achieve a clean result. The quality of these products is guaranteed, even though this way is more time-consuming. Let's find out how to remove background in Illustrator using pen tools:

STEP 1
1. Import your image into Illustrator and select the "Pen Tool (P)" from the toolbar. Carefully click around the object to create anchor points, tracing its outline. Use as many points as needed for smooth curves and accuracy.

STEP 2
1. Once you've closed the path (by connecting the last point to the first), you'll have a precise vector shape around your subject.
STEP 3
2. Select both the image and your drawn path, then right-click and choose "Make Clipping Mask." This hides everything outside the path, leaving only your isolated object.

STEP 4
1. If adjustments are needed, use the "Direct Selection Tool (A)" to tweak anchor points and refine the cutout. Save or export your file as a PNG or SVG to keep the transparent background.

Method 3: Using the eraser tool and shape builder tool

If you want to remove the background from a vector image fast and easily with your own hands, you can use the Eraser tool and the Shape Builder tool. These tools are best suited to the works of art of a little complexity, vector logos, or simple shapes, from which the user is able to erase or merge parts by hand. In contrast to masking, this way is non-reversible; that is, it deletes those parts of the image that are hidden, but it provides you with closer control when removing the sections that are not needed.

STEP 1
1. Open your vector file (AI, SVG, or EPS) in Illustrator. Select the "Eraser Tool" (Shift + E) and drag over the areas of the background you want to remove. This will cut away vector shapes directly.
STEP 2
2. For more precision, draw shapes over the background areas with the "Shape Tool" (Rectangle, Ellipse, or Pen Tool). Select both the drawn shape and your artwork, then go to the "Shape Builder Tool (Shift + M)."
STEP 3
3. Hold down Alt (Windows) / Option (Mac) and click on the unwanted background sections to remove them. Once cleaned, refine edges if needed, and save/export your file with a transparent background.

Method 4: Using clipping masks

One of the most flexible methods for getting rid of or hiding the background from your Illustrator is a clipping mask. Simply due to the fact that a clipping mask does not remove any pixels of the image, but rather it visually hides those that are outside of the specified shape, it gives a clean and non-destructive cutout. Such a method is extremely handy when you want to fragment an image, take a close-up of a product, or even disentangle a complex vector file, all without making any permanent changes to the source file.

STEP 1
1. Place your image or artwork into Illustrator (File > Place). Select the "Pen Tool (P)" or a "Shape Tool" (like Ellipse or Rectangle) to draw a path around the object you want to keep. Make sure the shape completely covers the area you want visible.
STEP 2
2. Select both the image and the shape by holding Shift and clicking on them. Right-click and choose "Make Clipping Mask."

STEP 3
1. Adjust the path if needed using the "Direct Selection Tool (A)" to refine edges.

How to remove the background in Illustrator to PNG

Going to Illustrator, just deleting the background, is not everything. To keep the transparency in your artwork, you must also save it correctly. If you save it the wrong way, the background of your design will still be there, only it will be white or a solid color. Saving as a transparent PNG is the best way to ensure that your work is compatible with different systems and that it is clean. Here is how to remove the background in Adobe Illustrator and export it as a PNG:

STEP 1
1. Go to the top menu and select File > Export > Export As….
STEP 2
2. In the dialog box, choose "PNG" from the format dropdown list and select your desired destination folder.
STEP 3
3. In the "PNG Options" dialog that appears, set the "Background Color" to "Transparent." This ensures no white or solid fill appears behind your design.
STEP 4
4. Choose the appropriate resolution:

72 ppi for digital or web graphics.

300 ppi for high-quality print projects.

STEP 5
1. Click "OK" to save your artwork as a transparent PNG.

Although Adobe Illustrator provides various methods to remove image backgrounds, it does not serve videos. Therefore, when you need to remove video backgrounds, you need a comprehensive tool, CapCut is a good choice, which allows users to automatically remove backgrounds for videos and images.

Efficient alternative to remove image & video background: CapCut

CapCut desktop video editor comes in as a powerful yet easy-to-use and comprehensive alternative for both image and video background removal. In a single step, you can get rid of the backgrounds that you don't want and make transparent visuals without going through complicated paths, masks, or using tracing tools. As a result, whatever your needs are, e.g., product photos coming, promotional clips editing, or social media content enhancing; CapCut is there to make you work faster and easier. Try CapCut today and experience effortless background removal for all your images and videos.

Key features

• AI background remover: CapCut's AI background remover allows you to instantly and automatically erase backgrounds from images and videos with AI precision in one click.
• Custom background removal: Users can manually select the area that needs to be removed and refine areas for more accurate results when the automatic tool needs adjustments.
• Custom background upload: CapCut lets users replace the removed background with custom images, colors, or branded visuals, simply upload your preferred content to personalize the scene.
• Chroma key: Effortlessly remove backgrounds by solid colors, such as green or blue screen, with CapCut's powerful and precise chroma key tool.
• PNG export for transparent background: Save high-quality (up to 8K) images with transparent backgrounds, making them easy to use in designs, presentations, or social media posts.

How to remove the image background in CapCut

STEP 1
1. Import the image

Navigate to "Image editing" and select "New image" to start a new project.

From the left panel, click "Upload" and select the image you want to edit. Once uploaded, your image will appear on the editing canvas, ready for background removal.

STEP 2
1. Remove the background

In the right panel, select "Remove background" and click "Auto removal." CapCut will instantly erase the background with AI precision. For enhanced results, refine the edges or add finishing touches with effects like shadows or glow to make your subject stand out more naturally by clicking on the "Edit edge" option.

STEP 3
1. Export the PNG image

When you're satisfied with the final look, click "Download all" and choose either "Download" or "Copy as PNG."

How to remove a video background

STEP 1
1. Import your video files

Launch CapCut and hit the "Import" button. Look through your files and pick the video that you want to change. The video is now visible in your media library and can be edited by dragging it to the timeline.

Method 1: Using the auto removal option

In the timeline, select your image, then go to the right-side panel in the "Video" section and click "Remove BG". Press "Auto removal" and CapCut's AI will facilitate the removal of the background automatically. Besides that, you can "Custom removal" to make the background exact removal.

Method 2: Using the chroma key

Choose an image of yours, and then on the right side panel under the "Remove BG" section, click "Chroma Key". Using the color picker, find the background color that you want to get rid of, and to separate your subject properly, change the intensity.

STEP 3
1. Export the video

Click on "Export" to download your video with the background removed. Adjust frame rate, resolution, bit rate, and more, and click "Export" again.

Conclusion

In this article, you have learn how to remove background in Illustrator. The whole range of tools, starting from Image Trace for raster images, the Transparency Panel for quick removals, the Pen Tool for accurate cutouts, the Eraser and Shape Builder Tools for manual editing, and Clipping Masks for controlled visibility, all come with Illustrator, which is known for delivering pixel-perfect, professional results. Yet, if you wanted a quicker and more amicable solution for a start, that is suitable for both pictures and videos, then CapCut would be the best option. The one-click AI background remover of CapCut simplifies clean result acquisition without going through the steep learning curve of Illustrator. Try CapCut to remove both video and image background today!

FAQs

1
1. What's the fastest way to remove the image background in Illustrator?

The Image Trace tool is the fastest method through which you can turn the image into vector paths, thus allowing you to remove the background with minimal changes. But, if you are looking for a one-step solution, the AI background remover of CapCut is much quicker and is effective for both pictures and videos.

2
1. Why won't my image background be deleted in Illustrator?

One of the main reasons is that the picture you are working on is a raster image (JPEG, PNG), not a vector image. Since Illustrator is highly compatible with vectors, you will have to use the Image Trace, Transparency Panel, or Clipping Masks to separate the subject. CapCut, on the other hand, has a background removal feature that is instant and accurate, which is perfect for those who want a quick fix without going through Illustrator's complex steps.

3
1. Can I use Illustrator to remove the video background?

No, Illustrator is only capable of supporting image editing, and it cannot handle video backgrounds. To get rid of the background from a video, you need a program like CapCut that is made for both images and videos and has an AI-powered video background remover as a built-in feature.