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How To Create Transparent Backgrounds

by Alice Jackson Tweet - in Printshop Basics

Transparent Background

Last updated on July 28th, 2023

The use of transparent backgrounds is on the rise – they can be seen in websites, posters, flyers, and copyright images. In fact, businesses are using these designs with no backgrounds as a branding tool. A design with backgrounds added or subtracted appears unique and creates the desired impact on viewers.

A transparent background usually has some faded images in the background. You can notice the main image, such as a logo on the front and some light-colored images behind. But a design may also have no background. In that case, it is a design with a transparent background. Moreover, a transparent logo is a version of your original company logo.

Why Create Transparent Backgrounds

The need for a transparent background arises to convey the message of the main image. There is often a relevant image in the background that supports the brand’s message and personality. So, people get a hint of what the brand is all about from the transparent image in the background.

For example, logos with transparent background are used mostly on social media and websites. In this way, a transparent logo looks impressive with a color palette in the background. It simply means that you can use any transparent image on your company website and put your main image or logo on it.

Similarly, if you use a custom printing site such as PrintShop to print a design on T-shirts, you will send the design with a transparent background. In this way, the design can be optimized for t-shirts, and even for stickers. With the background removed, the design will look exciting and engaging in the shirts.

Also, you can use transparent designs such as a logo, which companies use as watermarks on copyright images in photo galleries. When used as watermarks, logos serve as a legal guarantor of quality and authenticity. They also are a tool to prevent faking of products.

One of the primary reasons for many companies having logos with transparent backgrounds is that they can easily fit in any website design. Such logos can mix well with the color palette and other elements of any web page. Moreover, if you want to sell your art, your client may ask you to send it with a transparent background.

In fact, the technique to achieve transparency is now widespread and is being used in other areas such as 3D to render realistic transparent surfaces.

Method To Create Transparent Backgrounds

Usually, designers create works in new layers of shapes, colors, and other elements. This is their way to hide the background layers. Then, they can export the main artwork along with a transparent art background. But if you want to have a transparent or white background of your choice against the main image, such as your logo or any figure, you need to apply a different method.

The first thing you should know to create a transparent background is how to extract the main image from the background layers. After you separate an image from its background, you can then optimize the extracted image on your shirts, stickers, and other products. If you wish, you can add a different background color or leave it clean.

When it comes to isolating the elements of your design and separating them from the background, you can use an online background remover tool or Photoshop if you need it to highly detailed. Such applications can help you easily extract the main image from its background.

Here Are The Steps To Make A Transparent Background

01. Open The Image

First, open the image in Photoshop. You can do this by going to the top menu and clicking ‘File,’ and then selecting ‘Open.’ Then select the image file and adjust as per your needs.

Make A Transparent Background

The screen shows the image.

But make sure that you unlock the image from the ‘Layers’ panel. When that happens, you can edit the image.

02. Add A Transparent Layer To The Image

Now, you need to add a transparent layer to the image. To do that, take these steps:

i. Click on the ‘Layer’ and hover over the ‘New.’ Then, select ‘Layer’. Make sure that the layer is transparent. Double click the ‘’Background’ layer in the ‘Layers’ panel and then click ‘OK’. This helps in turning the original version into your layer. You can rename this layer.

ii. You can then drag the newly created layer below the original layer version.

iii. To continue, select the new layer.

Add A Transparent Layer

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03. Use Quick Selection And Magical Wand

Once you’ve added the new layer, you can make the background transparent by taking these steps:

a. First, click on the ‘Magic Wand’ tool given in the toolbar.

b. Select the area that you want to make transparent.

c. Then, go to the settings in the ‘Magic Band’.

d. Press the ‘Delete’ button on your keyboard to remove the area you selected.

You can now see the transparent background.

In case the Magic Wand has not selected the entire background that you wish to remove, then go to the top menu and click ‘Select’ and go to ‘Similar’. This helps in selecting the whole of the area you want to remove background.

Use Quick Selection

Make it a note that the Magic Wand tool is a selection tool with some great features for adjusting the image that you select. So, for instance, you can adjust the image for sample size. After that, you can also use icons such as Add, Subtract, and Intersect to work on the selected image or color.

The ‘Quick Selection’ tool is a brush tool. You can resize the brush, and increase or subtract areas of the selected image or color. This tool is useful if you want to hide an area or mask it. So, using the brush tool, paint the area that you want to remove to extract the desired image from the background.

If you have a PSD file (of Adobe Photoshop), you can quickly create a transparent background. After you open the file, leave the background layer, and mark all the other layers by pressing CTRL/CMD. Next, press CTRL+C to copy the image and press CTRL+V to get the image. In this way, you get a transparent image or logo.

04. Save The Image

Save the main image as a PNG image once you’ve created a transparent background. Follow these steps:

i. Deselect the logo by pressing ‘Control+D’.

ii. Click on the ‘File’ on the top menu to select ‘Save As’

iii. Then, choose PNG format and click ‘Save’.

Note that the PNG image format doesn’t not only save the transparency well, but it also helps you get better compression. Avoid saving in JPEG format as it does not support a transparent background.

Save The Image

Another thing to note here is that Photoshop shows up the transparent background as checkered. But it appears as transparent in the PNG version. So, as a professional graphic designer, you should prefer saving your images in PNG files.

Using the above method, you can easily create transparent backgrounds for your logos and other designs.

If you are a designer who has to create a wide range of design without backgrounds, you can get a lot of information as well as design work at Designhill. This leading creative marketplace is home to hundreds of designers whom you can explore to have unique design ideas for your project, such as logos and business cards.

Wrapping Up

A transparent background is usually a faded background with the main image, such as a logo, in the front. Such a design with the transparent background looks unique and fresh. Therefore, it becomes a branding tool, as well. You can use many tools, such as Photoshop to create transparent backgrounds.

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Alice Jackson is a business consultant, blogger, social media enthusiast, online market analyst, amateur designer and an avid author at Designhill. She has written on several topics including social media marketing, SEO, content marketing, startup strategies and e-commerce. When she’s not writing, she loves spending her time reading romantic novels, Connect with her on Twitter: @jackson_alice1

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