Change the background color of your PDF in a few quick steps. No software installs, no sign-ups, and no fuss—just clean, print-ready files.
A background can define how professional or readable your document feels. Too dark or busy, and it distracts from the text. Too light or blank, and it can look unfinished. The trick is knowing when to remove it and when to switch it for a cleaner or more suitable color.
Whether you’re saving ink, improving readability, or matching your company’s branding, learning how to remove or change a PDF background color helps you get the right balance before printing or sharing your files.
Remove PDF Background Online (Fast & Free)
This method works for most PDFs with simple backgrounds or watermarks and takes under 2 minutes:
- Drag and drop your PDF into our Edit PDF tool.
- Click on the background element you want to remove to select it.
- Press Delete or click the trash icon to remove it.
- Download your cleaned-up PDF—that’s it!
Pro tip: Start your free trial to access all editing features if you need to remove complex backgrounds or multiple elements.
How to Remove or Change PDF Background Color
Sometimes you don’t want to remove a background, you want to refresh it with a different color or shade. Here’s how to change a PDF background color quickly using Smallpdf and Word:
- Upload your file to Smallpdf’s PDF to Word, then download the .docx.
- Open it in Word, go to “Design,” and select “Page Color.”
- Choose a new color, use “More Colors” for an exact shade, or “No Color” to remove it.
- If the background is an image, right-click it, choose “Format Picture,” and adjust the transparency or replace it with a solid fill.
- Save the file as a PDF.
Adjusting the transparency of a background image in Word
Fix Transparent Background Issues for Printing (Flatten PDF Layers)
Think of flattening like pressing all the layers of your design into one smooth surface. Use this when:
- Your PDF prints with unexpected backgrounds or transparency issues
- You need better file compatibility across different devices
- Transparent elements aren’t displaying correctly
Simply use Smallpdf’s Flatten PDF tool to combine all layers into one solid document that prints perfectly every time.
Troubleshooting PDF Background Color Changes
- Color doesn’t appear when printing: Make sure “Print background colors and images” is enabled in your print settings.
- Color looks different on screen vs. print: Printers interpret color differently. Try switching from RGB to CMYK mode before printing.
- Background image reappears after saving: Flatten your PDF with Smallpdf’s Flatten PDF tool to lock all layers in place.
- Background is too dark for text: Lighten the background or switch text to white for better contrast.
Tips for Better PDF Background Management
Sometimes adding or removing a background color or image depends on how the document is going to be used. If you only expect people to view it on a screen, leaving a background image or color in place should be okay. But still check that it isn’t too busy or difficult to read.
If you think people might print the document, it is probably better to drop the background completely. The document might look a little plain, but you know it will print perfectly for everyone, without wasting any ink.
Always preview your document before hitting print. This step helps catch any layout issues or missed edits. White text is often more visible against a background image or color, but if you remove the background, you also need to change the text color.
Ready to clean up your PDFs? Start your free trial to access all Smallpdf tools.
Frequently Asked Questions: Removing PDF Backgrounds
How do I remove the background in a PDF for printing?
Use Smallpdf’s Edit PDF tool to select and delete backgrounds, or flatten the PDF if transparency is causing printing issues.
How do I make a PDF background white instead of transparent?
Convert your PDF to Word, add a white background in Word’s design settings, then save back as PDF.
Why does my PDF print with a gray background?
This happens when transparent layers don’t render correctly. Flatten your PDF using Smallpdf’s Flatten tool to fix it.
How do I remove watermarks from a PDF?
Open your PDF in Smallpdf’s Edit PDF tool, click on the watermark to select it, then press Delete.
How do you print the background of a PDF?
To print a background, ensure it’s not set to “hidden” or disabled in your document settings. Your document or printer settings might have an option to include background colors and images when printing. If you’re still having trouble, try exporting the file again or converting it into a different format to check if the background displays properly.
Why is my PDF not printing the background?
This often happens if the “print background colors and images” setting is turned off in your PDF reader or printer settings. Go into your print settings and look for an option or checkbox for printing backgrounds. If the problem persists, the background might not be embedded in the file correctly, so consider re-adding it in Word.
How do I put a background on a PDF?
You can add a background by converting your PDF to Word first. In Word, go to the “Design” tab and choose “Page Color” to add a plain background. For more intricate designs, consider uploading an image as your background and saving the updated file back as a PDF. This requires a bit more effort but can be worth it.
How to print a PDF with a black background?
First, ensure your PDF editor or Word document has the background set to black. Use white or light-colored text for contrast to ensure readability. When printing, check the “background graphics” option in your print settings (if available) to ensure the background appears as intended on the printed document.
How to print a PDF without background?
Remove the background in Word by selecting “No Color” under the “Page Color” option. You may need to convert your PDF to Word first. Alternatively, check your printer settings and deselect the “print background colors and images” option. This is a great way to save ink, especially for documents where the background isn’t essential.
How to print PDF text only?
To print only the text, remove all backgrounds and images after converting your PDF to Word. You can also enable “text only” options in some printers, which will skip non-text elements. This keeps your document simple and reduces printing costs.
