In this article, we explain how to replace the background of an existing design with a transparent background.
If you're creating a new design from scratch and want a transparent background, see the instructions in Create a design with a transparent background.
On iPhone and iPad
To replace the background in an existing design with a transparent background:
Select the Space you want to work in.
Select Content.
Select the design you want to edit.
Select Layers.
Select the Background layer.
Select Erase.
Photoroom erases the background layer so that it is empty. Visually, this has the same effect as applying a transparent background.
[Optional] Use the editor to make further changes, such as add text, shadows, graphics, and more.
To learn about the editor settings, see the articles in these collections:
Select Export.
Photoroom saves your design and exports it as an image file to your device's camera roll.[Optional] Use the export settings to share the design.
To learn more about the export feature, see Export a design.Select Close design.
On Android
To replace the background in an existing design with a transparent background:
Select the Space you want to work in.
Select Content.
Select the design you want to edit.
Select Layers.
Select the Background layer.
Select Erase.
Photoroom erases the background layer so that it is empty. Visually, this has the same effect as applying a transparent background.
[Optional] Use the editor to make further changes, such as add text, shadows, graphics, and more.
To learn about the editor settings, see the articles in these collections:
Select Export.
Photoroom saves your design and exports it as an image file to your device's camera roll.
[Optional] Use the export settings to share the design.
To learn more about the export feature, see Export a design.
Select Done.
On Web App
On the Web App, there are two ways to replace a design's background with a transparent background. We'll cover them both in this section.
Log in to the web app at app.photoroom.com.
Select the Space you want to work in.
Select the design you want to edit.
Click anywhere in the background area, off-canvas to display the layers in the sidebar.
Make sure that the visible background in the design is on the background layer and the foreground object is on a separate layer.
If the visible background and object are on the same layer, you won't be able to see any changes to the background. We explain how to solve this problem in the troubleshooting section at the end of this article.
Either:
Select the background layer to display its settings and then select Erase. Erasing the background layer has the same effect as making the background transparent.
Select Templates and then use the arrow buttons to scroll through templates in the Classics category. Select the Transparent template.
[Optional] If the foreground image is not exactly how you want it, use the Edit Cutout feature to edit it.
For instructions, see Add and remove parts of an image with Edit Cutout.
[Optional] Select the foreground object in your image and move it to the position you want. When you select the object, its layer settings are shown.
[Optional] Use the editor to make further changes, such as add text, shadows, graphics, and more.
To learn about the editor settings, see the articles in these collections:[Optional] Select Download. Enter a name for the download folder and choose the file type (or set it to AUTO to let Photoroom choose an appropriate type). Select Download to complete.
Select Home to save your design and exit the editor.
Troubleshooting transparent backgrounds on existing designs
If transparency is not working for your design, it is likely because your entire image is made up of layers that cover the background layer. So when you edit the background layer, you can't see the changes.
How can you check what is on each layer?
Open your design in the editor.
Select Layers and then select the layer of interest. (On the Web App, click in the gray area off-canvas and then select the layer from the side panel).
Is there a solution?
Yes! Follow the steps below:
Display the design that has the entire image on one layer.
Export the design as an image file.
Import the image file and let Photoroom remove the background during the import process. Do not select Skip background removal.
Select the Transparent template from the classics selection.
You now have the foreground object on one layer and a transparent background on another layer.
Note: For detailed instructions for steps 3 and 4, see Create a design with a transparent background.