How To Change The Default Background Color in Inkscape

In this tutorial I’ll be demonstrating how to change the default background color in Inkscape so that you can have a dark background (like Illustrator) or any other color you’d like! I’ll also be demonstrating how to save your chosen background color as a default so that you can work with it every time you launch Inkscape.

This is something that I’ve been asked about a lot, especially by those of you who are switching over to Inkscape from Illustrator and find the glaring white canvas of Inkscape to be somewhat of a nuisance when you’re working. Today we are going to fix that!



Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
00:44 Check Inkscape version
01:20 Set dark theme
01:42 Change background color
02:20 Create white artboard
03:16 Place on locked layer
05:00 Save as default template

Intro song: "In Da Mood" by Combustibles, used with written permission

[-IYN-]

Inkscape is getting extremely powerful! Thank you, Nick and keep healthy and safe!

[chairman]

Sir, you are just TOO GOOD! This is like the 5th video of yours that's helped me after I've tried to do something for a long time. Thank you!

[josmith]

You're a ROCK STAR, Nick. Thank you for taking your time to provide this info free. I'm trying to design patterns for sewing, and instead of being a normal person that would sit and watch all the tutorials and get familiar with Inkscape, I learn it in bits as I need it. You make learning the bits easy and I can always check your channel for the exact bit I'm looking for. Now, from your other video, I can work on mastering offset as I need that to put in seam allowances (still having a bit of trouble with that one).

[aquaductape]

This is cool but Inkscape needs to provide that option natively. This won't benefit people who use Inkscape for web graphics since that white rectangle needs to be manually removed in the XML file

[mairarios]

Really thank you for being so straight to the point!!! I love when people don't waste time!!

[cl]

Excellent tip. I never worked in Illustrator, but I was wondering how I could neutralize that white desktop color without disrupting the workspace. This works just fine. Thanks.

[karimachoukri]

you just provide so much value you dont even know, thank you

[andrewpullins]

I had a problem exporting a PNG with alpha transparency. I finally got it, if you change the background under the document properties make sure that alpha is set to 0. Otherwise, your exports will show whatever color you have set for the background. Oddly setting the alpha to 0 does not affect the color of the background.

[EdwardRestrepo]

Like within the first 2 seconds of the video, because I know he will come out with something great and useful.

[relaxation]

I have beautiful designs since I started to watch your videos thanks 🙏

[aakura]

Make some designs or logos using 3D box tool tutorial, I want to see what sort of designs could be made using that tool.

[chevytruckjerry]

Exactly what I was looking for. And thanks, you have my subscribe now! Great content.

[abhishektyagialwayswins]

Hey Nick thanks bro its the greatest video you ever created thanks again😍😍😍 #thanks

[MerleCox]

Thanks for all you do and the great tutorials, Nick!

[elementstudios]

Awesome tips! Just set that up, and am going to use it going forward. Thanks Nick!

[patricio]

thank you Nick..! you are a good guy..!!

[MrRefael]

Thanks! it's really help. 🙏
but I don't understand why they didn't made an option to choose background color and art board color separately? it's like, pretty basic thing.

[babudelhi]

do a tutorial on inkscape layouts how to change size of icons location of different pannels

[DCPier]

Just followed along, worked great, thanks :)

[rohantummala]

Nice tutorial! All your videos are really helping me learn more graphic design, especially in Inkscape. I have to do this school project where you create and study something you are passionate about, and I'm thinking about doing logos and graphic design. You have to have a mentor for this project who is qualified in your field, so does anyone know someone who would fit this and be willing to be my mentor?