This comprehensive guide will help you master in Canva Background Remover tool. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced user, you’ll learn how to remove backgrounds from images quickly and create professional designs with transparent backgrounds.
Transform Your Images with Canva’s Background Remover
I remember the first time I tried to remove a background from an image. I spent hours trying to figure out complicated tools, and the results were not even close to what I wanted.
Then I found Canva’s Background Remover, and everything changed.
If you’re like me and want to create clean, professional images without spending hours learning Photoshop, you’re in the right place. Canva Background Remover is a simple tool that helps you remove backgrounds from photos in just a few clicks.
People use it for all kinds of things. Product photos for online stores, social media posts, presentations, and marketing materials. The best part? You don’t need any design skills to use it.
In this guide, I’ll show you everything you need to know about removing backgrounds in Canva. Let’s get started.
What Is Canva Background Remover?
Canva Background Remover is a tool that removes the background from your images automatically. It’s built right into Canva’s design platform.
The tool uses AI technology to find your subject and remove everything else around it. It works on photos of people, products, animals, and objects.
Here’s the thing though. This feature is mostly available in Canva Pro. Free users can try it once, but to use it regularly, you need to upgrade.
The AI does the hard work for you. It detects where your subject ends and where the background begins. Then it removes the background and leaves you with a transparent image.
Why Use Canva Background Remover for Your Designs
There are many reasons why I love using Canva’s background removal tool.
First, it saves time. A lot of time. What used to take me 30 minutes now takes about 10 seconds.
Second, you get transparent backgrounds. These are perfect when you want to place your image on different backgrounds or use it in multiple designs.
Third, it’s simple to use. You don’t need to learn complex tools or watch hours of tutorials. Click, wait a few seconds, and you’re done.
The tool is great for e-commerce sellers who need clean product photos. It’s also perfect for content creators making social media graphics. And if you’re building a brand, you can use it to create consistent, professional-looking images.
Canva Background Remover: Free vs. Pro
Let me break down the differences between Canva Free and Canva Pro when it comes to background removal.
Canva Free:
- You can try the background remover once for free
- After that, you need to upgrade to keep using it
- Limited access to other premium features
Canva Pro:
- Unlimited background removal
- Access to all premium templates and elements
- Advanced editing tools like Magic Eraser
- Costs around $12.99 per month
If you only need to remove a background once or twice, the free version works fine. But if you’re creating content regularly, Canva Pro is worth the investment.
I upgraded to Pro after my first week, and I’ve never looked back.
How to Remove Background in Canva (Step-by-Step Guide)
Now let me show you exactly how to remove backgrounds in Canva. I’ll walk you through each step.
Step 1: Open Canva and Upload Your Image
First, go to Canva’s website and log in to your account. If you don’t have one, create a free account. It takes less than a minute.
Once you’re in, you can start a new design or open a project you’re already working on. Click on “Create a design” if you want to start fresh.
Step 2: Select Your Image
Click on the “Uploads” tab on the left side of your screen. Then click “Upload files” and choose the image you want to edit from your computer.
Once the image uploads, drag it onto your design canvas. Make sure it’s a good quality photo. The better the image quality, the better your results will be.
Step 3: Click “Edit Photo” and Choose “Background Remover”
Click on your image to select it. You’ll see a toolbar appear at the top of your screen.
Look for the “Edit image” button and click it. A menu will open on the left side. Scroll down until you see “BG Remover” or “Background Remover.”
You might see a small crown icon next to it. That means it’s a Pro feature.
Step 4: Let Canva Remove the Background Automatically
Click on the Background Remover option. Now watch the magic happen.
Canva’s AI will start processing your image. This usually takes just a few seconds. You’ll see the background disappear and your subject will be left on a transparent background.
The checkered pattern you see means the background is now transparent.
Step 5: Fine-Tune and Adjust If Needed
Sometimes the AI gets it almost perfect but misses a few spots. That’s okay. You can fix it.
Click on the “Erase” tool to remove any parts that shouldn’t be there. Use the “Restore” tool to bring back parts of your image that got removed by mistake.
Zoom in to see the details better. This helps you make small adjustments around edges and corners.
Step 6: Download or Use Your Transparent Image
Once you’re happy with how it looks, you’re ready to save your image.
Click the “Share” button in the top right corner. Then click “Download.”
Here’s the important part: Make sure you select PNG as your file format. This keeps your transparent background. If you choose JPG, it will add a white background.
Click “Download” and your image is ready to use.
Tips for Getting the Best Results with Canva Background Remover
I’ve learned a few tricks that help me get better results every time.
Use high-quality images. Blurry or low-resolution photos don’t work as well. The AI needs clear images to do its job properly.
Choose photos with good contrast. If your subject and background are too similar in color, the tool might get confused.
Avoid busy backgrounds. Simple backgrounds work better. If your background has lots of details, patterns, or objects, the removal might not be as clean.
Check your lighting. Photos with even lighting give better results than photos with harsh shadows or dark areas.
How to Manually Edit Backgrounds After Removal
Even though Canva’s AI is pretty smart, you might need to do some manual editing.
After removing the background, look carefully at your image. Zoom in to check the edges.
If there are leftover bits of background, use the Erase tool. Click on it and then brush over the areas you want to remove. You can adjust the brush size to make it bigger or smaller.
If the tool removed something it shouldn’t have, use the Restore tool. This brings back parts of your image. Just brush over the area you want to restore.
You can also adjust the opacity if you want to blend things better. This makes the edges look more natural.
Creative Uses for Canva Background Remover
Once you know how to remove backgrounds, you can do so many cool things.
Create product photos with custom backgrounds. Remove the old background and add a new one that matches your brand colors. This is perfect for online stores and product catalogs.
Design eye-catching social media posts. Place your subject on colorful backgrounds or gradients. Make Instagram stories that stand out in people’s feeds.
Make professional headshots for websites. Remove distracting backgrounds from team photos. Add a clean white or branded background instead.
Build collages and posters. Mix images with transparent backgrounds. Layer them to create interesting designs.
Create marketing materials. Remove backgrounds from logos. Make flyers and ads that look professional.
Common Issues with Canva Background Remover and How to Fix Them
Sometimes things don’t work perfectly. Here are common problems and how to solve them.
Problem: Background remover is greyed out or not working
This usually means you need Canva Pro access. The background remover is a premium feature. Try it once for free, then you’ll need to upgrade.
Problem: Poor quality results
This happens when your image resolution is too low. Try uploading a higher quality image. Also check if your subject and background have enough contrast.
Problem: Jagged or rough edges
Zoom in and use the Erase and Restore tools to clean up the edges. Sometimes you need to manually fix small areas for a smooth result.
Problem: Parts of the subject got removed
Use the Restore brush to bring back those areas. Adjust your brush size to be more precise in small areas.
Canva Background Remover vs. Other Tools
You might be wondering how Canva compares to other background removal tools. I’ve tried several, so let me share my thoughts.
Canva vs. Remove.bg: Remove.bg is a dedicated background removal tool. It’s fast and accurate. But you need to download the image and then upload it to another tool if you want to edit it further. With Canva, everything is in one place.
Canva vs. Photoshop: Photoshop gives you more control and precision. But it’s expensive and has a steep learning curve. Canva is much easier to learn and use. For most people, Canva is more than enough.
Canva vs. Other Apps: Tools like Pixelcut, Fotor, and Photoroom also offer background removal. They work well, but Canva’s advantage is that you can design right after removing the background. No need to switch between apps.
Canva is ideal for beginners and people who want an all-in-one design tool. It’s not the most powerful, but it’s the most convenient.
How to Add a New Background After Removal
Removing the background is just the start. Now let me show you how to add a new one.
Click on “Elements” in the left sidebar. Search for backgrounds. Canva has thousands of options.
You can also click on “Uploads” to upload your own background image. Just drag it onto your canvas and place it behind your subject.
Want a solid color background instead? Click on the canvas background and choose a color from the color picker. You can use your brand colors here.
For gradients or patterns, search for them in the Elements section. Type “gradient background” or “pattern background” to find options.
To layer images for creative designs, just add multiple images and arrange them. Put some in front and some in back to create depth.
Downloading Images with Transparent Backgrounds
This is important because the file format matters a lot.
When you’re ready to download, always choose the PNG format. This is the only format that keeps transparent backgrounds.
Avoid JPG format. JPG doesn’t support transparency. If you choose JPG, Canva will add a white background automatically.
For web use, PNG is perfect. The file sizes are reasonable and quality is great.
For print, PNG works well too. Just make sure your image resolution is high enough. At least 300 DPI is recommended for printing.
You can also use transparent PNGs in presentations, documents, and other design projects.
Canva Background Remover for Mobile and Desktop
Good news. Canva works on both mobile and desktop devices.
On desktop, you have access to all features. The screen is bigger, so it’s easier to see details and make precise edits.
On mobile, the process is similar. Open the Canva app, upload your image, select it, and tap on “Effects.” Then tap “BG Remover.”
The mobile app works great for quick edits. But for detailed work, I prefer using desktop because I can zoom in more easily and use a mouse for precise control.
Your projects sync between devices. Start editing on your phone and finish on your computer. Or the other way around.
Conclusion: Simplify Your Design Workflow with Canva Background Remover
Removing backgrounds used to be hard and time-consuming. Not anymore.
Canva’s Background Remover makes it easy for everyone. You don’t need design skills or expensive software. Just upload your image, click a button, and you’re done.
I use this tool almost every day. For product photos, social media posts, and all kinds of design projects.
If you create content regularly, I highly recommend upgrading to Canva Pro. The unlimited background removal alone is worth it. Plus you get access to all the other premium features.
Start experimenting with transparent images in your designs. You’ll be surprised at how much better your content looks.
FAQs About Canva Background Remover
1. Is Canva Background Remover free?
You can try the background remover once for free. After that, you need Canva Pro to keep using it. Canva Pro costs around $12.99 per month.
2. How do I access the background remover in Canva?
Select your image in Canva, click “Edit image,” then look for “BG Remover” in the menu. Click it and the AI will remove the background automatically.
3. Can I remove backgrounds from multiple images at once?
Not directly in Canva. You need to remove backgrounds one image at a time. Some third-party tools offer bulk background removal that you can use before uploading to Canva.
4. What file format should I use for transparent backgrounds?
Always use the PNG format. JPG doesn’t support transparent backgrounds and will add a white background to your image.
5. Why is my background remover option greyed out?
This means you need Canva Pro access. The background remover is a premium feature. You can try it once for free, but regular use requires a Pro subscription.
6. Does Canva Background Remover work on the mobile app?
Yes, it works on both mobile and desktop. The process is the same. Just tap on your image, go to Effects, and select BG Remover.
7. How do I fix mistakes after removing a background?
Use the Erase tool to remove unwanted parts and the Restore tool to bring back parts that were removed by mistake. Zoom in for better precision.
8. Can I use Canva Background Remover for commercial projects?
Yes, if you have Canva Pro, you can use your designs for commercial purposes. Check Canva’s license terms for specific details about usage rights.
9. What image quality works best with the background remover?
High-resolution images with good contrast work best. Make sure your subject is clearly separated from the background. Avoid blurry or low-quality photos.
10. Are there alternatives to Canva Background Remover?
Yes, there are several alternatives like Remove.bg, Photoshop, Pixelcut, and Photoroom. Each has its own strengths. Canva is best for all-in-one design work, while others might be better for bulk processing or advanced editing.
This article is brought to you by AIConnecto – your source for AI tools and design resources.
