How to remove a background from your image

Artwork with background removed, previewed on white paper

The image editor's background removal tool lifts your subject cleanly off its background. It's especially useful for watercolour and pen-and-ink work, where a clean edge really lets the piece breathe. You can remove the background automatically or paint it in by hand, and if the automatic result is ever too strong, you stay in full control to fine-tune exactly what stays.

Open the image editor

Start a new design, then click your image to select it. Open the image editor to access the editing tools.

Starting a new design in the Sixprint designer — Click "Edit Image" to begin.

The Sixprint image editor open with editing tools — The image editor, where all the tools live.

Remove the background

Click Background Removal to begin. The tool will make a first pass automatically.

Background Removal button in the image editor — Click "Background Removal" to start.

Dial it in with the tolerance slider

Automatic removal isn't always spot-on first time. If it's taken too much, or too little, use the tolerance slider to ease the effect up or down until it looks right. Lower tolerance keeps more of your image; higher removes more.

Automatic background removal with tolerance set too high — Too aggressive: the automatic setting has removed part of the artwork.

Adjusting the tolerance slider down to a suitable level — Bring the tolerance down until the result looks right.

Tip: Delicate pieces like watercolour and line work often need a gentler touch. If the automatic pass removes something it shouldn't, lower the tolerance, or brush the removed areas back in by hand for total control.

Check your edges

Use the preview options to make sure nothing's been left behind. The mask view shows exactly what's been removed, and the black background option highlights any stray leftovers against a dark backdrop.

Mask view showing which parts of the image have been removed — Mask view shows precisely what's been removed.

Black background option highlighting leftover background pixels — A black background makes any leftovers easy to spot.

Example of incomplete background removal shown on black — Here you can see removal that isn't quite complete yet.

Finished cut-out previewed on a white paper background — Preview on white to see how it will look printed on the card.

Brighten and fine-tune (optional)

Need a little more punch? The adjustment options let you tune your image, and Auto balances the levels to brighten it in one click.

Image adjustment options including Auto to brighten levels — Adjustment options, with "Auto" to brighten in one click.

Check your colours before printing

Screens show more colours than any printer can reproduce. The CMYK Compare view flags any colours that fall outside the printable range, so there are no surprises when your card arrives.

CMYK Compare view showing out-of-gamut colours — CMYK Compare highlights any colours outside the printable range.

Save and add to your card

Happy with it? Save your image and it drops back into your design, ready to position. Finish your layout, then add it to your catalogue and order.

Saving the edited image in the designer — Save to bring your edited image back into the design.

Completed card layout ready to add to catalogue and order — Layout complete, ready to add to your catalogue and order.

The tool removed part of my artwork. Can I get it back?

Yes. Lower the tolerance slider, or use the brush to paint the removed areas back in. Nothing is permanent until you save. You can Reset to Original at any time, click on the Edit image, and top right of your screen there is a Reset to Original button, this will remove the edited version.

Which works best for watercolour or pen-and-ink pieces?

Start with automatic on a low tolerance, then fine-tune by hand. Delicate edges usually look best with a gentle setting and a little manual brushing.