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How to Remove Backgrounds in Photos 

How to Remove Backgrounds in Photos 

Two words: Background Remover. More than just a magic trick, Shutterstock’s Background Remover tool is a one-click wonder for practical applications.

Got a podcast album cover to draft? Need a trendy, outlined YouTube banner? Advertising your latest product photography?

Whatever your design needs, learn to remove backgrounds for a dynamic look. If you’re not yet a Pro subscriber, this is your sign.

In this tutorial, we’ll explore all the ways Create’s Background Remover will answer your (creative) prayers.

Let’s get to it.


How to Remove Backgrounds in Create

Great news! As is true for most of Create’s assets, the Background Remover can be used on both blank canvases and templates. Let’s take a peek at each application.

Blank Canvas Background Remover

Open up a blank canvas and click Images. Either upload your own photo or select from our infinite stock photo library. Click the image to open and drag to position.

Select an image in Create to apply Background Remover to

From here, simply click on the gray background, then Remove Bkgnd.

Background Remover example for blonde woman with eyes closed holding face

Now you can swap backgrounds for colors, textures, and effects! Here are a few examples of different backgrounds you can add.

As you scroll, notice how each stylistic choice can completely change the design’s context.

For Skin Care 

Blonde woman with eyes closed holding her face against bright pink and yellow background and text that reads "Skin care has never been easier"
Pair a Botanical Pattern texture with a short tagline for an immersive design.

Doesn’t this background design just make you want to wash your face with top-quality skincare products? Same.

Pro Tip: Make sure to align your image with the edges of the canvas so as not to create floating objects or subjects (unless you’re into that kinda thing).

Instagram Post

Blonde woman with eyes closed holding face against a zen retreat background and green text that reads "Reset. Refresh. Renew."
Market for retreats, spas, and getaways with this Instagram post idea.

Instagram is a must for marketing. Show the masses what you’re offering to keep engagement high.

Pro Tip: Use the Eyedropper Tool to customize any design element with the color of another design element.

To use it as we did, highlight the text box, then click the Eyedropper icon next to the hex codes in the Change color tab. (It’ll pop up right away.)

Drag to the left plant and select the green you desire, then click to set!

Event Flyer

Blonde woman with eyes closed and holding face against a starry background showing a sleep conference with details in white text
Turn any image into a themed event flyer with Create’s Background Remover.

Switching up specs for a flyer design? Simply click File > Create new > Flyer to open up a 2550 x 3300 px canvas.

For busy or textured backgrounds, utilize the Shadow & Outline asset to ensure your font still pops. You can customize Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, or Outline with various intensity for optimum legibility.

No matter your design concept, you’ll want to balance all components, including:

  • Textures
  • Effects
  • Text (including text effects and text layouts)
  • Effects
  • Graphics
  • Images

You don’t have to use all features all the time. Consider it a design checklist to proof your work. Before downloading, ask yourself:

  • Have I used all the components I desire?
  • Does this design need more or less?
  • How do I know when it feels complete?

Of course, if you want to repeat this process with a template instead of a blank canvas, simply click File > Create new > Templates or find the Templates tab in Create. Peruse for your favorite, click to open, and start customizing!

When you’re ready to share your masterpiece, simply click Download, select your preferred file type, then Download again.

Nice!


Top 5 Ways to Remove Backgrounds for Standout Designs

Now that you’ve seen how we can repurpose one image, let’s take a look at a few more designs that use background removal.

1. Podcast Album Cover

There are currently 2.4 million podcasts living in the cybersphere. With countless resources to DIY today, there’s no reason not to add podcast albums to the list!

Show Your Face(s)

Podcast cover template in Create with two sisters outlined against dark green with fern shadow graphics
Find a versatile image that’s be pretty against any background. Cater to your theme, concept, or design aesthetic. Customize this look in Create!

Once you’ve removed your background, simply highlight the image layer, then click the Shadow & Outline button. Select the color and thickness, then Apply to set.

To add fern shadows to your background, click Graphics, type in “Fern,” and click the Fern Shadow option. Drag to position and done!

Gradients + Glitter + Gabi

Podcast album cover template in Create with girl against silver glitter outline and big white text that reads "GABI PODCAST"
Need some extra glitz and glam? Use the Drawing tool to add silver glitter to your podcast cover. Customize this look in Create!

Unlike the previous design, you don’t need the Shadow & Outline tab here. Once you remove your background, click Drawing > Silver glitter and start outlining your image! 

You can adjust the size of the brush to your liking. And, don’t worry if you mess up! You can always click Undo or Redo at your leisure.

To achieve this color gradient background, simply click the background layer. Then, find the Change color tab, hit Gradient, and select your favorite!

I’m Blue Da Ba Dee

Blue tinted album cover with girl smiling and listening to headphones and a script quote
Need some extra color in your life? Add bold tints to your background-removed image! Customize this look in Create!

Colors send subliminal messages. This cool, calm, and collected blue energy is impossible to ignore. To make your image as blue as your background, simply click Effects > Tint and select your truest blue color.

2. YouTube Banners & Thumbnails

However you need to upgrade your YouTube channel, you want all aspects to be consistent. Make your banners, thumbnails, and profile icons stand out with a quick Background Remover application.

Pretty in Pink

Pink Morning Meditation With Janet YouTube thumbnail cover with outline of Janet meditating
Layer two images on top of each other with one tinted, one background-removed. Customize this look in Create!

Alright. We’ve got a tinted image, a background-removed image, and an outline in this look. Plus, outlined fonts, too.

Build each layer one by one with these quick steps:

  1. Click Images > Upload for the background beach pic and position accordingly.
  2. Click Effects > Tint and make it pretty in pink.
  3. Return to Images > Upload for the meditative posture pic.
  4. Click Remove Bkgnd and position accordingly.
  5. Highlight the image. Click Shadow & Outline > Outline and adjust the Distance. Done!

If using multiple fonts, be discerning about how to pair them. For a full tutorial on tasteful font matching, peep this tutorial next.

Get Dancey

Rainbow gradient with outlined girl dancing and big white text that reads "Stay Home and Dance" with green border
Offer an experience in an instant with this YouTube thumbnail template. Customize this look in Create!

Both this design and the previous design have foundationally similar components and steps. Still, they look entirely different!

Start with a YouTube thumbnail canvas—sized at 1280 x 720 px—and select your gradient background.

Click Change color > Gradient. Then, select your fonts and click Shadow & Outline to get that slick green text border.

Click Images > Upload and select an image of yourself. Click Remove Bkgnd, then Shadow & Outline again to add your Drop Shadow and Outline against your dancey pic.

Getting the hang of it? Awesome!

Pop off the Page

Girl outlined holding donut with big yellow text that reads "Top Seven Faves" with donuts in the background
Remove backgrounds to replace with mouthwatering treats? Um, yes please! Customize this look in Create!

YouTube will always feel like the OG influencer platform—and for good reason! Make your YouTube thumbnails pop with previews to your videos. Or, make it a banner for all to see each time they view your channel.

To come up with a concept like this one, ask yourself:

  • What do I want to be known for?
  • What colors, images, and graphics represent my personality?
  • What tagline captures who I am and what I do?

If you wanted to take this look a step further, you could also Background Remove the donuts and pair those with another background layer. So meta, we know.

Plus, the Background Remover look can become your channel’s “thing.” Customize each YouTube thumbnail with a new type of outline for instant recognition.

3. Twitter Banners

Onto the Twittersphere! Similar to YouTube banners, Twitter banners are located behind your profile picture. They captivate your personal or professional aesthetic.

Outline Your Focal Point

Light blue Twitter banner for nail kits with outlined hand and yellow image
Show viewers what to focus on and build your style around it. Customize this look in Create!

An off-center focal point is genius, as outlines always draw attention. Establish your focal point, then choose fonts and color schemes around it.

Busy & Dynamic

Outlined girl with "OMG!" graphics throughout against bright cereal boxes
This cut-off text look is unique. Make words bounce off the page with a playful background removal concept. Customize this look in Create!

Above all, make sure your Twitter header is relevant to your field. Influencers have free rein to be colorful and bold.

Ultimately, prompting intrigue will help you gain loyal followers.

Capture Yourself in Action

Light gray gradient "Fling Fitness" Twitter banner with athletic woman doing raised knees
Announce new offerings, instructors, and schedules with an adjustable Twitter header. Customize this look in Create!

The Background Remover tool takes regular photography to the next level. Essentially, you get to cut and paste yourself out of and into any environment.

Plus, with Create, you can turn any template into a Twitter header in one click.

Cue . . . Smart Resize! Also available to Pros, Smart Resize lets you adjust your canvas specs in one click to cater to any online platform.

Say you start with a YouTube thumbnail and need a Twitter header, as well. Without compromising design quality, simply click Smart Resize, select the platforms you need, then Resize again and done!

Easy peasy.

4. Ads and Event Flyers

Both ads and flyers require charm and depth to interest the masses. Take a look at these Background Remover inspired designs.

Geometric and Bright

Orange and pink geometric flyer for flash sale with background removed elements
Fuse animated aspects with realistic ones using Background Remover. Customize this look in Create!

Effective ads are thought-provoking. Having intricate and intentional elements such as geometric shapes, bright colors, and curved text isn’t all—add Background Remover for a realistic design element.

This way, both 2D and 3D are represented and you have a better idea of the products on sale.

More Supplies and Products

Green sale flyer with geometric yellow circle graphics and background removed chair in the center
When only one element’s background is removed, it makes way for infinite design possibilities. Customize this look in Create!

This flyer is clean and simple. It pairs symmetrical shapes with a centralized background-removed element for an all-you-need-to-know type of impact.

Remember, the fewer elements you use, the more emphasis they’ll have.

Multiple Removed Backgrounds

Orange flashy flyer for best sellers sale and removed backgrounds on makeup products with fun blue fonts
Why remove one background when you can remove multiple? Pair floating objects with a flashy flyer concept for a head-turning look. Customize this look in Create!

Can you say magazine? And, who doesn’t love suspended objects in the air?

5. Invitations

Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, oh my! Whatever the cause—even if it’s just because—try removing backgrounds on any part of your design.

He Was a Skater Boy

Red birthday invitation with background removed person in the center holding a Simpson's skateboard
Celebrate the birthday-haver with a front and center, in-motion pic. Customize this look in Create!

If you’ve got a subject that’s already in motion, why not amplify the effect with Background Remover? Pair with animated graphics, a bold, bright color, important details, and done!

Mail, email, or post on social for the birthday bash of the year.

Pose Pose Pose

Gray birthday party invitation with background removed man posing against a car
Show off your persona with a slick pose, black and white theme, and a gold party hat. Customize this look in Create!

There’s no better way to show off your personality than with a charming invitation concept. Everyone knows age is but a number, so smile for the camera with some background removal for a frame-worthy invite.

Baby Invitation

Background removed mom holding baby for birthday invitation against light gray and brown gradient
Want to highlight a precious moment? Go for it with a one-click Background Remover! Customize this look in Create!

Go from a busy background to straight elegance with a customizable look. Add a subtle color gradient to amplify the moment. Then, get ready for a slew of awwws.


Top 5 Reasons to Remove Backgrounds in Design

Alright, so we’ve nailed down the design inspo. And, while it’s obvious removing backgrounds in photos is just plain cool, this one-step magic has numerous other reasons to use them.

1. Outlines Are Trendy

Cat template with ears outlined in silver sparkles with pink text that reads "Cat videos all day long"
Isolate certain design aspects for extra nuance and flair. Customize this look in Create!

You can customize your outlines to be particular colors or textures for a unique look. Plus, outlines direct the eyes towards whatever it is you’re emphasizing, which helps viewers receive your message.

Rack up views, followers, and overall engagement with an awesome outline of your face, posture, or object.

2. You Can Make It a Collage

Film strip collage of mom holding baby with sepia, black and white, and film grain effects
Background remove all three cells, add effects, and done! Customize this look in Create.

Make a forever memory with a film strip photo collage. Once you remove each background, simply click Effects on each. We added Sepia, Black & White, and Film Grain to these, respectively.

Keeping the background blank adds uniformity and cohesion, while emphasizing each design choice.

3. Add Text, Graphics, and Color for Standout Designs

Background removed elements against light green and beige background for Black Friday Deals
Isolate different angles anywhere on the canvas. Customize this look in Create!

A balanced design has text, graphics, colors, and images. A design like this one leaves plenty of white space to avoid looking too busy.

For businesses, feel free to stick a logo on flyers, posts, or ads to ensure brand recognition.

4. Change the Scene with a New Photo

Beauty ad with girl applying makeup against pink background and retro background below with background removed makeup
Add freshness to your ad or flyer by removing the background on products. Customize this look in Create!

Don’t like the background you’re working with? Don’t sweat! We removed the background behind the makeup, then swapped the bottom portion with a Retro Pattern found in Create’s Textures tab.

Adjust the Blend Mode as you see fit. We increased the Fade to keep the font legible. Neat!

5. Get a Great Product Shot

Product flyer with background removed skin products and background removed hands against cloudy background
Want a more subtle background removal? Pair with colored background and cloud graphics for a subtle floating effect. Customize this look in Create!

Not every background removal has to be obvious. Simply position each aspect intentionally on the canvas for an appealing, natural look.


Best Practices for Using Background Remover

There’s no doubting the Background Remover’s versatility. Still, we’ve got just a few more tips and tricks to leave you with before you try it out for yourself.

Have Strong Lighting

As with any photo edit, lighting is everything. An image that’s too dark or too light won’t fly. Consider editing the photo before you adjust it for the best outcome.

Use Close Objects and Subjects

Ideally, you want your objects and subjects to be close to the camera for a clean background removal. If it’s hard to isolate the object or subject, some aspects won’t get removed.

Certainly, if this happens, you can always use the Eraser tool to clean up the mess, but why not avoid an extra step if you can?

Embrace Simple Photos

The less busy the photo, the better the cut. In other words, if you’re isolating one person from a crowd, the magic tool may not pick up that specificity. Select photos that have enough space to perform an effective design surgery.

Ultimately, this process, like any, is largely experimental. There’s no harm in playing around, as you can always rely on the Undo button if you flub. Before long, you’ll be an expert Background Remover—we’re sure of it.

If you’re not a Pro yet, get on it! And if you are, what are you waiting for? Happy background removing!


License this cover image via Jacob Lund, Zeljkica, and PEAPIZA.

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