Creating a transparent background for your product pictures in Photoshop is essential. It opens up a diverse range of attractive display options across the web. For instance, a transparent picture background allows you to place your image against a setting that changes colors. Your logo files also need a transparent backdrop to fit in your site, no matter the page color.
To make a photo background clear using Photoshop, you will have to familiarize yourself with the necessary steps. The whole process tends to be easier if you have the right tools and grips of what you are doing. Here is a step by step guide on how to create a transparent picture background.
Useful Steps for Creating a Transparent Background in Photoshop
Before you can make your image background clear in Photoshop, you have to delete the existing backdrop in the first place. There are different steps you need to follow for the best results. Below is an ultimate rundown of the simple steps for softening your image background.
Choose the Right Photoshop Selection Device
Creating a transparent image background involves deleting what is unnecessary and selecting what you aim to keep. For that reason, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with several selection tools, depending on your image. Here are some helpful and time-saving tools to consider for this kind of task.
Magic Wand
Magic Wand will select the suitable pixel of a photo – the standard color. For instance, take a scenario where you have a picture with a white setting. All you need to do is click on the white region to select it and then strike the delete button to remove the background. However, if you have multiple sections of the image you want to clear, it is advisable to repeat the process.
Select Object Tool
The select object device uses artificial aptitude to highlight the boundaries of your image. In this case, sketch an outline to show which object to cut and Photoshop A.I. will handle the rest. You can also use this tool to remove a picture from its current selection.
Elliptical and Rectangular Marquee
Here comes another useful section tool, the elliptical and rectangular marquee. The device works best if you want to select a section of your picture with a perfect circle or rectangle. It is not a tricky one. All you have to do is place your selection over what to keep, refine it, and save.
The Select Subject, Mask, and Lasso Tool
You can relate, not every time you will deal with simple selections. Sometimes you will come across complex image backgrounds. In such cases, use the Lasso, Mask, and Select Subject devices as they bear the main enchanting power of Photoshop.
Select Subject
Get an easy background removal start using your Photoshop Select Subject tool. Go to select, and then choose your subject. In a few seconds, Photoshop will highlight the subject of the image using its artificial intelligence. The tool may fail to be perfect with your first try. But do not worry. You can always refine your collection in the next step.
If your image has multiple subjects, only choose one using the Select Subject tool. You will find the device in the toolbox, tucked with the Magic Wand tool. Go ahead. Draw a box all around the object you need, and Photoshop will select it for you. If it doesn’t get it right, refine the selection as you go on.
The complex objects may not come out perfectly, but you can still refine the selection. For subjects with well-defined edges, use the magnetic Lasso. In case the pictures have less defined texture, ends, or irregular shapes, go for the Select and Mask device for the best results. If your image has both, use the two methods.
Take note. Zoom all the possible angles of your object before going to the next step. Cross-check your selection and make sure you don’t miss out on any part of the image. In case you do, reopen your Select and Mask device, then select the area.
Make Your Selection a Layer
To set the images as a layer file, open your Photoshop, open the picture in it and make sure it is in JPG format. Next, you need to find the layers panel in Photoshop, which should be on your image window’s right-hand side. If you cannot find it, click on the window option on top of your Photoshop page. And then scroll down up to the layers section in the menu bar.
On hitting the layer button, you will see the background layer in the layer section. Click on it twice to pop up a new dialog box, give it a random name, and don’t change it as you proceed. The title will take layer 0 by default. Save it and click the okay button. To this end, the background layer is open, ready to delete anything from the image.
Refine Further With Lasso Tools
Even though you did a bit of refining using the Select and Mask tools, the magnet Lasso can refine further. Lasso tends to be faster, especially for images with well-defined ends. So, continue refining your photo for better results.
Select the Magnetic Lasso (which is the third) from the top of the default toolbox. If your photo features both straight and well-defined edges, consider the polygonal lasso tool. It is a better choice for such cases, but it won’t work if your picture has curves.
You can also refine your object by clicking around the outside edge to select any extra background areas you need to cut. The Lasso tool will snap the image ends, but you ought to help by clicking frequently enough. Once the background selection is complete, go for the delete button.
Delete Your Background
Now that you got the subject selection and refining out of your way delete the background. In this step, you need to search for the inverse by clicking CTRL+SHIFT+I. Go to the Select panel to access this option by navigating down the menu bar.
If you are through with selecting the backdrop inverse, hit the BACKSPACE. You will create a transparent background. At this point, your image will appear with a white and gray board, resembling a chess pattern.
Format Your Photo
Now that you have transparent image background, verify its set-up. As the Photoshop Editor, you need to make sure your object is in the appropriate format. In this way, it will be easier to use the picture on e-commerce products websites.
The best format to use when creating a transparent backdrop in Photoshop is PNG-24. It provides transparency even with multiple layers. Moreover, it won’t create a pixelated “halo” in a background with a different color. You can also use the PNG-8 or the GIF older formats of a transparent backdrop. Both can also add an excellent halo effect to your picture.
To save your image in PNG-24 format using the keyboard, press SHIFT+ALT+CTRL and W. You can also open the Photoshop file option and then navigate to Export or Export As. If you cannot see the Export As option in your application, find Save for Web.
After that, choose the PNG-24 from the Preset menu. The Preset is on your right-hand side of the chatbox. You will see a file with an option to select the PNG format. There is a clarity choice, so strike the button. Besides, be careful when dealing with 8-bit files as their file conversions must use PNG-8 form.
Verify the Image Size
Once the format setting is complete, it is also essential to check the size of your image for the sake of websites. Small size pictures are the most suitable on the internet, whereas big size photos reduce your website loading speed. Therefore, you should minimize the size of your images to 200KB or even less.
For you to attain the desired size, go to the dialog box on your right-hand side. You will see the option “Image Size” to regulate the image size volume. If the photo depth is immense, then your file is oversize, and if the image volume is less, then the file is small. For the best results, maintain a minimum ratio. After all, you do not want to upload blurred pictures. So focus on the size of your image and always try your best to keep balance.
Save Your Folder as PNG
It is the last step to take when creating a transparent background in Photoshop. On the dialog toolbox, you will find an option to select your folder. Hit the button and save your file as PNG.
You can now place the picture into a PowerPoint presentation, a website, or a word document. The image will stand alone with a transparent but not white background.
In Summary
In a nutshell, that is the procedure for creating a transparent background in Photoshop. Why don’t you take great advantage of the above steps to make your images more dazzling and attractive? You can delete any white backdrop, provided that you have the necessary tools and understand how they work.