How can I remove the background from my images?

Written by

Sabrina Barnes

To ensure that only the design element(s) are printed, we recommend removing the image background unless it is an integral part of your design. You can do this directly in the Product Creator using the built-in background removal tool, or you can use an image editing program.

Background removal tool in the Product Creator

The Product Creator offers a background removal tool for JPEG or PNG images, including Shutterstock and AI-generated images. Choose the “Quick remove” option for automatic background removal. Note that there is a monthly limit of 50 “Quick remove” attempts per account. Each attempt resets individually one month after it is used.

The tool becomes visible once a JPEG or PNG image is selected on the canvas. If you don’t see it, check that your file type is supported and that the product isn’t embroidery.

Note

The built-in background removal tool is not available for embroidery products. Backgrounds should be removed before uploading embroidery designs.

How can I remove the background from my images-1.gif

If additional editing is needed, use the brush tool to manually remove parts of the image (not available for Shutterstock images).

How can I remove the background from my images-2.gif

The “Quick remove” tool works best when used with images where the edges of the objects and the background are well-defined. In other cases, we recommend using the manual removal tool.

Note

The maximum file size for background removal is 20MB, the maximum resolution is 50 megapixels, the minimum side length is 32px, and the maximum side length is 10,000px. If your image exceeds these limits, please consider using the other options listed below.

Other background removal options

Here are some free alternative options:

Adobe Photoshop Express: This is a free online image editor that is perfect for simple images.
GIMP: It is a free, open-source image editing program that requires installation (find an image removal tutorial here).
Photopea: This is another free online image editor and an alternative to Adobe Photoshop (image removal tutorial here).
Fotor: Fotor is an online image editor with a free trial available, serving as an alternative to Adobe Photoshop.

Note

Always make sure to save/export the file in PNG format after editing, as it is the only format that supports a transparent background.

If you prefer professional assistance, you can hire a graphic designer through platforms like Fiverr.