How to Change the Background Color of a Photo: White, Black or Any Color (Free)

To change a photo's background color, remove the old background to get the subject on a transparent layer, then place that cutout on a solid white, black or custom color and export. imgmend does the first step free in your browser; the second step takes a minute in any slide or photo editor.

Quick Facts
Step 1	Remove the background (transparent PNG)
Step 2	Place the cutout on a solid color layer
Step 3	Export as PNG or JPG
imgmend preview	Shows the cutout on white, black or a custom color; the download itself is the transparent PNG
Cost	Free: imgmend (3 per day) plus Google Slides, PowerPoint or GIMP

Step 1: Remove the Old Background

1. Open imgmend.com/remove-background and upload a JPG, PNG or WebP photo.
2. Wait about 10–30 seconds for the AI cutout.
3. Use the color options in the preview to check the edges against white, black or a custom color.
4. Download the transparent PNG.

The preview colors are for checking only; the downloaded file has a transparent background, so the new color is added in Step 2. Free downloads carry a small watermark that Pro removes, and very large photos are scaled down to about 2 megapixels first.

Step 2: Put the Cutout on a New Color

Google Slides (free, any device):

1. Open a blank presentation and click Background → Color to choose white, black or a custom color.
2. Insert your PNG with Insert → Image and resize it to fill the slide.
3. Choose File → Download → PNG image to save the slide as a picture.

PowerPoint: use Design → Format Background → Solid fill, insert the PNG, then right-click it, or the slide, and choose Save as Picture.

GIMP (free): open the PNG, add a new layer filled with the color (Layer → New Layer), move it under the cutout (Layer → Stack → Lower Layer), and export as PNG or JPG.

Making a Background White for Product or ID Photos

Online marketplaces commonly ask for a plain white background on product images, and many ID and passport photo specifications also require a specific background color. These rules vary by marketplace and by country, so check the current requirements before you upload. For product photos, see product photo background removal. If the photo is for an official document, check whether digital editing is allowed at all.

Changing a Black Background to White

If your subject sits on a black background and you want it white, the same two steps apply: remove the black background, then place the cutout on white. Dark, low-contrast subjects such as a black object on a black background are the hardest case, so lighten the photo first if the AI cuts into the subject.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I add a white background to a photo?

Remove the background with a tool like imgmend, then place the transparent PNG on a white layer in Google Slides, PowerPoint or GIMP and export it.

How do I make a photo's background black?

Remove the background, then place the cutout on a black solid color layer and export.

Does imgmend download the photo with the new background color?

Not currently. The preview shows white, black and custom colors, but the download is a transparent PNG that you place on the color you want.

Why are the edges bad after changing the background?

Low contrast or a blurry source leaves a halo from the old background. See how to clean up cutout edges, or start from a sharper photo.

Remove the old background free →

Related: remove a white background · clean up cutout edges