How to Make a Background White in Photoshop (Multiple Methods)

Last updated on Jul 15, 2024 by Southie Williamson

Have you ever captured what seemed like the perfect photo on a white backdrop, only to find that it appears gray in your final image? Don’t worry – it happens to even the most experienced photographers! The good news is, you can easily fix this issue by learning how to make a background white in Photoshop.

A clean, white background isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s crucial for wedding photography collections, e-commerce product shots, and creating a cohesive look on your website. After all, images with pure white edges blend seamlessly into most web designs, and they’re easy to make transparent for various design projects.

Today, we’re going to walk you through multiple methods to add a white background in Photoshop, ensuring your photos look polished and professional. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you’ll find actionable tips to enhance your editing workflow.

Before we dive in, make sure you have Photoshop installed on your computer. If you don’t have it yet, you can get Photoshop from Adobe’s site as part of their Creative Cloud package, which also includes Lightroom – another essential tool for photographers.

Without further ado, let’s jump into it.

Pro Tip: Once you’ve mastered creating white backgrounds in Photoshop, showcase your enhanced images in a stunning portfolio on your WordPress site using Envira Gallery. Our plugin makes it easy to create responsive, professional-looking galleries that will make your white-background photos shine!

Why You Need a Plain White Background

Here are several reasons why photographers and designers often need to replace an object’s background with pure white:

• Enhanced Focus: A clean, white background eliminates distractions, allowing your subject to take center stage. This is especially important for product photography, portraits, and professional headshots.
• Consistency: When you add a white background in Photoshop to multiple images, you create a cohesive look across your portfolio or eCommerce site. This consistency is key for brand identity and professional presentation.
• Versatility: Images with white backgrounds are incredibly versatile. They can be easily integrated into various designs, websites, or marketing materials without clashing with existing color schemes.
• Print-Ready: White backgrounds are ideal for print materials. They ensure your images look crisp and professional in catalogs, brochures, or other printed media.
• eCommerce Optimization: Many online marketplaces require product images to have white backgrounds. Mastering this skill can help you meet these requirements and potentially boost your product listings.
• Easy Manipulation: Images with white backgrounds are easier to edit further. You can quickly add text, graphics, or merge with other images without worrying about blending issues.

With so many uses for photos with white backgrounds, it’s important that you learn how to edit them properly! Let’s take a look at the steps for making a background white in Photoshop.

How to Make a Background White in Photoshop

As with most editing operations in Photoshop, there are a number of ways to make an image’s background white. We’ll focus on two of these editing techniques in this tutorial and test them both out on the same image. 

The initial steps in each approach are the same.

Preparing Your Image

Step 1: Open Your Image in Photoshop

You’ll first need to open your image in Photoshop so that you can work on making the background white. Simply right-click on your photo, then select Open with… and choose Photoshop.

Your photo will open in a new Photoshop window on your screen. 

Step 2: Duplicate the Original Layer

Before we can begin making edits, we need to duplicate the original image layer. You could make your edits on the original image layer, but then you run the risk of permanently changing the image file. It’s best practice to edit on a duplicate layer so that the original layer remains intact.

To duplicate the image layer, choose Layer » New » Layer from the upper menu bar to create a new layer.

Or, click on the original layer in the Layers Panel on the bottom right of the screen, then drag the layer to the New Layer button. This button appears as a square post-it at the bottom of the Layers Panel.

Pro Tip: You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+J (Windows) or Cmd+J (Mac) to quickly duplicate a layer.

Once you’ve duplicated the layer, you can rename it however you choose.

For the purposes of this tutorial, I’ll name my duplicate layer “Edits,” since it will contain all of my edits to make the image background white.

Method 1: Levels Adjustment

One of the most effective ways to make a background white in Photoshop is by using the Levels Adjustment tool. This method is particularly useful for images with uncomplicated backgrounds. Let’s walk through the process step-by-step:

By adjusting the color levels, we can desaturate the image so that the background turns white. 

Step 1: Adjust Levels Sliders

In order to adjust the levels, click Image in the top menu, then select Adjustments » Levels.

Photoshop will pull up an adjustments slider with three tabs, one for each of the primary color channels. Adjust the Levels sliders until the background of the image is plain white. For some images, this may mean pulling all of the Levels sliders to 0. 

Note: adjusting these Levels sliders desaturates the entire image, not just the background We’ll remedy that problem in these next steps!

Step 2: Add a Layer Mask

Now that we have an image with a white background, we can create a Layer Mask to add the subject back into the photo.

We’ll Duplicate our original image layer as we did at the beginning of the tutorial. Now, we need to reorder the layers in our Layers Panel so that the mask reveals our duplicate image layer. 

We want the layer containing the edited white background, which we labeled “Edits,” to sit between our original image layer and our duplicate image layer in the Layers panel. Your Layers Panel should look something like this: 

Now, let’s add a Layer Mask to our topmost layer, the duplicate image layer. To add a layer mask, select the gray square icon with a circle in the middle, located at the bottom of the Layers Panel. Make sure to select the topmost layer before you add your mask.

You’ll know you’ve added a Layer Mask correctly when you see a white layer attached to the duplicate image thumbnail in the Layers Panel.

This mask will allow us to paint out a portion of the duplicate image layer in order to reveal the layer beneath it. In this case, the layer beneath is our desaturated image layer.

Step 3: Paint to Reveal the Original Image

Select the Hard Round brush from the Brush Tools Panel, or select B on your keyboard. Set the opacity of your brush to 100%, using the opacity slider near the top of the screen.

With your brush selected, change the color to Black by clicking on the topmost square at the bottom left of the Tools Panel. Select your Layer Mask, then start painting black onto the mask to reveal the white background. 

Pro Tip: You can build up the black on the layer mask by releasing and clicking again. This will allow you to add brightness and darkness as necessary to the background.

If you make a mistake, you can repaint the portion of the image you erased by switching to white paint. Photoshop makes it easy to toggle back and forth between white and black by pressing the X key on your keyboard.

Step 4: Fine-Tune and Save

When painting out the background around your subjects, precision is important. Don’t be afraid to reduce the size of your brush and zoom in closely.

Once you’re finished painting in your white background, be sure to save your photo. Click File » Save As in the top toolbar. Choose your preferred file format (usually JPEG or PNG for web use), select a location, and click Save.

Pro Tip: To save your progress at any time, press Cmd/Ctrl + S.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully learned how to make a background white in Photoshop using the Levels Adjustment method. This technique is great for images with relatively simple backgrounds, but what about more complex images?

Pro Tip: For images with slightly uneven backgrounds, try the Blur Average Filter before adjusting levels:

• Duplicate your background layer
• Select the background area (excluding your subject) using any selection tool
• Go to Filter » Blur » Average
• This will create an even color across your selection
• Then proceed with the Levels adjustment as described above

This technique can help create a more uniform background before making it white. However, in the next section, we’ll explore another method using Selection Tools for more precise control.

Method 2: Quick Selection Tool

The above approach is simple enough, but sometimes you need a more precise edit to make your white background look natural. There’s a ton of room for error when working with Layer Masks and hand-painting out your image’s background. So, let’s look at another approach using Photoshop’s built-in selection tools.

Step 1: Use the Select and Mask Tool

Once you’ve imported your image to Photoshop and duplicated the layer to ensure non-destructive editing, choose Select from the upper menu, then pick the Select and Mask option. 

Next, in the upper right-hand corner of the sidebar menu that opens, choose the drop-down to select a Viewing Mode.

Photoshop’s Viewing Modes will help us to see our edits against our original image as we make them. For this tutorial, I’ve chosen to use the Overlay Viewing Mode.

You’ll notice that the Overlay mode creates a red color cast over the entire image. 

Step 2: Select Your Subject

Next, we need to tell Photoshop who or what our image subject is. To do that, we’ll use the Quick Selection Tool. Simply click the Quick Selection Tool (W) in the left toolbar. Then, click and drag your cursor to select your subject. The tool will attempt to detect your edges automatically.

Adjust the Smooth and Feather sliders in the Properties Panel to refine your selection and the Shift Edge slider to expand or contract your selection if necessary.

After you’ve painted the bulk of your subject with the Quick Selection Tool, use the Refine Edge Tool (R) from the same left-hand sidebar to create sharper edges around your focal point.

Remember, you can Zoom (Ctrl/Cmd + +) in on the image to make a closer selection and adjust your brush tools within the Viewing Modes panel.

Pro Tip: Use the [ and ] keys to adjust your brush size as needed.

When you’ve painted your subject selection and you’re happy with the results, you’re ready to output your selection to the main Photoshop window.

Select Output To » New Layer with Layer Mask from the bottom right of the screen and then hit OK to create your new layer with the selected subject.

This operation moves your image back to the Photoshop home screen in a new layer. This new layer has the background of the photo masked out, which leaves your subject remaining.

Note: The Quick Selection Tool uses AI automatically select similar pixels across an area. You’ll want to use this approach on images where the subject stands out from the background, rather than images where the subject blends in. To learn about other selection tools you can use to remove a background, check out How to Make an Image Transparent in Photoshop.

Next up, we need to add a white background to the image.

Step 3: Add a White Background

At this point, you have 3 options for how to proceed.

Option A: Create a New White Layer

After eliminating the background, you can add in a white background behind your subject. Create a new layer by clicking the New Layer icon in the Layers panel.

Select the Paint Bucket Tool (G) and set the foreground color to white. Then, click on the canvas to fill the background layer with white.

Move this white layer underneath your masked image layer in the panel to put your subject on a white background.

Option B: Use Content-Aware Fill

With your subject layer selected, right-click and choose Select Inverse to select the background. Then, go to Edit » Fill and choose Content-Aware from the Contents drop-down in the dialog box. Click OK and let Photoshop work its magic.

Content-Aware Fill can be particularly effective for images with complex backgrounds, potentially saving you time on manual adjustments.

Option C: Use Blend Mode for Fine Details

For subjects with intricate edges like hair or fur, the blend mode method can be particularly effective. Start by duplicating your original layer instead of creating a new white layer or adding a fill.

Next, add a Levels Adjustment layer and move the white point slider to the left to brighten the background. Then, change the blending mode of your duplicated layer to Multiply. This blend mode helps preserve fine details while darkening the image.

Finally, use a layer mask to hide any remaining dark areas in the background, carefully painting with a soft brush to reveal or conceal parts of the original image as needed.

This technique excels at preserving fine details while creating a white background, making it ideal for complex subjects like portraits with flyaway hair or objects with intricate outlines. It offers more control over the transition between the subject and the background, often resulting in a more natural-looking composite.

Step 4: Touch Up Your Work

At this step, you may discover that not all of your edges are crisp. That’s okay! Although it uses AI, the Quick Selection Tool isn’t fool-proof. We can fix these edges pretty easily at this point in our editing process.

Examine the edges of your subject carefully. Zoom in to check your work closely. If you notice any imperfections or remaining background elements, use the Clone Stamp Tool (S) or the Healing Brush Tool (J) to clean up the edges. Use a small, hard-edged brush for precise touch-ups along the edges.

For any color fringing around the edges of your subject, you can use the Defringe Tool. Select your subject layer and navigate to Layer » Matting » Defringe.

A dialog box will appear and ask you to input a Pixel Value. This determines how many pixels Photoshop will remove from the edges of your subject. Each photo will be different, but 1-2 pixels is usually sufficient. Press OK.

Pro Tip: If you’re working with very fine details like hair, you might find it helpful to use a layer mask and a soft brush to carefully reveal or hide parts of the original image for a more natural look.

Remember to save your progress regularly as you refine your image and export the final photo when you’re finished.

Testing for Pure White

Regardless of the editing approach you chose, you’ll need to make sure that your background is truly white.

The easiest way to determine if your image background is plain white is to create a new Threshold Adjustment Layer. Choose Layer » New Adjustment Layer » Threshold from the upper menu. 

Click OK in the dialog box that appears. Then, move the Threshold slider all the way to the left. If you see any black remaining in the background of your image, your background isn’t plain white! 

Delete the Threshold layer when you’re done checking.

Here’s our final result:

If your background isn’t pure white, you may need to adjust your selection or use the Levels tool to brighten the background further.

Final Tips & Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Always work non-destructively by using adjustment layers and masks
• Use the Info panel to check RGB values – pure white is R:255, G:255, B:255
• For product photography, consider using a light tent to minimize editing needed
• When possible, shoot on a light gray background rather than pure white – it’s easier to adjust in post-processing
• Remember that “pure white” might not always look best – sometimes a very light gray (250, 250, 250) can provide a softer look

When editing white backgrounds, here are some common issues you might encounter and how to fix them:

• Halo Effects: Use the Defringe tool as described earlier, or try the Select and Mask tool with the Decontaminate Colors option.
• Border Around the Subject: If you notice a border between your image and the background, select Photoshop » Preferences » Interface and click None for the border options on all your layers.
• Losing Fine Details: Use a smaller brush and zoom in when making your selection. The Refine Edge Brush can help with intricate areas like hair.
• Uneven Background: If your background isn’t uniformly white, try using a Levels or Curves adjustment layer to even it out.

There you have it – everything you need to know about how to make a background white in Photoshop!

With these skills, you’ll be able to add a white background in Photoshop to virtually any image, no matter how complex. Remember, the key to achieving great results is practice and patience. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different methods to find what works best for each unique image.

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If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out How to Remove Skin Blemishes in Photoshop.

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