A Step-by-Step Guide: How to Delete Background in Photoshop

Have you ever tried learning how to delete background in Photoshop but didn't succeed? Well, don't worry, you're definitely not the only one. In fact, it's quite common for beginners and even experienced designers to face difficulties with the software's complexity. Some people find it particularly tough to achieve a clean and precise cutout. However, with some practice and the right guidance, anyone can master the art of deleting backgrounds in Photoshop and alternatives like Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Express. In this blog post, we'll show you exactly how to delete a background in Photoshop.



How to delete background in Photoshop

Photoshop is one of the most versatile editing software with incredible tools that address every editing need. But when it comes to removing background from images, it can be quite cumbersome, especially if you do not know the tool to use or what direction you choose to go with your edits. Fortunately, it offers five tools that can efficiently delete your background, but keep in mind that they do not all work the same way.

Here is how to delete a background in Photoshop with these tools.

1. Background eraser tool

The background remover tool is not a good option if you want a quick and efficient method to remove the background from your graphic. It is because it can be time-consuming, and you will need to be patient to achieve the best results.

How to delete an image background in the Photoshop background eraser tool

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1. Begin by duplicating the image you wish to edit and deleting the duplicate.
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2. Locate the background eraser tool in the tools palette.
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3. Click on the top option in the tool to adjust the brush size, hardness, and spacing according to your preference.
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4. Choose between continuous, one, or swatch sampling options based on how much of the image you want to erase.
5. If you opt for continuous sampling, it will continuously erase the background color. This is ideal for removing multiple colors but may accidentally delete parts of your subject.
6. The one sampling option only erases the color under the crosshair once. It allows for precise editing by selecting colors individually.
7. For precise editing, use the swatch option to delete specific colors and color ranges.
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8. Select contiguous, discontiguous, or find edges under the Limits option. Each option erases pixels differently based on their relationship to the crosshair.
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9. Save your project and export the image as a PNG file when you are done editing.
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2. Quick Selection Tool

The quick selection tool is perfect for personal editing, as it's known for being one of the easiest ways to remove a background from an image with good precision. This tool utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) to recognize images.

How to delete background from Photoshop's quick selection tool

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1. Duplicate the image you want to edit by right-clicking on the background and selecting the duplicate layer.
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2. Head to the tools palette and select the quick selection tool next to the magic wand tool.
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3. Check the Auto Enhance option on top for smoother selection edges.
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4. Move the pointer to and select areas you want to remove.
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5. If you've added too many areas to the selection and want to remove them, simply use the alt key (for Windows) or the option key (on macOS) to deselect the area. Now save the image as PNG.
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3. Pen tool

The pen tool offers superior control compared to any background removal tool in Photoshop. It is the most precise method for removing backgrounds, especially for images with clear, transparent edges. The pen tool is ideal for professional editing, although it can be time-consuming.

How to delete the white background in Photoshop pen tool

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1. To begin, open the image and make a copy before starting the editing process.
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2. Next, locate the pen tool in the tools palette, which is positioned above the text tool.
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3. Choose a suitable starting point, preferably along an edge, and click to create an anchor. From there, carefully work your way around the subject.
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4. Keep in mind that you will encounter two types of curves - simple and complex. When dealing with curves, click, hold, and drag to create a curved line. Then, adjust the length and angle of the line by moving the mouse pointer.
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5. Once you have finished tracing the subject, return to the paths box that was opened earlier. Click on the thumbnail of the path you were working on. This will convert your subject into a selection.
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6. Click on your layer and then select the layer mask icon below to load the selection. Once you are satisfied with the selection, create a new file and drag and drop the selection into it. Finally, export the image as a PNG file.
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4. Photoshop quick action tool

The Photoshop quick action tool is a fast way to remove backgrounds in Photoshop, but keep in mind that it may not be as accurate. This tool is best suited for personal editing purposes.

How to delete a white background with Photoshop's quick action tool

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1. Open the image and head over to the layer panel.
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2. Click on the image to unlock it. The layer name will change from ‘Background’ to ‘Layer 0.’
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3. Go to Window → Properties, and you will find a dialogue box. Here, you will find the following options under Quick Action: ‘Remove Background’ & ‘Select Subject’.
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4. If you click on ‘Remove Background,’ the background of the image will be removed automatically. Save and export the image as a PNG.
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5. Magnetic lasso tool

The magnetic lasso tool can be a bit time-consuming and requires some patience. However, if you're skilled at making precise hand selections, this tool is perfect for you. It's especially effective when working with images that have a strong contrast between the subject and the background and when you want Photoshop to detect the path for you automatically. It's a great tool for professional editing purposes.

Photoshop: how to delete white background with magnetic lasso tool

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1. Select the magnetic lasso tool from the tools palette on the left to draw along the edge of the subject. Do this slowly and carefully.
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2. Once you get a starting point, cover all the edges and return to the starting point to make a selection. This selection will turn into marching ants.
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3. Go to Selection → Save Selection and give it a name.
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4. Then, Selection → Inverse and click delete to remove the background. You will see a white/grey checkered background instead of the original one.
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How to delete background without Photoshop

1. Best Photoshop alternative: delete background online easily for free

CapCut cutout is a popular tool for both beginners and experts alike. It doesn't require the installation of any complex software or any advanced technical skills. With a few clicks, you can efficiently remove backgrounds from your PNG images and turn them into personalized graphics for any design work.

Key features

• High precision: The algorithm quickly identifies the boundaries of the subject, enabling you to select and isolate objects or people in an image with high accuracy.
• Smart color picker: you can pick and add colors automatically to your image background to make sure it's cohesive with the subject.
• Auto removal: It is designed to remove backgrounds or specific objects from your image automatically.
• Background customization: This feature lets you replace the original background of the image with a new image or color. It's great for enhancing the visual appeal of your content.

Steps to make a professional background for a photo with CapCut

Say goodbye to tedious background removal processes and hello to quick and easy cutouts with CapCut cutout

Step
1. Upload
2. Upload the picture you want to edit with CapCut cloud space, Google Drive, Dropbox, or straight from your device.
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4. Remove & change the background
5. Once the image is uploaded, the tool will automatically remove the background via the auto removal function.
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7. Now you can change the background color by clicking on ''Background'' on the left side of the panel or you can set an image as a background. You can also use the smart colour picker to add a color that matches the overall aesthetic of the image automatically.
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9. Export

Click on ''Export'' to save the photo on your device. Here, you can change the file name, choose the format, and pick a resolution before you can finally export your image.



2. How to remove background in Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a top vector drawing program in the market, but it does more than just that. With its background remover, you can enhance your photography by removing distractions, unnecessary objects, and imperfections from your photos. It's also great for preparing your images for special edits because it enables you to add reflections, shadows, and other enhancements.

Remove the background in Illustrator using Image Trace

First, create a vector.

Step
1. Upload the image in Adobe Illustrator. Show the transparency grid by going to View,Show Transparency Grid. The checkerboard pattern will indicate the transparent areas of the image's background.
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2. Run ''Image Trace’’ by clicking the Window tab and choose ''Image Trace'' from the dropdown menu. Hit the ''Selection'' tool (Black arrow) from the toolbar, then click on the image to select it.
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3. Choose the ''High Fidelity Photo preset'' In the ''Image Trace'' window for optimal results. Alternatively, you can choose any other preset that suits the quality of your photo. Set ''Mode'' to the ''Color’’ preset.
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4. Convert your image into a vector by going to Object>Expand.
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5. Locate ''Direct Selection'' in the toolbar (White arrow) and click on it. Select the background elements and parts that you want to remove, and then click ''Delete’’ to remove them.
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6. Export and save the file under the ''Object tab’’. Choose ''Expand'' to export the file as .EPS or PNG. Before exporting, ensure that you have checked the ‘’Background Transparent’’ box. Finally, click on ''File'', select ''Save As'', and save your new image.
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Remove the background in Illustrator using Pen Tool

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1. Open Adobe Illustrator and upload the image to the workspace. Select the ''Pen Tool'' in the toolbar to select the background of the image.
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2. Open your image and zoom in by selecting the ''zoom tool'' from the toolbar. Open the ''Pen Tool'' and select your stroke color. Click ''No Fill'' and keep clicking around the image area to create anchor dots. These dots create an image outline that you can edit. Once you’ve selected the image background outline, close up your shape by clicking on the first anchor point.
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3. Click ''Shift'' and select both your outline and the whole image by clicking on them. Right-click on your selection and head over to ''Make Clipping Mask’’ to remove the background from your image.
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4. Check the transparency of your newly edited image by clicking View, Show Transparency Grid. That allows you to visualize the checkerboard background. If you’re satisfied with the result, mark the ''Background Transparent'' box and navigate to Object, Expand. Export your image file as .EPS or PNG, then click File, Save As to save your image.
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Remove the background in Illustrator using Magic Wand

Step
1. Upload the image you want to remove the background from. Select the part of your image you want to remove and let Magic Wand identify matching elements. If you need to add more elements to your selection, press and hold Shift and click on the part of the image you want to add.
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2. Customize your image settings using available options in the toolbar, such as stroke weight, opacity, or color.
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3. Once you’re done, click Delete to remove the selected background elements. Repeat as many times as needed until you accomplish satisfying results.
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3. How to remove background Adobe Express

Adobe Express has a free image background remover perfect for removing the background from photos. You can also edit your pictures even further in Adobe Express where you can change the background, add graphics, and more. Here is how to delete an image background in Adobe Express.

1. Upload your photo to the image background remover tool. It only supports files that are in PNG, JPG, and JPEG format.
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3. As soon as your file uploads, the AI-powered remover tool will automatically extract the background from your image.
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Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can learn how to delete background in Photoshop to achieve seamless and professional-looking cutouts. Remember, to practice and perfect so you can refine your technique in Photoshop, Adobe Express, and Illustrator. However, if you prefer a more automated approach, give CapCut cutout a try. It's a quick and easy process - upload your image, and within seconds, the background will be removed. Give CapCut a shot today and take your editing skills to the next level!

FAQs

1. Can I delete the background of a complex image with multiple subjects in Photoshop?
2. Yes, you can delete the background of a complex image with multiple subjects in Photoshop. The right tool to handle this task is the Quick Selection Tool because it is AI-powered and can accurately separate subjects from the background without mistakes.
3. You can also use its Auto Enhance function for a smoother selection of edges in complex images. Likewise, CapCut cutout can delete the background of a complex image with multiple subjects while still maintaining the image quality.
4. How do I handle hair and other intricate details when deleting the background using Photoshop?
5. When dealing with hair and other intricate details, use tools like the Refine Edge brush or the Select and Mask feature to refine your selection. Adjusting the brush settings and painting over areas with fine details can help create a more realistic and seamless result.
6. Additionally, consider using techniques like layer masking to blend the edges smoothly with the new background. On the other hand, CapCut cutout uses advanced algorithms that maintain the integrity of your original image while still removing its background with high precision.