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Known Participant
April 29, 2025
Answered

illustrator treating transparent background as white

  • April 29, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 3984 views

Something weird just started happening where I set up my png sticker files for printing and the transparent backgrounds are being treated as white. Like I can't overlap the transparent outer edges of the designs because it's treated like a white square or rectangle, opposed to just the design. Any ideas on what's going on and how to fix it? I included 2 pics, one showing the overlapping designs on the artboard and the other off the artboard. Thank you!

Correct answer Ton Frederiks

Sorry. My mistake. Here you are. 


Thanks, looks like there is nothing wrong with the transparency of that image.

When placed in an Illustrator file, the Links panel says Transparent: Yes.

The regular things to do when Illustrator behaves strange is restart, reset preferences, try CPU Preview.

1 reply

Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Community Expert
April 29, 2025

Can you share an example file? I you first image there is a grey background covering the other image, just like the white covering the other image in your second image.

Known Participant
April 29, 2025

I don't think I understand what you are asking for. The png file is bottom file on the gray background. that is what it should look like.

 

Known Participant
May 9, 2025

Hello @Todd35697350lf37,

Could you confirm the version of the OS/Illustrator installed, and if this happens with all PNG files, so I can better assist you?
Also, try running Illustrator under a different administrator account (Windows / macOS) and share your observations.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Anubhav


Sure. OS is windows 11 pro. Illustrator is 29.5 (64 bit). It does not
happen on all pngs. The problem occurs when I open a new document and place
various pngs on it for printing. However, if I open the png file, there is
no problem. I can even place other pngs in the document and it acts normal.
As I said, it's only when I open a new blank document.

I will try running under a different administrator and let you know if that
does any different.