Add a background color in Illustrator 10

[_Mordecai_Altose_]

I have a .ai file I want to use for printed business cards. I want to add a simple one color background. How do I do this. (I am a beginner, so please explain in detail.)

Thanks

[JETalmage]

There is no printable "background" in Illustrator. Everything in the design is an object. Create a rectangle; fill it with the desired color; send it to the back.

JET

[_Mordecai_Altose_]

Can you give me step by step instructions on how to do this?

Thanks
Mordecai

[Scott Falkner · Accepted solution]

> Can you give me step by step instructions on how to do this?

1 Create a rectangle;

2 fill it with the desired color;

3 send it to the back.

[JayJhabrix]

And remember to size the rectangle to the area you want...

[KarenSC]

No matter what version of ILlustrator, I prefer using layers. If you open the Layers paletter and make a new layer. Drag it to the bottom of the layers palette. Select the layer and draw a rectangle filled with color on that layer. You can then lock the layer and draw on the other layers without touching the background.

Conversely, you can lock the other layers and unlock the background and change the background color to whatever you choose. Experiment.

The HELP file will tell you more about layers.