Gimp: Making the background transparent

To make the background of an image transparent in GIMP is possible in a few steps. It is particularly easy with a single-colour background. But you can also remove a multi-coloured background

Making a single-colour background transparent in GIMP: This is how you proceed

To make a background transparent, you must first remove the existing background. To do this, open Gimp and proceed as follows:

• First load the image into Gimp via “File” and “Open”.
• Select the tool “Select by colour” in the toolbox. Alternatively, you can also call up the tool via the key combination [Shift] + [C].
• Click on the monochrome background with the tool. This will now be outlined with dotted lines.
• Finally press the [Del] key and the background has disappeared. Now the background should already be transparent, i.e. it should consist of a grey chequerboard pattern.
• If the background does not become transparent when you remove it, you must first add the alpha channel in Gimp. To do this, click on the item “Layer” in the menu bar at the top. Under the item “Transparency” you will find the option “Add alpha channel”.

Making an image with a multi-coloured background transparent: This is how you proceed

If the background consists of an image, for example, then follow the steps below.

• In the toolbox, click on the polygon tool that looks like a lasso. Alternatively, press the [F] key on the keyboard.

• Then you should zoom into the image so that you can work cleanly. Now set points with the polygon tool to mark the foreground with it. Make sure that the foreground is completely outlined.

• Click on “Selection” in the menu bar at the top and select “Invert”. This will invert your current selection. The background should now be highlighted.

• Now press [Del] to delete the existing background.

• If removal is unsuccessful, again you must first add the alpha channel via “Layer” and “Transparency”.

Image with transparent background: How to save it correctly

Once the background is gone, all you need to do is save the image correctly.

• To do this, go to “File” and click on “Export”. Then navigate to the desired location.
• Indicate the desired file name at the top under “Name:”. It is important that the file does not end in JPG or JPEG. This format does not reproduce transparency, so the background is always white. Therefore, save the image as a PNG file by adding the suffix “.png” after the file name.