When I create graphics for social media or blogs, there are times when I come across a graphic with a white background. Even some of my clients receive great logos from their designers however they never get a logo with the transparent background. The question is how to get rid of the dreaded white background without going into Adobe Photoshop or paying for a software to get it done.
I have tested so many web applications and it all came down to 2 image photo editors to remove backgrounds that were super easy to use. I mean REALLY easy to use.
I know many people love ClippingMagic and PicMonkey for transparent backgrounds. However they just don’t work for me that well.
Here’s the 2 BEST & FREE image editing tools to remove backgrounds:
LunaPic
LunaPic is not a new web application; it’s been around the web world for quite a while from what I can gather at least 10 years old. I guess many people don’t like it because of the ads splattered all over the site. However it does the job and it does it fast. I used my revised logo as an example.
- Upload your photo/graphic
- Click on Edit and scroll down to Transparency
- Click on the image color you would like to make transparent
BAM! It’s done.
Take a look at the GIF below.
I didn’t increase the speed on this GIF, this was real time and would actually have been less if I was at the home page to upload my logo at first. It took a full minute!
Online Image Editor
Online Image Editor is another excellent option. Nothing fancy about the user interface, no matter, this tool gets the job done. You can also use it for many other features such as create GIFs or animation. I have never used any of the other features but it’s certainly something to look into.
- Once you upload your photo, click on the Wizard tab.
- Click on the diamond graphic that states Transparency.
- Click on Selected Transparent Area on the left and click on the background.
- Wait for the magic to happen… Boom! The background is removed.
Again for this GIF as in the LunaPic demo, I didn’t speed up the GIF. It literally took 1 minute to remove the white background. It did find some holes in the lettering, which I was able to click on and the background disappeared. That was awesome!
Research & Experience with Image Photo Editors
With my experience with other image editors, these were the only 2 that I would remove a white background in 1 minute or less. I used to use PowerPoint to remove the background but it was absolutely a tedious project.
Check out the comparison with the GIF below when I used my logo in PowerPoint.
That was a lot of work compared to LunaPic and Online Image Editor. I did have to increase the speed 3 times fast in this GIF because it took WAY TOO LONG to get done.
What are your favorite image editor tools?
I like to call these tools my “Canva Sidekicks” because when I get through with removing the backgrounds I upload them to Canva to create more images.
These image editor tools work for me and as you can see from my mini videos they are super fast. I’d like to know what you use when you experience white backgrounds on your graphics.
Give these tools a try and let me know how you like them in the comments.
Take care,
Lillian De Jesus
Tigerlily 
Hi Lillian,
I love coming to your blog and learning so much about images. Images are imperative to use these days, so to keep on top of things, you are my go to gal!
I use Canva and sometimes Pic Monkey. I also tried to use Pixelmator to remove backgrounds, but it doesn’t work well unless you are a graphic artist lol.
I’m taking a look at online image editor and LunarPic right after this comment.
Thanks so much,
-Donna
Hi Donna,
I know how time consuming it is to get rid of the backgrounds. That’s why I felt this was a much needed post and I couldn’t be the only one that struggled to find the right tools for the job. Let me know how Online Image Editor and LunaPic work out for you.
Take care,
Lillian 🙂
Reblogged this on ErikaBeyk and commented:
Great tools for images from Tigerlilly 🙂
Thanks Erika! Glad you like these tools. 🙂
Hi Lillian,
Awesome tips, I have used Canva
and now will check out the LunarPic
thanks for sharing 🙂
Emi
Hi Emi,
Glad you like the tips!
Take care,
Lillian 🙂
Hello Lillian, It has been a while since I have been here and forgot how great your tips are, now this is something I can surely use.. Thanks for sharing.. Chery :))
Hey there Chery!
So glad you came to visit. I’m glad these tips are useful to you.
Take care,
Lillian 🙂
Hi Lillian…
Another GREAT tidbit!! Love this. There are more image editors now because they are just that important! I did not know of these… you are full of information!!! A must share 🙂
Hi Lesly,
Thanks so much for sharing!
Take care,
Lillian
I was just looking for an easy to use tool to make my image backgrounds transparent. Thank you so much Lillian!
Hi Kemya,
Glad this helps you!
Take care,
Lillian 🙂
Hey Lillian. So many great ideas! Thank you for all the work you do. You always have something new to teach whenever i come to visit. Keep up the great work.
William
Hi William,
I really appreciate your kind words!
Thanks & take care,
Lillian
Thank you some great resource. I will get them out.
Thanks for sharing.
Have a great week.
No doubt, clippingmagic and background burner are tools that is very popular but I want to add another new tool (http://editphotosforfree.com/photoapps/remove-background-from-image-online/) to remove background from image online which is free and easy to use.
Hi Anna,
Thanks so much for sharing this site! I’m always looking for amazing tools that help entrepreneurs. I can’t wait to check it out!
Take care,
Lillian
Hey Lillian,
Sometimes I too work for social media and the toughest part is making creative posts. I will surely give this tool a try and till than you have really described about the tool awesome. Thanks
Hi Lilian,
Tks so much for posting the 2 tools. Previously, I was using iPiccy but it’s manual. Sometimes we caused rough edges so not a proper production. I choose LunaPic for its simplicity. Background removed instantly in auto mode. It works like magic! Most of all FREE. I really love it. You are my savior – lots of time saved for my website!
Best rgds,
Lee
Hi Lee,
So glad you liked this post! Lunapic is amazing. I love it too!
Take care,
Lillian
Thank you for this!
You’re most welcome Robin!
Thanks so much for sharing this important site! I’m always looking for this awesome tools that help entrepreneurs. I can not wait to check it out!
Wonderful! Glad to help.
Take care,
Lillian
Thanks for LunaPic. What a great application. I was wasting my time trying to find one that didn’t require you outlining every image. All I want is to remove a background and LunaPic does the trick. Thanks again
Hi Lillian,
Thank you for this post. I was trying to work with PicMonkey and a few others but LunaPic is just the fastest and easiest way to do it. Thanks again.
Hi.
I post this comment truly from my deepest heart to say *Thank You Very Much* – with you sharing this article it has helped me a big time and, right timing.
(Good deed, keep it up)
🙂
Awesome Veronica! So glad it was helpful.
Lillian
Brilliant, thank you. My image was created on Canva and I just couldn’t get it to work the way I wanted. This blog post and Luna pic, 5 minutes. Happy that I’ll be getting to sleep on time.
Thanks! Glad this was helpful to you Sway!
This article just saved my day(s) as I got more and more tired to figure out how I manage background transparecy – in photoshop, or coral draw, or picture publisher … bless you for this post 😉 the videos helped to find everything very quickly. And thanks to the creator of ‘online image editor’!! It’s at once so uncomplicated and effective in every way I could wish. Can it be so easy? YES!!!!
Hi Katja,
So glad to hear this post was useful to you!
Take care,
Lillian
Thanks so much for your info! I really thought the LunaPic was going to work for me, but I am editing a pair of earrings with quite a bit of detail and I can’t figure out how to go in, after going thru the steps to make the background transparent, to get into the fine, little areas that need manual editing…any tips?
Hi Laurie,
The magic wand tool should do most of the work for you. For the fine little details, you may have to use the Polygon/Freeform tool but it’s hard to control so it’s best to use the magic wand for as much as you can.
Hope it works out!
Thank you so very much!!!!!!!
Like you, I worked diligently on creating a transparent background in another program. It left too many white background shadows. I was about to give up until I happened upon your article.
Using your suggestions worked wonders for me and saved what little sanity I have left. (LOL)
I’m so happy to have helped Cynthia!
I knew I had to post something about this because I couldn’t be the only person in the world pulling their hair out about transparent backgrounds. LOL
Thanks for leaving a comment! Have a great day. 🙂
Thanks for sharing these useful bg removing tools
THANK YOU so much!!!
You’re welcome, Stacy!
Wow this is a great post about image background remove. Within last few days, I am trying to learn how to remove the image background. Many many thanks for sharing with us the great post.
My pleasure David!
Great post, thanks for sharing with us.
Hello Dear, You have included an excellent article about background removing process, I have learned more valuable resources here. thanks
Glad this was helpful to you, Demins.
I’m looking for a higher resolution background remover. Lunapic and Free Online Image Editor both leave pixelation at the edges. If I remove background and then try to blur image, Lunapic adds a black background which gets blurred into my original graphic at the edges when removing it later. Online Image Editor does not have a blur function.
Any suggestions? Know of a program that will blur a gif with a transparent background without removing the transparency? Any other ideas?
Thank you 🙂
PS Tried Background Burner and Clip Magic (not good for these images).
Hi Brett,
That sounds tough. The only programs that come to mind would be Photoshop or the alternative called GIMP. Hope you find a solution!
Sorry I couldn’t be much help.
Take care,
Lillian
I have nothing to say about this resources valuable, just great and thanks
Using online tools is really convenient. They helped me a lot in remove BG. Thank you for sharing this useful information.
Glad it helps!