You can add a fill layer to color the entire image background. This technique is preferred over drawing a colored box on a layer, which can leave a white edge around the image. These instructions can also be used to create a pattern or gradient fill layer.
Click on Layer . The Layer menu will appear.
Point to New Fill Layer . The New Fill Layer submenu will appear.
Click on Solid Color . The New Layer dialog box will open .
Type a name for the layer into the Name text box. The specified name will be used for the layer.
Choose an option from the Color and Mode lists, if necessary. Making a Color choice will apply a color to the new layer's listing in the Layers palette. Making a Mode choice will apply a layer blending mode, which controls how the individual pixels on the layer blend with pixels on other layers .
Tip | Depending on the choice you make from the Mode list, you may have to make other layers, such as the Background layer, transparent. To do so, double-click on the layer in the Layers palette, change the Opacity setting to 0, and then click on OK. |
Click on the arrow beside the Opacity text box, if necessary. A slider bar will appear that can be used to adjust the opacity level.
Click on OK . Photoshop will close the New Layer dialog box and open the Color Picker dialog box.
Click on a color hue in the narrow band of colors near the middle of the dialog box. Photoshop will display a different range of colors in the Pick a solid color box.
Click on a color in the Pick a solid color box. The color you click on will become the active color.
Click on OK . Photoshop will close the Color Picker dialog box and create the new fill layer. Its name will appear in the Layers palette.
Click on Layer . The Layer menu will appear.
Point to Arrange . The Arrange submenu will appear.
Click on Send to Back . The new layer will shift to the back of the available layers.
Tip | You can change the type of fill for a layer after you create it. To do so, first select the layer. Then click on Layer, point to Change Layer Content, and click on Solid Color, Gradient, or Pattern. |