[header] How to change a background in adobe illustrator [title] Make a rectangle the size of your artboard. [step] The only way to permanently change the color of your background is to create a separate background layer. If you simply change the background color, the color will disappear when you print your artwork. 
To create a background layer : [substeps] Select the " rectangle tool " in the left tool bar. ( right column, fourth item from the top).