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How to modify the background of your slides

Set slide backgrounds with images or video, apply color overlays, and change global story background colors

Jack avatar
Written by Jack
Updated this week

Backgrounds in Storydoc help you set the tone, improve readability, and align your story with your brand. You can set a background per slide (image or video), add a color overlay for contrast, or change the default background colors for the entire story.

Set a slide background (image or video)

  1. Select the slide in the left panel.

  2. In the top toolbar, click Background.

  3. Choose one of the tabs:

    • Image → click Add image. In the media picker you can use Stock images, AI-generated, or My Files. Click Add media to insert.

    • Video → upload or pick a video from the media picker.

    • No media → remove any existing background from the slide.

Tip: You can switch between Image, Video, and No media at any time. Your choice applies only to the selected slide.

Add or adjust a color overlay on a slide

  1. With the slide selected, click the Overlay button (droplet icon) in the top toolbar.

  2. Pick a color from Theme colors or set a Custom color.

  3. Click Transparent to remove the overlay.

The overlay sits above your image or video and helps text stand out. It does not change your global story colors.

Change the default background colors for the whole story

  1. Open Design from the right-side toolbar (palette icon).

  2. Under Color palettes, click the pencil icon (Edit theme).

  3. In Edit colors, set:

    • Main background (the default canvas color)

    • Secondary background (the alternate global background)

  4. Close the panel to apply changes globally across the story.

Background images - file specs and tips

  • Recommended size: 1920×1080 px

  • Aspect ratio: 16:9

  • File format: JPG or PNG

  • File size: Under 2 MB for fast loading

  • Responsiveness: Backgrounds may crop on different screens. Keep key visuals centered and away from edges.

  • Text placement: Avoid embedding text inside images. Use Storydoc text fields for legible, responsive copy.

  • Overlay contrast: Use a high-contrast overlay (for example, a subtle dark overlay on bright photos) to keep headlines readable.

  • Performance: Prefer optimized images and moderate-length MP4s for video backgrounds.

  • Supported uploads: JPG, PNG, GIF, SVG, and MP4 video.
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