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Explore Free Background Presentation Templates

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Black Modern Web Designer Background Slides

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Blue and Violet Creative Agency Background Slides

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Animated App Pitch Deck Blue and Yellow Background Slides

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Cool Soccer Scoreboard Background

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Minimal Video Soccer Slides

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How To Create The Best PowerPoint Presentation Background

There’s no getting around this – your PowerPoint presentation background matters. A lot of factors go into what makes a particular design stand out, but one of the most overlooked factors is PPT slide background design.

PowerPoint’s default background color is white. If you’re in a hurry and you need to put a presentation up fast, then white will normally suffice. But, if you want to impress your audience, you have to think outside the box.

If you’re interested to know how your PowerPoint presentation background can impact your overall presentation, then you need to read this entire article. It will only take up a few minutes of your time, but by the end of this article you’ll know the importance of using a great PowerPoint slide background!

4 Reasons Why Your PowerPoint Slide Background Design Matters

Humans are visual creatures. We have the gift of sight that allows us to appreciate the infinite variations and combinations of color, texture, style, and design all around us.

Our eyes are automatically drawn to beautiful imagery. Our eyes linger on colorful and beautiful scenes on photos, videos, canvases, and many other different places, including PowerPoint slides.

Think about it – will you pay more attention to an outdated and lousy-looking slideshow or a well-designed one? I bet you’d pick the latter. Your eyes just automatically gravitate to the attractive-looking slideshow.

Without further ado, here are five of the biggest reasons why your PPT slide background design matters:

1. The best PowerPoint presentation background makes your slide elements come alive

To make the most of your PowerPoint slide design, you can use a combination of many different kinds of elements. You can insert text, images, icons, vector images, video, audio, shapes, charts, graphs, tables, and diagrams.

Take note, however, that just because you can insert many different kinds of elements into your slide doesn’t mean you should use these all at once, in a single slide! That would be chaos, pure and simple.

For maximum audience impact, you’d want to use a few elements only on each slide. Make sure there’s plenty of white space, and don’t forget to use a good combination of colors that actually complement, not clash, with each other.

Here’s a sample slide which uses plenty of white space, good typography, excellent color combination, and a nice background that is related to the presentation’s subject (football).

Just by looking at the background (the striped green football field), football fans will immediately recognize what the subject is all about. Since the subject is football, the dark colors in the background’s edges further help to emphasize the masculinity of this sport.

Now imagine if this slide had a plain light or dark-colored background. It probably won’t have the same effect as the current background does.

2. The best PPT slides use backgrounds that add texture to the presentation

One of the least thought about aspects of presentation design is the PowerPoint backdrop. Think about all the PowerPoint presentations you’ve done in your life. Did you bother changing the background in any of those presentations? Or were you happy with the default white background?

Now, please don’t get me wrong. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with using a white background. However, if you’ve got the time to spare, don’t settle for the default white when you know your slides can look much better with a different background.

To create truly beautiful PowerPoint slides, you’d need to think about adding some texture to your background. It’s easier to add or create texture when you’re physically holding something. When designing PowerPoint slides, it’s a different story. You’re basically creating a physical illusion for your audience.

For instance, if you use a background image of an expensive and plush looking carpet in your slides, then it’s easier for your audience to imagine the feel of that carpet.

If you want to create the illusion of wetness, then you can use an image of raindrops on a glass window, or the surface of a wet umbrella, or something of that nature. Take a look at this image below:

Wouldn’t you say that when you looked at the image, you ‘felt’ the rain touching your skin? If you used this image as a background on slides that talk about something that’s related to rain or the weather in general, then your audience will find your slides much more relevant and interesting.

Or how about this slide?

There’s a pale pink overlay on top of the brick wall in the slide’s background. I think the background adds a nice texture to the slide, and you can also see how all the elements (fonts, icons, colors) complement and match each other.

3. A good PowerPoint slide background makes your slide look so much more interesting

Imagine if you had to sit through an hour-long PowerPoint presentation and all the slides had nothing but a plain white background on it. No variety, no design, no background. Just that awful default background for an entire hour.

Let’s say this is slide #1 out of 50, and all the slides had the same background:

You’d probably feel physically sick after the first 5 minutes knowing you have another 55 minutes worth of slides to sit through!

If you were the presenter, would you subject your audience to such horror? I sure hope not!

Now, what if you used a different color every 2 or 3 slides? Would that make your presentation appear better? Maybe. Maybe not. But it would sure add some variety to your presentation.

Going back to our example, what if you added a nice background image to slide #1 and it looked something like this?

I think you’ll agree with me when I say this looks much better than the one with the plain white background. The best thing is it will only take you a minute or two to find a good image, and set it as your slide’s background!

Nowadays, with multiple sources of design inspiration which you can easily Google online, poor design skills can get you in real trouble.

Your audience can easily take a video of your disastrous presentation and upload it to social media where you will forever be branded as the world’s worst PowerPoint designer ( this is an exaggeration of course, but with today’s Internet, anything’s possible! ).

You don’t even need design skills to make cool PowerPoint designs. Simply look for inspiration on graphic design websites and then have the initiative to come up with your own design.

The best PowerPoint slides all follow the best practices in graphic design – and that includes using good presentation backgrounds.

4. A nice background for PowerPoint helps lead your audience’s eyes to your subject

When creating PowerPoint presentations, it’s important to pay attention to your content, or the message you want to convey to your audience. It’s also a must that you think about how you’re going to present your points in a clear and succinct manner. You don’t want your audience to tune you out while you deliver your presentation!

One way to tie all these elements together – your message and your audience’s attention – is by leading your audience’s eyes to your subject with the help of a nice background for PowerPoint.

There’s a lot of factors that come into play to lead your audience’s eyes to your subject. You’ll have to consider first what your slide’s main subject is and then look for a suitable background image or create one from scratch. You can use your background’s colors, compositions, shapes, etc. to catch your audience’s attention.

Also, don’t forget that the background should be just that – a background. It’s not meant to superimpose on the foreground. Rather, it’s supposed to enhance the foreground or the subject in your slide.

Remember this point when you get confused about choosing the best background for your PowerPoint presentation. If you’ve got a very colorful image as your background, you can add a color overlay to mute the colors, while still making sure it’s visible.

Don’t worry if you don’t know anything about overlays. I’ll show you how to use overlays later in this article.

Frequently Asked Questions About PowerPoint Presentation Backgrounds

Now that you know why a good PowerPoint presentation background is necessary for your presentation to be a smashing success, it’s time to answer a few of the most commonly asked questions about presentation backgrounds.

Question #1. How to add a background in PowerPoint?

Adding a custom background in PowerPoint is a fairly simple process. There are two ways to go about adding a background to your slides:

• Method 1 – the right-click option . To access this option, click on the slide you want to format the background on. Then right-click on the slide itself. The Format Background option will be the last option (see screenshot):

• Method 2 – the Design tab option . To access this option, go to the Design tab on the ribbon. On the far right side, you will see the Format Background option. Clicking it will open the Format Background pane on the right side of your screen.

The format background PowerPoint options allow you to choose from a number of different elements which you can use as background. Scroll down to Question #3 for more details on the different background options you can use in PowerPoint.

Question #2. How to change the background in PowerPoint?

Changing your PowerPoint custom background works pretty much like adding a background. You can change your background anytime by accessing the Format Background menu options. From there you can change to solid fill, gradient fill, picture or texture fill, and pattern fill.

If you’re using video as your slide background, you will need to delete the video first, and then access the Format Background options to change the background.

Question #3. What are the different types of elements you can use as background in PowerPoint?

There are 4 main elements you can use as a PowerPoint background: color, pattern, image, and video. I’ll describe each element in more detail below:

Color Background

When using color as your background, you can choose to use either a solid or gradient color. Solid is simply using a single color as the background for your whole slide. Gradient, on the other hand, is using a combination of different colors to create a gradual blend or mix of colors.

Here’s how you use a color background on PowerPoint:

• Right-click on the slide and choose Format Background . The Format Background pane will appear on the screen.
• In the Fill section, select Solid Fill (see box 1). The settings for this option are right below (see box 2). You can choose your color and the transparency level .

• If you want to use a Gradient fill, then see the next screenshot:

As you can see, you have more options with Gradient Fill . In addition to choosing the ‘base’ colors for the Gradient Stops , you can choose the gradient type, the direction and angle of the gradient, the position, transparency, and brightness. You’re also free to add or delete any of the preset gradient stops.

Pattern Background

Pattern backgrounds add texture to your slides. In PowerPoint, there are many different patterns to choose from. You can even play around with the foreground and background colors you want to use for each pattern.

Here’s how you use a pattern background in PowerPoint:

After choosing Pattern Fill , select the pattern you want to use. Once you’ve chosen your desired pattern, choose the foreground and background colors. That’s it!

Image Background

You can make cool PowerPoint designs just by selecting an awesome image as your presentation slide’s background. Of course, a professional presentation background means using strictly subject-relevant images.

Just because you like an image doesn’t mean it’s a good fit for your presentation. Remember to consider who your audience is when choosing images.

Using ‘offensive’ background images can dock points off your presentation, leaving you with an unhappy audience.

So, here’s how you use an image as a background in PowerPoint:

There’s quite a number of options when setting an image as background. You can choose to use a file from your computer, clipboard, or online. You can set the transparency, the position, etc.

Play around with the different settings until you find the most suitable appearance for your background image.

Video Background

Using video as a background may seem like an advanced technique that can’t be done on PowerPoint, but trust me it’s really quite simple to do this.

Video backgrounds look nice on its own so you’d have to be really careful not to make your slide look messy and chaotic.

For best results, it’s best to use simple text or shapes on top of your video. But then again, the final output will depend on what your presentation aims to achieve.

Here’s how you use video as background in PowerPoint:

• Go to Insert > Video . You can use a video from your PC or from an online source. Note that if you’re going to be using an online video, you’d need to have to access to it when you play your presentation. Otherwise, your video background won’t work. See screenshot below.

• Once you’ve chosen your video, you can resize it to fit the slide or you can reposition it to show only a particular section in the video. To do the latter, you can unlock the aspect ratio in the Format Video settings (click on the video to access the Format Video pane).
• If you want to insert some text or shapes on top of the video, go to the Insert tab and select the element you want to insert.
• To make sure your video stays in the background, click on the video. The Video Tools tab will then appear on the ribbon. Click on Format and hit Send Backward .

For royalty-free videos, you can visit any of these sites: Pixabay, Videvo , Videezy , and Pexels.

Question #4. What is the best PowerPoint background size?

Your PowerPoint background size will be the same size as your PowerPoint slide. So, whether you’re using standard (4:3 aspect ratio), widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio) or custom slide sizes, your background size will be exactly the same size as well.

For instance, if you’re using a 16:9 image as your background, and your slides are standard 4:3, PowerPoint will resize your image to fit the 4:3 slide.

If you’re not sure what your slide sizes are, you can go to Design > Slide Size as you can see in the image below:

Question #5: How to create the best background for PowerPoint presentation

The most creative PowerPoint slides and the best designer slides have something in common – awesome backgrounds! Of course, backgrounds are just one element in the whole presentation. But with a combination of the right background and foreground elements, the chances of visually delighting your audience are much higher.

Creating the best background for PowerPoint is a subjective endeavor. What may fall in your ‘best’ category may be mediocre for someone else. Likewise, what may look lacking to you may be impressive to another person. At the end of the day, however, you’re presenting in front of an audience, so it’s their opinion that really matters the most.

Think about your presentation topic and who your target audience is. Then work on your presentation slides with your audience in mind. There are plenty of PowerPoint presentation design tips on the Internet and you’ll find many slide design ideas to inspire you.

8 Highly Actionable Tips To Help You Make Cool PowerPoint Presentation Backgrounds

Here are a few PowerPoint slide background ideas to help get your creative juices flowing:

1. Add Shape and Color Overlays to Background Image

When using image backgrounds, you can add a shape overlay to make the background even more interesting or to make the foreground look sharper.

To do this, go to Insert > Shapes .

For this method, I’d normally select a rectangle shape and cover the entire slide. Click on the shape itself so that the Format Shape pane will appear on the screen. I personally find that adding a gradient fill makes the background look better.

Here’s a before and after picture:

You can see just how much better the second image looks after I added an overlay. The word HELLO stands out and provides a nice contrast to the dark background. It’s really a simple trick that you can do in just a few minutes.

2. Use Trendy Geometric Polygon Backgrounds

Geometric polygon backgrounds look great on PowerPoint especially if you pair it with the right kind of font and the right graphics. It also adds texture to your slides and makes your slide look colorful and interesting.

To use geometric backgrounds, you can either download from any royalty-free photo sites, or generate your own. If you want a unique background for your slides, you can visit Trianglify Background Generator .

Here’s what it looks like:

To use this nifty free online tool, simply choose the settings for your background. In the Render Options section, you can specify the Width, Height, Cell Size, Cell Padding, and Bleed. For the color scheme, you can choose from the Palette List .

When you’re happy with how your geometric polygon image looks like, download it and then save it to your computer. You can then use the image as your PowerPoint slide background. You will be able to edit it using the Format Background options.

3. Use Artistic Effects in Format Background Pane

The Format Background menu in PowerPoint gives you plenty of options to customize your background according to your design preferences. For even better control, you can use Artistic Effects to make your background look better.

To access Artistic Effects , click on the background image to open the Format Background menu. Click on the second, pentagon-shaped icon.

You can choose from different artistic effects by clicking on the drop-down menu. You can also change the transparency and the intensity of your chosen effect.

Hover your mouse pointer over the different artistic effects to know what each effect is called. Here’s an example:

Clicking on an effect will lead to individual effect settings. Play around with the options until you find the best background for your slide.

Here’s what my slide background looks like when I chose the Blur effect and set the radius to 54%.

4. Mix up the background colors

You can use a two or three-color theme for your entire presentation. You can use any combination of colors, however, for best results, you may want to check out Adobe’s Color Wheel website.

Feel free to experiment and play around with the settings to find the best color combination for your slide backgrounds. Or you can explore other people’s color themes to give you a head start. It’s a free service, so check it out if you want to use different color combinations.

Another option would be to combine different gradient colors for your background. If you want ideas, you can visit UIGradients and use the suggested combinations to produce great background color gradients for your PowerPoint presentation!

For simplicity’s sake, however, black and white makes a great combo. For example, you can choose to use a black background for your title slides, and then use white for your content slides, or vice versa. Sometimes, there’s no need to complicate things, and simple does the job just fine.

Alternatively, you can also use a different background color for each theme or idea. For example, if you’ve got a presentation on cars, then you can use a red background color for cars made in the 1990s, a blue background for those made in the 2000s, and so on.

Mixing different background colors and/or overlays will definitely help spice up your presentation and avoid boring your audience to sleep.

5. Use Your Company Colors In Your Presentation Background

If your company uses a set of colors for branding purposes, make sure you put it to good use. Using company colors will help your brand especially if your company uses a specific color palette not commonly used in your industry. This not only helps you save time on looking for appropriate colors, but you also get to help your company build your brand.

Also, you don’t necessarily have to put your company’s logo front and center in in all your slide’s backgrounds. A small logo in a slide corner will normally suffice in most company presentations so as not to distract from the presentation at hand.

If your company spends a huge amount of money on advertising and branding activities, then do your part and use your company’s colors and logo in your PowerPoint presentation.

6. Try Using White Fonts Over Images

I’m sure you’ve seen memes or photo quotes on social media with white text overlaid on an image. You’ve probably seen quotes like this on your social media timeline or news feed:

Now, this technique may not be appropriate in some presentations, especially for business-oriented presentations. However, if you’re presenting to a group of people who appreciates quotations and loves memes, then try to surprise them by using a few quotation slides in between your main content slides!

7. Use a Consistent Background Image for Related Topics

If your presentation consists of dozens of slides, you may need to spend plenty of time looking for a unique background image for each slide. To save time, you can use one background for related topics or themes in your presentation.

For example, you can use one background image for your introductory slides, another background image for your company background and history slides, another background image for your timeline and SWOT analysis slides, etc.

To spice things up, you can always add a colored overlay to make each slide background look different from each other.

8. Use Patterns and Textures in Your Background

You can use a combination of image, graphics, patterns, and textures in your presentation slide’s background. Take a look at this example where the main content is divided into two columns – the text description on the left and the supporting image on the right. Wouldn’t you say your eyes quickly settled on the image on the right?

Final Words

A lot of work goes into creative PowerPoint slides. Oftentimes, it’s the main content or the subject that gets the bulk of a PowerPoint designer’s attention. As you’ve learned in this article, however, slide backgrounds play an important, if underrated, role too. Apply the techniques I’ve shared with you to create beautiful PowerPoint slides that will captivate your audience for the entire duration of your presentation!

You might also find this interesting: How To Add Animations To PowerPoint

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Having more than 500 million users and being used for an estimated 30 million presentations per day (an amazing 350 presentations per second are started worldwide), PowerPoint , it is no exaggeration to say is a phenomenon. It’s easy to use, a staple in meetings, conferences, classrooms, and now of course for online learning, and completely accessible.

However, familiarity often breeds complacency. Now very long ago, a PowerPoint presentation on its own made a change from long-winded speeches and was enough to motivate an audience. Now, it’s so commonplace you have to think of ways to make your PowerPoint slideshow memorable,  to stand out from the crowd, hold the attention, and capture the imagination and interest of an audience. It’s not easy and there are no guarantees but one quick and easy way to complement your content is using backgrounds .

You’ll be surpassed at the difference they make, and how much a little extra effort and attention to detail can succeed in making your PowerPoint presentation deliver on the day. We’ve put together this complete and comprehensive guide to PowerPoint background, taking you on a tour of sources, creation, and tips alongside practical advice.

In this article: 1. How to import backgrounds into PowerPoint? 2. Places to Find Free PowerPoint Backgrounds 2.1. Free sources 2.2. Premium sources 3. How to make a background on your own 4. Useful Tips When Using PowerPoint Backgrounds

1. How to Import Backgrounds into PowerPoint?

Once you got a background saved, you’re going to need to get it onto the PowerPoint presentation show itself. You can either apply a template to a pre-created slideshow or if this is recommended, start with the template and add to it (from scratch or copy items from your previous creation)  It’s quite easy to do, so let’s look at a break down of the steps.

Let’s imagine you’ve already downloaded and saved a background image onto your computer.

Step 1:  Start PowerPoint, click on File and select New. This will open a series of preinstalled PowerPoint templates and themes options. Step 2:  Click on open. Step 3:  Locate your saved background file, double click to open it, and there you have it.

To add an existing presentation to your new background simply copy and paste.

2. Where to Find Free PowerPoint Backgrounds?

There are many sources for free PowerPoint background and a search on the net will bring up a huge selection. You could spend time trawling through the masses, and sometimes only to find a hidden catch, but we’ve provided you with some of the best free source sites around.

2.1. Free Sources

2.1.1. freepik.

A great and plentiful resource (nearly 1 million images) for any art from vectors and photos but also including PowerPoint backgrounds and other templates. For the free downloads, and there are many to choose from, you will need to attribute the original author. There is information on what exactly is required when you click on your desired background. There are also Premium (no attribution choices). Freepik’s filters (photos, colors, style, etc.) can save you browsing time by taking you straight to the area of interest. Usefully, when you click on a choice you also get recommendations of similar backgrounds so you can expand your search.

2.1.2. Vecteezy

Another huge resource is Vecteezy, with over 1 million images, and 161,787 royalty-free vector graphics and clipart matching PowerPoint backgrounds. You can need to sign up (it’s free but not obligatory) and there are paid versions of varying price structures that offer greater choice and no attribution. If you want free source backgrounds then you’ll need to attribute the author, following the instructions given on each clip. Vecteezy will ease you through the process of choosing by using their comprehensive search filters.

2.1.3. Unsplash

Unsplash is a resource site dedicated to high-quality photographic images. It’s already enormous, with well over a million images and it is growing with photographers from all over the world contributing, so if you are looking for realistic images for your presentation background Unsplash is a great place to start. It’s completely free with no attribution necessary. It really is just a case of finding what you are looking for (filtering through a free search than a series of options) and then clicking the free download button. Save it, then copy it to your PowerPoint slideshow.

2.1.4. Pixabay

Free source website Pixabay shares nearly 2 million photos, illustrations, vector graphics, film footage, and music. Whilst there are only 13 images directly for PowerPoint background that shouldn’t limit you. There is absolutely no reason why you can’t download something without the tag and simply use it on your show. There’s no attribution required and you are free to use it for all purposes. Great filters make finding something suitable a breeze, then it a just a matter of downloading, saving, and using. You also get download pixel size options, which is useful.

2.1.5. PPTbackgrounds

For specific PowerPoint backgrounds, there is a great free site called ppt backgrounds. A fine collection of 2200 free backgrounds for all your presentation needs, suitable for any situation. You can browse categories and search through or use the search bar, so life is easy. Open the image you want, click to open, right-click,  download, and save the image. A really cool feature is each image has color variations, so you can keep a theme but differentiate key slides, areas, or show progress. Click on the colors scale for the Presentation tab.

2.1.6. Free-power-point-templates

Free PowerPoint templates, tell you what it is. Over 12,000 free PowerPoint templates and a whole category on backgrounds. Each modern, trendy template gives specific information and ideas for use, which is handy. You’ve got plenty of scope for browsing and it’s all completely free with no attribution required.

Take a look at GraphicMama’s article  56 Impressive Free Presentation Backgrounds for Outstanding Presentations

2.2. Premium Resources

While it is true that there is a great free source of PowerPoint backgrounds, other templates, and other images that you can use, it must be noted that there are Premium sources that often offer you higher quality, unique options that you can use to really impress your audience.

2.2.1. GraphicMama

As a source for premium design images, Graphic Mama offers a great range of cool and stylish resources for all digital design needs. One category of design is background design bundles and background graphic makers that will help you create outstanding designs. These vector-based backgrounds are prepared on different themes: room interiors, offices, landscapes, abstract, nature, parties, Halloween, Christmas, and more. a bundled theme containing a huge number and variation of choices and styles is available from $32 and includes free updates as the bundles develop over time, so you are never behind the trend. And as they are vector illustrations you won’t lose any quality when you resize, which adds to the versatility, you can use these for printed materials, posters, etc.

Here are some bundles from GraphicMama to whet your appetite.

120 Room Backgrounds Vector Collection

120 rooms of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Using a simple and attractive cartoon style that will add context and entertainment to your presentation whilst not distracting from the content. No limit on usage, so free to do as you please, you also get further updates as and when they come on board.

• Includes 10 high-quality Free Room Interior backgrounds for you to try out.

Vector Backgrounds – Mega Bundle

An enormous bundle of over 240 widely colorful designs on different themes such as Interiors, landscapes, seasons, or even abstract patterns. Truly something for every occasion and all with bright, bold, confident designs that will make your PowerPoint presentation memorable and outstanding.

• Includes 12 high-quality Free landscape backgrounds for you to try out.

1000+ Seamless Pattern Designs Mega Bundle (15 Free Sample Patterns)

• Includes 15 high-quality Free pattern designs for you to try out.

Abstract Backgrounds – Mega Bundle Collection

The backgrounds are ideal for PowerPoint and Google Slides presentations.

2.2.2. ShutterStock.com

Another supplier of premium resources is Shutterstock, with either subscription-based options from $49 per month (10 images) or on-demand packs again from $49 – you can take the opportunity of a 30-day free trial.  Shutterstock has an enormous number of stock images (326 million) and nearly 12,000 specific PowerPoint backgrounds. They have an amazingly precise filter system (color, age, ethnicity, size, categories, etc) so you are guaranteed to find something that fits your theme.

2.2.3. iStockPhoto.com

iStockPhoto sell images and illustration through a subscription or credit-based system. 3 credits are $24 or subscribe from 470 per month, (prices increase depending on the number of images per month). they have a nice range and selection of high quality despite the cost. There are the usual filters to help refine your search and there is an online editor so you can customize your images before purchase.

3. How to Make a Background on Your Own?

despite the number of ready-made options, either free or premium some people still prefer to create their background themselves. we can’t fault you for wanting to be creative, especially if you’ve got the time. So, here are some software options that allow you to get your ideas down.

3.1. Adobe Spark

Adobe design app Spark doesn’t limit itself to presentation backgrounds, allowing you to create social media posts and videos and a whole range of other design options from 12 Euros a month for individuals (first 2 months free). Ideal for creatives   who need something quick and without a great deal of customization, with a series of very impressive professional templates. It’s probably better for social media posts than PowerPoint backgrounds but it could be worth checking out.

3.2. Pixteller

An image and animation maker that can be used for lots of design purposes. It is easy to use and doesn’t require a lot of technical know-how or ability, just some creative thinking. There are templates, ready-made animations, stock photos, and shapes all ready for you to bring together for your concept design. There are 2 paid options pro from $9 per month (graphics)and Diamond from $19 per month (graphics plus animation tool).

A free photo editing platform (you can upgrade to paid pro version) that also works as a design creator. Selecting on wallpaper brings uploads of wallpaper templates, it doesn’t sound so DIY yet. Here’s where you get creative, you can edit the templates with images, and texts. It gives you a base to work with and then lets you go out on your own.

Visme is a data presentation and visualization tool which aims to help transform your ideas into visually appealing presentations and infographics. The basic plan is free for individuals (up to 5 projects) and paid plans start at $14 per month.  A number of high-quality presentation templates, mix and match possibilities, infographic options, and wallpaper options are perfect for creating backgrounds. Get creative using the design tools available and put together something unique and stunning.

4. Useful Tips When Using PowerPoint Backgrounds

Tip 1: modify to make your text pop.

Generally in PowerPoint Presentations, the rule of thumb is to keep text to a minimum, no full sentences, keywords only, and good organization. (don’t read out the slides, please -it’s a guaranteed turn-off). the slides support the speaker, they don’t replace the speaker. With this in mind, when you do use text, let’s make sure it is noticeable. Think of the size, font, typography, color, and style. Don’t go funky just for the sake of it. the style needs to fit with your context, fonts leave subliminal messages (strong and sturdy, trustworthy, professional, creative, imaginative, classy) think carefully about what you are trying to achieve and what message you are trying to get across.

Tip 2: Don’t use too vivid backgrounds

Everybody knows a little about color theory and colors are important. A vivid background color that overly distracts from the main content has done exactly the wrong job. A background adds to the content and works with it -it’s not a battle. A general rule is that cooler colors (blues/greens) often work well for the background, providing a setting for the main information to come alive. Vary colors by all means, but don’t go too bright or too wild, it makes people feel uncomfortable. And remember your content needs to shine through from the background and stand tall – don’t clash.

Tip 3: Think about the audience

Always think of your audience. One of the great things about PowerPoint presentations is that they can easily be customized and edited so use the chance. A great successful presentation that worked in the past is no guarantee of success the next time around. Things change, trends change, styles change and your audience changes too. Examples should be up-to-date and relevant, as should images. People are more and more familiar with presentations these days, they recognize a bog-standard PowerPoint and equally, they recognize something, that has a bit more care and attention.

Tip 4: Think about Branding

Backgrounds are ideal to transmit the idea of your brand. At the simplest level, colors and logos are a must. Consistency in slides and regularly placed branding will leave the audience with a memory imprint. Personalized photographic images where appropriate can also work well in creating a sense of realism and trust -it all goes to build that vital image connection for the listener.

Tip 5: Never forget the author’s rights

I mean – if you are using some free backgrounds, don’t forget to check out the conditions and license types. Some backgrounds need attribution and there is a specific process. Adding a final slide mentioning the authors of the images, or writing them down on the corner of the slides, not only covers you legally but it shows the audience that you are aware of the professional standards and norms to be adhered to. You are a trustworthy, honorable speaker, who is prepared to give credit where it is earned. Nice touch.

Final Words

Let’s make this point again. PowerPoint presentations are so, so common that in order to raise the stakes, we need to make a little more effort. Stand on the shoulders of the familiar presentation and push it forwards. Backgrounds aren’t so difficult but they can make an enormous difference to the overall view of your presentation. They don’t need to take you forever to create, they are a simple, easy, and often free way of creating a lasting impression.

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Lyudmil Enchev

Lyudmil is an avid movie fan which influences his passion for video editing. You will often see him making animations and video tutorials for GraphicMama. Lyudmil is also passionate for photography, video making, and writing scripts.

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20+ Best Free PowerPoint Backgrounds to Download Now

20+ Best Free PowerPoint Back...

Small details matter. That’s why professional backgrounds for PowerPoint will help convey your attention to detail and make your presentation feel so much more personal. In this article, we compile the best PPT backgrounds for instant download.

John McTale

Editor-in-chief

Dec 09, 2022

You’re here because you want to add some flair to your PowerPoint presentation and the default PowerPoint backgrounds available in the standard themes don’t do it for you. Fair enough, they’re bland, boring, and featureless. Then again, many of the PowerPoint backgrounds available for free download are cheesy or just outdated. You could spend hours looking for one that fits your needs and still end up half-satisfied. The good news? I did the digging for you. Out of thousands, I picked 20+ of the most professional and elegant free PowerPoint backgrounds for instant download. Scroll down to see them, pick one you like best, and start creating!

Storydoc’s alternative to PPT

But first, give this a thought— You’re looking for PowerPoint backgrounds because you want to make your presentation more exciting. Why not take it a step further? See, even with the most imaginative background out there, you’ll still be dealing with the devilish PowerPoint interface, only to put together a static slideshow that doesn’t captivate anyone’s attention. With Storydoc, you can use our easy editor and create an interactive, animated presentation in minutes. Just see what it might look like:

Here's how a Storydoc presentation looks compared to a PowerPoint:

Slide decks are a relic of the past. With Storydoc, you’ll get interactive content you never thought you’d have. Wow your audience, make a lasting impression, and land more deals with investors. Ready in a flash.

Also, consider more than just a background upgrade for your presentation. See some of our articles offering the finest presentation templates you’ll ever see online:

• Professional PowerPoint Templates
• Free Google Slides Templates
• Infographic Templates
• Business Pitch Templates
• Creative Presentation Templates and Ideas

And now, onto the *beef*.

How to set a background in PowerPoint?

First, a quick tutorial on how to change the default PowerPoint background. (If you already know how to do it, feel free to scroll down to the following section.)

• Pick a slide you want to change the background in.
• Go to “Design” → “Format Background.”
• Select “Picture or texture fill.”
• Choose the file you want to use as your background.
• Click “Insert” in the Picture dialog box.

Then, in the “Fill” drop-down, you can adjust transparency and texture. You can also skip adding your own file and just go for a solid fill using the color of your liking, then tweak it playing around with different functions in the “Format Background” menu. You can try using different color combinations and color palettes that match the tone of your presentation or match your brand. Now, let’s get you some fine graphics that will bring your PPT presentation to life (even if just being there in the background:)).

The best PPT background images to download

Wave green (free)

Kicking off with “Wave green,” a free PowerPoint background that’s neither too fancy nor too basic. A good pick for presentations across different industries and use cases.

Retro black (free)

A minimalist, abstract PPT background brought to you by FreePPTBackgrounds. So, yes, you guessed it, it’s free to download!

Cute floral (free)

Designed by Malti Drago, this cute PowerPoint background will add a touch of spring liveliness to your presentation. Use it when you want your slide deck to give off this homely kind of vibe.

Low poly (free)

Designed by SlideModel and, again, 100% free to use, “Low poly” is a professional background based on an imitation of a 3D surface with some subtle color shading going on. A very neutral, eye-pleasing design.

Black waves (free)

Not all presentations can pull off a dark background but if you’re in a modern area of business such as tech, engineering, or digital marketing and want to put your game face on, the free “Black waves” PowerPoint background will help you do just that.

Blue art (free)

Note: the developers of this background, “Free-PowerPoint-Templates” don’t allow you to download high-res mockup pictures from their website so this one might look a tad blurry. Nothing to worry about, though, if you choose to download it, it will be perfectly sharp, just as its design is.

All the templates above?

Yeah, they’re pretty. But Storydoc gives you much more than nice-looking presentations. 

We deliver real results. 

Transform your static presentation with Storydoc and close more deals, improve engagement metrics, and increase your customer base. Like these teams did:

"...We've seen  higher conversion, of up to x2 , among prospects who engaged with the Storydoc pages"

Boris Zlatkin

Digital Marketing Lead

"Using Storydoc helped us build a rich and engaging deck, effectively delivering the full scope and value of our streaming service TVNow Premium"

Dirk Hannapel

BD & Sales Director

"...Since we've started using Storydoc our sales accelerated,  increasing our customer base by more than 70% . It became an integral part of our sales funnel, helping us score new deals."

Red-blue-green (free)

A bit retro, a bit corny, and a bit 8-bit, but it still works! The RBG theme of this PowerPoint background will make it a great choice for all industries that have to do with image processing: TV, media, advertising, photography, graphic design, and so on.

Lens flare (free)

Okay, this one *is* from Microsoft and I still decided to include it in the gallery despite all of what I said about how “boring” their backgrounds were. This one is classy, subtle, and easy on the eyes and free to download from the Microsoft website itself.

Horizontal stripes (free)

Using this one as a background for all of your PowerPoint slides might backfire as the differently-sized horizontal stripes can feel confusing and make the text harder to read. It will work great as a background for summary or “main point” slides, though.

Lavender? (Free)

Okay, I’m not so great with plants but I do think this one is Lavender. (Is it? Feel free to drop me a line if it’s not). Either way, a tasteful close-up of some nice flowers. Oh, and there’s a butterfly in there. Add a level of transparency to it, and you’ll have a very cute and professional look for a PPT background.  

Stylish cartoon

Designed by Yasemin Yaldiz of Turkey (and part of a collection of 4 different illustrations), this background for PowerPoint feels mysterious and inviting at the same time. A very unique aesthetic will surely help make your presentation unforgettable.

A very simple idea executed to perfection. Splashes of bright paint on a dark background—looking cool and modern without trading off any of the perfect legibility.

Simple desk

This cute PowerPoint background brought to you by Slidefabric will be a great choice for corporate presentations. There’s the desk, very much Marie-Kondo-style, there’s the nice looking chair, you just *feel* yourself getting comfortable and productive only looking at this one. 

Digital classroom

Any teachers in the house? Yeah, remote teaching is a pain, one that this fun PowerPoint background won’t necessarily heal on the spot, but I’m sure your students will appreciate the touch and feel this one can add to your presentations.  

Pastel wallpaper

Okay, this is cheating a bit because the image on the left has actually been designed as a desktop wallpaper. Still, it’s beautiful while not being too distracting—that’s what makes a perfect PowerPoint background.

Blurred backgrounds bundle

Part of a bundle of 50+ similar-yet-different PPT backgrounds, all of those based on blurred splashes of color. A good pick for a funky, out-of-the-box presentation.

Fiery wallpaper

Yes, I did it again. Yet another wallpaper-turned-background, one that will work great for all the same reasons. Designed by HappyPastels, loved by all customers!

Customizable flowers

A pretty watercolor picture of flowers great for brochures, covers, or even business cards (yes, you can create all of those in PowerPoint). The bundle comes with a bunch of customizable text fields filled with different pastel colors.

Pastel rainbow

Another pack of PPT backgrounds on our list, this one created by Jax & Jake, containing 8 backgrounds with semi-transparent fill, 8 ones with white fill, and 8 transparent borders. 

Fresh watercolor

Last but not least, “Fresh watercolor” by KaySquaredPrintables. A PowerPoint background I loved because it just feels so comforting and stylish at the same time. Plus, I think the dynamics of the flowers on the sides of the image are just perfect for creating well-balanced slides. A really neat piece of work. 

And that's a wrap!

Hope you’ve found a PowerPoint background you fell in love with and one that will really captivate your audience. Just make sure to go for a design that fits the theme and vibe of your presentation. Cute little flowers wouldn’t work too well on a slide deck about war in Iraq, would they? But I’m sure you’d figure that out on your own. So why are you still here? Time to start creating!

Hi, I'm John, Editor-in-chief at Storydoc. As a content marketer and digital writer specializing in B2B SaaS, my main goal is to provide you with up-to-date tips for effective business storytelling and equip you with all the right tools to enable your sales efforts.

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PPT Backgrounds for Tech

Using a tech background for your PowerPoint presentation can set the tone for your topic, enhance visual appeal, and provide a professional and modern aesthetic. Incorporating a background that is relevant to your tech subject matter can also help establish your expertise and credibility, while adding interest and creativity to your slides.

Vibrant Green PPT Background with a Futuristic Fusion of Tech and Elegance

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Abstract Background for Tech with Science and Medicine Concept

Futuristic Concept of Technology Shape with Lines and Dots

Bitcoin, Ether and Famous Cryptocurrency Coins Design

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Dots and Lines Connection on Abstract Technology Scene

Waves PPT Backgrounds

Using a background with waves in your PPT presentation  or Google Slides can create a sense of movement and flow , which can be visually engaging and help to convey a sense of energy or change. The undulating lines of the waves can also provide a sense of depth and texture, adding interest and dimension to your slides.

Enchanting Pink Waves: A Masterpiece for Professional Presentations

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Using a pastel plain background in your PowerPoint presentation can create a clean and simple aesthetic, which can help to keep the focus on your content. The soft, muted tones of pastels can also create a calming effect, which can be helpful if your topic is complex or technical.

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Vibrant Soccer Grass Field Background in Green Tones

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Gradient PPT Backgrounds

Using a gradient background in your PowerPoint presentation can create a visually dynamic and eye-catching look , while also adding depth and dimension to your slides. The gradual transition between colors can provide a sense of movement and flow, which can be helpful if your presentation has a lot of data or complex information to convey.

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Radiant peach background with a touch of aesthetic sophistication.

Fun Navy Blue Background with Colorful Circles

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A striped background can add visual interest and structure to a presentation, making it easier for the audience to follow along. It can also help to create a cohesive and harmonious aesthetic when used with a consistent color palette. Additionally, a striped background can be used to convey a particular theme or mood, depending on the color and design chosen.

Cozy Vermilion Plain Stripes Background System

System of Earthy Backgrounds with Beautiful Neutral Color Stripes

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Tender pastel easter background: serene bliss.

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Why download backgrounds for PPT slides here?

Because downloading on our website is very simple. Click on the background designs that you like the most, select the design and download your free zip file. You will instantly have the file with 4 different backgrounds in your possession and you will be using your new design in your PPT or Google Slides presentation.

It’s that simple, you avoid having to open a heavy design program and create a ppt background that takes hours of work. That is over, thanks to our website you can download quickly and easily, just as we like it.

Plus, we have background designs in different colors and styles: formal, colorful, fun, pastel, themed, tech, and more. All in HD quality to enhance your presentation. You can also use them as wallpaper for your desktop PC and create a cohesive atmosphere ideal for your presentation.

What are you waiting for to get your background for ppt slides? Hurry up because the coolest designs are the first to download. So the sooner you download your background, the sooner you make sure you create an original presentation.

In this page, you will find lots of backgrounds for ppt slides. Powerpoint templates are available for download and the designs come in many different styles, colors and layouts.

Happy downloading!

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20 PowerPoint Templates With Cool Background Images & Killer Graphics 2024

Say no to boring PowerPoint presentations! We've all wasted too much time waiting until a presentation is complete. Sometimes is a matter of using the right professional background images for PPT.

Add visual interest to your next presentation. We'll show you how to find  cool PowerPoint background images. Not sure what's the best background image for PPT? Faded images and complementary graphics can spice up your slide.

We have your back in this article. You'll see 20 of the best presentation templates with   cool PowerPoint background images . You'll also get tips to make the best background picture for PowerPoint .

The Best Source for Cool PowerPoint Background Images (With Unlimited Downloads)

Envato Elements is the top choice for creative professionals. That's thanks to the unlimited download model. It includes templates with cool PowerPoint background images , plus so much more! Your next project is easy when you turn to Elements. 

Do you create different types of projects on the reg? A subscription to Envato Elements will rapidly pay for itself. You'll find good background images for PPT. Also unlock PowerPoint background graphics and professional background images for PPT. Remember, it's all included for a flat rate. 

There are free templates with cool PowerPoint background images online, sure. But they can't match the options on Envato Elements. It's the complete, all-you-can-download value of Envato Elements. It's impossible to match.

Find professional background images for PPT as you're creating your next presentation. Here are a few of the categories you're sure to use:

• custom fonts to spice up your presentation
• stock photography for the best background image for PPT.
• advanced professional background images for PPT and graphics to explain your ideas.

On Envato Elements, you've got everything you need. Find the best background picture for PowerPoint slides. Remember: the flat-rate subscription keeps your costs low. It doesn't matter how many files you download.

5 Top Templates With Cool PowerPoint Background Images on Envato Elements

Envato Elements library is so deep! It will guide you to the best PPT background images professional. Some of the criteria we used to select these templates include:

• Eye-catching cool PowerPoint background images built into the slides
• Easy-to-add best background picture for PowerPoint. Choose from a huge library of  stock photos from Envato Elements
• Built-in  graphics  that help you explain your crucial presentation concepts.

Ready to work with professional background images for PPT? Without further ado, here are five of our favorite templates on Envato Elements:

1. Agio: PowerPoint Presentation

Cool background for PPT have bold style, flexible designs, and easy-to-use features. You’ll find all that and more in the Agio template. Hundreds of presentation slides with cool PowerPoint background images included. You'll also find plenty of design options styled in full 1080p resolution. Choosing good background images for PPT can make a huge difference. 

2. The X Note - PowerPoint Template

This template features powerful professional background images for PPT. It features a dark theme and over 40 custom slides. It’s ready to help you build your next presentation with a cool background for PPT. Explore the color themes and layouts inside.

3.  Sprint PowerPoint Template

Trying to build slide decks in a hurry? Choose professional background images for PPT with a master slide layout. This way you can make bulk edits in seconds. The Sprint template is a prime example. It comes with 20 master slides driving a stylish and cool background for PPT.

4.  Masmax PowerPoint Template

Trying to find cool PowerPoint background images? Design isn’t always easy. Masmax is the perfect place to start! It comes with over 200 slides with professional background images for PPT. Also features 100 color themes and thousands of custom icons. 

5.  Ever PowerPoint Template

Professional background images for PPT come in all types of styles. Do you need a quick guide to find the best background image for PPT? This template is a good place to start. The best options, such as the Ever PowerPoint template share critical characteristics:

• hundreds of unique slide layouts
• plenty of aspect ratios to support all screen sizes
• custom icons
• flexible animations and transitions

Envato Elements (Design Without Limits)

The advantage of Envato Elements is its simple license. With one subscription, you can download everything. It's all-inclusive. Find all the creative assets you need. Create the best background picture for PowerPoint presentations .

Sign up for Envato Elements. You'll get access to thousands of unlimited use graphics and templates. Get cool background for PPT and eye-catching PPT background images professional. Get cool background for PPT and eye-catching PPT background images professional. Also get templates with cool PowerPoint background images , and more—all for one low price .

There's no better value than Envato Elements. Download as many cool PowerPoint background images as you want. Design your next excellent presentation with professional background images for PPT. Letting graphic designers create templates for you is a significant time saver.

Envato Elements is an excellent source for cool PowerPoint background images. But it isn't the only one. To choose single PowerPoint templates (and more assets), keep reading. We picked a selection of templates from GraphicRiver.

15 Top GraphicRiver PPT Templates With Cool PowerPoint Background Images 

You already know all about the value of using pre-built templates. They include cool PowerPoint background images  for eye-catching presentations. On GraphicRiver, you'll see templates with the best background picture for PowerPoint presentations .

GraphicRiver gives you access to great Microsoft Office PowerPoint background templates. But you'll pay only for what you use. Download single templates and kickstart your design.

1. Motagua - Multipurpose PowerPoint Template

Motagua has unlimited options. It's the ultimate collection of professional background images for PPT. Inside you’ll find 60 color themes, 40,000 total slides, and over 3,000 vector icons. You'll have to choose good background images for PPT. That leaves creative power in your hands. All in one quick download.

2. Massive X Presentation Template v.4.1 Fully Animated

Ethereal, funky graphics meet professional background images for PPT. That describes this collection of PowerPoint slides. Over a thousand slides support every imaginable presentation need. Combine bold, sleek and professional slides with cool PowerPoint background images.

3. i9 Template System

In search of the best background picture for PowerPoint? You’ve found them with the i9 Template system. This template includes:

• more than 13,000 custom slides
• custom infographics for data visualization
• 11 color themes
• cool PowerPoint background images
• maps, charts, and more

4. Massive Infographics Bundle. PowerPoint, Photoshop, Illustrator

You may think that professional background images for PPT are for visual effects. They are, but PPT background images professional can also bring data to life. This template is a good example. It features every imaginable infographic to visualize data and bring numbers to life. You can also use the best background picture for PowerPoint to complement each slide. 

5. Imperial - Multipurpose PowerPoint Template

As you choose a PPT with background images professional, choose one with variety. Imperial is that: a professional designed theme with thousands of custom options inside. Choose from 450,000 slides and add professional background images for PPT. Also play with 3,700 icons and 100 color themes. Good background images for PPT can make this slide deck your own.

6. StartUp PowerPoint

StartUp PowerPoint helps you get your business idea get off the ground. There's designer styling and easy-to-edit templates. Get all the maps, infographics, animations, and icons you’ll need. Make your selling point clear with good background images for PPT.  

7. In Minimal PowerPoint

This theme offers professional background images for PPT for any project you've got. You'll have to insert cool PowerPoint background images. Explore design options like:

• world maps to illustrate your global reach
• calendar slides to plan projects
• infographics to analyze data
• best background picture for PowerPoint

8. ThePress - Animated PowerPoint Template

Animated and cool background for PPT bring your slides to life. This template includes a full set of slide designs to adapt to any project. Each animated with custom designs. Cool PowerPoint background images can bring content onscreen in a stylish fashion.

9. Warna Slides | Multi-Purpose PowerPoint Template

This template has cool PowerPoint background images set to wow audiences. Choose from thousands of layouts with cool background for PPT. This template is flexible enough to meet any need. Refine it to support any project. Over 3,700 slides included, each one editable in a few clicks.

10. Marketing Plan PowerPoint Presentation Template

A marketing plan describes your business plans to succeed. In an ever-changing competitive environment, you'll need to keep up your game. Map it out with professional background images for PPT. This template includes:

• 200+ unique business plan slides
• animations to intro content throughout
• light and dark background options
• the best background picture for PowerPoint
• infographics, maps, device mockups, and more

11. Creative 3 in 1 Bundle PowerPoint Template

Cool PowerPoint background images like this are a surefire way to impress audiences. Thanks to the pre-built layouts, they don’t take a ton of your precious time to create. This one includes stylish designs you won’t find anywhere else. Device mockups, maps, infographics, and more scattered throughout. Also features cool background for PPT. Whether making an intro slide deck, or a full pitch, this template is right for you.

12. Environment - PowerPoint Infographics Slides

Environmental awareness is more important to companies every day. Bring it to your slide deck with good background images for PPT. These green-themed slides are tailor-made to fit your next project. A wide array of slides share a unified theme. Get your environmental message across with the best background picture for PowerPoint.

13. Apollo Light - Modern Creative Business PowerPoint Template

Templates like Apollo Light offer a great jumpstart to your next presentation. This template comes with cool PowerPoint background images. It also includes 40+ ready to use animated slides. Complement each slide with the best background picture for PowerPoint. Play with 350+ vector icons and polished layouts. Picture placeholders will let you drop in your cool background for PPT. With a little effort, you'll get a result to be proud of.

14. Proposal PowerPoint

Turn to these professional background images for PPT for your next proposal. It comes with intro slides for you to place cool background for PPT. This template features:

• over 5,000 slide layouts
• custom transitions built-in
• device mockups
• placeholders for cool background for PPT
• quote slides to share ideas

15. Global Multipurpose PowerPoint Template

This global template helps you highlight a range of concepts and ideas. A full suite of custom slides paired with unique designs throughout. Use professional background images for PPT to help you portray your message. The best background image for PPT can get your message across in the best way possible. 

How to Quickly Customize a Template By Adding a Cool Image

You'll see how easy it is to customize these premium PowerPoint templates. We'll walk you through the process for adding graphics and changing the background. We'll be using the X Note PowerPoint template . 

The X Note template has a stunning design. It features over 40 unique slides for you to add cool PowerPoint background images. Let's now go over how you can make this template fit your business's brand. 

1. Insert a Graphic From Your Computer 

Start off the customization by adding our company's graphic logo in the first slide. To insert our company logo (or any type of graphic) we're going to the main header on PowerPoint. Click Insert > Pictures > Picture From File... 

2. Resize the Graphic

Select our company logo from our computer's hard drive. It'll appear on our slide. 

Next, we can resize the logo to fit right next to the company name. Use this method of adding and resizing graphics for any image in your PowerPoint slides.

3. Change the Background of Your Slides

Besides adding in a logo, we'll also add a new background for all our slides. This will give the presentation a more uniform look and fit our Ripe Media brand much better. To do this we'll navigate to the main header and click Design > Format Background. 

From there we'll click Picture or texture fill option and choose the light blue texture. 

4. Blend in Your Textured Background

The blue textured background looks good, but it's drowning out our text and logo. To help the textured background fit our slides, we'll change the opacity of the texture to 80% . Here's what our image looks like now:

5. Add an Overlayed Design

To put the finishing touches on our slide, we're going to add a preset design overlay that's a darker blue color. This will add a sense of dimension to the presentation. Click the Design main menu header and choose the third preset overlay design. This will add a nice dark blue layer to our presentation. 

5 Quick PowerPoint Background & Graphic Editing Tips

Every presenter needs a few tips. This design advice will help your presentation stand out from the crowd. Here are five of my favorite tips to work with the best background picture for PowerPoint:

1. Adjust the Slide Master

Don't want to add images as backgrounds for PowerPoint presentations on every slide? Adjust the  slide master,  which controls plenty of slides at the same time.

Edit a  Slide Master  on the  View > Slide Master . Add your background image to see it added to plenty of slides in your deck.

Find a quick guide to working with slide masters in the tutorial below:

2. Reduce Image Quality

Is your PowerPoint file size   too large to send in an email? It's because the images are at full resolution.

One way to solve this is to compress your cool PowerPoint  background images. Good background images for PPT don't have to be the highest quality. That's why it helps to compress images.

3. Choose Images Carefully

Not all images will work as good background images for a PPT. Use patterns and friendly images. It's easier when you start with the right graphic.

I hit the " backgrounds and patterns " on Envato Elements. This will  display a huge library of options. Now, you'll have to choose a cool background for PPT.

4. Use "Send to Back"

Your PowerPoint background image should be an image underneath all other objects. When you paste it, it might cover up all your slides.

To fix this, right-click on your image and choose  Send to Back. This will put it underneath every other layer. This step is a must. Otherwise, your cool PowerPoint background images would interfere with your content.

Edit and adjust your slide background in the tutorial below:

5. Fade the Image

Fading the image out helps it blend in with the slide. It's a great way to take a photo and create a stylish background image.

You can't fade an image directly in PowerPoint. You'll need to draw a shape with the rectangle tool over your image. Go to the Insert  menu, then choose  Shapes  and draw a rectangle over your background image. 

Now, right-click the rectangle and choose  Format Shape.  Change the color from the  Color  dropdown. Then, pull the  Transparency  slider to adjust how visible your rectangle is. It fades your cool PowerPoint background images nicely.

Top 5 Design Trends for Cool PowerPoint Background Images in 2024

New year, new design trends to follow. Make sure your presentations these year stick look updated and fresh. Not sure how to choose a good background images for PPT? Let these 2024 design trends guide you. Find and place the best background picture for PowerPoint following these trends:

1. High Contrast Images

Make your presentations visually appealing by creating contrast. Using professional background images for PPT could be a great way to do it. Make your statements stand out with bold white text over a black background.

Also look for images with high contrast. Catch your audience’s attention on each slide. A cool background for PPT might help you with that.

2. Data Visualization and Infographics

Turn data into images, graphs or infographics. The more you back up your facts, the better you’ll look to clients and investors.

In 2024, design will move towards simple graphs to explain complex information. Make sure your audience gets the whole picture. Also make sure to add good background images for PPT to complement your data.

3. Experimental Fonts

2024 is the year to think outside the box. Forget about minimal sans serif fonts. This year go for fun and wild fonts. Use a cool background for PPT and original fonts.

Cool PowerPoint background images can help present your statements in an impactful way. Be memorable and creative by using a more eccentric font style.

4. Realistic Photographs

Days of photoshopped photos are gone. We’re getting real in 2024. Not sure what’s the best background picture for PowerPoint? Find the most natural and effortless images. Illustrate each slide with down to earth humans doing regular stuff. This will help you connect with your audience in a genuine way.

5. Bold and Colorful Backgrounds

In 2024 don’t be afraid of being over the top. Always choose a cool background for PPT. Catch your audience’s eye using bright colors on each slide.

Professional background images for PPT shouldn’t be boring. You can be professional and fun at the same time. The best background image for PPT can be anything that speaks to you.

Discover More Template Resources

The templates with cool PowerPoint background images above are some of the best for 2024. But they may not be the perfect fit for your project's needs.

None of the templates mentioned above  work for you now? Browse through a few of our other high-quality articles. These contain  more best-selling PowerPoint templates:  

Common PowerPoint Questions Answered (FAQ)

Are you currently using Microsoft PowerPoint? Or are you thinking about using Microsoft PowerPoint soon? You might have a few questions. Not sure how to make the best use of the program? We've collected five of the most common questions people ask about PowerPoint. Find them along with detailed answers:

1. Do I Need to Be a Graphic Designer to Create a Visually Appealing Presentation?

Absolutely not! Start with a professionally crafted template that already looks amazing. This allows you to focus on the content of the PowerPoint rather than working on the design. It can also give you extra time to find cool PowerPoint background images.

Check out this tutorial to find out how to use PowerPoint templates:

2. How Can I Make my PowerPoint More Dynamic and Interesting?

The answer is Motion Paths! Motion Paths allow you to move something in a very specific way on a slide. This will make it much more interactive than your basic animation. Place them over a professional background images for PPT. Find out how to create your own custom motion paths in the tutorial below:

3. How Can I Add Videos To My PowerPoint Presentation?

PowerPoint allows you to add videos to enhance your project. Sometimes cool PowerPoint background images are not enough to grab your audience's attention.

Learn how to add videos in PowerPoint with this easy to follow tutorial:

4. How Do I Insert a Calendar into PowerPoint?

PowerPoint has calendar templates. You can insert them into any slide of your presentation. It could also go over your cool PowerPoint background images.

Find out how to insert and edit a calendar in the tutorial below:

5. Can I Create Organization Charts in PowerPoint?

Yes, you can! Creating organization charts is pretty straightforward. Navigate to the main header in PowerPoint and Insert and choose the SmartArt option. This will bring up a menu of interactive graphics from you to choose from. 

Learn more about creating organization charts in this tutorial:

Learn More About Microsoft PowerPoint

The PowerPoint templates shown in this article will guide you. Start creating a professional-looking presentation. But Microsoft PowerPoint is a very comprehensive piece of software. It has many advanced tools and functions to work with.

Get the most out of your templates and cool PowerPoint background images. Read PowerPoint tutorial guide  and  The Complete Guide to Making Great Business Presentations . These two articles will give you all the tools to create a stunning presentation.

Also, look at these other helpful PowerPoint Tuts+ articles:

Design Presentations With Cool PowerPoint Background Images Today

In this tutorial, you saw outstanding options for professional background images for PPT. Templates in this article already have the best background picture for PowerPoint.

Envato Elements is home to good background images for PPT  with unlimited downloads. GraphicRiver is another leading marketplace. It has amazing Microsoft Office PowerPoint background templates for a pay-as-you-go option.

Using cool PowerPoint background images is a cure for a boring PowerPoint presentation. Use the templates and tips you saw to choose the best background picture for PowerPoint. Create great PowerPoint backgrounds and wow your audience.

Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Daniel Strongin and Janila Castañeda . Daniel is a freelance instructor for Envato Tuts+. Janila is a staff writer with Envato Tuts+.

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How to Make a “Good” Presentation “Great”

• Guy Kawasaki

Remember: Less is more.

A strong presentation is so much more than information pasted onto a series of slides with fancy backgrounds. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others. Here are some unique elements that make a presentation stand out.

• Fonts: Sans Serif fonts such as Helvetica or Arial are preferred for their clean lines, which make them easy to digest at various sizes and distances. Limit the number of font styles to two: one for headings and another for body text, to avoid visual confusion or distractions.
• Colors: Colors can evoke emotions and highlight critical points, but their overuse can lead to a cluttered and confusing presentation. A limited palette of two to three main colors, complemented by a simple background, can help you draw attention to key elements without overwhelming the audience.
• Pictures: Pictures can communicate complex ideas quickly and memorably but choosing the right images is key. Images or pictures should be big (perhaps 20-25% of the page), bold, and have a clear purpose that complements the slide’s text.
• Layout: Don’t overcrowd your slides with too much information. When in doubt, adhere to the principle of simplicity, and aim for a clean and uncluttered layout with plenty of white space around text and images. Think phrases and bullets, not sentences.

As an intern or early career professional, chances are that you’ll be tasked with making or giving a presentation in the near future. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others.

• Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist at Canva and was the former chief evangelist at Apple. Guy is the author of 16 books including Think Remarkable : 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference.

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