Tech Tip - How To Create Transparent Backgrounds For Images Used In Email Signatures

There are more and more people using the new "Dark Mode" feature in Microsoft Office products, which can sometimes impact images, specifically images embedded in email signatures. 

In dark mode, images without transparent backgrounds (typically a white background instead of transparent) stick out like a sore thumb and can look off, and by using a transparent background for images instead of white, it will adopt the background colour of the computer, so in dark mode, the image will use the dark coloured background, preventing it from looking odd and standing out.  A transparent background seamlessly adapts to both dark and light modes used by users, allowing you to maintain a polished, consistent brand image.

How to create a transparent background for your image

• Use a search engine tool, such as Google, to search for "Make image background transparent" and use one of the tools available, Adobe, for example offer a free background removal tool available here: Adobe background removal
• Upload the file, follow the instructions to remove the background and download the image in a PNG (portable network graphic) format so it will preserve the transparency 
• Use the image in your email signature - using either the signature tool in Outlook or your email client OR by using a tool such as a cloud email signature manager. 

You can test that your image is working by sending it to yourself and switching your computer / application between light and dark mode to test the image look and ensure there are no large blocks of background that are still not transparent! 

If you would like to see what a cloud based email signature solution looks like and how it works and applies a signature to your emails automatically, no matter which device you send it from, ensuring you have a consistent look for your business.