Overview

Slide backgrounds set the visual foundation for your entire presentation. The pptx.dev API supports light and dark backgrounds, color scheme-driven backgrounds, and full-bleed background images.

Background Modes

The pptx.dev API supports these background styles through themes:

Setting Backgrounds via Themes

The simplest way to control backgrounds is through themes. Each theme includes a pre-configured background:

{
  "theme": "dark",
  "slides": [
    {
      "layout": "title-center",
      "content": {
        "heading": "Dark Mode Presentation",
        "subheading": "Modern and clean"
      }
    }
  ]
}

Background Images

Any layout with a -slideimage suffix supports full-bleed background images:

{
  "layout": "title-center-slideimage",
  "content": {
    "heading": "Annual Conference",
    "subheading": "San Francisco 2026",
    "slideImage": "https://example.com/conference-venue.jpg"
  }
}

The API automatically applies an overlay to keep text readable over the image.

When the background image is the main visual choice, compare Full-Bleed, Text Overlay, and Background Blur in the Image Treatments catalog.

Light vs. Dark Backgrounds

When to Use Light Backgrounds

• Printing or PDF export (dark backgrounds waste ink)
• Conservative/corporate audiences
• Presentations with lots of dense text
• Meeting rooms with bright lighting

When to Use Dark Backgrounds

• On-screen presentations and webinars
• Product demos and keynotes
• Modern tech and SaaS audiences
• Presentation rooms with controlled lighting

Color Scheme Integration

Your background works in concert with your color scheme. The API adjusts text colors, chart colors, and accent colors based on the background:

• Light background → dark text, vivid accents
• Dark background → light text, bright accents

You never need to manually adjust text colors — the color scheme handles it.

Next Steps

• Choose color schemes that work with your background
• Apply a theme for a complete preset
• Add background images to any slide