---
name: "setpdfbackground"
section: "1p"
platform: "linux"
package: "libcam-pdf-perl"
version: "1.60-5"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/setpdfbackground"
---

# setpdfbackground(1p)

Apply a background color to a PDF page

## NAME

setpdfbackground - Apply a background color to a PDF page

## SYNOPSIS

```
 setpdfbackground [options] file.pdf pagenum color [outfile]
 Options:
   -o --order          preserve the internal PDF ordering for output
   -v --verbose        print the internal representation of the PDF
   -h --help           verbose help message
   -V --version        print CAM::PDF version
```

The `"color"` is specified as 3 or 6 character hexadecimal RGB.  For example, `"f00"` and `"ff0000"` both mean pure red while `999` and `999999` both mean medium gray.

## DESCRIPTION

This program alters a PDF document to add a solid background color behind the page contents.

## CAVEATS

Some PDF creation programs assume a white background and draw bogus white rectangles all over the screen that you usually cannot see.  If your PDF has such rectangles, you *can* sometimes fix it, but it is a pain.  The best recommendation is to recreate the original PDF using a smarter library, if possible.  Alternatively, you can contact Clotho Advanced Media for a commercial solution to this problem.

## CREDIT

This feature was originally requested by Brent Cowgill.

## SEE ALSO

CAM::PDF

*rewritepdf*

## AUTHOR

See CAM::PDF