Template Layers Still Visible on Export for PNG and JPG
I am creating a logo package for a client and am attempting to export multiple logos / graphics with transparent backgrounds using the export panel. I've already confirmed multiple times that my PNG settings include transparency and that the View > Overprint Preview setting is unchecked. My background layer is set to non printing, however any PDF or PNG I export includes a visible background layer. I can completely hide this layer to avoid exporting it, but then I can't see my artwork correctly. The whole point of non printing layers is to see them when you are designing without exporting them. I am using Illustrator 29.1 and am on an iMac running Ventura 13.7.2.
I've been using Illustrator for over 10 years and non printing layers have always worked. The fact that these layers are showing up in both PDF and PNG exports indicates that it's a global transparency issue and not a file type setting. I've read every thread I can find and tried every setting possible and cannot get non printing layers to export with transparency. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated!
Please see attached images for Illustrator layer settings and what the exported PNG looks like when opened in Photoshop.
Dan
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Dan
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@egor chistyakov Thank you for testing this issue and confirming the bug. Does that mean this bug will be fixed or that it's simply known?
I'm attaching my Illustrator file here just in case you or someone else wanted to try some more tests. Again, I'm on Mac OS Ventura 13.7.2 and Illustrator 2025 29.1.
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Yep, I can confirm this.
The template layer is correctly ignored when exported into PSD or TIFF or TGA, but is baked in when PNG or JPEG are used!
The export method doesn't matter — happens for both Export As and Export Assets.
This is clearly a bug.Dan, thanks a ton for taking your time to report this.
I also attach a simplest test document: only the orange circle should be visible when exported. -
Dan, can you please also share a copy of the file (you can leave only some of the objects there)?
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Dan
commented
@egor chistyakov I've done exactly what you recommended by switching the background layer from non printing to template, which should make it entirely transparent on both print and export. It still shows up in my exports. I'm attaching labeled screenshots with the following info:
"01 Template Layers Settings," where you can see that the selected object (dark blue rectangle) is on the bg 01 layer, which is set as a template layer.
"01 Template Layer Off," where I've hidden the background layer. You can now see the blank artboard which should save as transparent.
"02 PNG Export Settings," where you can verify that my PNGs are set to export with transparency.
"03 Photoshop Test," where I've opened the artwork in Photoshop and used the crop tool to expand the size of the canvas beyond the trim area. You can see that the dark blue rectangle has been exported.
My conclusion is that this has to be an Illustrator bug unless there is somehow a global setting which I still need to change. As I mentioned in my original post, View > Overprint Preview is turned off / unchecked in my document.
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I checked this in several older versions, starting with CS1, and it never worked like you said it did.
On the contrary, the Help article (here: helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/setting-documents-printing.html#make_artwork_nonprintable) says clearly (CAPS is mine):
— To prevent artwork from DISPLAYING in the document window, printing, and exporting, HIDE the corresponding items in the Layers panel.
— To prevent artwork from PRINTING, but not from showing on the artboard or exporting, double-click a layer name in the Layers panel. In the Layer Options dialog box, DESELECT THE PRINT option, and click OK. The layer name changes to italics in the Layers panel.
— To create artwork that does NOT PRINT OR EXPORT, even when visible on the artboard, select TEMPLATE in the Layer Options dialog box.'Print' means 'print', not 'export'. Use 'Template' option with 'Dim Images To' option disabled (if you have images in the layer).
Please check this and comment back!
