how to add artboards in illustrator

How to Create Multiple Artboards in Adobe Illustrator (and how to edit the artboard size)

One of the greatest things about working in Adobe Illustrator is the ability to edit multiple designs in one document. Unlike Adobe Photoshop where you have to create completely new file to edit a new logo, photo, or other design, in Illustrator, you use what are called 'artboards' as your design space.

Why would you want to use multiple artboards? One way that I use multiple artboards is when I'm designing logos. I'll create as many artboards as I have designs. I can see all of my previous designs on the screen to reference. Another way to use multiple artboards is if you have a graphic that you want to duplicate and easily compare. You can literally copy an entire artboard, with the design and all, and the make changes to the new artboard. In this way, you can compare color choices, font selections, etc. all on one screen.

How do you do it?

Option 1:

Create a document with multiple artboards from the start.

Launch Adobe Illustrator, create a new file (File -> New).

Screen Shot 2015-02-19 at 9.14.19 AM

Choose the amount of artboards you'd like by entering a number in the Number of Artboards text box.

choose number of artboards

Choose how you'd like to arrange the artboards (e.g. grid, row). You can also choose how you want your rows/columns to be arranged.

Screen Shot 2015-02-19 at 9.14.49 AM

Enter an amount of Spacing. This will determine how close your artboard is together. I usually want them separated by 20 points or so.

Choose the size of your artboards. Since Adobe Illustrator works with vector shapes, you don't really need to worry about using an artboard that is the exact pixel-size of your end product.

Hit OK, and you'll have your new document.

adobe illustrator project with 4 artboards

Option 2a:

Create new artboards in an existing project. If you've already started a design, or get a design that you're working off of with only one artboard – here is an easy way to create a new artboard.