# Padding: add space around your image

URL: https://helpcenter.readypixl.com/articles/padding
Markdown: https://helpcenter.readypixl.com/articles/padding.md
Section: Pipelines
Summary: Add a see-through or colored margin around your image, per-side or all at once.

**Padding** adds empty space around your image. Use it when your subject sits too close to the edges and you want a margin — either see-through space or a solid color border.

## When to use it

- Give a design breathing room before you place it on a product.
- Add an even margin so nothing important sits right on the edge.
- Put a solid color border around the whole image.

## How to use it

1. Add **Padding** to your pipeline.
2. Choose how much space to add — all sides together, or each side on its own.
3. Pick whether the new space is see-through or filled with a color.

## The settings

| Setting | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| **Sync sides** | ON = one slider adds the same padding to all four sides. OFF = four separate sliders (Top, Right, Bottom, Left) so you can set each side on its own. |
| **Padding amount** (0–1000 px) | How much space to add. With Sync sides on it's a single "All Sides" slider; with it off, one slider per side. |
| **Padding Fill** | **Transparent** leaves the new space see-through. **Color** fills the new space with a color you choose. |
| **Color** | The fill color (only when Padding Fill = Color). Click the swatch or paste a hex code like `#FFFFFF`. |
| **Fill behind image** | When on, the color also fills behind any see-through parts of your image — not just the outer margin. |

## Padding vs. similar tools

- **Trim** is the opposite — it cuts empty edges off. Padding adds them.
- **Canvas Fill** fills the whole background behind your image. Padding adds a margin around it (and can optionally fill that margin).
- **Reposition** sets an exact final canvas size (width / height / DPI). Padding just adds space to whatever size you already have.

## Tips

- Turn on **Sync sides** for an even border; turn it off when one side needs more room.
- Use Padding late in the pipeline (after cleanup), so you're adding space around the finished design.

## What to read next

- **[Canvas Fill](canvas-fill)** — fill the background with a color
- **[Trim](trim)** — cut empty edges off instead
- **[Reposition](reposition)** — for exact canvas sizes
- **[All tools at a glance](all-tools)**