Adobe Illustrator is a powerful vector graphics software that offers a variety of features, including the ability to manipulate and resize artboards. Artboard size plays a critical role in your design projects and is often the first step in preparing your work for print or digital use. In this article, we will discuss three ways to change artboard size in Adobe Illustrator.

1. The Artboard Tool:

The most straightforward method to resize an artboard is by using the Artboard tool. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Open your Adobe Illustrator project, and select the Artboard tool from the Tools panel (represented by an icon with crop marks).

Step 2: Click on the artboard you want to resize. Handles will appear on its corners and edges.

Step 3: Click and drag these handles to adjust the size of your artboard freely. Hold down the Shift key while dragging to maintain aspect ratio.

2. The Artboard Options Panel:

You can also change the size of your artboard through the Artboard Options panel, providing more precise control over dimensions. To use this method, follow these steps:

Step 1: With your project open, go to Window > Artboards in Adobe Illustrator’s top menu.

Step 2: In the Artboards panel, click on the target artboard’s name or double-click on its thumbnail preview.

Step 3: The Artboard Options dialog box will appear. Here, you can enter specific values for Width and Height or choose from preset sizes. Once you’ve made your adjustments, click OK.

3. The Properties Panel:

The third approach for altering artboard size involves using Illustrator’s Properties panel, giving you access to detailed settings related to your artwork’s elements:

Step 1: Open your project and make sure nothing on your canvas is selected.

Step 2: In the Properties panel (Window > Properties), locate the Artboard section.

Step 3: Here, you can enter new values for Width and Height or select a predefined size from the drop-down menu.

You can also change the unit of measurement by clicking on the ruler icon.

Whichever method you choose, changing artboard size in Adobe Illustrator is an essential skill to master. With these three techniques in your arsenal, you’ll be able to customize your workspace and efficiently prepare your designs for different use cases – from print projects to digital presentations and more.