How do I make a halftone background?

Halftone a gradient for a fading dot effect, or a flat grey for an even dot field. Adjust dot size and contrast so the pattern stays subtle, then export SVG so it scales cleanly.

How do I keep text readable over a halftone background?

Lower the contrast of the dots, use a gradient so the dense dots sit away from the text, and stick to a single subtle accent colour. The background should read as texture, not noise.

What format is best for a halftone background on a website?

SVG. It scales across screen sizes without blurring, stays small in file size for simple dot patterns, and can be recoloured in code or a design tool.

How-to

How to Make a Halftone Background

Dotted halftone backgrounds for websites, posters, and slides — building them, keeping them subtle, and exporting clean.

Updated 2026-06-06

A halftone background adds texture and depth without shouting. You see it behind hero headlines, on slide decks, in packaging and posters. The trick is making it support the content instead of fighting it, which mostly comes down to restraint.

Two ways to build one

From a gradient (for a fade)

If you want dots that fade across the background, start with a gradient and halftone it. Dots cluster on one side and thin out on the other — perfect for fading a busy corner into clean space where your text will sit.

From a flat tone (for an even texture)

If you want an even field of dots, start from a flat grey. You'll get a consistent dot pattern across the whole area, which works as a subtle backdrop or a bold graphic field depending on the dot size.

Keep it readable

Lower the contrast between dots and background so text stays legible on top.
Use a fade so the densest dots sit away from where the copy goes.
Pick one accent colour rather than a loud one for the dots.
Leave breathing room — a halftone background should feel like texture, not noise.

Export for the web

Export SVG for a background that has to stretch across different screen sizes without the dots going blurry or pixelated. An SVG also stays tiny in file size for a simple dot pattern, which keeps your page fast. For a fixed-size slide or a one-off graphic, a high-resolution PNG is fine.

Frequently asked questions

How do I make a halftone background?: Halftone a gradient for a fading dot effect, or a flat grey for an even dot field. Adjust dot size and contrast so the pattern stays subtle, then export SVG so it scales cleanly.
How do I keep text readable over a halftone background?: Lower the contrast of the dots, use a gradient so the dense dots sit away from the text, and stick to a single subtle accent colour. The background should read as texture, not noise.
What format is best for a halftone background on a website?: SVG. It scales across screen sizes without blurring, stays small in file size for simple dot patterns, and can be recoloured in code or a design tool.