Difference between background image and background color

Background color is applied to a cell or table using the Properties pane.

Background image is an image file you upload to the template using the Image/Logo element.

When designing your signature template, it is essential to understand the pros and cons of using a background image vs background color.

	Pros	Cons
Background image	Scope for interesting designs. Allows for patterns, gradients and shapes. Creates a new depth in signatures. Isn't affected by dark mode.	Renders as a bitmap image that can be removed on forward/reply emails. Quality can vary depending on monitor resolution. The table used must be the same size and height as the background image. Alignments are done using padding. This can look odd in the signature designer. Hyperlinks may not work in Outlook with Client-Side signature.
Background color	Does not render as a bitmap image. Allows for extra depth and intrigue to the design. Easy to fill a cell or a table.	Sometimes, a white box appears in the Outlook preview when the email is received. Some colors can become dull or muted in dark mode. May not be able to create the more elaborate designs as easily.

For example, you have a two-tone design with elements overlaying the colored section:

_{Example image showing two-tone signature.}

If you want to make an element overlap both colors, then you will need to use a background image. You can then overlay other elements on the image to control the positioning.

_{Example image showing back ground image used.}
However, if you place your element over one color only, you can add a background color to the table or cell that holds the element, as there is no need for overlap. You will still need to use tables to lay out the information the way it is.

_{Example image showing the top half with a background color set in the table cells.}