Backgrounds

[keithhurley]

Is it possible to control the "overall" background of the plots. For example, if I use dark backgrounds or transparent backgrounds on the individual plots, the "empty" space on the canvas between individual plots is always white. Is there a way to "theme" the overall canvas?

[ghost]

I have the exact same question.

Here's a reproducible example

library(tidyverse)
library(patchwork)

df_1 <- tibble(x = c(1:10), y = rnorm(10))
df_2 <- tibble(x = c(1:10), y = rnorm(10))

pl_1 <- df_1 %>% 
  ggplot(aes(x, y))+
  geom_line()+
  geom_point()+
  theme(plot.background = element_rect(fill = 'lightgrey'),
        panel.background = element_rect(fill = 'lightgrey'))+
  labs(title = 'This individual Plot has a grey background')

pl_1

pl_2 <- df_1 %>% 
  ggplot(aes(x, y))+
  geom_line()+
  geom_point()+
  theme(plot.background = element_rect(fill = 'lightgrey'),
        panel.background = element_rect(fill = 'lightgrey'))+
  labs(title = 'Together, the plot background is white')

pl_2 + pl_2

[MattSandy]

It would be really nice to be able to do this for example

(pl_2 + pl_2) & theme(plot.background = element_rect(fill = "black"))

[modche]

yes, very important!

[krassowski]

Or event better, allow for watermarks as does cowplot

[thomasp85]

& a theme will now also set the theme of the patchwork

[AlinaBW]

Is is possible to select an entirely transparent background theme for the entire canvas?

[HijaziHassan]

Is is possible to select an entirely transparent background theme for the entire canvas?

Have you tried this?

& theme(plot.background = element_rect(fill='transparent'),
                legend.background = element_rect(fill = 'transparent')
)