diff --git a/crates/typst-cli/src/compile.rs b/crates/typst-cli/src/compile.rs
index d15264255..cc85d9209 100644
--- a/crates/typst-cli/src/compile.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-cli/src/compile.rs
@@ -10,10 +10,9 @@ use parking_lot::RwLock;
 use rayon::iter::{IntoParallelRefIterator, ParallelIterator};
 use typst::diag::{bail, Severity, SourceDiagnostic, StrResult, Warned};
 use typst::foundations::{Datetime, Smart};
-use typst::layout::{Frame, PageRanges};
+use typst::layout::{Frame, Page, PageRanges};
 use typst::model::Document;
 use typst::syntax::{FileId, Source, Span};
-use typst::visualize::Color;
 use typst::WorldExt;
 
 use crate::args::{
@@ -269,7 +268,7 @@ fn export_image(
                 Output::Stdout => Output::Stdout,
             };
 
-            export_image_page(command, &page.frame, &output, fmt)?;
+            export_image_page(command, page, &output, fmt)?;
             Ok(())
         })
         .collect::<Result<Vec<()>, EcoString>>()?;
@@ -309,13 +308,13 @@ mod output_template {
 /// Export single image.
 fn export_image_page(
     command: &CompileCommand,
-    frame: &Frame,
+    page: &Page,
     output: &Output,
     fmt: ImageExportFormat,
 ) -> StrResult<()> {
     match fmt {
         ImageExportFormat::Png => {
-            let pixmap = typst_render::render(frame, command.ppi / 72.0, Color::WHITE);
+            let pixmap = typst_render::render(page, command.ppi / 72.0);
             let buf = pixmap
                 .encode_png()
                 .map_err(|err| eco_format!("failed to encode PNG file ({err})"))?;
@@ -324,7 +323,7 @@ fn export_image_page(
                 .map_err(|err| eco_format!("failed to write PNG file ({err})"))?;
         }
         ImageExportFormat::Svg => {
-            let svg = typst_svg::svg(frame);
+            let svg = typst_svg::svg(page);
             output
                 .write(svg.as_bytes())
                 .map_err(|err| eco_format!("failed to write SVG file ({err})"))?;
diff --git a/crates/typst-pdf/src/color_font.rs b/crates/typst-pdf/src/color_font.rs
index 201915b19..4889d9151 100644
--- a/crates/typst-pdf/src/color_font.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-pdf/src/color_font.rs
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ impl ColorFontMap<()> {
             let width =
                 font.advance(gid).unwrap_or(Em::new(0.0)).get() * font.units_per_em();
             let instructions =
-                content::build(&mut self.resources, &frame, Some(width as f32));
+                content::build(&mut self.resources, &frame, None, Some(width as f32));
             color_font.glyphs.push(ColorGlyph { gid, instructions });
             color_font.glyph_indices.insert(gid, index);
 
diff --git a/crates/typst-pdf/src/content.rs b/crates/typst-pdf/src/content.rs
index da9e4ed44..d9830e439 100644
--- a/crates/typst-pdf/src/content.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-pdf/src/content.rs
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ use crate::{deflate_deferred, AbsExt, EmExt};
 pub fn build(
     resources: &mut Resources<()>,
     frame: &Frame,
+    fill: Option<Paint>,
     color_glyph_width: Option<f32>,
 ) -> Encoded {
     let size = frame.size();
@@ -53,6 +54,11 @@ pub fn build(
             .post_concat(Transform::translate(Abs::zero(), size.y)),
     );
 
+    if let Some(fill) = fill {
+        let shape = Geometry::Rect(frame.size()).filled(fill);
+        write_shape(&mut ctx, Point::zero(), &shape);
+    }
+
     // Encode the frame into the content stream.
     write_frame(&mut ctx, frame);
 
diff --git a/crates/typst-pdf/src/page.rs b/crates/typst-pdf/src/page.rs
index 2983f504f..b07490cc0 100644
--- a/crates/typst-pdf/src/page.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-pdf/src/page.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ use pdf_writer::{
 };
 use typst::foundations::Label;
 use typst::introspection::Location;
-use typst::layout::{Abs, Frame};
+use typst::layout::{Abs, Page};
 use typst::model::{Destination, Numbering};
 use typst::text::Case;
 
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ pub fn traverse_pages(
             pages.push(None);
             skipped_pages += 1;
         } else {
-            let mut encoded = construct_page(&mut resources, &page.frame);
+            let mut encoded = construct_page(&mut resources, page);
             encoded.label = page
                 .numbering
                 .as_ref()
@@ -60,9 +60,8 @@ pub fn traverse_pages(
 
 /// Construct a page object.
 #[typst_macros::time(name = "construct page")]
-fn construct_page(out: &mut Resources<()>, frame: &Frame) -> EncodedPage {
-    let content = content::build(out, frame, None);
-
+fn construct_page(out: &mut Resources<()>, page: &Page) -> EncodedPage {
+    let content = content::build(out, &page.frame, page.fill_or_transparent(), None);
     EncodedPage { content, label: None }
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/typst-pdf/src/pattern.rs b/crates/typst-pdf/src/pattern.rs
index e06c04f87..d4f5a6e08 100644
--- a/crates/typst-pdf/src/pattern.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-pdf/src/pattern.rs
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ fn register_pattern(
     };
 
     // Render the body.
-    let content = content::build(&mut patterns.resources, pattern.frame(), None);
+    let content = content::build(&mut patterns.resources, pattern.frame(), None, None);
 
     let pdf_pattern = PdfPattern {
         transform,
diff --git a/crates/typst-render/src/lib.rs b/crates/typst-render/src/lib.rs
index 305dcd1fc..d5eeacce8 100644
--- a/crates/typst-render/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-render/src/lib.rs
@@ -7,45 +7,49 @@ mod text;
 
 use tiny_skia as sk;
 use typst::layout::{
-    Abs, Axes, Frame, FrameItem, FrameKind, GroupItem, Point, Size, Transform,
+    Abs, Axes, Frame, FrameItem, FrameKind, GroupItem, Page, Point, Size, Transform,
 };
 use typst::model::Document;
-use typst::visualize::Color;
+use typst::visualize::{Color, Geometry, Paint};
 
-/// Export a frame into a raster image.
+/// Export a page into a raster image.
 ///
-/// This renders the frame at the given number of pixels per point and returns
+/// This renders the page at the given number of pixels per point and returns
 /// the resulting `tiny-skia` pixel buffer.
 #[typst_macros::time(name = "render")]
-pub fn render(frame: &Frame, pixel_per_pt: f32, fill: Color) -> sk::Pixmap {
-    let size = frame.size();
+pub fn render(page: &Page, pixel_per_pt: f32) -> sk::Pixmap {
+    let size = page.frame.size();
     let pxw = (pixel_per_pt * size.x.to_f32()).round().max(1.0) as u32;
     let pxh = (pixel_per_pt * size.y.to_f32()).round().max(1.0) as u32;
 
-    let mut canvas = sk::Pixmap::new(pxw, pxh).unwrap();
-    canvas.fill(paint::to_sk_color(fill));
-
     let ts = sk::Transform::from_scale(pixel_per_pt, pixel_per_pt);
-    render_frame(&mut canvas, State::new(size, ts, pixel_per_pt), frame);
+    let state = State::new(size, ts, pixel_per_pt);
+
+    let mut canvas = sk::Pixmap::new(pxw, pxh).unwrap();
+
+    if let Some(fill) = page.fill_or_white() {
+        if let Paint::Solid(color) = fill {
+            canvas.fill(paint::to_sk_color(color));
+        } else {
+            let rect = Geometry::Rect(page.frame.size()).filled(fill);
+            shape::render_shape(&mut canvas, state, &rect);
+        }
+    }
+
+    render_frame(&mut canvas, state, &page.frame);
 
     canvas
 }
 
 /// Export a document with potentially multiple pages into a single raster image.
-///
-/// The gap will be added between the individual frames.
 pub fn render_merged(
     document: &Document,
     pixel_per_pt: f32,
-    frame_fill: Color,
     gap: Abs,
-    gap_fill: Color,
+    fill: Option<Color>,
 ) -> sk::Pixmap {
-    let pixmaps: Vec<_> = document
-        .pages
-        .iter()
-        .map(|page| render(&page.frame, pixel_per_pt, frame_fill))
-        .collect();
+    let pixmaps: Vec<_> =
+        document.pages.iter().map(|page| render(page, pixel_per_pt)).collect();
 
     let gap = (pixel_per_pt * gap.to_f32()).round() as u32;
     let pxw = pixmaps.iter().map(sk::Pixmap::width).max().unwrap_or_default();
@@ -53,7 +57,9 @@ pub fn render_merged(
         + gap * pixmaps.len().saturating_sub(1) as u32;
 
     let mut canvas = sk::Pixmap::new(pxw, pxh).unwrap();
-    canvas.fill(paint::to_sk_color(gap_fill));
+    if let Some(fill) = fill {
+        canvas.fill(paint::to_sk_color(fill));
+    }
 
     let mut y = 0;
     for pixmap in pixmaps {
diff --git a/crates/typst-svg/src/lib.rs b/crates/typst-svg/src/lib.rs
index 01ed3faee..145e23f86 100644
--- a/crates/typst-svg/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-svg/src/lib.rs
@@ -11,11 +11,11 @@ use std::fmt::{self, Display, Formatter, Write};
 use ecow::EcoString;
 use ttf_parser::OutlineBuilder;
 use typst::layout::{
-    Abs, Frame, FrameItem, FrameKind, GroupItem, Point, Ratio, Size, Transform,
+    Abs, Frame, FrameItem, FrameKind, GroupItem, Page, Point, Ratio, Size, Transform,
 };
 use typst::model::Document;
 use typst::utils::hash128;
-use typst::visualize::{Gradient, Pattern};
+use typst::visualize::{Geometry, Gradient, Pattern};
 use xmlwriter::XmlWriter;
 
 use crate::paint::{GradientRef, PatternRef, SVGSubGradient};
@@ -23,12 +23,12 @@ use crate::text::RenderedGlyph;
 
 /// Export a frame into a SVG file.
 #[typst_macros::time(name = "svg")]
-pub fn svg(frame: &Frame) -> String {
+pub fn svg(page: &Page) -> String {
     let mut renderer = SVGRenderer::new();
-    renderer.write_header(frame.size());
+    renderer.write_header(page.frame.size());
 
-    let state = State::new(frame.size(), Transform::identity());
-    renderer.render_frame(state, Transform::identity(), frame);
+    let state = State::new(page.frame.size(), Transform::identity());
+    renderer.render_page(state, Transform::identity(), page);
     renderer.finalize()
 }
 
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ pub fn svg_merged(document: &Document, padding: Abs) -> String {
     for page in &document.pages {
         let ts = Transform::translate(x, y);
         let state = State::new(page.frame.size(), Transform::identity());
-        renderer.render_frame(state, ts, &page.frame);
+        renderer.render_page(state, ts, page);
         y += page.frame.height() + padding;
     }
 
@@ -176,6 +176,16 @@ impl SVGRenderer {
         self.xml.write_attribute("xmlns:h5", "http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml");
     }
 
+    /// Render a page with the given transform.
+    fn render_page(&mut self, state: State, ts: Transform, page: &Page) {
+        if let Some(fill) = page.fill_or_white() {
+            let shape = Geometry::Rect(page.frame.size()).filled(fill);
+            self.render_shape(state, &shape);
+        }
+
+        self.render_frame(state, ts, &page.frame);
+    }
+
     /// Render a frame with the given transform.
     fn render_frame(&mut self, state: State, ts: Transform, frame: &Frame) {
         self.xml.start_element("g");
diff --git a/crates/typst/src/layout/page.rs b/crates/typst/src/layout/page.rs
index cf8989175..ca2a0ce91 100644
--- a/crates/typst/src/layout/page.rs
+++ b/crates/typst/src/layout/page.rs
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ use crate::layout::{
 use crate::model::Numbering;
 use crate::text::TextElem;
 use crate::utils::{NonZeroExt, Numeric, Scalar};
-use crate::visualize::Paint;
+use crate::visualize::{Color, Paint};
 
 /// Layouts its child onto one or multiple pages.
 ///
@@ -178,12 +178,20 @@ pub struct PageElem {
     #[default(NonZeroUsize::ONE)]
     pub columns: NonZeroUsize,
 
-    /// The page's background color.
+    /// The page's background fill.
     ///
-    /// This instructs the printer to color the complete page with the given
-    /// color. If you are considering larger production runs, it may be more
-    /// environmentally friendly and cost-effective to source pre-dyed pages and
-    /// not set this property.
+    /// Setting this to something non-transparent instructs the printer to color
+    /// the complete page. If you are considering larger production runs, it may
+    /// be more environmentally friendly and cost-effective to source pre-dyed
+    /// pages and not set this property.
+    ///
+    /// When set to `{none}`, the background becomes transparent. Note that PDF
+    /// pages will still appear with a (usually white) background in viewers,
+    /// but they are conceptually transparent. (If you print them, no color is
+    /// used for the background.)
+    ///
+    /// The default of `{auto}` results in `{none}` for PDF output, and
+    /// `{white}` for PNG and SVG.
     ///
     /// ```example
     /// #set page(fill: rgb("444352"))
@@ -191,7 +199,7 @@ pub struct PageElem {
     /// *Dark mode enabled.*
     /// ```
     #[borrowed]
-    pub fill: Option<Paint>,
+    pub fill: Smart<Option<Paint>>,
 
     /// How to [number]($numbering) the pages.
     ///
@@ -555,13 +563,10 @@ impl PageLayout<'_> {
                 }
             }
 
-            if let Some(fill) = fill {
-                frame.fill(fill.clone());
-            }
-
             page_counter.visit(engine, &frame)?;
             pages.push(Page {
                 frame,
+                fill: fill.clone(),
                 numbering: numbering.clone(),
                 number: page_counter.logical(),
             });
@@ -578,6 +583,15 @@ impl PageLayout<'_> {
 pub struct Page {
     /// The frame that defines the page.
     pub frame: Frame,
+    /// How the page is filled.
+    ///
+    /// - When `None`, the background is transparent.
+    /// - When `Auto`, the background is transparent for PDF and white
+    ///   for raster and SVG targets.
+    ///
+    /// Exporters should access the resolved value of this property through
+    /// `fill_or_transparent()` or `fill_or_white()`.
+    pub fill: Smart<Option<Paint>>,
     /// The page's numbering.
     pub numbering: Option<Numbering>,
     /// The logical page number (controlled by `counter(page)` and may thus not
@@ -585,6 +599,22 @@ pub struct Page {
     pub number: usize,
 }
 
+impl Page {
+    /// Get the configured background or `None` if it is `Auto`.
+    ///
+    /// This is used in PDF export.
+    pub fn fill_or_transparent(&self) -> Option<Paint> {
+        self.fill.clone().unwrap_or(None)
+    }
+
+    /// Get the configured background or white if it is `Auto`.
+    ///
+    /// This is used in raster and SVG export.
+    pub fn fill_or_white(&self) -> Option<Paint> {
+        self.fill.clone().unwrap_or_else(|| Some(Color::WHITE.into()))
+    }
+}
+
 /// Specification of the page's margins.
 #[derive(Debug, Copy, Clone, Eq, PartialEq, Hash)]
 pub struct Margin {
diff --git a/docs/src/main.rs b/docs/src/main.rs
index f4414b109..3f53dfc84 100644
--- a/docs/src/main.rs
+++ b/docs/src/main.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 
 use clap::Parser;
 use typst::model::Document;
-use typst::visualize::Color;
 use typst_docs::{provide, Html, Resolver};
 use typst_render::render;
 
@@ -35,8 +34,8 @@ impl<'a> Resolver for CliResolver<'a> {
             );
         }
 
-        let frame = &document.pages.first().expect("page 0").frame;
-        let pixmap = render(frame, 2.0, Color::WHITE);
+        let page = document.pages.first().expect("page 0");
+        let pixmap = render(page, 2.0);
         let filename = format!("{hash:x}.png");
         let path = self.assets_dir.join(&filename);
         fs::create_dir_all(path.parent().expect("parent")).expect("create dir");
diff --git a/tests/fuzz/src/compile.rs b/tests/fuzz/src/compile.rs
index c9536150f..fa9397814 100644
--- a/tests/fuzz/src/compile.rs
+++ b/tests/fuzz/src/compile.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ use typst::foundations::{Bytes, Datetime};
 use typst::syntax::{FileId, Source};
 use typst::text::{Font, FontBook};
 use typst::utils::LazyHash;
-use typst::visualize::Color;
 use typst::{Library, World};
 
 struct FuzzWorld {
@@ -68,7 +67,7 @@ fuzz_target!(|text: &str| {
     let world = FuzzWorld::new(text);
     if let Ok(document) = typst::compile(&world).output {
         if let Some(page) = document.pages.first() {
-            std::hint::black_box(typst_render::render(&page.frame, 1.0, Color::WHITE));
+            std::hint::black_box(typst_render::render(page, 1.0));
         }
     }
     comemo::evict(10);
diff --git a/tests/ref/page-fill-none.png b/tests/ref/page-fill-none.png
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d225135f4
Binary files /dev/null and b/tests/ref/page-fill-none.png differ
diff --git a/tests/ref/pattern-relative-self.png b/tests/ref/pattern-relative-self.png
index 284080811..617e7dd6f 100644
Binary files a/tests/ref/pattern-relative-self.png and b/tests/ref/pattern-relative-self.png differ
diff --git a/tests/src/run.rs b/tests/src/run.rs
index 3db03ba43..9681ae4cc 100644
--- a/tests/src/run.rs
+++ b/tests/src/run.rs
@@ -359,13 +359,8 @@ fn render(document: &Document, pixel_per_pt: f32) -> sk::Pixmap {
     }
 
     let gap = Abs::pt(1.0);
-    let mut pixmap = typst_render::render_merged(
-        document,
-        pixel_per_pt,
-        Color::WHITE,
-        gap,
-        Color::BLACK,
-    );
+    let mut pixmap =
+        typst_render::render_merged(document, pixel_per_pt, gap, Some(Color::BLACK));
 
     let gap = (pixel_per_pt * gap.to_pt() as f32).round();
 
diff --git a/tests/suite/layout/page.typ b/tests/suite/layout/page.typ
index f833af59b..0e1f77295 100644
--- a/tests/suite/layout/page.typ
+++ b/tests/suite/layout/page.typ
@@ -66,7 +66,13 @@
 // Test page fill.
 #set page(width: 80pt, height: 40pt, fill: eastern)
 #text(15pt, font: "Roboto", fill: white, smallcaps[Typst])
-#page(width: 40pt, fill: none, margin: (top: 10pt, rest: auto))[Hi]
+#page(width: 40pt, fill: auto, margin: (top: 10pt, rest: auto))[Hi]
+
+--- page-fill-none ---
+// Test disabling page fill.
+// The PNG is filled with black anyway due to the test runner.
+#set page(fill: none)
+#rect(fill: green)
 
 --- page-margin-uniform ---
 // Set all margins at once.
diff --git a/tests/suite/visualize/pattern.typ b/tests/suite/visualize/pattern.typ
index 08051ed20..b0c92efaf 100644
--- a/tests/suite/visualize/pattern.typ
+++ b/tests/suite/visualize/pattern.typ
@@ -21,24 +21,30 @@
 --- pattern-relative-self ---
 // Test with relative set to `"self"`
 #let pat(..args) = pattern(size: (30pt, 30pt), ..args)[
+  #set line(stroke: green)
   #place(top + left, line(start: (0%, 0%), end: (100%, 100%), stroke: 1pt))
   #place(top + left, line(start: (0%, 100%), end: (100%, 0%), stroke: 1pt))
 ]
 
 #set page(fill: pat(), width: 100pt, height: 100pt)
-
-#rect(fill: pat(relative: "self"), width: 100%, height: 100%, stroke: 1pt)
+#rect(
+  width: 100%,
+  height: 100%,
+  fill: pat(relative: "self"),
+  stroke: 1pt + green,
+)
 
 --- pattern-relative-parent ---
 // Test with relative set to `"parent"`
-#let pat(..args) = pattern(size: (30pt, 30pt), ..args)[
+#let pat(fill, ..args) = pattern(size: (30pt, 30pt), ..args)[
+  #rect(width: 100%, height: 100%, fill: fill, stroke: none)
   #place(top + left, line(start: (0%, 0%), end: (100%, 100%), stroke: 1pt))
   #place(top + left, line(start: (0%, 100%), end: (100%, 0%), stroke: 1pt))
 ]
 
-#set page(fill: pat(), width: 100pt, height: 100pt)
+#set page(fill: pat(white), width: 100pt, height: 100pt)
 
-#rect(fill: pat(relative: "parent"), width: 100%, height: 100%, stroke: 1pt)
+#rect(fill: pat(none, relative: "parent"), width: 100%, height: 100%, stroke: 1pt)
 
 --- pattern-small ---
 // Tests small patterns for pixel accuracy.