diff --git a/docs/api-colour.md b/docs/api-colour.md
index 9900aa067..b792d519f 100644
--- a/docs/api-colour.md
+++ b/docs/api-colour.md
@@ -1,23 +1,5 @@
 <!-- Generated by documentation.js. Update this documentation by updating the source code. -->
 
-## background
-
-Set the background for the `embed`, `flatten` and `extend` operations.
-The default background is `{r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 1}`, black without transparency.
-
-Delegates to the _color_ module, which can throw an Error
-but is liberal in what it accepts, clipping values to sensible min/max.
-The alpha value is a float between `0` (transparent) and `1` (opaque).
-
-### Parameters
-
--   `rgba` **([String][1] \| [Object][2])** parsed by the [color][3] module to extract values for red, green, blue and alpha.
-
-
--   Throws **[Error][4]** Invalid parameter
-
-Returns **Sharp** 
-
 ## tint
 
 Tint the image using the provided chroma while preserving the image luminance.
diff --git a/docs/api-operation.md b/docs/api-operation.md
index 07b98837a..85eb61978 100644
--- a/docs/api-operation.md
+++ b/docs/api-operation.md
@@ -114,11 +114,11 @@ Returns **Sharp**
 
 ## flatten
 
-Merge alpha transparency channel, if any, with `background`.
+Merge alpha transparency channel, if any, with a background.
 
 ### Parameters
 
--   `flatten` **[Boolean][6]**  (optional, default `true`)
+-   `options`  
 
 Returns **Sharp** 
 
diff --git a/docs/api-resize.md b/docs/api-resize.md
index 242e9d52e..b3176eb8e 100644
--- a/docs/api-resize.md
+++ b/docs/api-resize.md
@@ -2,179 +2,126 @@
 
 ## resize
 
-Resize image to `width` x `height`.
-By default, the resized image is centre cropped to the exact size specified.
+Resize image to `width`, `height` or `width x height`.
 
-Possible kernels are:
+When both a `width` and `height` are provided, the possible methods by which the image should **fit** these are:
 
--   `nearest`: Use [nearest neighbour interpolation][1].
--   `cubic`: Use a [Catmull-Rom spline][2].
--   `lanczos2`: Use a [Lanczos kernel][3] with `a=2`.
--   `lanczos3`: Use a Lanczos kernel with `a=3` (the default).
-
-### Parameters
-
--   `width` **[Number][4]?** pixels wide the resultant image should be. Use `null` or `undefined` to auto-scale the width to match the height.
--   `height` **[Number][4]?** pixels high the resultant image should be. Use `null` or `undefined` to auto-scale the height to match the width.
--   `options` **[Object][5]?** 
-    -   `options.kernel` **[String][6]** the kernel to use for image reduction. (optional, default `'lanczos3'`)
-    -   `options.fastShrinkOnLoad` **[Boolean][7]** take greater advantage of the JPEG and WebP shrink-on-load feature, which can lead to a slight moiré pattern on some images. (optional, default `true`)
-
-### Examples
-
-```javascript
-sharp(inputBuffer)
-  .resize(200, 300, {
-    kernel: sharp.kernel.nearest
-  })
-  .background('white')
-  .embed()
-  .toFile('output.tiff')
-  .then(function() {
-    // output.tiff is a 200 pixels wide and 300 pixels high image
-    // containing a nearest-neighbour scaled version, embedded on a white canvas,
-    // of the image data in inputBuffer
-  });
-```
-
--   Throws **[Error][8]** Invalid parameters
-
-Returns **Sharp** 
-
-## crop
+-   `cover`: Crop to cover both provided dimensions (the default).
+-   `contain`: Embed within both provided dimensions.
+-   `fill`: Ignore the aspect ratio of the input and stretch to both provided dimensions.
+-   `inside`: Preserving aspect ratio, resize the image to be as large as possible while ensuring its dimensions are less than or equal to both those specified.
+-   `outside`: Preserving aspect ratio, resize the image to be as small as possible while ensuring its dimensions are greater than or equal to both those specified.
+    Some of these values are based on the [object-fit][1] CSS property.
 
-Crop the resized image to the exact size specified, the default behaviour.
+When using a `fit` of `cover` or `contain`, the default **position** is `centre`. Other options are:
 
-Possible attributes of the optional `sharp.gravity` are `north`, `northeast`, `east`, `southeast`, `south`,
-`southwest`, `west`, `northwest`, `center` and `centre`.
+-   `sharp.position`: `top`, `right top`, `right`, `right bottom`, `bottom`, `left bottom`, `left`, `left top`.
+-   `sharp.gravity`: `north`, `northeast`, `east`, `southeast`, `south`, `southwest`, `west`, `northwest`, `center` or `centre`.
+-   `sharp.strategy`: `cover` only, dynamically crop using either the `entropy` or `attention` strategy.
+    Some of these values are based on the [object-position][2] CSS property.
 
 The experimental strategy-based approach resizes so one dimension is at its target length
 then repeatedly ranks edge regions, discarding the edge with the lowest score based on the selected strategy.
 
--   `entropy`: focus on the region with the highest [Shannon entropy][9].
+-   `entropy`: focus on the region with the highest [Shannon entropy][3].
 -   `attention`: focus on the region with the highest luminance frequency, colour saturation and presence of skin tones.
 
+Possible interpolation kernels are:
+
+-   `nearest`: Use [nearest neighbour interpolation][4].
+-   `cubic`: Use a [Catmull-Rom spline][5].
+-   `lanczos2`: Use a [Lanczos kernel][6] with `a=2`.
+-   `lanczos3`: Use a Lanczos kernel with `a=3` (the default).
+
 ### Parameters
 
--   `crop` **[String][6]** A member of `sharp.gravity` to crop to an edge/corner or `sharp.strategy` to crop dynamically. (optional, default `'centre'`)
+-   `width` **[Number][7]?** pixels wide the resultant image should be. Use `null` or `undefined` to auto-scale the width to match the height.
+-   `height` **[Number][7]?** pixels high the resultant image should be. Use `null` or `undefined` to auto-scale the height to match the width.
+-   `options`  
 
 ### Examples
 
 ```javascript
-const transformer = sharp()
-  .resize(200, 200)
-  .crop(sharp.strategy.entropy)
-  .on('error', function(err) {
-    console.log(err);
+sharp(input)
+  .resize({ width: 100 })
+  .toBuffer()
+  .then(data => {
+    // 100 pixels wide, auto-scaled height
   });
-// Read image data from readableStream
-// Write 200px square auto-cropped image data to writableStream
-readableStream.pipe(transformer).pipe(writableStream);
 ```
 
--   Throws **[Error][8]** Invalid parameters
-
-Returns **Sharp** 
-
-## embed
-
-Preserving aspect ratio, resize the image to the maximum `width` or `height` specified
-then embed on a background of the exact `width` and `height` specified.
-
-If the background contains an alpha value then WebP and PNG format output images will
-contain an alpha channel, even when the input image does not.
-
-### Parameters
-
--   `embed` **[String][6]** A member of `sharp.gravity` to embed to an edge/corner. (optional, default `'centre'`)
-
-### Examples
-
 ```javascript
-sharp('input.gif')
-  .resize(200, 300)
-  .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
-  .embed()
-  .toFormat(sharp.format.webp)
-  .toBuffer(function(err, outputBuffer) {
-    if (err) {
-      throw err;
-    }
-    // outputBuffer contains WebP image data of a 200 pixels wide and 300 pixels high
-    // containing a scaled version, embedded on a transparent canvas, of input.gif
+sharp(input)
+  .resize({ height: 100 })
+  .toBuffer()
+  .then(data => {
+    // 100 pixels high, auto-scaled width
   });
 ```
 
--   Throws **[Error][8]** Invalid parameters
-
-Returns **Sharp** 
-
-## max
-
-Preserving aspect ratio, resize the image to be as large as possible
-while ensuring its dimensions are less than or equal to the `width` and `height` specified.
-
-Both `width` and `height` must be provided via `resize` otherwise the behaviour will default to `crop`.
+```javascript
+sharp(input)
+  .resize(200, 300, {
+    kernel: sharp.kernel.nearest,
+    fit: 'contain',
+    position: 'right top',
+    background: { r: 255, g: 255, b: 255, alpha: 0.5 }
+  })
+  .toFile('output.png')
+  .then(() => {
+    // output.png is a 200 pixels wide and 300 pixels high image
+    // containing a nearest-neighbour scaled version
+    // contained within the north-east corner of a semi-transparent white canvas
+  });
+```
 
-### Examples
+```javascript
+const transformer = sharp()
+  .resize({
+    width: 200,
+    height: 200,
+    fit: sharp.fit.cover,
+    position: sharp.strategy.entropy
+  });
+// Read image data from readableStream
+// Write 200px square auto-cropped image data to writableStream
+readableStream
+  .pipe(transformer)
+  .pipe(writableStream);
+```
 
 ```javascript
-sharp(inputBuffer)
-  .resize(200, 200)
-  .max()
+sharp(input)
+  .resize(200, 200, {
+    fit: sharp.fit.inside,
+    withoutEnlargement: true
+  })
   .toFormat('jpeg')
   .toBuffer()
   .then(function(outputBuffer) {
-    // outputBuffer contains JPEG image data no wider than 200 pixels and no higher
-    // than 200 pixels regardless of the inputBuffer image dimensions
+    // outputBuffer contains JPEG image data
+    // no wider and no higher than 200 pixels
+    // and no larger than the input image
   });
 ```
 
-Returns **Sharp** 
-
-## min
-
-Preserving aspect ratio, resize the image to be as small as possible
-while ensuring its dimensions are greater than or equal to the `width` and `height` specified.
-
-Both `width` and `height` must be provided via `resize` otherwise the behaviour will default to `crop`.
-
-Returns **Sharp** 
-
-## ignoreAspectRatio
-
-Ignoring the aspect ratio of the input, stretch the image to
-the exact `width` and/or `height` provided via `resize`.
-
-Returns **Sharp** 
-
-## withoutEnlargement
-
-Do not enlarge the output image if the input image width _or_ height are already less than the required dimensions.
-This is equivalent to GraphicsMagick's `>` geometry option:
-"_change the dimensions of the image only if its width or height exceeds the geometry specification_".
-Use with `max()` to preserve the image's aspect ratio.
-
-The default behaviour _before_ function call is `false`, meaning the image will be enlarged.
-
-### Parameters
-
--   `withoutEnlargement` **[Boolean][7]**  (optional, default `true`)
+-   Throws **[Error][8]** Invalid parameters
 
 Returns **Sharp** 
 
 ## extend
 
-Extends/pads the edges of the image with the colour provided to the `background` method.
+Extends/pads the edges of the image with the provided background colour.
 This operation will always occur after resizing and extraction, if any.
 
 ### Parameters
 
--   `extend` **([Number][4] \| [Object][5])** single pixel count to add to all edges or an Object with per-edge counts
-    -   `extend.top` **[Number][4]?** 
-    -   `extend.left` **[Number][4]?** 
-    -   `extend.bottom` **[Number][4]?** 
-    -   `extend.right` **[Number][4]?** 
+-   `extend` **([Number][7] \| [Object][9])** single pixel count to add to all edges or an Object with per-edge counts
+    -   `extend.top` **[Number][7]?** 
+    -   `extend.left` **[Number][7]?** 
+    -   `extend.bottom` **[Number][7]?** 
+    -   `extend.right` **[Number][7]?** 
+    -   `extend.background` **([String][10] \| [Object][9])** background colour, parsed by the [color][11] module, defaults to black without transparency. (optional, default `{r:0,g:0,b:0,alpha:1}`)
 
 ### Examples
 
@@ -183,8 +130,14 @@ This operation will always occur after resizing and extraction, if any.
 // to the top, left and right edges and 20 to the bottom edge
 sharp(input)
   .resize(140)
-  .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
-  .extend({top: 10, bottom: 20, left: 10, right: 10})
+  .)
+  .extend({
+    top: 10,
+    bottom: 20,
+    left: 10,
+    right: 10
+    background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 }
+  })
   ...
 ```
 
@@ -202,11 +155,11 @@ Extract a region of the image.
 
 ### Parameters
 
--   `options` **[Object][5]** 
-    -   `options.left` **[Number][4]** zero-indexed offset from left edge
-    -   `options.top` **[Number][4]** zero-indexed offset from top edge
-    -   `options.width` **[Number][4]** dimension of extracted image
-    -   `options.height` **[Number][4]** dimension of extracted image
+-   `options` **[Object][9]** 
+    -   `options.left` **[Number][7]** zero-indexed offset from left edge
+    -   `options.top` **[Number][7]** zero-indexed offset from top edge
+    -   `options.width` **[Number][7]** dimension of extracted image
+    -   `options.height` **[Number][7]** dimension of extracted image
 
 ### Examples
 
@@ -238,27 +191,31 @@ Trim "boring" pixels from all edges that contain values within a percentage simi
 
 ### Parameters
 
--   `tolerance` **[Number][4]** value between 1 and 99 representing the percentage similarity. (optional, default `10`)
+-   `tolerance` **[Number][7]** value between 1 and 99 representing the percentage similarity. (optional, default `10`)
 
 
 -   Throws **[Error][8]** Invalid parameters
 
 Returns **Sharp** 
 
-[1]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nearest-neighbor_interpolation
+[1]: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/object-fit
 
-[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centripetal_Catmull%E2%80%93Rom_spline
+[2]: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/object-position
 
-[3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanczos_resampling#Lanczos_kernel
+[3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entropy_%28information_theory%29
 
-[4]: https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number
+[4]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nearest-neighbor_interpolation
 
-[5]: https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object
+[5]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centripetal_Catmull%E2%80%93Rom_spline
 
-[6]: https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/String
+[6]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanczos_resampling#Lanczos_kernel
 
-[7]: https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Boolean
+[7]: https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Number
 
 [8]: https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Error
 
-[9]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entropy_%28information_theory%29
+[9]: https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object
+
+[10]: https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/String
+
+[11]: https://www.npmjs.org/package/color
diff --git a/docs/changelog.md b/docs/changelog.md
index 51b504729..f24d687dc 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.md
+++ b/docs/changelog.md
@@ -15,6 +15,10 @@ Requires libvips v8.7.0.
     `max().withoutEnlargement()` is now `resize(width, height, { fit: 'inside', withoutEnlargement: true })`.
   [#1135](https://github.com/lovell/sharp/issues/1135)
 
+* Deprecate the `background` function.
+    Per-operation `background` options added to `resize`, `extend` and `flatten` operations.
+  [#1392](https://github.com/lovell/sharp/issues/1392)
+
 * Drop Node 4 support.
   [#1212](https://github.com/lovell/sharp/issues/1212)
 
diff --git a/lib/colour.js b/lib/colour.js
index 278fabf70..fe9015b69 100644
--- a/lib/colour.js
+++ b/lib/colour.js
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
+const deprecate = require('util').deprecate;
+
 const color = require('color');
 const is = require('./is');
 
@@ -16,25 +18,20 @@ const colourspace = {
 };
 
 /**
- * Set the background for the `embed`, `flatten` and `extend` operations.
- * The default background is `{r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 1}`, black without transparency.
- *
- * Delegates to the _color_ module, which can throw an Error
- * but is liberal in what it accepts, clipping values to sensible min/max.
- * The alpha value is a float between `0` (transparent) and `1` (opaque).
- *
- * @param {String|Object} rgba - parsed by the [color](https://www.npmjs.org/package/color) module to extract values for red, green, blue and alpha.
- * @returns {Sharp}
- * @throws {Error} Invalid parameter
+ * @deprecated
+ * @private
  */
 function background (rgba) {
   const colour = color(rgba);
-  this.options.background = [
+  const background = [
     colour.red(),
     colour.green(),
     colour.blue(),
     Math.round(colour.alpha() * 255)
   ];
+  this.options.resizeBackground = background;
+  this.options.extendBackground = background;
+  this.options.flattenBackground = background.slice(0, 3);
   return this;
 }
 
@@ -102,23 +99,45 @@ function toColorspace (colorspace) {
   return this.toColourspace(colorspace);
 }
 
+/**
+ * Update a colour attribute of the this.options Object.
+ * @private
+ * @param {String} key
+ * @param {String|Object} val
+ * @throws {Error} Invalid key
+ */
+function _setColourOption (key, val) {
+  if (is.object(val) || is.string(val)) {
+    const colour = color(val);
+    this.options[key] = [
+      colour.red(),
+      colour.green(),
+      colour.blue(),
+      Math.round(colour.alpha() * 255)
+    ];
+  }
+}
+
 /**
  * Decorate the Sharp prototype with colour-related functions.
  * @private
  */
 module.exports = function (Sharp) {
-  // Public instance functions
   [
-    background,
+    // Public
     tint,
     greyscale,
     grayscale,
     toColourspace,
-    toColorspace
+    toColorspace,
+    // Private
+    _setColourOption
   ].forEach(function (f) {
     Sharp.prototype[f.name] = f;
   });
   // Class attributes
   Sharp.colourspace = colourspace;
   Sharp.colorspace = colourspace;
+  // Deprecated
+  Sharp.prototype.background = deprecate(background, 'background(background) is deprecated, use resize({ background }), extend({ background }) or flatten({ background }) instead');
 };
diff --git a/lib/constructor.js b/lib/constructor.js
index 6f07ea1bf..179fb4e60 100644
--- a/lib/constructor.js
+++ b/lib/constructor.js
@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@ const Sharp = function (input, options) {
     height: -1,
     canvas: 'crop',
     position: 0,
+    resizeBackground: [0, 0, 0, 255],
     useExifOrientation: false,
     angle: 0,
     rotationAngle: 0,
@@ -116,14 +117,15 @@ const Sharp = function (input, options) {
     extendBottom: 0,
     extendLeft: 0,
     extendRight: 0,
+    extendBackground: [0, 0, 0, 255],
     withoutEnlargement: false,
     kernel: 'lanczos3',
     fastShrinkOnLoad: true,
     // operations
-    background: [0, 0, 0, 255],
     tintA: 128,
     tintB: 128,
     flatten: false,
+    flattenBackground: [0, 0, 0],
     negate: false,
     medianSize: 0,
     blurSigma: 0,
diff --git a/lib/operation.js b/lib/operation.js
index 71186158f..5cb816ca9 100644
--- a/lib/operation.js
+++ b/lib/operation.js
@@ -171,12 +171,15 @@ function blur (sigma) {
 }
 
 /**
- * Merge alpha transparency channel, if any, with `background`.
- * @param {Boolean} [flatten=true]
+ * Merge alpha transparency channel, if any, with a background.
+ * @param {String|Object} [options.background={r: 0, g: 0, b: 0}] - background colour, parsed by the [color](https://www.npmjs.org/package/color) module, defaults to black.
  * @returns {Sharp}
  */
-function flatten (flatten) {
-  this.options.flatten = is.bool(flatten) ? flatten : true;
+function flatten (options) {
+  this.options.flatten = is.bool(options) ? options : true;
+  if (is.object(options)) {
+    this._setColourOption('flattenBackground', options.background);
+  }
   return this;
 }
 
diff --git a/lib/resize.js b/lib/resize.js
index b9e568b48..13a774766 100644
--- a/lib/resize.js
+++ b/lib/resize.js
@@ -130,18 +130,18 @@ const mapFitToCanvas = {
  *   });
  *
  * @example
- * sharp(inputBuffer)
+ * sharp(input)
  *   .resize(200, 300, {
  *     kernel: sharp.kernel.nearest,
  *     fit: 'contain',
- *     position: 'right top'
+ *     position: 'right top',
+ *     background: { r: 255, g: 255, b: 255, alpha: 0.5 }
  *   })
- *   .background('white')
- *   .toFile('output.tiff')
+ *   .toFile('output.png')
  *   .then(() => {
- *     // output.tiff is a 200 pixels wide and 300 pixels high image
+ *     // output.png is a 200 pixels wide and 300 pixels high image
  *     // containing a nearest-neighbour scaled version
- *     // embedded in the north-east corner of a white canvas
+ *     // contained within the north-east corner of a semi-transparent white canvas
  *   });
  *
  * @example
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ const mapFitToCanvas = {
  *   .pipe(writableStream);
  *
  * @example
- * sharp(inputBuffer)
+ * sharp(input)
  *   .resize(200, 200, {
  *     fit: sharp.fit.inside,
  *     withoutEnlargement: true
@@ -178,6 +178,7 @@ const mapFitToCanvas = {
  * @param {String} [options.height] - alternative means of specifying `height`. If both are present this take priority.
  * @param {String} [options.fit='cover'] - how the image should be resized to fit both provided dimensions, one of `cover`, `contain`, `fill`, `inside` or `outside`.
  * @param {String} [options.position='centre'] - position, gravity or strategy to use when `fit` is `cover` or `contain`.
+ * @param {String|Object} [options.background={r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 1}] - background colour when using a `fit` of `contain`, parsed by the [color](https://www.npmjs.org/package/color) module, defaults to black without transparency.
  * @param {String} [options.kernel='lanczos3'] - the kernel to use for image reduction.
  * @param {Boolean} [options.withoutEnlargement=false] - do not enlarge if the width *or* height are already less than the specified dimensions, equivalent to GraphicsMagick's `>` geometry option.
  * @param {Boolean} [options.fastShrinkOnLoad=true] - take greater advantage of the JPEG and WebP shrink-on-load feature, which can lead to a slight moiré pattern on some images.
@@ -234,6 +235,10 @@ function resize (width, height, options) {
         throw is.invalidParameterError('position', 'valid position/gravity/strategy', options.position);
       }
     }
+    // Background
+    if (is.defined(options.background)) {
+      this._setColourOption('resizeBackground', options.background);
+    }
     // Kernel
     if (is.defined(options.kernel)) {
       if (is.string(kernel[options.kernel])) {
@@ -255,7 +260,7 @@ function resize (width, height, options) {
 }
 
 /**
- * Extends/pads the edges of the image with the colour provided to the `background` method.
+ * Extends/pads the edges of the image with the provided background colour.
  * This operation will always occur after resizing and extraction, if any.
  *
  * @example
@@ -263,8 +268,14 @@ function resize (width, height, options) {
  * // to the top, left and right edges and 20 to the bottom edge
  * sharp(input)
  *   .resize(140)
- *   .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
- *   .extend({top: 10, bottom: 20, left: 10, right: 10})
+ *   .)
+ *   .extend({
+ *     top: 10,
+ *     bottom: 20,
+ *     left: 10,
+ *     right: 10
+ *     background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 }
+ *   })
  *   ...
  *
  * @param {(Number|Object)} extend - single pixel count to add to all edges or an Object with per-edge counts
@@ -272,6 +283,7 @@ function resize (width, height, options) {
  * @param {Number} [extend.left]
  * @param {Number} [extend.bottom]
  * @param {Number} [extend.right]
+ * @param {String|Object} [extend.background={r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 1}] - background colour, parsed by the [color](https://www.npmjs.org/package/color) module, defaults to black without transparency.
  * @returns {Sharp}
  * @throws {Error} Invalid parameters
 */
@@ -292,6 +304,7 @@ function extend (extend) {
     this.options.extendBottom = extend.bottom;
     this.options.extendLeft = extend.left;
     this.options.extendRight = extend.right;
+    this._setColourOption('extendBackground', extend.background);
   } else {
     throw new Error('Invalid edge extension ' + extend);
   }
diff --git a/src/common.cc b/src/common.cc
index 3794bcdfe..bca54d399 100644
--- a/src/common.cc
+++ b/src/common.cc
@@ -37,6 +37,14 @@ namespace sharp {
   std::string AttrAsStr(v8::Handle<v8::Object> obj, std::string attr) {
     return *Nan::Utf8String(Nan::Get(obj, Nan::New(attr).ToLocalChecked()).ToLocalChecked());
   }
+  std::vector<double> AttrAsRgba(v8::Handle<v8::Object> obj, std::string attr) {
+    v8::Local<v8::Object> background = AttrAs<v8::Object>(obj, attr);
+    std::vector<double> rgba(4);
+    for (unsigned int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
+      rgba[i] = AttrTo<double>(background, i);
+    }
+    return rgba;
+  }
 
   // Create an InputDescriptor instance from a v8::Object describing an input image
   InputDescriptor* CreateInputDescriptor(
@@ -72,10 +80,7 @@ namespace sharp {
       descriptor->createChannels = AttrTo<uint32_t>(input, "createChannels");
       descriptor->createWidth = AttrTo<uint32_t>(input, "createWidth");
       descriptor->createHeight = AttrTo<uint32_t>(input, "createHeight");
-      v8::Local<v8::Object> createBackground = AttrAs<v8::Object>(input, "createBackground");
-      for (unsigned int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
-        descriptor->createBackground[i] = AttrTo<double>(createBackground, i);
-      }
+      descriptor->createBackground = AttrAsRgba(input, "createBackground");
     }
     return descriptor;
   }
@@ -605,7 +610,7 @@ namespace sharp {
   /*
     Apply the alpha channel to a given colour
   */
-  std::tuple<VImage, std::vector<double>> ApplyAlpha(VImage image, double colour[4]) {
+  std::tuple<VImage, std::vector<double>> ApplyAlpha(VImage image, std::vector<double> colour) {
     // Scale up 8-bit values to match 16-bit input image
     double const multiplier = sharp::Is16Bit(image.interpretation()) ? 256.0 : 1.0;
     // Create alphaColour colour
diff --git a/src/common.h b/src/common.h
index 4b31008c4..a91b2f24c 100644
--- a/src/common.h
+++ b/src/common.h
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ namespace sharp {
     int createChannels;
     int createWidth;
     int createHeight;
-    double createBackground[4];
+    std::vector<double> createBackground;
 
     InputDescriptor():
       buffer(nullptr),
@@ -70,17 +70,14 @@ namespace sharp {
       page(0),
       createChannels(0),
       createWidth(0),
-      createHeight(0) {
-        createBackground[0] = 0.0;
-        createBackground[1] = 0.0;
-        createBackground[2] = 0.0;
-        createBackground[3] = 255.0;
-      }
+      createHeight(0),
+      createBackground{ 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 255.0 } {}
   };
 
   // Convenience methods to access the attributes of a v8::Object
   bool HasAttr(v8::Handle<v8::Object> obj, std::string attr);
   std::string AttrAsStr(v8::Handle<v8::Object> obj, std::string attr);
+  std::vector<double> AttrAsRgba(v8::Handle<v8::Object> obj, std::string attr);
   template<typename T> v8::Local<T> AttrAs(v8::Handle<v8::Object> obj, std::string attr) {
     return Nan::Get(obj, Nan::New(attr).ToLocalChecked()).ToLocalChecked().As<T>();
   }
@@ -258,7 +255,7 @@ namespace sharp {
   /*
     Apply the alpha channel to a given colour
    */
-  std::tuple<VImage, std::vector<double>> ApplyAlpha(VImage image, double colour[4]);
+  std::tuple<VImage, std::vector<double>> ApplyAlpha(VImage image, std::vector<double> colour);
 
 }  // namespace sharp
 
diff --git a/src/pipeline.cc b/src/pipeline.cc
index f9dc18887..d192e64e3 100644
--- a/src/pipeline.cc
+++ b/src/pipeline.cc
@@ -318,9 +318,9 @@ class PipelineWorker : public Nan::AsyncWorker {
         double const multiplier = sharp::Is16Bit(image.interpretation()) ? 256.0 : 1.0;
         // Background colour
         std::vector<double> background {
-          baton->background[0] * multiplier,
-          baton->background[1] * multiplier,
-          baton->background[2] * multiplier
+          baton->flattenBackground[0] * multiplier,
+          baton->flattenBackground[1] * multiplier,
+          baton->flattenBackground[2] * multiplier
         };
         image = image.flatten(VImage::option()
           ->set("background", background));
@@ -422,7 +422,7 @@ class PipelineWorker : public Nan::AsyncWorker {
       if (image.width() != baton->width || image.height() != baton->height) {
         if (baton->canvas == Canvas::EMBED) {
           std::vector<double> background;
-          std::tie(image, background) = sharp::ApplyAlpha(image, baton->background);
+          std::tie(image, background) = sharp::ApplyAlpha(image, baton->resizeBackground);
 
           // Embed
 
@@ -492,7 +492,7 @@ class PipelineWorker : public Nan::AsyncWorker {
       // Extend edges
       if (baton->extendTop > 0 || baton->extendBottom > 0 || baton->extendLeft > 0 || baton->extendRight > 0) {
         std::vector<double> background;
-        std::tie(image, background) = sharp::ApplyAlpha(image, baton->background);
+        std::tie(image, background) = sharp::ApplyAlpha(image, baton->extendBackground);
 
         // Embed
         baton->width = image.width() + baton->extendLeft + baton->extendRight;
@@ -1097,6 +1097,7 @@ NAN_METHOD(pipeline) {
   using sharp::AttrTo;
   using sharp::AttrAs;
   using sharp::AttrAsStr;
+  using sharp::AttrAsRgba;
   using sharp::CreateInputDescriptor;
 
   // Input Buffers must not undergo GC compaction during processing
@@ -1140,11 +1141,6 @@ NAN_METHOD(pipeline) {
   } else if (canvas == "ignore_aspect") {
     baton->canvas = Canvas::IGNORE_ASPECT;
   }
-  // Background colour
-  v8::Local<v8::Object> background = AttrAs<v8::Object>(options, "background");
-  for (unsigned int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
-    baton->background[i] = AttrTo<double>(background, i);
-  }
   // Tint chroma
   baton->tintA = AttrTo<double>(options, "tintA");
   baton->tintB = AttrTo<double>(options, "tintB");
@@ -1160,6 +1156,7 @@ NAN_METHOD(pipeline) {
   // Resize options
   baton->withoutEnlargement = AttrTo<bool>(options, "withoutEnlargement");
   baton->position = AttrTo<int32_t>(options, "position");
+  baton->resizeBackground = AttrAsRgba(options, "resizeBackground");
   baton->kernel = AttrAsStr(options, "kernel");
   baton->fastShrinkOnLoad = AttrTo<bool>(options, "fastShrinkOnLoad");
   // Join Channel Options
@@ -1177,6 +1174,7 @@ NAN_METHOD(pipeline) {
   }
   // Operators
   baton->flatten = AttrTo<bool>(options, "flatten");
+  baton->flattenBackground = AttrAsRgba(options, "flattenBackground");
   baton->negate = AttrTo<bool>(options, "negate");
   baton->blurSigma = AttrTo<double>(options, "blurSigma");
   baton->medianSize = AttrTo<uint32_t>(options, "medianSize");
@@ -1194,11 +1192,7 @@ NAN_METHOD(pipeline) {
   baton->useExifOrientation = AttrTo<bool>(options, "useExifOrientation");
   baton->angle = AttrTo<int32_t>(options, "angle");
   baton->rotationAngle = AttrTo<double>(options, "rotationAngle");
-  // Rotation background colour
-  v8::Local<v8::Object> rotationBackground = AttrAs<v8::Object>(options, "rotationBackground");
-  for (unsigned int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
-    baton->rotationBackground[i] = AttrTo<double>(rotationBackground, i);
-  }
+  baton->rotationBackground = AttrAsRgba(options, "rotationBackground");
   baton->rotateBeforePreExtract = AttrTo<bool>(options, "rotateBeforePreExtract");
   baton->flip = AttrTo<bool>(options, "flip");
   baton->flop = AttrTo<bool>(options, "flop");
@@ -1206,7 +1200,9 @@ NAN_METHOD(pipeline) {
   baton->extendBottom = AttrTo<int32_t>(options, "extendBottom");
   baton->extendLeft = AttrTo<int32_t>(options, "extendLeft");
   baton->extendRight = AttrTo<int32_t>(options, "extendRight");
+  baton->extendBackground = AttrAsRgba(options, "extendBackground");
   baton->extractChannel = AttrTo<int32_t>(options, "extractChannel");
+
   baton->removeAlpha = AttrTo<bool>(options, "removeAlpha");
   if (HasAttr(options, "boolean")) {
     baton->boolean = CreateInputDescriptor(AttrAs<v8::Object>(options, "boolean"), buffersToPersist);
diff --git a/src/pipeline.h b/src/pipeline.h
index 475db8d5d..0e04c3abb 100644
--- a/src/pipeline.h
+++ b/src/pipeline.h
@@ -62,16 +62,17 @@ struct PipelineBaton {
   int channels;
   Canvas canvas;
   int position;
+  std::vector<double> resizeBackground;
   bool hasCropOffset;
   int cropOffsetLeft;
   int cropOffsetTop;
   bool premultiplied;
   std::string kernel;
   bool fastShrinkOnLoad;
-  double background[4];
   double tintA;
   double tintB;
   bool flatten;
+  std::vector<double> flattenBackground;
   bool negate;
   double blurSigma;
   int medianSize;
@@ -89,7 +90,7 @@ struct PipelineBaton {
   bool useExifOrientation;
   int angle;
   double rotationAngle;
-  double rotationBackground[4];
+  std::vector<double> rotationBackground;
   bool rotateBeforePreExtract;
   bool flip;
   bool flop;
@@ -97,6 +98,7 @@ struct PipelineBaton {
   int extendBottom;
   int extendLeft;
   int extendRight;
+  std::vector<double> extendBackground;
   bool withoutEnlargement;
   VipsAccess accessMethod;
   int jpegQuality;
@@ -157,6 +159,7 @@ struct PipelineBaton {
     channels(0),
     canvas(Canvas::CROP),
     position(0),
+    resizeBackground{ 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 255.0 },
     hasCropOffset(false),
     cropOffsetLeft(0),
     cropOffsetTop(0),
@@ -164,6 +167,7 @@ struct PipelineBaton {
     tintA(128.0),
     tintB(128.0),
     flatten(false),
+    flattenBackground{ 0.0, 0.0, 0.0 },
     negate(false),
     blurSigma(0.0),
     medianSize(0),
@@ -181,12 +185,14 @@ struct PipelineBaton {
     useExifOrientation(false),
     angle(0),
     rotationAngle(0.0),
+    rotationBackground{ 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 255.0 },
     flip(false),
     flop(false),
     extendTop(0),
     extendBottom(0),
     extendLeft(0),
     extendRight(0),
+    extendBackground{ 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 255.0 },
     withoutEnlargement(false),
     jpegQuality(80),
     jpegProgressive(false),
@@ -223,12 +229,7 @@ struct PipelineBaton {
     tileContainer(VIPS_FOREIGN_DZ_CONTAINER_FS),
     tileLayout(VIPS_FOREIGN_DZ_LAYOUT_DZ),
     tileAngle(0),
-    tileDepth(VIPS_FOREIGN_DZ_DEPTH_LAST){
-      background[0] = 0.0;
-      background[1] = 0.0;
-      background[2] = 0.0;
-      background[3] = 255.0;
-    }
+    tileDepth(VIPS_FOREIGN_DZ_DEPTH_LAST) {}
 };
 
 #endif  // SRC_PIPELINE_H_
diff --git a/test/unit/alpha.js b/test/unit/alpha.js
index 03315db39..0a02eceae 100644
--- a/test/unit/alpha.js
+++ b/test/unit/alpha.js
@@ -19,9 +19,10 @@ describe('Alpha transparency', function () {
 
   it('Flatten to RGB orange', function (done) {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngWithTransparency)
-      .flatten()
-      .background({r: 255, g: 102, b: 0})
       .resize(400, 300)
+      .flatten({
+        background: { r: 255, g: 102, b: 0 }
+      })
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(400, info.width);
@@ -32,9 +33,8 @@ describe('Alpha transparency', function () {
 
   it('Flatten to CSS/hex orange', function (done) {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngWithTransparency)
-      .flatten()
-      .background('#ff6600')
       .resize(400, 300)
+      .flatten({ background: '#ff6600' })
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(400, info.width);
@@ -46,8 +46,9 @@ describe('Alpha transparency', function () {
   it('Flatten 16-bit PNG with transparency to orange', function (done) {
     const output = fixtures.path('output.flatten-rgb16-orange.jpg');
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngWithTransparency16bit)
-      .flatten()
-      .background({r: 255, g: 102, b: 0})
+      .flatten({
+        background: { r: 255, g: 102, b: 0 }
+      })
       .toFile(output, function (err, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, info.size > 0);
@@ -71,8 +72,7 @@ describe('Alpha transparency', function () {
 
   it('Ignored for JPEG', function (done) {
     sharp(fixtures.inputJpg)
-      .background('#ff0000')
-      .flatten()
+      .flatten({ background: '#ff0000' })
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual('jpeg', info.format);
diff --git a/test/unit/colourspace.js b/test/unit/colourspace.js
index 0ef88331d..8767e2426 100644
--- a/test/unit/colourspace.js
+++ b/test/unit/colourspace.js
@@ -69,8 +69,10 @@ describe('Colour space conversion', function () {
 
   it('From CMYK to sRGB with white background, not yellow', function (done) {
     sharp(fixtures.inputJpgWithCmykProfile)
-      .resize(320, 240, { fit: sharp.fit.contain })
-      .background('white')
+      .resize(320, 240, {
+        fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: 'white'
+      })
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual('jpeg', info.format);
diff --git a/test/unit/deprecated-background.js b/test/unit/deprecated-background.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..01e44c32f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/unit/deprecated-background.js
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+'use strict';
+
+const assert = require('assert');
+const fixtures = require('../fixtures');
+const sharp = require('../../');
+
+describe('Deprecated background', function () {
+  it('Flatten to RGB orange', function (done) {
+    sharp(fixtures.inputPngWithTransparency)
+      .flatten()
+      .background({r: 255, g: 102, b: 0})
+      .resize(400, 300)
+      .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
+        if (err) throw err;
+        assert.strictEqual(400, info.width);
+        assert.strictEqual(300, info.height);
+        fixtures.assertSimilar(fixtures.expected('flatten-orange.jpg'), data, done);
+      });
+  });
+
+  it('Flatten to CSS/hex orange', function (done) {
+    sharp(fixtures.inputPngWithTransparency)
+      .flatten()
+      .background('#ff6600')
+      .resize(400, 300)
+      .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
+        if (err) throw err;
+        assert.strictEqual(400, info.width);
+        assert.strictEqual(300, info.height);
+        fixtures.assertSimilar(fixtures.expected('flatten-orange.jpg'), data, done);
+      });
+  });
+
+  it('Flatten 16-bit PNG with transparency to orange', function (done) {
+    const output = fixtures.path('output.flatten-rgb16-orange.jpg');
+    sharp(fixtures.inputPngWithTransparency16bit)
+      .flatten()
+      .background({r: 255, g: 102, b: 0})
+      .toFile(output, function (err, info) {
+        if (err) throw err;
+        assert.strictEqual(true, info.size > 0);
+        assert.strictEqual(32, info.width);
+        assert.strictEqual(32, info.height);
+        fixtures.assertMaxColourDistance(output, fixtures.expected('flatten-rgb16-orange.jpg'), 25);
+        done();
+      });
+  });
+
+  it('Ignored for JPEG', function (done) {
+    sharp(fixtures.inputJpg)
+      .background('#ff0000')
+      .flatten()
+      .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
+        if (err) throw err;
+        assert.strictEqual('jpeg', info.format);
+        assert.strictEqual(3, info.channels);
+        done();
+      });
+  });
+
+  it('extend all sides equally with RGB', function (done) {
+    sharp(fixtures.inputJpg)
+      .resize(120)
+      .background({r: 255, g: 0, b: 0})
+      .extend(10)
+      .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
+        if (err) throw err;
+        assert.strictEqual(140, info.width);
+        assert.strictEqual(118, info.height);
+        fixtures.assertSimilar(fixtures.expected('extend-equal.jpg'), data, done);
+      });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/test/unit/extend.js b/test/unit/extend.js
index 853503fae..ca9b41ae3 100644
--- a/test/unit/extend.js
+++ b/test/unit/extend.js
@@ -9,8 +9,13 @@ describe('Extend', function () {
   it('extend all sides equally with RGB', function (done) {
     sharp(fixtures.inputJpg)
       .resize(120)
-      .background({r: 255, g: 0, b: 0})
-      .extend(10)
+      .extend({
+        top: 10,
+        bottom: 10,
+        left: 10,
+        right: 10,
+        background: { r: 255, g: 0, b: 0 }
+      })
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(140, info.width);
@@ -22,8 +27,13 @@ describe('Extend', function () {
   it('extend sides unequally with RGBA', function (done) {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngWithTransparency16bit)
       .resize(120)
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
-      .extend({top: 50, bottom: 0, left: 10, right: 35})
+      .extend({
+        top: 50,
+        bottom: 0,
+        left: 10,
+        right: 35,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 }
+      })
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(165, info.width);
@@ -50,9 +60,14 @@ describe('Extend', function () {
 
   it('should add alpha channel before extending with a transparent Background', function (done) {
     sharp(fixtures.inputJpgWithLandscapeExif1)
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
+      .extend({
+        top: 0,
+        bottom: 10,
+        left: 0,
+        right: 10,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 }
+      })
       .toFormat(sharp.format.png)
-      .extend({top: 0, bottom: 10, left: 0, right: 10})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(610, info.width);
@@ -63,8 +78,13 @@ describe('Extend', function () {
 
   it('PNG with 2 channels', function (done) {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngWithGreyAlpha)
-      .background('transparent')
-      .extend({top: 0, bottom: 20, left: 0, right: 20})
+      .extend({
+        top: 0,
+        bottom: 20,
+        left: 0,
+        right: 20,
+        background: 'transparent'
+      })
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
diff --git a/test/unit/resize-contain.js b/test/unit/resize-contain.js
index 423b472a4..af7604e55 100644
--- a/test/unit/resize-contain.js
+++ b/test/unit/resize-contain.js
@@ -38,8 +38,10 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
 
   it('JPEG within WebP, to include alpha channel', function (done) {
     sharp(fixtures.inputJpg)
-      .resize(320, 240, { fit: 'contain' })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
+      .resize(320, 240, {
+        fit: 'contain',
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 }
+      })
       .webp()
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
@@ -82,8 +84,10 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
 
   it('16-bit PNG with alpha channel onto RGBA', function (done) {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngWithTransparency16bit)
-      .resize(32, 16, { fit: 'contain' })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
+      .resize(32, 16, {
+        fit: 'contain',
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 }
+      })
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -97,8 +101,10 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
 
   it('PNG with 2 channels', function (done) {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngWithGreyAlpha)
-      .resize(32, 16, { fit: 'contain' })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
+      .resize(32, 16, {
+        fit: 'contain',
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 }
+      })
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -112,8 +118,10 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
 
   it.skip('TIFF in LAB colourspace onto RGBA background', function (done) {
     sharp(fixtures.inputTiffCielab)
-      .resize(64, 128, { fit: 'contain' })
-      .background({r: 255, g: 102, b: 0, alpha: 0.5})
+      .resize(64, 128, {
+        fit: 'contain',
+        background: { r: 255, g: 102, b: 0, alpha: 0.5 }
+      })
       .png()
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
@@ -152,9 +160,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 100, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: 'top'
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -170,9 +178,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 100, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: 'right top'
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -188,9 +196,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 100, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: 'right'
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -206,9 +214,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 100, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: 'right bottom'
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -224,9 +232,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 100, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: 'bottom'
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -242,9 +250,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 100, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: 'left bottom'
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -260,9 +268,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 100, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: 'left'
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -278,9 +286,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 100, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: 'left top'
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -296,9 +304,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 100, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: sharp.gravity.north
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -314,9 +322,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 100, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: sharp.gravity.northeast
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -332,9 +340,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 100, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: sharp.gravity.east
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -350,9 +358,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 100, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: sharp.gravity.southeast
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -368,9 +376,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 100, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: sharp.gravity.south
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -386,9 +394,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 100, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: sharp.gravity.southwest
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -404,9 +412,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 100, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: sharp.gravity.west
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -422,9 +430,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 100, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: sharp.gravity.northwest
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -440,9 +448,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 100, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: sharp.gravity.center
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -458,9 +466,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 200, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: 'top'
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -476,9 +484,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 200, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: 'right top'
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -494,9 +502,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 200, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: 'right'
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -512,9 +520,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 200, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: 'right bottom'
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -530,9 +538,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 200, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: 'bottom'
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -548,9 +556,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 200, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: 'left bottom'
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -566,9 +574,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 200, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: 'left'
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -584,9 +592,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 200, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: 'left top'
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -602,9 +610,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 200, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: sharp.gravity.north
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -620,9 +628,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 200, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: sharp.gravity.northeast
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -638,9 +646,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 200, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: sharp.gravity.east
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -656,9 +664,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 200, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: sharp.gravity.southeast
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -674,9 +682,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 200, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: sharp.gravity.south
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -692,9 +700,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 200, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: sharp.gravity.southwest
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -710,9 +718,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 200, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: sharp.gravity.west
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -728,9 +736,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 200, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: sharp.gravity.northwest
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
@@ -746,9 +754,9 @@ describe('Resize fit=contain', function () {
     sharp(fixtures.inputPngEmbed)
       .resize(200, 200, {
         fit: sharp.fit.contain,
+        background: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0 },
         position: sharp.gravity.center
       })
-      .background({r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0})
       .toBuffer(function (err, data, info) {
         if (err) throw err;
         assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);