A question that a lot of editors, especially new ones, often wonder on how to create a clipping path in Photoshop quickly and efficiently. It is no doubt that the importance of the feature of clipping paths is massive and plays a very vital role in the post production process of product photography.

Whilst editing software such as Adobe Illustrator and InDesign do have the features and tools available for Clipping Path techniques, Adobe Photoshop remains as the go to application for experts and professionals. 

Clipping Paths are essentially just outlines traced around an object as a vector to manipulate the entire or that particular part of the image. You can imagine how useful that tool is for photo editing to make the picture look better. 

While it is true that making a clipping path is a time consuming and grueling task, you must remember that sometimes you might find yourself in a position where you don’t have that much time to spare. However, it is completely possible for a person to make a complete clipping path edit in Photoshop in a very short amount of time. 

The steps on how to create a clipping path in 2 minutes are listed below.

Step 1:  Import your Picture

The first thing to do would be to launch Adobe Photoshop. After having done that, go to the File option on the Menu Bar and click ‘Open’. 

A dialog box will appear that will let you browse through your files and let you choose the image you want to import to Photoshop.

Step 2: Select Pen Tool

You will see a long list of icons on your left of the screen in Photoshop. That is the Main Toolbar and the icons are tools that you can use for various edits. From these, look for the one named ‘Pen Tool’ and select that. 

You will be able to trace the outline of your object using the Pen Tool after having completed the next step.

Step 3: A New Path Layer

On the right side of your Photoshop screen, you will be able to see a big box with several option within it. Under the ‘Layers’ option, select a new path. 

You should be able to view this box automatically, however if for some reason, it is unable to do so, simply Select the ‘Windows’ option from the Menu Bar and select ‘Path’.

Step 4:  Start your Clipping Path

Now, this where the moment of truth comes in. Think about the object you want to trace the clipping path around and start the outline from a point. Make sure to do it very carefully and pay attention to details. You might even need to zoom into your picture to get the turns correct.

Step 5: Enclose your Path

This step corresponds to the previous one as the path continues to be created around the targeted object until it reaches the starting point. 

It was aforementioned that a clipping path is a vector shape, hence, it is very important that the outline of the subject is fully enclosed and connected.

Step 6: Use Feather selection by ‘Shift+F6’ for smoothness

For smoother edges apply 0.5pixel. Select ‘feather’ by using the shortcut Shift + F6.

Step 7: Choose a solid color layer as per your requirement.

Step 8: Saving the File

To conclude the list of the steps, you will just need to save the clipping path file by going to the ‘File’ option on the Menu Bar and click ‘Save As’. 

The dialog that will appear will let you choose the location you want to save this file in and in what format you require it to saved in.

To draw attention to your products’ clipping path definitely plays an essential role. Many companies and especially online and e-commerce businesses depend on clipping path services to make their product images more appealing to the eyes. 

By this short tutorial, you will certainly be able to create a clipping path on your product images in only two minutes. 

There you go! You can now use the file which already has a clipped path in to make whatever edit you wish, be it a background removal or copying and pasting the image to another picture.

Watch the full videos: