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How to Create a Clipping Mask in Photoshop

There are several reasons why clipping is essential, but before going into depth, here’s a tutorial for you on how to create a clipping mask in Photoshop.

Photoshop gives you a variety of editing options, and if you are new to Photoshop, it might take a little bit of time to figure out the details and tools. For example, creating a clipping mask might look like advanced editing, but our tutorial breaks it down for you, and even if you are someone using Photoshop for the first time, we are almost certain you can get it through

Before getting into the tutorial, let’s get to know a few details about a Photoshop clipping mask.

What Is A Clipping Mask?

Have you ever wondered if you could hide or reveal parts of your layer instead of permanently deleting them?  A clipping mask is a way to show one picture or design through the shape of another. It’s like putting a stencil on top of a picture and only seeing the parts that match the stencil shape. Create a clipping mask makes cool text or image effects in graphic design. A very efficient way of working without having to lose any editing steps for any kind of graphic design through the use a clipping mask.

Read More: Why Clipping Path is Important for Digital Photos

To begin work for creating a background mask in Photoshop, might seem a little intimidating initially. Still, as time goes by and you get some basic ideas about the tool, it will make you want to use this feature and Photoshop elements more often.

Adobe Photoshop has three main masking techniques to make use of.

  • Pixel Layer Mask
  • Clipping Mask
  • Vector Mask layer

1. Pixel Layer Masks

To control the transparency or opacity on a specific layer, Pixel Layer can help you to mask an image in Photoshop. This Photoshop element is mainly used by professionals when working with portraits, products, cars, etc.

2. Clipping Masks

The basic concept of creating a clipping mask is to clip both the top layer and the bottom layer just beneath it into the layer panel, a very creative way to combine photographs and images and give extraordinary results. It can be used to mask new layer, even all types of layers.

3. Vector Layer Mask

For objects that have hard edges, it’s highly recommended. Photoshop has various ways of making selections to edit images, for example, removing photo backgrounds or similar edits. For this, it’s effective as they are precise using paths and vector masks.

Understanding layers in photoshops will help you with a lot of stuff and editing techniques and methods. Layers are one of the most important elements in Photoshop to work with, and having a basic understanding is essential.

How to Create a Clipping Mask

Here’s a step-by-step guide on creating a clipping mask in popular design software like Photoshop. We may use keyboard shortcut at some point in this guide. Remember that, a clipping mask can be done in any version of Photoshop, even it’s workable in Photoshop CC too. 

Step 1: Launch Adobe Photoshop and open your image. 

To apply a clipping mask in Photoshop; firstly Upload the image by going to File > Open then select the image and click Open.

Launch Adobe Photoshop
Launch Adobe Photoshop

Step 2: Select the pen tool from the main toolbar.

Select the pen tool
Select the pen tool

Step 3: Select and create a new path.

Go to the Path menu on your right side, and select a new path. If you cannot find the path tool, go to Windows and select the path from the list.

Select and create a new path
Select and create a new path

Step 4: Create a clipping path around your product very carefully.

Create a clipping path around your product
Create a clipping path around your product

Step 5: You are successfully done with the clipping path when you have completed the drawing around the subject.

Complete clipping path successfully
Complete the clipping path successfully

Step 6: Select the clipping path by using Ctrl + Enter.

Select the clipping path by using Ctrl + Enter
Select the clipping path by using Ctrl + Enter

Step 7: For smoothness, apply a 0.5 feather value from the feather option by ‘Select > Modify > Feather’ or using a shortcut by pressing ‘Shift+F6’.

apply a 0.5 feather value from the feather option
apply a 0.5 feather value from the feather option

Step 8: Select Layer From Background and click OK.

Select Layer From Background and click OK
Select Layer From Background and click OK

Step 9: Add a layer mask, as shown in the image below.

Add a layer mask
Add a layer mask

Step 10: After adding the layer mask, you will get a similar view, as shown in the picture below.

After adding the layer mask
After adding the layer mask

Step 11: You can now disable or enable the layer mask.

disable or enable the layer mask
disable or enable the layer mask

One common question that people, especially those new to photo editing, often wonder is if layer masks are necessary when simply using the eraser tool to remove sections of the image.

However tempting it might seem, this easy fix is extremely disruptive to the user’s work pattern and stands as a major problem for the editor if they want to change something in the image later as the edit with the eraser tool would be permanent.

Difference Between A Clipping Mask Vs. Layer Mask

TermsClipping MaskLayer Mask
PurposeControls visibility based on the shape of another object (base layer).Controls transparency of a single layer.
EffectReveals or hides content in the clipped layer based on the shape of the base layer.Selectively hides or reveals parts of a single layer using grayscale values.
Number of LayersInvolves two layers, even more layer you want: a base layer and an adjustment layer (or multiple clipped layers).Applies only one layer.
Visibility ControlControls the visibility of content in the clipped layer, but does not affect other layers.Controls transparency within a layer, affecting its visibility in relation to other layers.
ResultContent in the clipped layer is visible where it overlaps with the base layer’s shape; outside areas are hidden.The layer’s visibility is controlled based on the grayscale values, allowing partial transparency.

All the while, photo experts use clipping mask photos as the perfect go-to because the edits in the image are reversible. Even the original data practically remains untouched. It allows you to change anything you want in the picture later. There are also some photo masking apps you can find for Android and iPhone that can help you to create clipping mask instantly.

We hope this article has helped you better understand and learn how to work with clipping masks in Photoshop. The steps are super simple and should let you follow through relatively quickly, but if you face difficulty, you must remember that editing needs skills that can only be honed through practice. So, give it a few more tries, and you are good to go!

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