How to Make Photoshop Clipping Masks

Posted on 12/07/2011 by Michael Hoffman

In today’s video tip, learn how to create and use a clipping mask within Photoshop. Clipping masks can be used like a digital cookie cutter, to provide a quick and easy way to use the shape and form of one layer as a mask to determine the visibility of another layer above it.

This tutorial uses Photoshop CS5, but the same technique has been a part of Photoshop for many past versions.

About Michael Hoffman (224 Articles)

Mike has been a photographer, artist, educator, and technophile for most of his life. Early in his career, he created technical illustrations and photographs for electronic equipment manufacturers, and taught classes in computer aided drafting and 3D modeling software. When digital cameras became widely available in the late 1990s, the move was a natural one, and has led to a happy combination of technology, software, photography and art. Mike is an Adobe Certified Expert in Photoshop and Acrobat, and is well versed in Lightroom and Photoshop Elements, as well as Illustrator and InDesign. He has also contributed his time and efforts to the excellent work being done by Operation Photo Rescue, in restoring photographs damaged by natural disasters. As an active member of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals, he continues his quest for excellence in art, excellence in design, and excellence in education.

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15 Comments on How to Make Photoshop Clipping Masks

Shamim // 20/07/2012 at 2:45 pm //

Absolutely beautiful works.. This is what called “Creativity”
Mahmuda Hamid // 29/03/2015 at 7:46 am //

The video makes me update about making clipping path.
Witsel Carry // 02/06/2015 at 7:22 am //

Very good creativity! I love it.
Sharif // 23/06/2015 at 3:59 pm //

this is why i love photography. thank you for sharing your experience, what an inspirational post.
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Enamul Hoq // 23/06/2015 at 8:37 pm //

Your tutorial is awesome and very informative…thanks for sharing with us
Sharif // 24/06/2015 at 7:54 am //

very nice your works. thank you…
SAM // 24/08/2015 at 8:20 am //

Thanks for your marvelous posting. These tips will really help newbies like me. Thanks for sharing
Jessica // 24/02/2016 at 7:06 am //

It’s awesome……I like your creative work. Thanks for the nice blog……….
clipping path service // 25/02/2016 at 2:46 pm //

Your tutorial is beautiful.you are using that is very useful and helpful…
Koren Schmedith // 28/05/2017 at 7:32 am //

This tutorial is really fantastic. Such brilliant work you have shown here. It is indeed very informative and helpful.
Cold roms // 12/02/2018 at 9:51 am //

I am new to photoshop, thank it helped
Rhidul Tarif // 08/08/2018 at 8:10 am //

I must thank you for sharing this useful topic. Really a worth reading post ! it explains it all so easliy ! thank you for sharing this article !!
Lisa Maria // 21/08/2018 at 8:46 am //

Fantastic tutorial about how to make clipping masks in photoshop.
Samuel Brown // 29/08/2018 at 7:07 am //

Photoshop clipping mask is the most popular technique. Thanks for such amazing set of photo editing tips
Samuel Brown // 29/08/2018 at 7:12 am //

What a great article it is. Thanks a lot for sharing these photo editing tips