How to Create a Clipping Mask in Photoshop

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: June 3, 2022

This wikiHow teaches you how to create a clipping mask in Adobe Photoshop for Windows and macOS.

Method 1

Method 1 of 12:

Create a new project with a transparent background.

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Start a new project. Open Photoshop and press Cmd + N (Mac) or Ctrl + N (PC) to create a new project. Adjust the width, height, and resolution as needed for your project, and select Transparent from the “Background Contents” drop-down menu. Once you're finished, click OK to continue.

Method 2

Method 2 of 12:

Create a clipping layer.

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This is the shape where you want to add the mask. For example, let’s create a text clipping mask:
- Click the T button in the toolbar in the left panel to enter Text mode.
- Select the font size and style at the top of the app.
- Type some text onto the layer.

Method 3

Method 3 of 12:

Click the Select tool.

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It’s the first button at the top of the toolbar. Look for the cursor with arrows.

Method 4

Method 4 of 12:

Drag and/or adjust the placement of the text.

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You can move the text somewhere else on the project, rotate it, or make any other changes as needed.

Method 5

Method 5 of 12:

Save the layer.

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Click the check mark to save. It’s at the top-center part of the screen.

Method 6

Method 6 of 12:

Open the image that will peek out of the clipping mask.

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Press ⌘ Cmd+O (Mac) or Ctrl+O (PC) to open a new image. Select the image and click Open to continue.

Method 7

Method 7 of 12:

Select the new image.

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Press ⌘ Command+A (Mac) or Ctrl+A. This selects the new image so you can add it to the project.

Method 8

Method 8 of 12:

Copy the selection.

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Press ⌘ Command+C (Mac) or Ctrl+C. This copies the image.

Method 9

Method 9 of 12:

Paste the copied selection into your new project.

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Click the new project you created and press ⌘ Cmd+V (Mac) or Ctrl+V. This pastes the image onto the project, creating a new layer.

Method 10

Method 10 of 12:

Adjust the size and placement of the image so it covers the text.

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Drag the corners and edges until the new image is where you want it to be. When finished, click the checkmark to save your changes.

Method 11

Method 11 of 12:

Right-click the layer in the Layers panel.

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It’s in the right column. A menu will appear.

Method 12

Method 12 of 12:

Click "Create clipping mask."

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The image will go behind the mask you created and appear in the shape of the text. You can now save your work by clicking File and selecting Save As.