A complete guide to making clipping masks

Take a close look at this Inception poster. Notice how the character portraits are cut into silhouettes and layered over intricate scenes from the movie? That’s all thanks to clipping masks. This technique lets you embed one image within another, adding texture and storytelling to your design. It’s a simple yet powerful way to make your artwork stand out.

In this guide, we’ll break down what clipping masks are, why they’re essential in graphic design, and how to create them step-by-step in both Linearity Curve and Adobe Illustrator. Plus, we’ll share tips and creative ideas to help you make the most of clipping masks in your projects.

By the end, you’ll have everything you need to confidently use clipping masks and elevate your designs. Let’s get started!

What is a clipping mask?

A clipping mask is a design tool that allows you to display part of an image within the shape of another. Imagine cutting out shapes from paper and layering photos behind them —that’s the basic concept of a clipping mask, except it’s all done digitally.

Take the hexagon image above as an example. Each photo is confined within a hexagonal frame, creating a clean, organized look. The hexagons act as the "masks," defining which parts of the photos are visible. Without clipping masks, these images would simply overlap or spill outside the shapes, ruining the design’s structure and appeal.

When to use a clipping mask in graphic design

Clipping masks are incredibly versatile, perfect for elevating various types of designs. Here are some ways to use them:

• Typography with images: Typography serves as both a communicator and a mood-setter in a design. By using a clipping mask, you can fill your text with patterns, gradients, or photos that relate to the message.
• Editorial layouts: In magazines or brochures, combining text and visuals effectively is essential. Clipping masks allow you to blend images into headlines or pull quotes, drawing attention to specific sections. This technique helps maintain a unified design while breaking up large blocks of text.
• Adding textures to designs: When creating product mockups or illustrations, adding texture can make your design more realistic. Use a clipping mask to apply textures like fabric, metal, or stone to specific parts of your artwork without disrupting other elements.
• Logo design: A clipping mask allows you to experiment with filling a logo’s shape with colors, gradients, or images. This technique helps create unique logos that reinforce your brand’s identity while staying versatile for different mediums.

How to create a mask in Linearity Curve

Creating a clipping mask in Linearity Curve is easy and intuitive. Here’s how to do it step-by-step:

1. Select the object you want to mask. Start by selecting the shape or text you want to use as the base. This shape will determine the visible area of your content.
2. Select the content to mask. Next, choose the image, texture, or object you want to place inside the mask. Use the Multi Selection Tool to highlight both at the same time.
3. Apply the mask. The steps to apply the mask vary slightly depending on your device:

• On iPad, you can apply the mask through the Quick Actions Tab, the Arrange Tab, or by long-pressing the masking shape in the Layers Tab to bring up the Mask option.
• On Mac, you’ll find the Mask button in the Arrange Section of the Inspector, the Top Toolbar, or the Menu Bar under Path. Just click the Mask button, and your shape will instantly become a mask.

To edit the mask. Double-click our double-tap the masked object to enter the Isolate State. You can now edit the mask shape or adjust its position. When you’re done, double-click or tap an empty area on the canvas. If you need to remove the mask, select the object and click the Unmask Button located next to the Mask Button in the Inspector.

How to make a clipping mask in Adobe Illustrator

In this tutorial, we'll show you how to mask text with a pattern. This is one of the most common looks you'll come across that's achieved with the clipping mask.

There are a few ways to use the tool, and we'll explore three methods below.

Method 1

To begin, you'll need your pattern object and text ready in a new Adobe Illustrator document.

The object you'll be using as a mask clipping could be anything. Why not try a photo or an abstract pattern?

Once you have the main object (the text) and the pattern object (photo), follow the process below:

1. Make sure that the text is on top of the pattern.
2. If the text is behind the pattern, you can change this by selecting the text, right-clicking, choosing "Arrange" and "Bring To Front."
3. Next, you're going to clip the pattern inside the text by selecting both the text and the pattern (hold down Shift while you click to select) and navigating to Object -> Clipping Mask -> Make in the main menu.
4. The shortcut for this action is ⌘ + 7 on Mac or ctrl + 7 on Windows.
5. Oh yeah! We've now got some mask magic going on and your text should be masked by your pattern.

It might not look right yet, but no worries. You can edit the mask to look exactly how you want. To adjust it, do the following:

1. Navigate to the Layers Panel and click on the Layers menu. The menu will expand.
2. Here, you'll find a Clip Group containing each element of the mask (i.e., the text and the pattern). You can select the pattern from within the Clip Group.
3. Now you'll be able to resize the pattern and move it around until it looks just right.

Method 2

In this method, we'll explain how to create the mask so you can edit your text afterward. This includes changing the actual word, font, and other text properties.

1. Create a new Illustrator document and add your text and pattern. Make sure your text is brought to the front of all other objects and the pattern, as explained in "Method 1" above.
2. Navigate to the Pathfinder window and click Pathfinder in the top right corner.
3. Toggle the Compound Shape button and select Make Compound Shape. This will enable you to edit the text after applying the pattern.
4. Now select both the text and the pattern (hold down Shift while you click to select) and right-click your selection.
5. Choose Make Clipping Mask from the menu. Alternatively, you can navigate to Object -> Clipping Mask -> Make.

Alright! Your text will contain your pattern, and you'll be able to press "T" for the Type tool and edit your text while keeping the clipping mask effect.

Method 3

In this method, we'll explain how to create a clipping mask for select items in a pattern. The example below shows how a clipping mask is only applied to some of the shapes. Let's take a look at how to accomplish this.

1. Create a clean Illustrator document and import your pattern or image.
2. Create the pattern design and drag the pattern on top of the image.
3. Decrease the opacity of the pattern so you can see the image underneath.
4. Now, hold down shift and select only the shapes from the pattern you want in the clipping mask.
5. Navigate to the Pathfinder window and merge these shapes together to create one vector shape. To do this, go to Shape Modes and select Unite on the far left.
6. Change this into a Compound Path by navigating to Object -> Compound Path -> Make in the main menu.
7. Hold down Shift and click the image and the pattern together, right-click on the selection, and choose Make Clipping Mask.

Get this template

Get this template

Clipping mask inspiration for your creative process

You know how it goes—you open your favorite site “just to peek” at design ideas and suddenly it's three hours later, and you’ve scrolled through more projects than you can count. We get it. To save you from a full-on scroll marathon, we’ve put together a curated selection of clipping mask examples that’ll get your wheels turning.

Artistic typography

This poster for Van Gogh Inside: Festival of Light and Music brilliantly uses clipping masks to merge typography with the artist's iconic work. The bold, oversized letters of Van Gogh's name serve as a canvas, revealing glimpses of his paintings beneath. This technique adds depth and a layered effect, making the promotional art not just informative but visually striking. The simplicity of the white background contrasts with the vivid colors of the artwork, creating a balanced design that highlights both the text and the imagery.

Photography and design

Andrea Costantini’s Untitled 001 from the Where Is My Mind series shows the creative potential of combining photography with design. By using clipping masks, Costantini layers an urban landscape within the silhouette of a sepia-toned portrait. The series showcases how design tools like clipping masks can transform static photography into layered, thought-provoking works of art.

Negative space in editorial design

This page from Epoch Times uses clipping masks to create a visually compelling layout that draws readers in. The design makes smart use of negative space, blending the illustration with the text in a way that feels natural. The ink blots and textured elements draw the eye, enhancing the article’s theme. It’s a great example of how intentional design can elevate a page and strengthen the connection between visuals and storytelling.

Layered underwater portraiture

This artwork is from Aneta Ivanova's Under the Water series. The piece uses her sister Sonya as the model, with underwater photography from their hometown of Varna layered into the silhouette. The water imagery adds a nostalgic, ethereal quality, blending the personal with the surreal. It’s a perfect example of how photography and design can evoke emotion and create a timeless piece of art.

Deconstructing the familiar

The piece titled Dissonance, edited by Camila Velez from a photo by Joe Robles, takes an ordinary portrait and transforms it into an entirely new narrative. By using a clipping mask, elements of the original image are removed, leaving behind a surreal impression of disconnection and incompleteness. The masked areas create a deliberate void that contrasts with the stark clarity of the remaining features, drawing the viewer in to contemplate what’s missing. This technique is perfect for artists exploring themes of identity, fragmentation, or the abstract.

Master masking with ease in Linearity Curve

Masking in Linearity Curve is as straightforward as it gets. No convoluted steps, no head-scratching moments—just intuitive tools designed to make your creative process smoother.

Whether you’re crafting intricate patterns or experimenting with bold typography, masking opens up endless possibilities. Ready to ditch the overcomplications and embrace effortless design? Download Linearity Curve and let your imagination run wild.