How to Create Masks in Illustrator

Called Clipping Paths in Illustrator, masks are shapes that are used to hide areas of color or images. The portion of color or image that lies within the shape of the mask is visible. Designers create masks to clip images and insert images inside text. The benefit of masks is that they are non-destructive. The hidden areas are still in the file (they haven’t been deleted) and you can easily edit them.

Four Ways to Make a Mask

1 – Mask Button

• This is an easy way to mask an image with a rectangular shape.
• After placing an image into the Illustrator file, open the Layers Panel, select (click on the layer) AND target the image layer (click the circle on the right side of the layer listing and a tiny blue square will display next to it).
• In the Control Panel at the top of the screen, click the Mask button. Resize the mask to the desired dimensions. If the Mask button is ghosted, it means you haven’t targeted the image.
• Clicking on the Mask button inserts a Clipping Mask above the image (both are grouped inside a Clip Group). You can edit this Clipping Mask simply by selecting and targeting it, and reshaping it.
• Be sure you do NOT use the Crop Image button. While it behaves similarly to the Mask button, it is a destructive way of editing, which means it actually deletes the areas you hide.

2 – Draw a Shape

• Use this method when you need a mask that is non-rectangular, although it works just fine for rectangles too.
• Using the ellipse tool, draw a circle (or whatever shape you need). A new layer will automatically be created. In the Layers Panel, rename the new layer Circle.
• In the Layers Panel, select the Circle layer and move it (by dragging) to be positioned directly above the image layer. This is a crucial step, as all masks must be ABOVE the item(s) they are clipping.
• In the Layers Panel, select AND target the Circle and image layers. Keep the shift key on your keyboard pressed in order to make multiple selections.
• Go to the Object menu. Scroll down to Clipping Mask. Follow the arrow, slide your cursor over and click on Make.
• A new Clip Group sublayer is formed containing the Circle and image layers. The Circle layer is the Mask.
• You can edit the Mask by selecting and targeting its layer.

3 – Draw Inside Mode

• When this mode is activated, everything you draw and/or place is positioned inside the shape. Quite cool and versatile!
• Using the ellipse tool, draw a circle (or whatever shape you need). A new layer will automatically be created. In the Layers Panel, rename the new layer Circle.
• In the Layers Panel, select AND target, then Cut the image layer (CNTRL-X / CMMD-X). This will put the image into an invisible file called the Clipboard.
• Select AND target the Circle layer.
• Go to the bottom of the Tools Panel and you’ll see 3 buttons for drawing modes. Change from the default Draw Normal mode button on the left to the Draw Inside button on the right.
• Paste the image (CNTRL-V / CMMD-V). It will be pasted inside the targeted Circle layer because you are using the Draw Inside mode.
• A new Clip Group sublayer is formed containing the Circle and image layer. The Circle layer is the Mask.
• Other images and elements can be added to the masked area while in the Draw Inside mode. Placing an image also works in this mode.
• You can edit the Mask by selecting and targeting its layer.

4 – Outlined Text and Multiple Shapes

• The masking technique for text is nearly identical to #2 – Drawing a Shape. But, first, you must convert the text to a compound path.
• Select AND target the text. Go to the Type menu and scroll down to Create Outlines.
• The type is now converted to a group of paths. You must create a single path for each mask. Outlined text and other grouped objects have multiple paths, which are not recognized by a clipping mask. You need to convert the multiple paths to a single, compound path in order for the clipping to work.
• With the outlined text still selected, go to the Object menu. Scroll down to Compound Path. Follow the arrow, slide your cursor over and click on Make. The outlined text is now interpreted by Illustrator as a single path.
• In the Layers Panel, select the Compound Path (Text) layer and move it (by dragging) to be positioned directly above the image layer. This is a crucial step, as all masks must be ABOVE the item(s) they are clipping.
• In the Layers Panel, select AND target the Compound Path (Text) and image layers. Keep the shift key on your keyboard pressed in order to make multiple selections.
• Go to the Object menu. Scroll down to Clipping Mask. Follow the arrow, slide your cursor over and click on Make.
• A new Clip Group sublayer is formed containing the Compound Path (Text) and image layers. The Compound Path (Text) layer is the Mask.
• You can edit the Mask by selecting and targeting its layer.

Video Tutorial

If you prefer, you can watch the video tutorial I made that shows you these four ways to create masks in Adobe Illustrator:
VIEW VIDEO!

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