Step 1: Create a brand new document of a suitable size with a single background layer filled with a solid black colour (you can change this later - the black just makes the first few steps easier). Use the horizontal Type Tool to create a word in pure white. In my case I've used the 'Eras Bold ITC' font at size 110. Don't worry if you don't want to use this particular typeface - just select something with a solid bulky look (script-style fonts rarely work well).

Step 2: Open up the image you want to use as a separate document, Select > All using the main Photoshop menu, and click Edit > Copy to pop the image into the clipboard. Close the document and go back to the one we were working on in Step 1. Select Edit > Paste to put a copy of your image into a new layer on top of all the others (with the type layer immediately below it in the layers palette).

Step 3: Now all you need to do is select Layer > Create Clipping Mask (or CTRL+G on the keyboard) to group the image with the text. And there you go - a simple yet beautiful text object cut out of an image.

Variations: It should be remembered, of course, that this effect is not complete in itself and needs further personalisation before it looks professional. Layer effects are particularly good additions, as the example to the left shows. Also remember that you aren't limited to text. In fact, any solid high contrast shape will work just as well.

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I have been hearing this term "Clipping Masks" quite a bit lately in other forums and now I have found a tutorial that is going to help me understand what exactly this stuff is all about. Thank you for posting this tutorial.

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Quote from Cyclist;44342: Hi- I am working on betting my skills, and I am trying to use the clipping mask with a locked baselayer. Is this possible? I did not create the baselayer, but it belongs to our company. All of the tutorials I have found on the web do not illustrate the clipping mask using a locked baselayer, hence the question.

I'm afraid that isn't possible - clipping masks can never be the base layer. My advice is to change the baselayer into a normal layer and then go from there. You don't NEED a background layer when saving in PSD format, it only makes one when you save the image as a web format.

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Hi- I am working on betting my skills, and I am trying to use the clipping mask with a locked baselayer. Is this possible? I did not create the baselayer, but it belongs to our company. All of the tutorials I have found on the web do not illustrate the clipping mask using a locked baselayer, hence the question.

Quote from tamlin;42079: The option to create Layer Clipping Masks has been around since PS 6. If you can't see the option in the menu, try the keyboard shortcut Alt+Ctrl+G (you have to have an active layer for this to work, of course - you can't create a clipping mask from the Background).

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The option to create Layer Clipping Masks has been around since PS 6. If you can't see the option in the menu, try the keyboard shortcut Alt+Ctrl+G (you have to have an active layer for this to work, of course - you can't create a clipping mask from the Background).

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Hi, I tired your tutorial but at the step 3 I can´t find such option as "create clipping mask" in my Photoshop Layer menu. :( I have Photoshop 7. isn´t that feature in Photoshop 7?

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