{"id":3968,"date":"2023-11-27T19:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-27T19:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pathedits.com\/blog\/clipping-path-vs-masking-difference-comparison\/"},"modified":"2024-12-03T14:43:08","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T14:43:08","slug":"clipping-path-vs-masking-difference-comparison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pathedits.com\/blogs\/tips\/clipping-path-vs-masking-difference-comparison","title":{"rendered":"Clipping Path vs. Masking: What\u2019s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Clipping path and image masking are both useful image editing techniques<\/a> to help you isolate a subject from a background. The main difference for clipping path vs. masking is how you isolate the subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200b\u200bIsolating a subject allows you to repurpose your product photo and use it on any other background to fit your ecommerce or marketing needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clipping path and image masking are two techniques that help achieve this. But what are the differences between the two? Let’s look at the breakdown for clipping path vs. masking and which tasks each photo editing<\/a> technique is best suited for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clipping path vs. masking: what\u2019s the difference?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The main difference between clipping path and image masking is the technique you use to remove the background from an image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More complex images require image masking. It\u2019s technically possible to remove the background from complicated images with clipping path, but the result isn\u2019t as appealing as it would\u2019ve been with image masking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"Side-by-side\n\n\n\n

As you can tell in the image above, the photo edited with clipping path looks unnatural. That\u2019s because the hard edges of a clipping path are visible. On the other hand, image masking handles hair very well for a seamless finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more straightforward products, like Sana Jardin<\/a>\u2019s perfume bottle below, the brand likely used a clipping path. The result of shooting this shiny product<\/a>? A sleek, clean-cut perfume bottle with a reflection shadow<\/a> that adds a touch of luxury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"Product\n\n\n\n

And to get the natural\u2014but not messy\u2014outline, the photo editor probably used image masking to remove the background of this Crown Affair<\/a> scrunchie photo. Note the use of drop shadow<\/a> as well. Adding a subtle shadow<\/a> to products creates a 3D look and helps them stand out, especially against a clean white background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"Set\n\n\n\n

You can use both techniques in a single image: clipping path for straight, hard edges and masking for the softer or more complex areas. If a photo calls for both image editing techniques, your best bet is to use a clipping path first and then follow up with masking for the finer details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, this play gym from Lovevery<\/a> was likely edited using a clipping path and masking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"Baby\n\n\n\n

The stronger lines of the toy\u2019s frame could easily be edited with clipping paths, but masking would be more appropriate for the softer material bottom and baby\u2019s hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Turn that frown upside down: learn how to make someone smile in Photoshop <\/div>\n
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\n Learn more<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

What is a clipping path?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Like image masking, clipping path<\/a> is an image editing technique that allows you to remove the background from an image. You can create a clipping path<\/a> using the Pen<\/strong> tool in Adobe Photoshop and then selecting paths that form a closed vector shape to separate a part of the image. Everything inside the path will be selected, and anything outside will be left over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clipping path is generally used when the subject of the image has straightforward edges\u2014think boxes, electronics, simple accessories or garments, ornaments, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"Comparison\n\n\n\n

Still, clipping paths require an experienced, accurate hand. A poorly drawn clipping path can result in images that don\u2019t look real or natural, and consumers easily notice even the smallest mistakes. Sloppy images don\u2019t make a great impression, and that\u2019s typically reflected in sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You want your product photos<\/a> to stand out\u2014in a good way\u2014so you definitely want to consider working with a professional for these types of edits. To give you an idea of the level of detail involved, we zoom into images sometimes as much as 200% to get as close to the edge as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Path hand-drawn clipping paths start at 39\u00a2 per image <\/div>\n
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\n Learn more<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

Types of clipping paths<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Clipping paths aren\u2019t too complicated, but there are a few different types of clipping paths:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Single-layer clipping path<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A single-layer clipping path is a simple path created on one layer with the Pen tool in Photoshop<\/a>. This is useful when you need to remove or change the background<\/a> for subjects with straight, simple edges, like in the examples below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"Three-step\n\n\n\n

Multilayer clipping path<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Multi-layer clipping paths<\/a> are created with the Pen tool in Photoshop to extract multiple parts of an image. This is an advanced type of clipping path used to separate each part of a photo and is particularly useful for retouchers, especially to color correct<\/a> sections of the image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the example below, we created a separate clipping path for each shoe and shoelaces. This allows not only to remove the background, but also to change the color<\/a> of each shoe without altering the shoelaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"Color\n\n\n\n

Illustrator clipping path<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Photoshop isn\u2019t the only software<\/a> or app<\/a> you can use to create clipping masks. Adobe Illustrator also has its own path and mask tools. Referred to as Clipping<\/strong> Masks<\/strong> in Illustrator, this tool allows you to cut out portions of an image into a specific shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"Illustrator\n\n\n\n

What is image masking?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Image masking<\/a> is another method of image background removal. This technique involves a variety of tools in Photoshop<\/a>, such as Background<\/strong> Eraser<\/strong> tool, Magic<\/strong> Eraser<\/strong> tool, and color separation technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Masking is a non-destructive way to adjust a part of your image while leaving the rest untouched. For photo editors, that means more control over where and how the image adjustments take place because masks are applied on layers. Masking is typically used for images that contain more complex lines, like hair, fur, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"Smiling\n\n\n\n

Using AI to remove background and complete clipping paths and image masking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What if you’re in a hurry or don’t have access to a professional retoucher? Artificial intelligence (AI) photo editors and AI masking features in Photoshop can help you quickly remove the background without any editing experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The downside is the result won’t be as high-quality as hand-edited background removal using clipping paths or masks, especially for complex subjects. But for some marketing visuals, you might find it\u2019s just enough. If you\u2019re curious about the differences between AI and professional retoucher edits, take a look at this AI background removal comparison<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"Side-by-side\n\n\n\n

Why should you remove the background from product photos?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps you wonder why it may be necessary to remove the background<\/a>. After all, can’t the photographer simply shoot a great product photo that\u2019s publish-ready? There are a few reasons why you may want to consider isolating a subject in a photo:<\/p>\n\n\n\n