How to make a clipping mask

For me the easiest way to demonstrate this is to use a template. Here is a link from which you can download Template 480 by the amazing Millies of Millie’s PSP Madness.

http://milliespspmadness.blogspot.com/2014/01/template-480-and-tag-with-queen-of.html

We are also going to be using papers  so if you need a pack you can download the FTU pack I used called Perspective here:

http://inspirationsscrap-design.blogspot.de/2011/07/perspective.html

Abbreviations:

SS – Screen Shot

1.       Open your Template and delete layer “Raster 1”.

2.       Open up your first paper and expand it so that it covers the entire pink background circle (see next SS).

 3.       Drag the Paper_1 layer down so it is between layer 1 and 2.

5.    The paper disappears except for where it covered the layer directly under it.

6.       That is all there is to clipping a mask.  Cover the shape with something else, right click, and  select “create clipping mask”. When I work with templates I often use the same paper for all the elements of the same color to keep the continuity of the template that the artist created, but it is entirely up to you on what to cover each layer with.  To practice keep adding papers and clip to each layer.

7.       I’m also going to throw in some information on how to make the layers stand out . Here is mine after adding all the papers.

8.       As you can see the layers all kind of run together. You can use blending elements like Drop Shadow and Outer Glow to separate them, but it is important to understand that you have to add the blending to the layer of the base object not the clipping layer or it doesn’t show.

9.       Right click on layer 7 and select Blending Options and then select Outer Glow and Ok.  Now you will see your words stand out.

10.   Continue playing around with Blending options on the base layers until you like the results. Here is what I did:

1. Layer 1 – Stroke and Inner Shadow
2. Layer 2 – Bevel & Emboss and Stroke
3. Layer 3 – Outer Glow and Drop Shadow
4. Layer 4 – Bevel & Emboss, Outer Glow, and Drop Shadow
5. Layer 5 – Bevel & Emboss and Stroke
6. Layer 6 – Nothing
7. Layer 7 – As in step 9
8. Layer 8 – Outer Glow and Drop Shadow
9. Layer 9 – Bevel & Emboss, Inner Glow, Outer Glow, and Drop Shadow
10. Layer 10 & 11 – Inner Glow and Outer Glow

And now for my finished product……