|
Find a Background Image
|
Your mask will contain a combination of a clip art shape and type superimposed over a background image. Find a suitable background on the web of at least 500 pixels in width or height, isolate the image in its own window (clicking on its "Full Size Image" link in Google, for example), then either Copy the image directly from the browser or save it to be copied later in Photoshop.
|
|
Set Up Your Mask Document
|
With your background image open, either in the browser or Photoshop, go to Edit>Copy. In Photoshop you may need to Select All first. Next, activate Photoshop and create a new document (File>New). The Preset should be Clipboard so the window will conform to the copied image's dimensions. The Background cannot be transparent, so set it to either White or Background Color. Paste the image. Check the Layer panel to see that a new layer is created for the image. This step is necessary because masks cannot be created without a movable layer for the masked image, meaning it cannot be in the Background layer.
|
|
Find a Clip Art Shape
|
|
Next you'll need to find a suitable shape for the mask. Using clip art is easier because the shapes are already defined for you. To refresh your memory on how to use our clip art collection, go here. Once you've selected a clip art file, open it in Photoshop and check its file extension. If it's an EPS file it will have a checkerboard background that indicates transparent edges. You can move or copy this kind of image directly into your mask document. If it is a TIF file, you need to edit out the white background using the Magic Wand or other selection tools before its shape is ready for masking. |
|
Type Your Message
|
|
Go to the Horizontal Type tool and click to create a new type layer and activate a blinking cursor. Choose a font with a thick, bold style and a point size large enough to read easily. Type a short slogan, using line breaks if necessary to fit, and use the Move tool to position it near your clip art shape. You will now see a layer for both your text and clip art in the Layers panel. |
|
Merge the Layers
|
|
Before the mask can be applied, all elements that will create the mask must be in the same layer. First, make sure your slogan is correct, as you will not be able to edit it after this step (this includes spelling!). Holding the shift key, select both the type and clip art layers, go to the Layers panel menu, and select Merge Layers. Both layers become one, taking the name of the type layer. |
Shift Layer Positions
|
|
A mask applies its transparency to the layer beneath it. So now it becomes necessary to position the images correctly in the layer stack. In the Layers panel, move the layer containing your background image to the top of the stack.
|
|
Apply the Clipping Mask
|
| You're now ready to apply the clipping mask. Press the option key and click the line separating the image and type/clip art layers. You should see your mouse pointer become a small icon with overlapping circles as you do so. A small downward arrow is visible in the top layer, indicating the mask is now complete. |
Adjust Background Color
|
|
Check the readability of your text, as well as the clarity of the clip art shape. It's possible some of the mask is blending in with the color of the background layer. Click on the foreground color icon in the toolbox and choose a color that will contrast nicely against any colors showing through the mask from your background image. Click on the Background layer in the Layers panel and activate the Paint Bucket tool in the toolbox (it may be behind the Gradient tool). The color you selected should now fill the Background layer. |
