What Is Clipping Path?
A clipping path refers to a closed vector path. It is used to cut out any portions from an image object. Generally, it is a part of the background removal process. But, there is a difference between clipping path and background removal.
However, it is not a complete photo editing task. We create a clipping path with the assistance of photo editing. For example, image background removal, photo retouching, and color correction often need to select or cut some edges or portions. In these cases, we use photo clipping techniques using the photoshop pen tool.
Though it is not complete editing, it plays an essential part in photo editing. That’s why it becomes popular day by day.
How To Do Clipping Path
The clipping path is an editing technique that is used to cut out any portions. It is a vector graphic that creates outlines of an object. In this article, we will discuss a complete guide about the clipping path
In most cases, photo editors use adobe Photoshop for doing clipping paths. But it doesn’t mean you can create a clipping path only in Photoshop. In below, I am talking about software you may use for creating clipping paths.
Clipping path Photoshop:
Photoshop is a great tool that can be used to edit photos and illustrations. It has many features, but some of the most common are cropping, resizing, rotating, sharpening, and brightening/darkening colors or contrast levels. You might also like to use it for things such as removing blemishes or red-eye from your photos!
The next part of this blog post will go over how to create a clipping path in Photoshop.
Clipping path illustrator:
Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor developed and marketed by Adobe Systems. It has the most powerful set of features for drawing curves, shapes, text, colors, and patterns, along with many other tools such as gradients and brushes. It allows you to create anything from simple designs like banners or brochures up to complex pieces like maps or comics presentations with varying levels of detail.
Creative professionals know that Adobe Illustrator is the go-to software for digital art. It’s what they use to create logos, websites, posters, and other graphics in their day-to-day jobs.
But, do you know, you can create a clipping path with adobe illustrator also? How to do this? Okay, we will talk about it later.
Clipping path InDesign:
Adobe Indesign is a program for designing and editing layouts. It allows you to create professional-looking documents, presentations, brochures, flyers, etc. You can also design websites, mobile apps, or other digital content with this software.
It has many features, including different fonts, styles and colors, and shapes that allow you to highlight important points in your document. In addition, it has tools that will enable you to align text on the page and control the size of your text blocks, so they look neat together.
Do you know that you can create a clipping path in adobe InDesign also? Yes. It is possible. But how? We will talk about it later.
Different Types of Clipping Path
There are various types of clipping paths. In below, I showcased all kinds of photo clipping paths.
- Basic Clipping Path
- Simple Clipping path
- Compound Clipping path
- Complex Clipping path
- Super Complex Clipping path
- Multiple Clipping Path
Some Common Uses of Clipping Path
It can’t be described in a single line as the clipping path has lots of functionality. However, it is not complete photo editing. But, for making a perfect image shaped, a clipping path is required. In below, we try to show some common uses of clipping paths.
Background Removal
Whenever you think about removing an image background professionally, you need to rely on image clipping techniques. And, the photoshop pen tool will be your perfect weapon to do this. However, you may delete the background with other Photoshop tools like the Magic wand tool and Background Eraser tool. In most cases, these tools won’t give you outstanding results. That’s why eCommerce companies prefer photo clipping techniques for their product image background removal purpose. And, the best background removal service provider always use this techniques for hard edges image like product photos.
Photo Color Correction
For an online business, you often need to display color variants products, especially when you run a clothing business. In two ways, you can do this. Number one, shoot every product individually and upload it to the website. Number two, display color variants product with the help of technology. The first one is time-consuming and costly. That’s why online businesses love to use technology. This color correction service saves their time and money both and gets their expected result.
Separate Objects From Group Photos
Photographers often take group photos of people, objects, or something else. Sometimes, they need to change or delete some elements from this group’s photos. With multiple clipping path techniques, editors can separate each product from others. As a result, they can easily remove or add some elements to these photos.
Photo Retouching
Photoshop image retouching is an excellent editing skill for making an image spark-looking. After having all preparations, sometimes it is impossible to capture the right shot. For example, photos need background removal, whitening teeth, adjusting brightness, fixing wrinkles, and more. Photo editors need to select each portion individually. And for this, they rely on clipping path techniques. Using the Photoshop pen tool, they select each part and edit it.
How to Create Clipping path in Photoshop
We already told you that you can create a clipping path using advanced photo editing tools like adobe photoshop, illustrator, and InDesign software. But, editors most commonly use adobe photoshop for creating vector paths. In below, we will describe how to make a clipping path in photoshop.
Step 1: Open image in Photoshop
At first, Select the image you want to create a clipping path. Then, open it in adobe photoshop. You may use any versions of this software like adobe photoshop cs5, cs6, or cc version. In our cases, I am using adobe photoshop cc.
After opening the program, you can drag the image into the editing panel. However, you may also open the image using the menu. While clicking the menu, you will find an open button in the drop-down menu. Then, click on it, and it will allow you to open the image from your device.
You can also open the image by pressing the keyboard shortcut key “CTRL+O. Use whatever you like; open the image in photoshop.
Step 2: Unlock the image in the panel.
Whenever you open an image in photoshop, it will be locked in the layer panel by default. However, you need to unlock it. Go to layer panel. Double click on the image layer, a new pop-up will open; click on the okay button. Your image will be unlocked.
Step 3: Zoom in
In this step, you need to zoom in on your image. Depending on image resolution, zoom percentage may vary from image to image. However, 300% is the standard zoom-in for creating a clipping path. You need to see the image edge clearly and draw an outline without decay any edge.
That’s why we suggest zoom in before starting to outline. To do this, go to the top menu bar; from here, select the windows menu. While clicking on the windows menu, you will find the navigator menu at the drop-down menu. From here, you can zoom in and zoom out your image.
Want to use a shortcut way? Okay, press the keyboard key Ctrl+ for zoom in and Ctrl- for zoom out any image.
Step 4: Create A New Path layer
It is time to create a new path layer. Go to the layer panel below; you will find an option to create a new layer. Click on it a new layer will be created.
Remember, you need to select your existing path layer before creating a new layer. And you need to active clipping path like the screenshot, flatness will be blank.
Step 5: Select Pen Tool
The Photoshop pen tool is the main weapon to draw vector paths. So, you need to select the pen tool from the left side tool panel.
You can use the keyboard shortcut key “P” to select the pen tool. After selecting the pen tool, you need to ensure 4 settings of the pen tool to creating a perfect clipping path. Go to the options bar and check the below 4 settings that you mark on.
- Mark on path
- Exclude overlapping shapes
- Mark on Rubber Band
- Mark on Auto Add/Delete
Step 6: Draw outline
Now, it is time to outline. After selecting the pen tool, place your first anchor point at the edge. Be careful while outlining. You may start drawing one pixel inside the image.
It will help you to avoid any mistakes. However, never outline edge level. Always try to keep one or two pixels inside the image. After clicking your mouse you should hold the mouse pointer and drag it to the next outline of your product.
Step 6: Use The Hand Tool
While you start outlining, you need to move the image to complete the drawings. But, how can you do this?
In these cases, you can use the Hand tool. It will enable you to move your image. If you use a hand tool for moving, after completing this task, again, you need to select the pen tool for drawing the path.
However, you can do it in an easy process using the keyboard’s space bar. Yes, with the space bar, you can move your image. Hold on to the spacebar and drag the image with the mouse. Your Photoshop pen tool will be selected. It will make your works more flexible.
Sometimes you will need to move the anchor point to make a perfect outlining, then select your anchor by pressing CTRL and move it by the keyboard arrow button.
Important: Break the anchor in corner
While you creating an outline then you need to brack the anchor in hard corner, How can you break the anchor handle? It’s very easy, Holding on your anchor handle to/bottom by mouse pointer and also hold on your keyboard Alt key and drag your mouse pointer to the product outline.
Step 7: Complete Drawing Outline
Now, your task is very easy. You can select image edges correctly, moves the image without any hesitation. So, complete your drawing soon. Joint your first anchor with your last anchor by holding on your keyboard alt key.
After joining the first anchor point with the last anchor point, you need to zoom out the photo. It will enable you to see how your drawing works.
Remember, you need to keep your image back in its original size to see it. For this, go to the top menu bar. From here, select view, and you will see some drop-down menus in here. Finally, select fit on the layer from here. Your image will be back in its original size.
However, you can do it with photoshop’s shortcut key also. For doing this, press Ctrl+O from the keyboard. Your image will be back in its original size.
Step 8: Use Selection and Feathers Correctly.
While you find everything is perfect. You need to use selection and feathers correctly for removal background. After selecting path 1, click on the mouse’s right button, and from here, click on the selection.
A new pop-up box will show in front of you, asking feather radius. Keep it 0.5, and click on the okay button.
Step 9: Duplicate the Background
Great, you are almost done. For background removal, you need to duplicate the background. Go to the top menu bar, click on the layer. From the drop-down menu, click on the duplicate layer.
Of course, you can do it with the photoshop shortcut key. For doing this, press Ctrl+j from the keyboard. Your background will be duplicated.
Step 10: Add Layer Mask
Adding a layer mask is extremely important while you remove the original background from an image. Unless you add a layer masking, your original background will be deleted. And, it would be possible to back it. So, at this stage, we will add a layer mask to the image. See the screenshot below.
Step 11: Delete The Background Layer
Now, everything is perfect. We keep an original background copy. So, delete the background layer now.
Look at the image; it is complete background less. You can add new photo background. From our experience in eCommerce product photo editing, adding white background is perfect for products.
However, depending on your uses, you may use whatever you want.
Step 12: Set a Solid Color Background
If you don’t want to use transparent background and you need a colored background then go to the adjustment on the layer palette and select a solid color.
After selecting solid color then chose up here your color and you can use there a color code.
After select your color move the layer from to to bottom
If you don’t want to use any color then you can off this colored layer eye or delete this layer.
Step 13: Save File
Finally, we completed our task. Now, it is time to save the file. You may save it in PSD, PNG, or JPEG image format.
However, in our cases, I am keeping it in PSD image format. Whatever format you want, first of all, click on the File menu button. From the drop-down menu, select save as. Again a new box will ask you to select a file format from their file format templates. Select anyone from this and click on save.
Your image will be saved on your computer.
Hand Drawn Vs. Automate Clipping Path: Which One Should You Use
We often got confused while we create vector paths or silos. In the market, there are two ways of completing this task.
- Automated software
- Hand drawn
Automated software: When you use automated software, it may save you both time and money. Here is nothing to do; upload your images in software, and within a few minutes, it will give you the result. Moreover, the most automated software is open source. You don’t need to install it on your computer. How sweet!
Hand Drawn: It is very time-consuming and labor-intensive, and time-consuming. Moreover, you need to install Photoshop on your computer. To run this smoothly, you need to build your computer. In addition, adobe photoshop isn’t free software. Although, you can use it free in an illegal way. But, when you use it professionally, you should purchase it from their official sites. All the process, you need money and time.
So, which one should we use?
Of course, automated software. As it wons
But wait,
Easy works never bring fruitful results. Whenever you use automated software, your image edges will decay. None of the automated software works so well. We tried a lot of software.
It may ruin your business. Ultimately, you will lose your customer and money. Because customers always want well-shaped product photos.
So, never use automated software for professional work.
How To Choose The Best Clipping Path Service Provider
If you want to avoid such labor-intensive work and focus on your routine work, finding the best photo clipping service provider is the only solution. Great service providers always value their clients. They also deliver high-quality results. But how can we find them?
It is true finding the best clipping path service provider isn’t an easy task. Lots of research and testing are needed for this. Because thousands are clipping path service providers prevails in online.
However, we will discuss some proven ways to find out your right clipping path service partner.
Let’s find out.
Ask your colleagues
You may be surprised to hear my suggestion. Instead of online searching, why am I advising you to ask your colleagues? Okay, sometimes it works well. You may find your right partner without searching much. Significantly if your too busy person, this may help you.
Nobody takes services without testing. If your colleagues take the benefit from a photo editing company, this means they already tested that company. If they are satisfied with the service, the opportunity is bright to satisfy you also.
It may save time. So, ask your friends first from where they take the photoshop clipping path services.
Use Social Media
Social media is a great community place. We often share our emotions, thinking with others. With the power of social media, you can solve your problems.
There are many good mentality people. If you share your problem with them, the opportunity is very high to get the solutions immediately.
Moreover, most often, you will get an honest review from them. All you need to do joining some groups where people discuss your problem. If you find the right group, the solutions are very near to you.
Here, you may get confused because you will get an extensive list from social media. So, you have to test them manually before choosing a service partner.
Be local
Almost every service provider showcases their service in local directories. If you wish to work with a local company, these directories may help you find your right partner.
The process is almost the same. Collect a list of the service provider names. After that, contact them. Then, sending some files for editing. Don’t worry; you don’t need to spend any penny. They are eager to do it at cost-free. If you become satisfied with their service, only then deal with them for future projects.
Outsource from popular networks
Using outsource networks could be your best option if you want to avoid hassles and get an excellent photo editing service in cheap price. In these networks, you will find lots of professional sellers. The benefit of using networks of timely delivery and professional level service.
If you don’t satisfy with the service, you can tell them to do it again. Moreover, you have the opportunity to cancel the order; if your seller is unable to deliver timely with customer satisfaction.
However, you need to pay money in advance for the service you want to take in all marketplaces. Outsource networks release the funds to sellers after delivery.
Another demerit of using outsource networks are paying some extra money. That’s the benefit of these networks.
Though you need to spend some extra money, it can help to find path experts. Once you can trust each other, you can deal with sellers outside the networks.
There are lots of marketplaces online, including the most popular like Fiverr. Upwork, Freelancer.com, People per hour.
Try any one of them to find the best image clipping service provider.
Few Things You Should Consider While Hiring Any Clipping Path Service Partner
In cases of hiring your clipping path service company outside of outsourcing networks, you should consider some things, Unless you may lose your money and destroy your business also. In below, I am talking about some crucial factors that you should consider.
Costing
Money plays a significant role in any business. If you don’t utilize it correctly, your business may ruin. However, when you take image editing services from any service provider, be clear about service costs. In most cases, service costs may vary from company to company.
It will help you to consider your budget in photo editing. In eCommerce industries, while you order bulk image processing, it is essential to fix service costs before taking any service.
Moreover, payment methods should be precise. In our experience, most of the service providers company located in the sub-continent. All the payment methods aren’t acceptable in these countries.
So, It may create misunderstanding among both of you. However, you may need to pay weekly, monthly, or project basis. Whatever you want to use, tell your service provider about it early. If they agree with your payment types and conditions, work with them.
Remember, every business relationship depends on an explicit agreement. If both of them are well concerned about the contract, it may stay a long time.
Quality
Quality matters significantly in the photo editing industry. If you don’t get a high-quality editing service, it may bring loss for your business. So, please don’t compromise with it. Though professional sellers always deliver high-quality works. Therefore, you may check some other service providers for comparisons of service quality.
Honesty
Are your service provider honest in their tasks? In the market, lots of fraud service provider prevails. They can misuse your image property.
It is tough to understand. Most often, you need to trust them. However, you may justify; if they can keep your files safe and secure. If your service provider is dishonest, two major problems you may face.
- They can steal your images and sell them to others. In some cases, they may use it for their business purposes.
- They can attach malware or viruses to your image files. When you upload it to your website, it may attack with the virus. It creates horrible situations.
Though an honest service provider, never do this. They take every step to keep the client’s files safe and secure. You may also check their file transferring system. It will give you an idea of whether it is safe or unsafe.
Moreover, you can keep a point about this in your agreement. If they misuse your files, you can take any legal steps against the service provider.
Delivery period
You may avoid these steps if you want to edit single or some photos. But, if you’re going to edit batch photos, maintaining timely delivery is extremely important. It may badly affect your own business also.
Especially for product photography agencies maintaining time is extremely important. Because they need to deliver final images to their clients, it is a chain of work. If anyone breaks the chain, others will be badly affected.
Moreover, you may need to rush service of some of your projects. It will be better to discuss with your service provider whether they can do quick service or not.
Again, in most cases, it is challenging to bring out great solutions for this problem. Some sellers may take orders trusting you that they can do this. But, in reality, they can’t do this in shortest time.
So, what are the solutions? In these cases, you may send them minimum files and carefully notice their turnaround time. If you see, they maintain time strictly; you can send them some more files. It will always be better to increase files number slowly. Additionally, you can send file slots to multi-photo editing companies. It helps you to judge the quality of your works.
Customer Support
Another significant issue you should consider. If your service provider fails to respond to your email timely, it may badly hamper your business. In many cases, you may need to change instructions. The only way to do this contact customer support. So, be careful about this.
Top Five Clipping path Company
Now, do you know what is clipping path? How to create a clipping path in photoshop? Also, how to choose the best clipping path service, the provider? To make your efforts more smooth, we listed here some top clipping path companies. It is not mandatory to take assistance from any one of them. You can take service from any service provider as there are large numbers. However, they are excellent in their jobs.
So, let’s find out the top clipping path company.
Cut Out Expert
Cut Out Expert provides all types of photo editing services globally since 2008. Three high skilled photo editors founded this company for providing excellent editing services. Till now, it becomes a renowned photo editing company. With plenty of professional digital artists, they offer background removal, digital photo retouching, photo restoration service, shadow creation service and more. You can check their complete image editing services list from here. All the team members are committed to delivering satisfaction-guaranteed service within pre-scheduled time.
Pricing
Their pricing is very much competitive than others. Cut Out Expert offers cost-effective clipping path services at $.49 per image. They have no hidden cost. Depending on image complexity, they can charge some more money.
You can get high-quality service at minimal pricing while working with Cut Out Expert. We have great reviews from our existing clients, which may help you to make the decision. We have an outstanding customer support team. They can respond instantly to any quires. No compromising with quality helps cut out Expert to establish a good position within few years.
Fix The Photo
Fix the photo provides professional photo retouching service since 2003. They are very specialized in image enhancement. Nowadays, they also offer clipping path services, image masking services. In addition, they offer all types of quality image editing services to their clients.
Pricing: Their pricing starts from $2.5 per image. They will replace your existing background color with white background for making a spark-looking product image.
Although their pricing is a little bit high compared to other clipping path service providers, they have lots of positive feedback on their website. So, if you want to pay a little bit more, you can try their service. Upload your image with editing requirements and wait to see the magic of their works.
Picsera
Picsera is another advanced photo editing services company that provides clipping path services. It is an us-based company; they have high skilled photo editing team. Members are committed to delivering excellent editing services. David Snai, the founder of Picsera, founded this company in 2014. It now offers a full spectrum of visual content services
Pricing: Picsera offers background removal service with clipping path and without clipping path. If you want to background removal without clipping path, the charge will be $.80 per image. In cases of clipping paths, they charge $2.5 per image.
Again, the price is high in comparison to the market. But, their service review is good. So, if you are ready to consider some extra payment, you can also check their service.
Pixelz
Pixelz is another advanced editing services company, especially for eCommerce product photo editing services. They offer complete product photo editing solutions for eCommerce. This company is designed for brands, photo studios, and online retailers. So. If you’re one of them and want to optimize your product photography, you can try pixelz
Pricing:
Their pricing system is quite different from other service providers. Pixelz have only monthly and annual pricing module. Moreover, they have a base service pricing of $.95. So, whatever service you want, you need to pay for this. For example, you need only a clipping path, the cost of clipping path service $.75 per image. So, you will be charged $1.70 per image for the clipping path.
We already told you, this company works with brands, photo studios, and online retailers. If you want to pay more for the service, you can try pixelz. Their review is also good.
Clipping Path India
Clipping path India was founded in 2002. Since then, they are providing clipping path service globally. Now, this company operates from multi nations.
Pricing
When this company starts its journey, it took $.49 per image for the clipping path. However, they also change their pricing policy and hide it from open source. You can ask about pricing by submitting a quote. They also have a credit system; you can purchase each credit for $1.0. The basic purchase credit is $25. The more credit you will buy, you have the opportunity to get some free credit.
Although we couldn’t find out their exact pricing for the clipping path, you can try by submitting a quote. In some reviews, we see they took high pricing very much but no complaints with service.
Want More? Try Our Photo Clipping Service.
Clipping path or photoshop silo is essential for image background removal. Although you can do it without a clipping path, it is always better to use a clipping path for background removal.
However, we have discussed how you can create a clipping path in photoshop. Hopefully, you will be able to do this now.
If you want to find an excellent clipping path company for your projects, we also showed you how you could use it to find it. Moreover, we suggested some top-rated clipping path companies. All of these companies can bring out excellent results for your image.
The only factor here is pricing. The rest features are almost the same for all companies I mentioned here.
So, if you want to avoid such labor-intensive and time-consuming works, hire some professional photo editing service provider like Cut Out Expert.
They will give you the best service within your budget. Try our service at cost-free today.
