There are two main differences between our Clipping paths and Masking service,

1. Clipping Paths are hand draw around the object using the Photoshop® pen tool. This creates a vector shape that can be used within Photoshop® to create a selection or once you import into an application such as Indesign® or QuarkXpress® the path is recognised and the background is automatically removed.

2. Masking is pixel based, using different techniques and software depending on the image, an alpha channel or layer mask is produced. Because this technique is pixel based more detail can be retained such as hair or fur and is the preferred method when masking people.

Your choice between Clipping paths and Masking depends on the image or the object you wish to isolate. Clipping paths suit hard edged objects such as a tv, car or a vase and are typically used if you are a product photographer or a catalogue designer, for example a catalogue or website featuring tv's, computers, camera's etc. would all be etched with a hand drawn clipping path for optimal results.

Because masking isolates or removes pixels it can retain more detail, and allows transparency in the object. If your images contain hair, fur or fine detail then masking will be your best option. Masking is also used to create alpha channels for colour correction or replacement, for example isolating flesh tones, separating the different hues of autumn leaves or simply changing a red shirt to blue.