How to create a clipping mask?

Take the following steps to create a clipping mask:

1. Create a Photoshop document with at least three layers, a text layer that you want to use as a mask (it can be a shape layer or any other layer that contains a combination of solid and transparent areas), a background layer, and a pattern layer (named Flowers) that you want to clip to the text.





2. Position the pattern layer just above the text layer by dragging the layer above the text layer. The layer that you want to clip other layers to, always needs to be the bottommost layer in the group.



3. Hold down the Alt key (Windows) or the Option key (Mac OS), take the pointer over the line separating the text and the pattern layer in the Layers palette, and click as the pointer changes into two overlapping circles .

   

   You can also create a clipping mask by using the Layer > Create Clipping Mask command when the pattern layer is selected in the Layers palette, or the Layer > Create Clipping Mask From Linked command when the desired layers are linked in the Layers palette.

You can also assign opacity, blending mode, and style to the clipping mask by changing opacity, mode, and style of the text layer (the bottommost layer in the group). Using Drop Shadow and Bevel and Emboss Layer Style gives the following effect to the image.

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