Clipping path services

Clipping paths are the digital way to cut an item out of a photo. Remember cutting out pictures from magazines? It’s just like that, only digital. (A tip: if you’re cutting out a subject with hair or fur, you probably need image masking - another cutout technique that’s used for more intricate edges.) Once our clipping path specialists finish the clipping path, everything on the inside of the path is included, and everything outside is removed.

Clipping path is also called:

• Image clipping
• Deep etching
• Photo cut-out
• Multi-path
• Multiple clipping paths
• Closed vector path
• Closed vector shape

Clipping path allows you to manipulate the background of the subject of your image. You can create white backgrounds for selling products online, or display your subjects in any setting.

Not all clipping paths are alike, so the rates for each project vary. Every image is different, but we follow standard pricing guidelines to make sure your rate is always clear and objective, even if you’re working with a different designer.

Here’s an overview of how we price different clipping path projects:

Basic Clipping Paths – $0.39 per image

Clipping path allows you to manipulate the background of the subject of your image. You can create white backgrounds for selling products online, or display your subjects in any setting.

At Path, we outline each image by hand. Automatons and AI can lead to Photoshop fails and unhappy customers. Trained (human) graphic designers have the common sense and keen eye to make sure edited photos look just right.

Simple Clipping Paths – $0.69 per image

A simple clipping path is slightly more complex, so it takes a bit more time. Simple clipping paths remove objects that have more edges and curves, like a wine bottle or a car. They also work for objects that have a “hole” in them (like the interior of a mug handle or the inside of a ring or necklace).

Great for:

• Simple jewellery
• Vehicles
• A simple item of clothing
• Single furniture items
• Other standalone products

Medium Clipping Paths – $1.29 per image

A medium clipping path is used for objects with complicated edges. These are typically complex enough that several paths are created and then merged together to get the final result.

Great for:

• A grouping of simple items
• Shoes
• Items of clothing with more complex shapes and curves

Complex Clipping Paths – $2.99 per image

A complex clipping path is applied to objects with very complicated edges, multiple holes, and possibly multiple objects or varied levels of transparency. These types of clipping paths are incredibly time-consuming and call for more advanced skills.

Great for:

• A grouping of simple items
• Shoes
• Items of clothing with more complex shapes and curves

More complex clipping paths – $6.49 per image

This category includes complex clipping paths with additional paths carefully crafted within the product itself.

Great for:

• Bicycles
• Intricate jewelry
• Wire furniture
• Groupings of products that need color changes in specific areas

Super complex clipping paths – $10.99 per image

Sometimes, an object requires so many individual clipping paths that a complex or multiple clipping path just isn’t enough. Super complex clipping paths involve three to four different techniques.

This level of detail is necessary for tough product images where nothing else will look natural. In some cases, we need to use super complex, complex, and multiple clipping paths in conjunction with image masking to get to the perfect finished product.

Great for:

• Furniture with multiple cut-outs
• Objects with netting or mesh
• Jewelry with complex interlinking pieces or chains
• Crates
• Complex machinery

Clipping path services make the most sense when the image needs a clean, finished edge and the subject has hard, defined outlines.

They are commonly used for:

• ecommerce product images
• marketplace listings
• catalogue photography
• white-background cutouts
• batch product images that need consistency
• export-ready product photos for reuse across channels

If the image is going live and the edge quality matters, clipping path is often the safer choice.

Clipping paths usually work best on products with hard edges and clear outlines.

That includes images like:

• shoes
• bottles
• packaging
• electronics
• watches
• accessories
• furniture
• vehicles
• jewellery with clearly defined edges

If the edge is soft, fuzzy, transparent, or very intricate, another method like image masking may be more appropriate.

A clipping path is a hand-drawn vector outline used to cut a subject out cleanly. Image masking is a different cutout method used for softer or more complex edges.

In simple terms:

• clipping path is best for hard, clean edges
• image masking is better for hair, fur, transparency, mesh, or other detailed edges

If you are not sure which one your image needs, Path can help guide you to the right method.

Background removal is the broader outcome. It simply means separating the subject from the background.

A clipping path is one specific way of doing that, usually when the edge needs to stay crisp and controlled. Other background removal methods can include image masking, AI cutouts, or automatic selections.

Path offers hand-drawn clipping path services across different levels of complexity, depending on the shape of the product and how detailed the edge needs to be.

These range from:

• basic clipping paths for simple products
• simple and medium clipping paths for products with more curves or internal cut-outs
• complex and super complex clipping paths for intricate objects, grouped products, jewellery, machinery, or images that need multiple paths

Pricing varies by complexity so you always know what level of work the image requires.

Turnaround depends on the size and complexity of the job, but large batches can be returned in as little as 6 hours.

If you have a deadline, upload your images and Path can confirm the expected turnaround before work begins.

Yes. Path offers 2 free edits so you can check the quality before committing to a bigger batch.

That is a simple way to review the edge quality, consistency, and finish on your own images before sending more work across.

A clipping path is not always the best answer.

If the image includes:

• hair
• fur
• smoke
• mesh
• semi-transparent materials
• soft or fuzzy edges

then image masking or a combined cutout method may be the better fit.

If you want to understand clipping paths in more detail, start with these guides:

• How to Create a Clipping Path in Photoshop
• What Is a Clipping Path? A Beginner’s Guide for Product Photography
• Image Clipping Path vs Background Removal: What’s the Difference?
• Clipping Path vs. Masking: Key Differences Explained
• 7 Ways to Use Product Clipping Paths to Enhance Ecommerce Product Photos