Image masking

Remove backgrounds from hair, fur, and difficult borders

Outsource nitty-gritty photo masking work so you can get back to advanced edits and running your business.

Starting at $1.19 per image

Get my image edits

Check out our beautiful clipping path projects

Frequently Asked Questions

What is image masking?

Image masking is a technique that removes the background from images that have subjects with fuzzy edges, like hair, wool, or fur. Unlike clipping path services, which are like cutting out an image from a magazine, image masking is a labor-intensive task that requires advanced Photoshop techniques to account for every last strand of hair or fur.

We start with hand-drawn clipping paths along straight edges. Then, we’ll use these Photoshop masking tools and techniques to get to the finer details of removing a background:

The background eraser tool
The magic eraser tool
The color separation technique
The channel mask
Hand-drawn clipping paths

Sometimes, we’ll combine more than one tool to get just the right look.

Image masking allows you to change the background behind the subject of your image. You can create white backgrounds for selling products online, or display your subjects in any setting.

How much do image masking service cost?

Not all image masking projects are the same, so the rates for each project vary.

Pricing is based on the total number of sections that need masking, the difference between the object and its background, and the background color (because it’s more complicated to separate objects that are similar in color to the background).

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 the different categories of image masking projects:

1. Basic image masking projects – $1.19 per image

The simplest images fall into this category. These images have simple, smooth edges around most of the object, with a small portion of the image containing fur, hair, or transparency.

Great for:

Eyeglasses
Handbags, clutches, and jewelry with tassels
Clothing with a fringed hem
Transparent or translucent empty containers
Glassware

2. Simple image masking projects – $1.69 per image

Most images fall into this category — almost 50% of image masking orders at Path. These images are a little more involved than “basic” images because more of the object’s area has furry or fuzzy edges, or the object has complex, smooth edges.

Great for:

One person with a head of hair in a photo
Fur-lined boots
Jewelry with intricate settings
Translucent gemstones
Topiaries and simple floral arrangements in opaque vases
A single stuffed animal with mostly smooth borders, but some furry edges

3. Medium complexity image masking projects – $2.39 per image

This is the second most common category for image masking projects. These images may have fur or hair covering the entire subject, or contain varying levels of transparency throughout the object’s edges or area.

Great for:

Two people in a photo
A stuffed animal
A sweater with fuzzy or furry edges
A wedding veil
A furry animal, such as a dog, cat, or hamster
A garment with tulle sleeves or skirt
Sheer curtains and drapes
Sheer or lacy lingerie

4. Complex image masking projects – $4.99 per image

Images in this category might have multiple people (or animals) in a single photo. Sometimes images with shadows or multiple background colors fit in this category too, because they require a combination of image masking techniques

Great for:

Two or more animals in a single photo
More than two people in a photo
A complicated surface with lots of holes, like a soccer net

5.Super complex image masking projects – $8.99 per image

A very small number of image masking projects fall into the super complex category. These images have highly intricate borders and require a variety of image masking techniques.