How to Insert an Image Into a Shape on Adobe Illustrator

Quick steps for customizing shapes with images

Co-authored by Shari Fairclough and Travis Boylls

Last Updated: October 18, 2024 Fact Checked

Do you want to add an image within a shape in Adobe Illustrator? It can be a really cool effect to have an image inside of a shape or even text. You can easily do this by using a clipping mask. This wikiHow teaches you how to insert an image into a shape in Illustrator.

Placing an Image Into a Shape on Adobe Illustrator

Place an image into an Illustrator file & create a shape.
Select the shape and copy it.
Open the Layers panel and create a new layer.
Paste the shape in the layer in the exact same place.
Add a stroke around the shape in the top layer.
Turn off the fill color for the shape in the top layer.
Select the image and shape in the bottom layer & apply a clipping mask.

Steps

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1
Place an image into an Illustrator file. Open Adobe Illustrator and click New on the title page to create a new file and select the properties of your document. Or, click Open to open an existing file and select the file you want to open.^{[1]
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Research source} Place a new image into the file that you want to insert into a shape. You can use any image file type. Use the following steps to place an image:
- Click File in the menu bar at the top.
- Click Place.
- Select an image.
- Click Place.
- Click and drag the image to move it to where you want it to go.
2
Create a shape over the image. This shape will be used to apply a clipping mask to the image. You can create a shape using the one of the shape tools in the toolbar, which is to the left by default. You can also use the Pencil tool, Pen tool, or Brush tool to draw a shape freehand. Alternatively, you can use the text tool to place an image inside text. Be sure to use a nice, thick font.
- To select a shape tool, click and hold the rectangle tool, which has an icon that resembles an rectangle in the toolbar. This displays a sub-menu with additional shape tools. Click the shape tool you want to use. Click and drag over the image to create a shape. Hold Shift while clicking and dragging to keep the shape proportional.
- The shape must be on top of the image in order to create a clipping mask. If the image is on top of the shape, click the image with selection tool to select it. Then click Object in the menu bar at the top. Click Arrange followed by Send to Back to move the image behind the shape.
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3
Select the shape and copy it. To do so, click the icon that resembles a black mouse cursor in the toolbar to the left, or press "V" on the keyboard to select the selection tool. Then click the shape. Press Ctrl + C (or Command + C on Mac) to copy the shape.^{[2]
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- Make sure you don't copy the image along with the shape.
4
Create a new layer. To do so, open the Layers panel to the right. It has an icon that resembles a square on top of another square. Then click the icon that resembles a sheet of paper at the bottom of the Layers panel to create a new layer above the current layer with the shape and image.^{[3]
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- If you do not see the Layers panel, click Window in the menu bar at the top and then click "Layers" to display the Layers panel.
This copy will be used to add a border around the shape once a clipping mask has been applied. You want to paste the layer into the new layer in the exact same location. To do so, make sure the new layer is selected in the Layers panel. Then press Ctrl + Shirt + V (or Command + Shift + V on Mac) to paste the shape into the new layer.^{[4]
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6
Add a stroke around the shape in the top layer. To do so, make sure the top layer is select. The click the shape in the top layer using the selection tool. Use the box that resembles a colored border at the top of the screen or in the toolbar to the left. Then select a color. This adds a border around the shape.
- Additionally, you can use the drop-down menus next to "Stroke" in the panel at the top fo the screen to adjust the border size and style.
7
Turn off the fill color for the shape in the top layer. To do so, click the shape in the top layer to select it. Then click the colored box at the top of the screen or at the bottom of the toolbar to the left. Then click the white box with a red line through it. This turns off the fill color.
- If you turn off the bottom layer by clicking the eyeball icon next to it in the Layers panel, you should see an outline of the shape with no color inside the outline.
To do so, click the blank box next to the eyeball icon next to the top layer in the Layers panel. You should see an icon that resembles a padlock in the box. This indicates the layer is locked and prevents you from accidently altering the top layer.^{[5]
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9
Select the image and shape in the bottom layer. To do so, make sure the layer with the image and the bottom shape is selected. Then hold "Shift" and click the image, followed by the shape. This select both objects.
- Alternatively, you can you click and drag over the shape and image with the selection tool to select both.
10
Apply a clipping mask. This will crop all parts of the image outside the shape. The shape in the top layer will provide a border around the image inside the shape. Make sure both the shape and the image are selected in the bottom layer and use the following steps to apply a clipping mask:^{[6]
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- Click Object in the menu bar at the top.
- Click Clipping Mask.
- Click Make.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Are there any other ways to insert an image into a shape?

Shari Fairclough
Social Media & Graphic Design Expert
Shari Fairclough is a Social Media & Graphic Design Expert based in Atlanta, Georgia. Shari is a versatile designer with extensive experience in social media marketing, UX/UI design, and graphic print production. She has over 4 years of both freelance and in-house experience working as a UX and Graphic Designer. She currently works as the Social Media & Marketing Coordinator at Guidepost Montessori. In this role, Shari curates engaging content and enhances the school's online presence. In 2022, Shari founded Sunni Aesthetics, a design platform that blends culture, design, and art. Shari holds a Google UX Design certification. Additionally, she studied graphic design at The Creative Circus, has four years of experience working as an assistant teacher, and is certified as a TEFL instructor. Shari has contributed to various publications, including Canvas Rebel, VoyageATL, and 11 Alive, and has film credits on IMDb for her work in "Black Lightning," "The Color Purple," and "The Staircase." She received a BA in Film & Media from Georgia State University.

Shari Fairclough

Social Media & Graphic Design Expert

Expert Answer

You can also use the "Envelope Distort" feature to add an image within a shape. First, place your image on the canvas, draw or select the shape, and position it above the image. Then, select both objects, go to the top menu, click "Object," navigate to "Envelope Distort," and choose "Make with Top Object." This will add the image to fit inside the shape.

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