![\"Time](\"https:\/\/www.yourscrappingcafe.com\/home\/d19521157\/public_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/TimePasses2smaller.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBut it\u2019s a known fact that as we age, our brains tend to process time differently, often making it feel like time is moving faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, what does this have to do with a built-in caption? Honestly, nothing really. It was just a commentary on how I\u2019ve been feeling lately. I guess I could somehow tie things together by saying that this tip could save you some time. But that would be a bit of a stretch \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Note:<\/strong> The featured image at the top of this post is a layout I created. Notice the subtle text near the top of the page. It was incorporated using the technique I\u2019m discussing today. For more details on this layout you can find it in my 2025 Gallery<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve written multiple posts that involve using photo (clipping) masks in Photoshop Elements (PSE). So, if you\u2019ve been following me for a while you\u2019re likely familiar with them. But, have you ever seen a mask that also includes text such as the ones you can see above?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note:<\/strong> The masks in the image above are from \u201cPhoto Masks Vol. 1<\/a><\/strong>\u201d by Jennifer of Word Art World. They are currently available in her shop at Gingerscraps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are the kind of masks I want to talk about today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Masks like this are great because they come with their own \u201ccaption\u201d. It kind of reminds me of the photo frames\/stamps or overlays that used to be popular more than a few years ago. They looked something like this:<\/p>\n\n\n The sample above is from \u201cPhotostamps Christmas Set 1\u201d by Cindy Schneider (now retired). These kinds of stamps are meant to be an overlay placed on top of a photo, providing not just a frame\/outline but also some text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using a mask like the ones in the image at the top of this section work completely differently. With those it just means clipping a photo to the mask so the text actually becomes \u201cpart of\u201d the photo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With either a purchased stamp\/overlay or a mask, the text is fixed\u2026not editable. So, purchasing a whole set of masks only to end up using just one may not be practical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s dig into these types of masks a bit more. Not necessarily about how to use them but how to make some of your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Masks with text are available for purchase but they are not plentiful. And often times they are not sold as a standalone product. More importantly, the text is almost never editable. So even if you do find them\u2026the text may not be what you want. Well today I\u2019m going to tell you how to work around all of those issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note:<\/strong> Reminder, I use PSE 2024. If you use an older (or newer) version, some of my screen shots may look different than what you see on your screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m going to start with a simple mask of my own creation:<\/p>\n\n\n Note<\/strong>: If you don\u2019t have a lot of experience creating your own mask you can refer back to my \u201cIt\u2019s All About The Mask<\/a><\/strong>\u201d post from October 24, 2023. But you can also use any mask you may have in your stash of supplies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For fun, I\u2019m just going to try and replicate (sort of) the words in that photo overlay I showed you above. I\u2019ll even try to come as close as possible to the fonts. If you need some tips on how to identify fonts you see online just check out my \u201cWhat\u2019s That Font?<\/a><\/strong>\u201d post from May 9, 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I start by pulling my mask into a blank 12×12 file in PSE:<\/p>\n\n\n I was able to find 2 similar fonts for the words: Beautiful (font: Aaron Script Regular<\/a><\/strong>) and Moment (font: Rustic Printed Stamp<\/a><\/strong>). Using a bright pink color so it can be seen easily over the dark mask, I type each word in its designated font and position them where I like over the mask:<\/p>\n\n\n Before I start fully incorporating the text into the mask, I need to be certain that I have the words placed correctly for the photo I want to use. I\u2019m going to use this Pixabay photo of sisters sledding<\/a><\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n Note<\/strong>: If you\u2019re following along you don\u2019t have to use that photo. You can use any photo of your choosing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I pull the photo into my file, re-size it, flip it horizontally and clip it to the mask:<\/p>\n\n\n I\u2019m happy with how the photo looks in the mask but not so happy with the word placement. Now, I can do one of several things here. I could choose to expand the size of the photo & mask allowing me to keep the text closer to the bottom:<\/p>\n\n\n I could leave the mask\/photo size the same and just rearrange the words and place them in different locations:<\/p>\n\n\n Or I could just re-size and reposition the text so it fits better near the original location:<\/p>\n\n\n I think I like this last option the best. If you\u2019re following along with your own mask\/photo combination you can simply orient the text however it suits your photo the best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, with my photo, text and mask positions\/size finalized I can now prepare to incorporate the text into the mask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is what my Layers Panel looks like currently:<\/p>\n\n\n I want to preserve the original mask so I duplicate that layer and hide the original (and photo) for now. I then move this new layer to the top of the Layers Panel:<\/p>\n\n\n Next, I simplify the duplicate mask layer. I need to do this because it was pulled into PSE as a \u201cSmart Object\u201d and PSE won\u2019t let me make any edits to the mask without first simplifying the layer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note<\/strong>: If you want more information about Smart Objects, you can refer back to my post about Managing File Sizes<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the mask layer simplified and the active layer I can now Ctrl+Click on the Beautiful text layer\u2019s thumbnail so I can see the marching ants:<\/p>\n\n\n Next, ensuring that the mask layer is still active, I press the delete key and the word Beautiful is \u201ccut out\u201d of the mask:<\/p>\n\n\n You can see that the original text now shows through under the mask. I repeat this process with the word MOMENT. I no longer need to see the original text but I do want to keep them. I\u2019ll explain why in a minute. Since I don\u2019t need them right now, I simply hide those text layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I can now move this mask layer with the words \u201ccut out\u201d beneath the photo in the Layers Panel, unhide the photo and clip it to this new mask layer:<\/p>\n\n\n I know you probably can\u2019t see the cut out words due to the transparent background so I\u2019ll add a darker layer underneath the mask so you can see how this really looks now:<\/p>\n\n\n There it is, my own mask customized with my specific caption cut out. I\u2019m going to save this as a PSD file so I can keep it for future use. I\u2019ll explain that in a minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now all I have to do is hide the background layer and the photo, crop the file to size ensuring I retain all the edges of the mask and save this as a standalone PNG file.<\/p>\n\n\n So earlier I said I was going to retain the original text in my PSD file. Sometimes when using a mask with \u201ccut out\u201d text, the text may not show up as well as I\u2019d like depending on the photo I\u2019ve used. In those instances, I can go back to my PSD file with the original text and make any modifications necessary or even change the text completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I could also allow the original text to show through underneath the photo in whatever color might work better than the background that shows through. All I have to do in this case is copy the individual layers for the cutout mask and text into my layout. The important thing is to ensure that I place the actual text layer(s) underneath the mask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using the example I\u2019ve already created; I could easily go in and change the color of the text to any color I choose so that it shows up differently: Something like this:<\/p>\n\n\n I know what you\u2019re thinking\u2026that kind of defeats the purpose of cutting the text out to begin with. It would be easier to just type the text over the photo. On one hand that is true. But if you have the mask with the cut out words and you just need to tweak the color of the words for use with another photo\u2026you can very easily do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, save the PSD file if you like but it certainly isn\u2019t required\u2026totally your call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I hope you take the time to play with this technique. It is a great way to incorporate a photo caption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be careful about the font you use. Script fonts are pretty but can be hard to read if the words are too small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Masks with cut out text may not always allow the words to show up nicely depending on how much contrast there is between the main background and the photo being clipped to the mask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cutting your text (or even shapes) out of your clipping mask can give your mask a totally unique look from anything you can purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clipping masks with word \u201ccut outs\u201d give you so much flexibility with how your caption is displayed for your photo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanks for reading this week\u2019s Tuesday Tip. Remember, if you have any suggestions or questions please don\u2019t hesitate to “Message Me<\/a><\/strong>“. Check back next week with another tip about a chunky title! Click \u201cFollow Me<\/a><\/strong>\u201d to stay in touch. I hope you have a wonderful week!<\/p>\n\n\nText On Mask<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nCreating Captioned Masks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSome Additional Thoughts<\/h3>\n\n\n
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