> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://pitchprint.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to create an SVG for use as a Mask

> Flatten artwork into a single compound path in Illustrator and save it as an SVG that PitchPrint accepts as a photo mask.

Image mask is a means of cutting an image along the outlines of a shape path.

This can be achieved in PitchPrint by placing any of the default plain shapes on the canvas an then dragging a photo unto them. The Photo fills out the shape as a mask.

You can as well use your own unique SVG files for this purpose. To do this, the most important criteria is that the SVG needs to be a single path node. In essence, when you open up the SVG in a text editor, it should show a path element just at the base of the svg node, not enclosed in a group or other elements.

A sample is shown in the image below:

<Frame>
  <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/helpscout.net/docs/assets/58f1ec6d2c7d3a52b42f8254/images/599ea7ec042863033a1c407c/file-wOatBgdUSk.png" alt="SVG source code showing a single path element directly inside the svg node" />
</Frame>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Convert the shape into a path">
    To achieve this, select the shape you want to use for masking in Illustrator and convert it into a path. If you have non-touching parts, select them all and make sure they are flattened as one single element, not grouped.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Make a compound path">
    Select them and click **Object > Compound Path > Make**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the file as SVG">
    Then copy the new item and open your text editor. Paste into the text editor and save the file with a .svg extension. Check the code and ensure you see it as a single path node similar the image above.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Import the SVG into PitchPrint">
    Import same into PitchPrint and that should work as an Photo Mask.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Related articles

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="How to save your SVGs for use in PitchPrint" icon="floppy-disk" href="/docs/tutorial/how-to-save-your-svgs-for-use-in-pitchprint">
    Export and save PitchPrint-optimized SVG files from Adobe Illustrator.
  </Card>

  <Card title="How to create a clickable mask" icon="mask" href="/docs/tutorial/how-to-create-a-clickable-mask">
    Turn a shape into an image placeholder customers can click to insert images.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Custom Mask" icon="scissors" href="/docs/tutorial/custom-mask">
    Use any shape as a clipping area to trim content in the final PDF.
  </Card>

  <Card title="How to Add a Placeholder image for Mask Shapes" icon="image" href="/docs/documentation/how-to-add-a-placeholder-image-for-mask-shapes">
    Set a guide image that prompts clients to click a mask shape.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


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