: How to color fill clipping masks on a template? I am trying to create a sail sign by using the template provided here: https://www.creativebanner.com/Product/Select?Sku=191384&productId=4740&returnUrl=%2FProduct%3FIndex%3D0%2

@Frith110

You can't select the clipping path to color it because the layer is locked.

You can unlock the layer by clicking the lock icon just to the left of the layer in your layers panel list.

However, that's a bad idea as the printing company locked that layer for a reason. You don't want to accidentally modify that layer or reshape it; then they won't be able to print your order correctly and will have to reject your file.

Instead, you should create a NEW object (on the "place art here" layer) that is the color you want. Don't worry about it being the right shape. Just make a gigantic square the color you want, and, if the file is set up the way it should be (I haven't checked) and your object is on the "place art here" layer, it will be automatically clipped by the clipping path layer already present.



A tip I wish I'd known when I started working in Illustrator: pay attention to the "layers" panel. New objects you draw will go onto the layer currently selected. But the currently selected layer changes when you select a different object, so if you don't pay attention to it, you can wind up with hundreds of objects scattered across a bizarre chaos of layer hierarchy. Cleaning that up and organizing it is painful. It's MUCH easier to keep your layers organized from the start by paying some attention to the layers panel.

(Note that this is VERY different from InDesign, which I was more familiar with when starting in Illustrator. In InDesign, all your work is on ONE layer unless you explicitly create another. In Illustrator, each object can be on its own new layer if you don't pay attention.)



It appears the file is not set up quite right.


Unlock the CLIPPING PATH layer.
Lock both its sublayers.
Drag the "place art here" layer into the "CLIPPING PATH" layer as its bottom layer.
Click the CLIPPING PATH layer, which now contains everything but the "delete" layer.
In the layers panel menu, click "Make clipping mask."
Select the "place art here" layer and draw your artwork.


You'll get something like so:

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@Connie430

It's a bit difficult without seeing exactly what you would like to do, but have you tried using the white+ arrow to select what you would like to color?

You will find it in the white arrow icon, just hold the button deal to reveal the one with the +. This cursor allows to select individual items in a group without messing with the file setup.

There are lots of ways to do this but this seems like one of the most simple to me. In this case I have a gradient colored square that is clipped by a circle.

Also, do make sure that the printer allows you to change the background color to whatever you would like.

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