Copy a layer mask from one document to another

[shenaj22153905]

Is there a way to copy a layer mask from one document to another? I have several pictures that are mockups of my products where the product is in the exact same place, just a different design on the product. I need to get rid of the background, but unfortunately, Ps isn't great with background removal because it's mostly white on  a white background. I'd like to make a layer mask for the first product and copy that mask to the rest to get rid of the background. Is this possible?

[Stephen Marsh · Accepted solution]

Sure, a layer mask is just a special "contextual" alpha channel that is visible when the layer is active. This can be copied and pasted via the clipboard, or you can use Apply Image* to duplicate the layer mask channel content from the source document to the target document layer mask channel (apply a blank layer mask to the target document layer first).

*The two files must have the same pixel dimensions and bit depth.

[shenaj22153905]

Thank you for taking the time to answer! I'm still very new to Photoshop and trying to learn.

[Stephen Marsh]

Thank you for taking the time to answer! I'm still very new to Photoshop and trying to learn.

By @shenaj22153905

You're welcome!

[Conrad_C]

Just a side tip, which may or may not be useful to you…

If the product outline is the same in all photos, and a uniform mask edge is OK (hard-edged or feathered), consider using a vector mask (a mask based on a path, similar to a clipping path).

First, create a vector path outline of the product using any method that works, such as making a selection and converting it into a path, or drawing the outline with one of the pen tools. Then, with the path selected, copy the path to the clipboard (Edit > Copy).

Next, select the product layer and paste (Edit > Paste). As long as the layer is not a locked Background, pasting the path will make it a vector mask for the selected layer.

The potential advantage of this is that it works regardless of the size of the document. This gets around the requirement that Stephen_A_Marsh pointed out, which is that a pixel layer mask must be the same pixel dimensions and bit depth as the destination document. With a vector mask, those don’t matter. You can just paste that path on the product layer in other documents.

[shenaj22153905]

@Conrad_C  thank you! I really appreciate this info!

[r-bin]