Template Masks - Getting A Square Picture Into A Round Hole:

The mask found inside our Illustrator templates has a square with a hole cut out of the middle. It allows you to place an oversize or square image into a template and have the mask automatically trim the outside diameter for you.

Square images no problem with a mask

Illustrator

If you are working in Illustrator the mask is placed on top in a locked layer, called "Mask! Keep On Top". It is not an externally linked image but rather a vector based square and a smaller circle. To make this mask we colored both objects solid white fill and outline, select both objects, menu: object, compound path, make.

The mask allows only the printable area of the disc to show through when elements are placed below it. For this reason it is critical that you not try to edit or add things to the mask layer. Keep everything below the mask layer.

When you first open an illustrator template switch to
"Start Here" layer.