How to Cut Out a Shape in Illustrator

Cutting out shapes in Adobe Illustrator isn’t just a flashy trick—it’s a core skill every designer should know. Whether you’re creating logos, icons, or custom patterns, knowing how to subtract one shape from another unlocks real creative control.

Here’s how to do it step-by-step.

Step 1: Set Up Your Shapes

Open your Illustrator project and place the two shapes:

• The shape you want to keep (your base).
• The shape you want to cut out (the “cookie cutter”).

Make sure the shape you want to cut is on top of the one you want to keep. You can check or fix this by right-clicking the top shape and selecting Arrange > Bring to Front.

Step 2: Select Both Shapes

Use the Selection Tool (V) to highlight both objects. You can hold Shift and click each shape, or drag a box around both.

Step 3: Open Pathfinder

If you don’t see the Pathfinder panel, go to:
Window > Pathfinder

This panel holds the tools you need to combine or subtract shapes.

Step 4: Click Minus Front

In Pathfinder, under Shape Modes, click Minus Front (the second icon from the left).

Boom. The top shape gets cut out of the bottom one, leaving you with a clean, compound shape.

Bonus Tip: Use Compound Paths for More Control

If you want the cut-out shape to be editable later, use a Compound Path instead:

1. Select both shapes.
2. Go to Object > Compound Path > Make (or press Cmd/Ctrl + 8).

This method keeps both shapes “linked,” so you can tweak or reverse the effect anytime.

Common Issues and Fixes

Shapes not cutting?
Make sure they’re both vector shapes (not grouped objects or text). Convert text to outlines first using Type > Create Outlines.

Weird gaps or artifacts?
Check for stray anchor points or overlapping paths. Simplify your shapes before cutting if things get messy.

Final Thoughts

Cutting shapes in Illustrator is fast and powerful once you get the hang of it. Whether you’re slicing logos or building sleek UI assets, this technique will save time and elevate your work.

Got questions or Illustrator headaches? Drop a comment—I’m here to help.