How to Make a Custom-Shaped Photo Collage in Adobe InDesign

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One photograph split across several shapes in Adobe InDesign

Created by: PrintForFun. Reviewed and updated by the KT Colour team, October 2026.

The short answer: every custom-shaped collage in InDesign is a clipping mask: a shape with a picture pasted into it. Draw the shape, select the photo, cut it, select the shape and choose Paste Into. To fill one shape with many photos, group the photos first. To split one photo across many shapes, make the shapes a compound path first. To fill a word with photos, convert the text to outlines. Export as a PDF at print quality and it is ready to print.

Grid collages are easy in any app. Hearts, numbers, a map outline or a name filled with photos need a proper layout program, and InDesign makes it simpler than Photoshop because the shape and the photo stay separate and editable.

The basic move: one photo in one shape

A circle in InDesign with a photograph clipped inside it
  1. Draw the shape with the Ellipse, Rectangle or Pen tool.
  2. Place the photo (File > Place) anywhere on the page, select it, and cut it (Ctrl or Cmd + X).
  3. Select the shape, then Edit > Paste Into (Ctrl or Cmd + Alt + V).
  4. To fill the shape proportionally, choose Object > Fitting > Fill Frame Proportionally (Ctrl or Cmd + Shift + Alt + C). Double-click to move the photo inside the frame.

Many photos in one shape

Several photos laid out and grouped before being pasted into a single shape
A heart shape filled with a group of photographs

Lay the photos out next to each other so they cover an area bigger than the shape. Select them all and group them (Object > Group, Ctrl or Cmd + G). Cut the group, select the shape, Paste Into. The shape clips the whole group at once, and you can still double-click into it to shuffle individual photos.

One photo across many shapes

A single photograph showing through a grid of separate shapes

Draw all the shapes, select them, and choose Object > Paths > Make Compound Path (Ctrl or Cmd + 8). InDesign now treats them as one shape with several openings. Paste the photo into it and it shows through every opening in the right place, like a window with many panes.

Photos inside a word or number

Large outlined text filled with grouped photographs in InDesign

Type the word in a heavy font at a large size. Select it and choose Type > Create Outlines (Ctrl or Cmd + Shift + O). The text is now a compound shape. Lay out and group the photos so they cover the letters generously, cut the group, select the outlined text and Paste Into. Bold, wide fonts work best because thin strokes show too little of each photo.

Exporting for print

  • Set the document to the final print size before you start (File > Document Setup), with 3 mm bleed if the collage runs to the edge. Sizes are on our sizes guide.
  • Use original photos, not WhatsApp copies, and check Window > Links. Any photo shown with an effective resolution under 200 ppi will print soft.
  • File > Export, Adobe PDF (Print), preset High Quality Print or PDF/X-4, with bleed included. Send us that PDF.
No InDesign? Canva can do the circle and grid versions with its Frames feature, and we cover its settings in designing for print with Canva.

Print the collage

Poster prints from $2.40

An A2 or A1 poster for a collage, or a 50 x 70 cm print for an IKEA frame. Foam board mounting available.

See poster prints

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