When it comes to making your designs stand out, one of the most powerful tools in your creative toolbox is cutout transparent images. These high-quality PNG files, often with transparent backgrounds, allow you to effortlessly layer objects, people, and elements into your work—adding depth, realism, and creativity that flat graphics just can’t compete with.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to use cutout images in design projects, including examples, top use cases, and how to streamline your workflow whether you're using Plasfy or another design tool.

What Are Cutout Transparent Images?

Cutout transparent images are usually in PNG format with the background already removed. This allows you to drop them into any project—whether it’s a poster, presentation, video, or web banner—and blend them seamlessly with your existing design.

They’re ideal for:

  • Creating realistic scenes by placing people or objects into different environments
  • Designing engaging visuals for social media
  • Adding personality to presentations, marketing materials, and websites

Why Use Cutout PNG Images in Your Design Projects?

Transparent PNG images offer several benefits:

  • No background hassle – Ready to drop into your scene without the need for manual background removal
  • Layer-friendly – Easily position objects in front or behind other layers in your design
  • Professional quality – Cutouts often have clean edges and are high-resolution for crisp visuals

They help you work faster while increasing the quality and visual impact of your designs.

How to Use Cutout Images in Plasfy

If you’re using Plasfy, our all-in-one graphic design software, using cutout images is even easier.

Built-In Access – No Uploads Needed

Plasfy gives you direct access to thousands of transparent cutout images from within the platform. Simply open the Cliparts sidebar, and you’ll find a massive library of people, objects, props, and themed elements, all in PNG format and ready to use.

No need to download, unzip, or upload files. Just drag, drop, and start designing.

Use Them in Any Type of Project

  • Create social media posts with realistic people or props
  • Design banners, ads, and email graphics that pop
  • Add people into mockups to show real-life use
  • Build stunning presentations and sales pitches
  • And much more—directly inside Plasfy

Real-World Examples of Cutout Transparent Images in Action

To truly understand the power of cutout transparent images, it helps to see them in action. Below are several real-world design mockups where we've combined transparent PNG elements with background scenes to create eye-catching visuals.

1. Pets Interior Scene

Creative Use Breakdown:

  • Cutout PNG animals (including cats, dogs, and parrots) were placed on furniture, the floor, and surrounding areas to create a lived-in, friendly space.
  • Multiple perspectives and angles of the same animals are used to give variety and narrative to the scene.
  • A background photo of a lounge room acts as the base, making it easy to drop animals into natural positions (e.g. on the couch, side table, floor).
  • Great for use in pet store ads, home decor previews, or mockups for lifestyle products.

How to Use in Your Projects:

  • Use transparent PNG pets in interior mockups to add warmth and realism.
  • Perfect for social posts or product previews that need to evoke an emotional or homely feel.
  • Works well in real estate, animal care, or eCommerce niches.

2. Underwater Scene

Creative Use Breakdown:

  • Cutout sea animals were layered over a high-quality ocean background to create depth.
  • Elements like fish schools and octopuses were repeated and resized to simulate natural movement and variety.
  • A diverse selection of marine animals lets you build entire underwater environments with ease.

How to Use in Your Projects:

  • Great for educational materials, kids’ content, or marine-themed branding.
  • Can be used in animated explainer videos or infographics about ocean conservation.
  • Works beautifully for themed websites, aquarium ads, or marine biology presentations.

3. Office & Corporate Scene

Creative Use Breakdown:

  • Cutout figures of professionals are posed in different actions—pointing, smiling, working, presenting—which makes it ideal for storytelling.
  • Office props like sticky notes, desktop computers, and accessories add realism.
  • A neutral but modern office space background was used to house the characters and create a cohesive environment.

How to Use in Your Projects:

  • Ideal for corporate training materials, website hero sections, or business presentations.
  • Can be used in brochures, SaaS marketing, or HR onboarding assets.
  • Great for mockups or creating visual content for B2B companies.

4. Kitchen & Cooking Scene

Creative Use Breakdown:

  • Transparent cutouts of ingredients (vegetables, meats, spices), chefs in action, and kitchen utensils bring a static kitchen image to life.
  • The scene likely integrates cooking steps or recipe visuals using layered objects like frying pans or cutting boards.
  • Could include progressive storytelling—from raw ingredients to a finished dish.

How to Use in Your Projects:

  • Perfect for recipe blogs, cooking tutorials, meal delivery services, or restaurant promos.
  • Great for e-learning materials teaching culinary skills.
  • Could be used in YouTube thumbnails, food-related mobile apps, or infographics.

5. Outer Space Scene

Creative Use Breakdown:

  • Transparent cutouts of the Sun, Earth, Jupiter, and other celestial bodies were placed in various sizes and angles to create movement and depth.
  • Multiple galaxy and nebula backgrounds give the illusion of distance, space travel, and scale.
  • Elements like space shuttles, orbiting satellites, and futuristic spacecraft were layered to add a narrative of exploration and discovery.
  • Motion effects like blurring and directional arrows help simulate rotation and orbital paths.

How to Use in Your Projects:

  • Perfect for STEM education, astronomy presentations, and planetarium-style visuals
  • Ideal for sci-fi book covers, game mockups, or space-themed web banners
  • Great for use in explainer videos or infographics about space missions or the solar system

Bonus Tips for Creating Scenes Like These:

✅ Use consistent shadows and lighting across your cutout elements for realism
✅ Add depth by layering foreground, midground, and background cutouts
✅ Use motion blur or drop shadows for natural blending
✅ Try storytelling—use characters and objects to imply movement or interaction
✅ Choose high-res PNGs to avoid pixelation in your final output

Using Cutout Images Outside of Plasfy

If you're working with tools like Photoshop, PowerPoint, or even Final Cut Pro, you can still use these transparent PNGs easily.

Here's how:

  1. Download the PNG files from your cutout collection
  2. Import them into your design software
  3. Layer, resize, and position as needed
  4. Adjust shadows or lighting for added realism

Cutout images are highly versatile and compatible with:

  • Photo editing tools
  • Video editing software
  • Presentation tools
  • Website builders (like WordPress, Wix, and more)

Creative Use Cases for Transparent Cutout Images

Here are just a few ideas on how you can start using them today:

1. Enhancing Stock Photos

Overlay a person or object cutout onto a bland stock photo to create a unique scene that tells a story. Perfect for ads and social content.

2. Bringing Life to Presentations

Want to avoid boring slides? Add real people or action shots to create energy and keep your audience engaged.

3. Video Editing

Use cutouts in YouTube thumbnails or intros to add personality and motion to your edits.

4. Website Graphics

Design landing pages or blog banners with layered people or props that give your page a professional, high-end feel.

5. Client Projects

Add them to client websites, marketing campaigns, or social posts to instantly improve perceived value.

Extended Rights & Business Use

Our cutout image packs come with extended developer rights, meaning:

  • ✅ Use in unlimited personal or client projects
  • ✅ Integrate in commercial videos, websites, and products
  • ✅ Add them to presentations, digital courses, and lead magnets
  • ✅ Use in social media campaigns to boost engagement
  • ✅ Include in digital products for resale or giveaway (within license terms)

It’s an incredibly flexible asset that can be used again and again across dozens of projects.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're a designer, marketer, video editor, or small business owner, transparent cutout images are a simple but powerful way to elevate your creative work. With Plasfy’s built-in cutout library, or by using them with your favorite tools, you’ll be able to save time, enhance your designs, and create more compelling visuals that connect with your audience.

Start using cutout images in your next project—and watch your designs come to life.