How to Create a Milk Carton Mockup

Final product image — What You'll Be Creating

In this Photoshop tutorial, you'll learn how to create a milk carton mockup in Photoshop. I'll explain everything in so much detail that everyone can learn how to create 3D mockups, even those who have just opened Photoshop for the first time.

Want to get a milk carton PSD mockup right away? Check out this Carton Milk Mockup over on Envato Elements, where you can choose from various product mockups.

What You'll Learn in This Milk Carton Mockup Tutorial

How to create a 3D mockup in Photoshop
How to create 3D mockups
How to make a milk carton PSD mockup
Milk carton mockup PSD ideas

What You'll Need

To recreate the milk carton mockup above, you will need the following resources:

1. How to Start Creating a Milk Carton Mockup

In this section, we are going to start creating the milk carton PSD mockup. First, we need a milk carton 3D model—I'll use the Milk Carton template from Envato Elements.

2. How to Create a Side Milk Carton Mockup Perspective

Step 1

In this section, we are going to create a milk carton mockup from the side perspective. Click on the View 360 Render to adjust the perspective to the side, set Download as to PSD, and choose Download this Angle.

Step 2

Now we have our 3D model ready. Go to File > Open, choose the PSD file that we have just downloaded, and click Open.

3. How to Layer the Milk Carton PSD Mockup

Step 1

In this section, we are going to split the milk carton 3D model render into the layers. Select the Subject [Flat] layer, and press Control-J on your keyboard three times to make three copies of the layer.

Step 2

Now make the selection of the milk carton cap. You can choose the Quick Selection Tool (W), and use the Shift-Alt buttons on your keyboard to add or subtract areas from the selection to make a perfect selection, or you can use any other tool and method that you prefer.

Step 3

Go to Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal Selection to add a layer mask that reveals the selected area of the layer and hide the rest. Name this layer P_1.

Step 4

Now go to Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color to create a new solid color fill layer, name it P_1_Color, and choose the color #ffffff.

Step 5

Press Control-Alt-G on your keyboard to create a clipping mask. Then, change the Blending Mode of this layer to Linear Burn.

Step 6

Now select the Subject [Flat] copy 2 layer, and make a selection of the top of the milk carton.

Step 7

Go to Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal Selection to reveal the selected area of the layer and hide the rest. Then, name this layer P_2.

Step 8

Now go to Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color to create a new solid color fill layer, name it P_2_Color, and choose the color #3d98d9.

Step 9

Press Control-Alt-G on your keyboard to create a clipping mask. Then, change the Blending Mode of this layer to Linear Burn.

Step 10

Now select the Subject [Flat] copy layer and make a selection of the front of the milk carton.

Step 11

Go to Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal Selection to reveal the selected area of the layer and hide the rest. Then, name this layer P_3.

Step 12

Now select the Subject [Flat] layer, and make a selection of the side of the milk carton.

Step 13

Go to Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal Selection to reveal the selected area of the layer and hide the rest. Then, name this layer P_4.

4. How to Place the Design Over Milk Carton Mockup PSD File

Step 1

In this section, we are going to create smart object layers that we are going to use to place the design over the front and side of the milk carton. Select the P_3 layer, set the foreground color to #ff0000, choose the Rectangle Tool (U), click inside the canvas, and drag to create a new rectangle shape layer in a size that covers the front of the milk carton.

Step 2

Now press Control-T on your keyboard to transform this layer, and set the Width and Height to 125%. Next, Right-click on this layer and choose Convert to Smart Object. Then, press Control-T again, and set the Width and Height to 85%. Lastly, press Control-Alt-G to create a clipping mask.

Step 3

Press Control-T to transform this layer, Right-click anywhere inside the transform box, and choose Distort. Then, distort the layer as shown below:

Step 4

Now Double-click on this layer thumbnail, and in the newly opened file, hide the Rectangle 1 layer. Then, go to File > Place Embedded, select one of the designs from the link, and choose Place. Then, transform and position the design to fit the canvas.

Step 5

Go to File > Save to save the changes, and close this file. Then, return to the mockup file, select the Rectangle 1 layer, change the Blending Mode of this layer to Linear Burn, and name it Design. Next, Right-click on this layer and choose Yellow to mark it with a yellow color so it's easier to find as it's the main layer for the mockup.

Step 6

Now repeat the same process to place the design over the side of the milk carton. Here is my result:

You Made It!

Congratulations, you have succeeded! You've learned how to create a milk carton mockup. This time, we have created a side view, but in this way, you can also create a milk carton mockup PSD front-and-back view and more. Here is our final result:

5 Milk Carton Mockup PSD Examples From Envato Elements

Want to see more milk carton mockups? Check out this list of mockups from Envato Elements.

Milk Carton Mockup (PSD)

Check out this fully layered and customizable milk carton mockup. You can simply place your design with a single click using the Photoshop smart object, and change/remove the background, change any colors, and adjust or remove shadows and reflections.

Milk Carton Mockups (PSD)

There are four different views and styles of carton milk packaging mockups in this set. The layers are well organized so you can easily customize the design and effects.

Milk Carton Box Mockup Set | Packaging Design (PSD)

Here you can find five scenes of milk carton mockups to use for representing your branding and packaging design on small milk boxes as well as on larger ones. You can replace the design using smart objects, and the shadows and reflections are separate layers.

Milk Mock-Up (PSD)

This set includes eight photorealistic presentations of various milk packaging. You can choose from a small milk box, a big milk box, a plastic package, and a bottle. The mockups are made so that both bright and dark designs will fit perfectly and are easy to navigate. They include well-organized layers and a help file!

Milk Box Mock-Up Template (PSD)

Here's another milk carton mockup with easy-to-customize layers. The mockup is high resolution, you can edit the design using smart objects, and you can also edit the background color.

Discover More Awesome Tutorials and Resources

Did you like this milk carton mockup PSD tutorial? Then you may also like these resources: