On Amazon, customers cannot touch, smell, or try on your product.1 They can only see it.
This means your product photography is the single most important factor in your conversion rate. A blurry image or a gray background tells the customer your product is “low quality.”2 A crisp, zoomable, professionally retouched image says “premium.”
However, Amazon is notoriously strict.3 If your Main Image doesn’t meet their precise technical standards, your listing will be suppressed (hidden from search results).4
This guide combines the official Amazon product photo requirements with professional retouching tips to help you stay compliant and sell more.
I. The Non-Negotiables: Technical Requirements
Before you start shooting or editing, you must set your camera and software to these settings. These apply to all images (Main and Secondary).
- File Format: JPEG (.jpg) is preferred.5 (TIFF, PNG, and GIF are allowed, but JPEG loads fastest).
- Color Mode: sRGB or CMYK.6 (Pro Tip: Always convert to sRGB for web; CMYK is for print and will look “washed out” on screens).7
- Image Size (Resolution):
- Minimum: 1,000 pixels on the longest side (required for Zoom).8
- Recommended: 2,000 x 2,000 pixels.9 This ensures the “Zoom” feature shows incredible detail without pixelation.
- Maximum File Size: 10 MB.10
II. The “Main Image” Rules (The Strict Zone)
The Main Image is the first photo customers see in search results.11 Amazon has zero tolerance here. 90% of listing suppressions happen because of Main Image violations.
The Rules:
- Pure White Background: The background must be RGB 255, 255, 255.12 No off-white, no gray, no shadows (unless natural).13
- 85% Frame Coverage: The product must fill 85% or more of the image area.14 No tiny products floating in a sea of white space.
- No Props or Accessories: If it is not included in the box, it cannot be in the photo.15
- No Text or Graphics: No “Best Seller” badges, no logos (unless printed on the product), and no text overlays.16
- No Models (Mostly): Clothing accessories (hats, bags, scarves) must be photographed flat or using a Ghost Mannequin.17 Models are only allowed for adult apparel (shirts, pants).18
III. Retouching Tips to Boost Conversion
Compliance gets you listed; retouching gets you sales. Here is how professional editors enhance images to maximize the Amazon zoom experience.
1. The “Clipping Path” for Pure White
Do not trust “magic wand” tools to remove backgrounds. They leave jagged edges.
- Pro Tip: Use the Pen Tool in Photoshop to draw a hand-drawn Clipping Path around the product. This creates a razor-sharp edge that looks professional against the pure white (255, 255, 255) background.
2. Color Correction (True-to-Life)
Returns happen when the product looks “Neon Red” on screen but “Brick Red” in real life.
- Pro Tip: Use a gray card during shooting or use White Balance tools in editing to ensure color accuracy. Increase Vibrance slightly to make it pop, but never oversaturate.
3. Shadow Creation (Grounding the Product)
A product on a white background can look like it is floating in space.
- Pro Tip: Add a subtle Natural Shadow or Drop Shadow under the product.19 This adds depth and “grounds” the item, making it look 3D and realistic.
- Warning: Do not use heavy, dark shadows. Keep it soft (10-20% opacity).
4. Ghost Mannequin (The 3D Effect)
For apparel, flat lays look cheap.
- Pro Tip: Photograph the clothing on a mannequin, then photograph the inside neck label separately. In post-production, merge them to remove the mannequin. This Ghost Mannequin effect shows the fit and shape without the distraction of a plastic dummy.
IV. Secondary Images: Where You Can Break the Rules
Once you pass the Main Image, you can (and should) get creative. Images 2–7 are your sales pitch.
- Infographics: Add text overlays to explain features (e.g., “10-Hour Battery Life,” “Waterproof”).20
- Lifestyle Images: Show the product being used by a human in a real environment (e.g., running with headphones).
- Zoom-In Shots: Extreme close-ups of texture (leather grain, stitching) to prove quality.21
V. Common Reason for Rejection Checklist
Before you upload, check your images against this list:
$\square$ Is the background 255, 255, 255?
$\square$ Is the longest side at least 1,000 pixels?
$\square$ Did you remove all text/logos from the Main Image?
$\square$ Is the product filling 85% of the frame?
🤝 Need Amazon-Ready Images?
Stop worrying about listing suppression. We specialize in Amazon Product Photo Retouching that meets every technical requirement while making your product look irresistible.
| Contact Person | Website | ||
| Kaisar Hasan | [email protected] | +8801717452545 | ClipPathPro.Com |
