Product Photo Checklist for Online Stores

Marketplaces treat the first slot differently from the rest. The main image is what shoppers see in search results and comparison grids. Secondary images answer questions about size, use, texture and packaging.

On Amazon, the main image must show only the product for sale on a pure white background, with the product filling at least 85% of the frame. No added text, logos, watermarks or props that are not part of the product itself. Lifestyle and detail shots belong in later slots.

Etsy and Shopify do not copy Amazon's main-image rules exactly, but the same habit helps: lead with a clear product-on-neutral shot, then add context in additional photos. PiCraft's Amazon Product Photo Maker builds a main image on pure white and separate lifestyle or close-up types for other slots.

• Slot 1: product alone, centered, easy to read at thumbnail size.
• Slots 2–7+: scale in hand, in use, angles, packaging contents, size reference.
• Never reuse a lifestyle collage as the main image if the platform expects a clean hero shot.

Amazon's published main-image guidance calls for a pure white background, RGB 255, 255, 255. Automated checks compare pixel values; an off-white studio sweep can fail even when it looks white to the eye.

After generation, PiCraft sets near-white background pixels on main images to exactly RGB 255. Lifestyle and detail exports skip that step so you can keep natural settings.

For Etsy and Shopify, a clean white or neutral backdrop still helps collection pages look consistent even when pure white is not mandatory.

Amazon asks for the product to fill 85% or more of the frame on the main image. Too much empty space makes the item look small in search; too tight a crop can clip handles or lids.

Soft, even light reduces harsh shadows and color casts. Window light with indirect sun is a practical starting point for your source photo. PiCraft rebuilds lighting in the studio style but preserves the product shape and labels from your upload.

A subtle contact shadow under the product is often acceptable on marketplaces; heavy dramatic shadows or colored gels can look like editing artifacts. When in doubt, compare with your category's current image rules.

Technical size and zoom thresholds for Amazon are summarized in the Amazon product image requirements size guide.

PiCraft exports a 2000×2000 px square JPG for listings and a 1080×1080 px JPG for your own store, ads or social posts. That square listing file meets Amazon's at-least-1000 px longest-side zoom bar and the 1600 px or more size sellers are advised to aim for, with room to spare.

Etsy recommends listing photos at least 2000 pixels in width and height. The first listing photo should be at least 635 pixels wide and high to avoid showing up lower in searches; higher resolution is still recommended for buyer zoom.

Shopify accepts product images up to 5000×5000 px or 25 megapixels, with a 20 MB file size cap. For square product photos, Shopify's help center notes that 2048×2048 px usually displays well. A consistent aspect ratio across featured images keeps collection grids even; 1:1 is a common choice.

Rules on Amazon, Etsy and Shopify all assume the buyer receives what the photos show. Color, shape, included accessories and printed text on packaging should match the unit you pack.

PiCraft instructs the model to keep labels, logos and printed text from your source photo, but AI can still change small parts, fine print or textures. Zoom to 200% and compare every output to the physical product before you publish.

If you edit further in another app, keep the unedited source photo. It documents how the listing image was produced if a buyer or marketplace asks.

• Bundle shots: PiCraft generates one product per image; combine items manually only if the listing is truly sold as that bundle.
• Apparel on a model and some regulated categories have extra rules; read your category help page before relying on AI edits.
• Reflective glass and polished metal are harder to render faithfully; shoot and review carefully.

1. Confirm the main image shows only the SKU you sell, with no promotional badges you added in post.
2. Check pure white on Amazon main images (RGB 255) and product fill of at least 85% of the frame.
3. Compare shape, color, labels and small parts to the real item at full zoom.
4. Upload lifestyle and detail images only to secondary slots, not as the main hero.
5. Use the 2000×2000 px listing JPG for marketplace uploads; keep the 1080×1080 px copy for ads or theme galleries if you prefer a lighter file.
6. Store the original phone or camera photo alongside the generated JPG.
7. Re-read your category's image policy; some categories add props, text or model requirements.
8. For Shopify or your own theme, add alt text that describes the product and variant, not keyword stuffing.

Marketplaces often rename files on upload. On Shopify and self-hosted pages you control the name. Use short, descriptive filenames such as `ceramic-mug-sage-12oz-front.jpg` instead of `IMG_3842.jpg`. Shopify's file guidance warns that certain endings like `large` or `thumb` can be misread as resize requests by the CDN.

Alt text should describe what is in the frame for shoppers using screen readers and for clarity when images fail to load. Mention color, material or size only when visible.

Keep naming consistent across a catalog so you can find masters later: product slug, view (`front`, `detail`, `lifestyle`), optional variant.

For broader context on listing visuals, see the product and listing photos category page and pair product shots with accurate copy on the item page.