title: "eCommerce Image Editing Examples That Make Your Products Pop" date: 2024-09-14 slug: /ecommerce-image-editing-examples word_count: 1200 images: 9
eCommerce Image Editing Examples That Make Your Products Pop
Your product photo shoot is done. Now comes post-production — a crucial step that too many eCommerce businesses overlook.
You've invested hours capturing those shots. Make sure they look their absolute best before they go live on your site. Professional editing transforms good photos into images that grab attention and drive sales.
So what are the key techniques for editing your images ready for eCommerce? Let's break them down.
Table of Contents
- Photoshop RAW Corrections
- Retouching
- Colour Adjustments
- File Setup and Alignment
- Product Shadows
- Resizing and Cropping
- Additional Image Editing Methods
- What Image Editing Software Should I Use?
- FAQs
1. Photoshop RAW Corrections
This technique applies if you shoot in RAW format. It's a preliminary step that allows you to make broad adjustments before the detailed work begins.
RAW corrections let you make bulk changes across all images consistently — adjusting colours and tones using the white balance eyedropper tool, increasing or decreasing exposure to brighten or darken your shots, and more.
There are many options available in Adobe Photoshop's Camera RAW that will save you significant time further down the line.
2. Retouching
The purpose of retouching is to remove any unwanted spots, hairs, dust, and other imperfections you may have missed before taking your shots. These are common issues with fashion items in particular.
This can be quite time-consuming as you need to perform retouching on each image individually — but the results are worth the effort.
Short on time for retouching? Send us your images for a free sample edit and see how our team transforms product photos.
3. Colour Adjustments
You may have made some colour adjustments during the RAW correction stage. Going further by making individual adjustments to each image can really make your photos stand out.
This step can be slightly difficult to learn initially, but once you've got the knack, it makes a tremendous difference. Always compare your adjustments before and after to see how much the images have changed.
4. File Setup and Alignment
Whether you're posting images on your own site or on one of the many eCommerce marketplaces, you'll want to set the maximum dimensions available when creating your file. This ensures your shots look their biggest and best when viewed by potential customers.
Create a guide within your template to contain your product, ensuring all product images stay aligned consistently across your catalogue.
5. Product Shadows
Product shadows really allow your product to stand out. Shadows give depth to any product image and provide a natural base that makes the product feel grounded rather than floating.
Once these five steps are complete, save your file. It's always best to save a PSD file as an original backup. Then save a JPG version for use on your web store.
6. Resizing and Cropping
Depending on your website's requirements, you'll need to ensure all images are consistently the same size and that the products within each image remain proportionally consistent. Even the best product photography requires some resizing or cropping.
7. Additional Image Editing Methods
The product or industry you work in will have its own particular methods when it comes to image editing. It's important to consider what your competitors already do in your niche with regards to image appearance — then apply those techniques to your own products where beneficial.
A prime example in fashion eCommerce is the invisible mannequin method (also known as ghost mannequin). This technique displays clothing in a natural, three-dimensional shape without a visible mannequin. Two product shots are needed — with and without the mannequin — so the back of the clothing can be digitally stitched in. The final result shows the shape of the garment without an unsightly mannequin remaining.
Want all of this handled for you? Start your free trial and let Pixel by Hand take care of your entire post-production workflow.
What Image Editing Software Should I Use?
There are a number of image editing software packages available for post-production work, but only a few deliver the results you should be aiming for.
We use and recommend Adobe Photoshop (or Photoshop Elements) for product image editing. It is simply the best tool available for this type of work.
It's worth noting that Photoshop has a steeper learning curve than other photo editing packages. However, the investment in learning it pays dividends in the quality of your output.
About Pixel by Hand
We are a professional product photo editing service with over 10 years' experience and 380+ eCommerce clients worldwide. We work with businesses across the globe perfecting their images for eCommerce websites.
If you run an online business and would like to improve your current product images, send us a selection and we'll show you how we can enhance them. All sample edits are completely free.
FAQs
How long does product photo editing typically take?
It depends on the complexity. Basic edits like cropping and colour correction can take a few minutes per image. More detailed work like ghost mannequin compositing or extensive retouching may take 15–30 minutes per image. Professional editing services like Pixel by Hand can handle high volumes with fast turnaround.
Do I need to shoot in RAW format for eCommerce?
RAW is recommended because it captures the maximum amount of data, giving you far more flexibility in post-production. However, if you're working with a professional editing team, high-quality JPEG files can also produce excellent results.
What's the difference between colour correction and colour grading?
Colour correction ensures your product colours are accurate and true to life — essential for eCommerce where customers expect the product to match the photo. Colour grading is a creative process that applies a particular mood or style to the image, which is more common in lifestyle or editorial photography.
Can I edit product photos on my phone?
Yes, apps like Adobe Lightroom Mobile, Snapseed, and VSCO offer capable editing tools. However, for professional-quality eCommerce images — especially techniques like ghost mannequin or detailed retouching — desktop software like Photoshop is recommended.
How do I maintain consistency across all my product images?
Create a style guide that defines your background colour, lighting setup, image dimensions, shadow style, and colour profile. Use templates and presets to apply the same settings across all images. Consistency builds trust and makes your catalogue look professional.