If you’re an experienced online seller, then you’re probably well aware of eBay and Amazon’s product image requirements. Just in case you’re new to the industry, however, it’s important to understand that online retail giants like these require you to follow a particular set of image guidelines. These guidelines are put in place to help maintain a clean and consistent look that streamlines a customers online shopping experience.
What makes this difficult, however, is that each of these online marketplaces has their own rules when it comes to size, resolution, and background. And keeping track of these rules is important – especially if you are selling your products on multiple platforms or need your product photos edited in bulk. That’s why Thrive Product Studio would like to provide you with the following eBay and Amazon product photography requirements to keep you up to speed with how to properly showcase your products.
Amazon Product Photography
*Amazon has some of the most strictest set of photo requirements of all online marketplaces. When needed, you can use them as a benchmark for quality and adjust your photos as needed for other platforms.
Technical Requirements
Product images submitted to Amazon must meet the following technical specifications.
- TIFF (.tif/.tiff), JPEG (.jpeg/.jpg), GIF (.gif) and PNG (.png) format
- Image pixel dimensions of at least 1000 or larger in either height or width preferred
- sRGB or CMYK color mode
- File names must consist of the product identifier (Amazon ASIN, 13-digit ISBN, EAN, JAN, or UPC) followed by a period and the appropriate file extension (Example: B000123456.jpg or 0237425673485.tif)
Note: Spaces, dashes or additional characters in the filename will prevent your image from going online.
Amazon Site Standards for Product Images
For images named by product identifier without a variant code or named with the MAIN variant, and display as the main image on the product detail page, Amazon maintains the following site product image standards:
- The image must be the cover art or a professional photograph of the product being sold. Drawings or illustrations of the product are not allowed.
- The image must not contain gratuitous or confusing additional objects.
- The image must be in focus, professionally lit and photographed or scanned, with realistic color, and smooth edges.
- Books, Music, and Video/DVD images should be the front cover art, and fill 100% of the image frame. Jewel cases, promotional stickers, and cellophane are not allowed.
- All other products should fill 85% or more of the image frame.
- The full product must be in frame.
- Backgrounds must be pure white (RGB 255,255,255).
- The image must not contain additional text, graphics, or inset images.
- Pornographic and offensive materials are not allowed.
For additional other view images:
- The image must be of, or pertain to, the product being sold.
- The image must be in focus, professionally lit and photographed or scanned, with realistic color, and smooth edges.
- Other products or objects are allowed to help demonstrate the use or scale of product.
- The product and props should fill 85% or more of the image frame.
- Cropped or close-up images are allowed.
- Backgrounds and environments are allowed.
- Text and demonstrative graphics are allowed.
eBay Product Photography
*The images you use on eBay play a vital role in your products saleablity and the price it will fetch. That’s why it’s important to create quality product photos that truly sell.
- Every listing must have at least one photo
Listings without accompanying photos are no longer allowed. If your item isn’t something you can photograph yourself (e.g., a vacation package), browse the Internet for copyright-free images you can use with your listing.
- Minimum photo size
eBay requires a minimum length of 500 pixels for the longest side; setting your camera’s default to High or Medium photo quality will ensure your photos are large enough. Click here to watch a demo that will show you how to find photo sizes on a PC and a Mac.
- Don’t use borders on your photos
Borders aren’t allowed on any of your photos. The only exception is if you have a “natural” border created by photographing your square or rectangular item against a neutral-colored backdrop.
- No text or artwork on photos
No text or artwork (such as “free shipping” or seller logos) may be added to photos. Copy that is essential to your listing should be placed in the title, subtitle, or item description.
- Stock photos can only be used for brand-new items
Stock photos may no longer be used as the primary photo for a used item listing. Catalog images are acceptable, but not as the primary photo for used items; exceptions are the Books, Movies, Music, and Video Game categories. Catalog images for video game consoles, however, must adhere to the new requirement.
- Enabling the zoom/enlarge feature
Your listing photos will be automatically enabled with a free zoom/enlarge feature on the view item page if they are high enough resolution. We recommend photos be between 800-1600 pixels on the longest side (height or width). Images less than 800 pixels on the longest side will not have this feature enabled.
Thrive Product Studio
As an online seller, keeping track of eBay and Amazon product photography requirements is critical to your company’s success. Non-compliance with either of these platforms can result in unwanted penalties – or your product listings being suspended. Keep in mind that adhering to eBay or Amazon product photography guidelines also greatly contribute to a customer’s decision on whether or not to purchase your product.
If you are struggling with your product photography and editing needs, you can always trust your images to Thrive Product Studio. Our photographers and image editors are more than happy to help you meet or exceed these requirements by delivering high-quality product photography at a competitive price.
