SR Clipping’s Product Photo Editing Checklist for Online Stores

Business Apr 13, 2025 44 Add to Reading List

Great product photos don’t just happen. They are built step-by-step with care, precision, and the right editing. A well-edited product photo can be the difference between someone clicking "Buy Now" or leaving your website. If you're running an online store, your images are your first impression. So, how do you make them irresistible?

Let’s break down the exact checklist SR Clipping uses to edit product images that help stores boost sales and build trust.

Why This Checklist Matters

Imagine shopping online. You see two identical items, but one photo looks sharp, bright, and polished. The other looks dull and unedited. Which one would you buy?

Online buyers don’t get to touch or try products. They rely on visuals. According to a Shopify report, 75% of shoppers say product photos influence their buying decision. Clear, clean, and consistent images increase trust, reduce returns, and boost sales.

That’s why a reliable editing checklist is so important. Whether you're selling clothes, electronics, or handmade soap, this guide helps your brand shine.

SR Clipping’s Ultimate Product Photo Editing Checklist

Here are the exact steps we follow at SR Clipping when editing product images for online stores:

1. Crop and Align the Image

Center the product.
Maintain equal margins.
Use consistent aspect ratios for all images.

This small step makes your store look organized and professional. Buyers appreciate clean visuals.

2. Remove the Background

Use white or transparent backgrounds for platforms like Amazon, eBay, or Google Shopping.
Apply custom backgrounds for lifestyle shots or brand-themed images.

Our team removes distractions, making your product the star of the image. For clothing, we also offer ghost mannequin effects, which show the item naturally without a model.

3. Fix Colors and Light

Adjust white balance.
Fix exposure and contrast.
Match product color with the actual item.

Wrong colors can lead to returns. Color correction ensures that what your customer sees is what they get.

4. Retouch Dust, Scratches, and Wrinkles

Remove dust from jewelry and electronics.
Fix wrinkles in apparel.
Smooth out imperfections in packaging.

Nobody wants to buy a "dirty" or "used-looking" product. Even if your item is brand new, small details matter.

5. Sharpen and Smooth the Image

Keep product edges crisp.
Remove any blurriness.
Balance smoothness and sharpness.

An image should look sharp but natural. Over-editing can make photos look fake. We aim for realism.

6. Add Natural or Drop Shadows

Use shadows to add depth.
Choose between reflection, natural, or cast shadows.

A floating product looks odd. Shadows help it "sit" in space, giving a more lifelike appearance.

7. Resize and Optimize the File

Resize to fit platform guidelines (Amazon: 1000x1000px, Shopify: 2048x2048px, etc.).
Compress for fast web loading without losing quality.

Slow images drive people away. Fast-loading, high-res images improve both SEO and user experience.

8. Use SEO-Friendly File Names

Include product name and brand in file names: blue-leather-wallet-srclipping.jpg
Avoid spaces or random characters.

Search engines can’t "see" images but can read filenames. This tiny step improves your chances of showing up on Google.

Real-Life Example: What This Looks Like in Action

We once worked with an online store selling hand-crafted mugs. Their original photos were dark, had messy backgrounds, and didn’t show off the details. After editing using this checklist:

Sales improved by 22% in one month.
Return rates dropped.
Their product pages looked like a professional catalog.

Good editing isn't just about looks—it directly affects sales.

Pro Tips From the SR Clipping Team

Here’s what we’ve learned after editing thousands of product photos:

Batch similar products: Save time by editing similar items together.
Always keep the original image: You might need it later for ads or print.
Use a soft box for shooting: It makes editing easier later.
Test on different screens: Phones, tablets, and desktops show colors differently.