A product photo can look perfect and still get rejected. Amazon product image requirements, along with the rules of other marketplaces and shopping platforms, are checked automatically, and a small problem such as an off-white background or an image that is too small can stop a listing from showing. This checklist covers the editing side of those rules so you can fix problems before you upload.
Start with Amazon product image requirements and other platform rules
Requirements change by platform, category and country, so always confirm them at the source. Amazon, for example, asks for a pure white background (RGB 255, 255, 255) on main images, and its category guidelines, such as Amazon’s image guidelines for clothing, add extra rules for each product type. Google publishes its own rules for product feeds in the Google Merchant Center image_link guidelines. Google has also announced a larger minimum image size for 2027, so check that page for the current numbers instead of relying on an old blog post.
The editing checklist
- Background: Use true white for marketplace main images, not near-white. A soft gradient or a slightly warm white can fail an automated check.
- Product fill: Keep the product large in the frame. Amazon’s guidelines ask the product to fill most of the image, and small products lost in empty space look weak in search results.
- Clean edges: A rough cutout shows a gray or colored halo against white. A precise clipping path keeps edges crisp.
- No extras: Remove text, logos, borders, watermarks and badges from main images unless the platform explicitly allows them.
- Accurate color: The product should match what the customer receives. Color mismatches are a common reason for returns.
- Size and format: Export at a high enough resolution for zoom, as a JPEG or another supported format.
- Consistency: Use the same angle, crop and shadow style across a collection so the catalog looks like one brand.
Shadows: keep them natural, check the rules
A soft shadow under a product makes it look grounded rather than floating. Some marketplaces accept a subtle natural shadow on white, while others prefer none, so check the category rules first. Our guide on e-commerce photography covers how to add shadows that look real.
Test before you upload in bulk
Upload two or three sample images first and see how the platform responds. If you edit hundreds of images, a rejected batch is expensive to fix, while a rejected sample costs you a few minutes. Keep a short written spec for your store with the background value, pixel size, file format and naming convention, and give it to anyone who edits for you.
When to outsource
If you have a large catalog or tight launch dates, consistent batch editing is hard to do in-house. Our e-commerce product photo editing service is one option, and you can ask about your project through the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
Does my product photo need a pure white background?
For main images on Amazon, yes, the guidelines ask for a pure white background (RGB 255, 255, 255). Other marketplaces and Google Shopping have their own rules, so check each platform’s current guidelines before you upload.
Why was my product image rejected?
Common reasons are a background that is not true white, text or logos on the main image, a product that is too small in the frame, low resolution and blurry or heavily compressed files. The platform’s rejection message usually names the rule that was broken.
Can I keep a shadow under the product?
Sometimes. A subtle natural shadow is accepted in some categories, while others ask for none. Check the category rules, and keep the shadow soft and realistic if it is allowed.
What image size should I upload?
Use a size large enough for zoom and at least the platform’s stated minimum. Minimums change, so confirm the numbers on the platform’s current guidelines page.
