The Ultimate Guide to Product Photo Post-Production:

Boost Sales with These Expert Tips

Why do certain product photos instantly catch your eye and make you want to click ‘buy now’, while others just go unnoticed?

It’s not by accident—it’s all about post-production. In this guide, we’ll show you how to turn your product images from ‘just okay’ to ‘must-have.’

Whether you’re new or experienced, these tips will help you create images that grab attention and boost sales.

Why Is Product Photo Post-Production So Important?

Product photos are more than just pictures—they help customers decide whether or not to buy your product.

Good post-production makes your photos go from average to amazing. Here’s why it matters:

• First Impressions Matter: You only get one chance to make a good impression. A polished photo can stop customers from scrolling and get them to look at your product.

• Color Accuracy: Have you ever ordered something online, and when it arrived, it looked nothing like the photo? Proper post-production ensures color accuracy, which helps build trust and reduces returns. When customers see a product that matches the online photo, it makes them more likely to trust your brand.

  For more information on improving color accuracy, check out this resource on color management in e-commerce.

• Professional Consistency: Consistent product photos make your website look professional, which helps customers trust your brand. This consistency includes lighting, backgrounds, and color tones.

  Having a consistent style across your website and social media can make your brand recognizable and your products stand out from the competition.

• Highlighting Product Details: Customers want to see what they’re buying in detail. Post-production can help make small details stand out—like the stitching on a piece of clothing or the texture of a fabric. Good post-production brings these details to life.

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Key Areas to Focus On in Post-Production

Want your product photos to stand out? Focus on these key post-production areas:

• Background Removal & Cleanup: A clean background keeps the focus on your product. Removing unwanted elements and keeping things simple helps your product stand out. Many e-commerce sites use a pure white background to create a professional and cohesive look.

• Color Correction: Accurate color is key to happy customers. Post-production makes sure your product looks the same in photos as it does in real life. Adjusting brightness, contrast, and white balance are important steps to get the right color.

• Retouching: Retouching makes your products look their best by fixing small flaws. This might mean removing wrinkles in clothing, cleaning up reflections, or smoothing out textures. You can also remove dust or scratches that take away from the product’s appearance.

• Shadows and Reflections: Adding natural-looking shadows or reflections makes your product look real and three-dimensional. This small detail can make your product feel more grounded and appealing, especially for items like electronics or glassware.

• Adding Depth and Dimension: Flat images don’t make customers want to buy. Adding depth to your product photos with subtle highlights and shadows can make the product look more realistic and touchable.

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Tips for Effective Post-Production

• Keep It Real: Don’t over-edit your photos. Over-editing can make products look fake, which will disappoint customers. Keep your edits natural and show the product as it really is. Customers want to see what they will actually receive.

• Establish a Workflow: Post-production can take a lot of time, especially if you have many images. Create a consistent workflow, like using presets or a checklist, to make the process faster and keep the quality high. A good workflow lets you handle more images without losing quality.

• Choose the Right Tools: The right tools make a big difference. Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, or other editing software can make your editing process faster and better. Take time to learn these tools well—they can save you time and help you do high-quality work.

• Batch Processing: If you have a lot of images, use batch processing. This means applying the same edits to many photos at once, which saves time and keeps everything consistent. Batch processing is especially helpful for color correction and background cleanup.

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Examples of Impactful Post-Production

Think about a pair of sneakers:

• Before Post-Production: The background is a dull grey, the laces are messy, and the colors look faded. The photo is not appealing.

• After Post-Production: The background is bright white, the laces are tidy, and the colors are vibrant. Shadows are added to make the sneakers look more three-dimensional. The final image looks polished and professional—ready to boost sales.

In-House vs. Outsourced Post-Production: What’s Right for You?

Deciding whether to do post-production in-house or outsource it depends on your needs:

• In-House: If you have fewer images and a skilled team, in-house editing can give you full control. This is great if you want complete creative direction. You can also make quick changes without waiting for someone else.

• Outsource: If you have a lot of images or complex edits, outsourcing can save you time. Outsourcing means working with experts who know how to edit well, which can improve quality and save you effort. Look for partners who understand your brand and can match your style.

• Hybrid Approach: Some brands do basic edits in-house and outsource the more difficult tasks. This way, you keep control over simple edits like background removal, while letting experts handle color correction and other advanced edits.

Outsourcing Tips for Best Results

If you’re thinking about outsourcing, here are some tips to get the best results:

• Choose the Right Partner: Not all outsourcing companies are the same. Look for ones that have experience in your industry. For example, fashion, electronics, and furniture all have different editing needs.

• Communicate Clearly: Set clear expectations. Provide sample images, guidelines, and explain your brand’s style. The more information you give, the better the results will be.

• Create a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): An SOP will help your outsourcing partner understand the steps they need to follow. This will give you more consistent results and reduce the number of revisions.

• Test and Build Trust: Start with a small batch of images to test the quality of the work. Once you’re happy with the results, you can send more images.

Expert Tips to Maximize Sales with Post-Production

• Optimize for E-Commerce Platforms: Different platforms have different requirements. Make sure your images meet the size, format, and quality guidelines for each platform. This way, your images will look their best everywhere.

• Test and Iterate: Don’t be afraid to try different post-production styles. A/B test your images to see which ones your audience likes better. For example, you can try different shadows, colors, or backgrounds to see what works best.

• Consistency is Key: Use consistent lighting, angles, and backgrounds to build your brand identity. Customers trust brands that look organized and professional, and consistency makes your store look more appealing.

• Detail Shots and Lifestyle Images: Include close-up shots and lifestyle images to help customers imagine using the product. Post-production can make these shots more appealing by enhancing texture and quality, helping customers picture themselves with the product.

Post-production is the key that turns an ordinary product photo into a sales-boosting tool.

By focusing on background cleanup, color accuracy, retouching, adding natural shadows, and highlighting details, you can create images that grab attention, build trust, and drive sales.

Post-production isn’t just about making a product look nice—it’s about telling a story and connecting with your customers.

For more detailed guidance on post-production, check out our in-depth guide on Photography Post-Production.

Put time into your post-production process today, and you’ll see results in customer satisfaction and increased sales tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is post-production in photography?

Post-production in photography is the process of editing images after they have been taken.

This can include things like color correction, retouching, removing backgrounds, adding shadows or reflections, and improving image details.

Post-production makes photos look polished and professional, which is especially important for selling products online.

What is the difference between post-production and photo editing?

Post-production is a bigger term that includes all the work done on an image after it is taken.

Photo editing is part of post-production and includes basic changes like cropping, color correction, and adjusting brightness.

Post-production may also include advanced edits like retouching and adding effects, which go beyond basic editing.

What are the three phases of post-production?

The three phases of post-production are:

1. Editing: Choosing the best shots and making basic adjustments like cropping and exposure.

2. Enhancement: Making more detailed edits like retouching, color correction, and adding shadows.

3. Finalizing: Making final changes and exporting images in the right format and size for different platforms.

What are the 8 steps of the e-commerce post-production process?

The 8 steps of the e-commerce post-production process are:

1. Image Selection: Picking the best images from the photoshoot.

2. Cropping and Resizing: Adjusting the size and composition of the images.

3. Background Removal: Removing and replacing the background, usually with a consistent color.

4. Color Correction: Adjusting brightness, contrast, and colors to match real life.

5. Retouching: Fixing flaws like wrinkles or dust and improving texture.

6. Adding Shadows and Reflections: Adding depth to make the product look more real.

7. Batch Processing: Editing many images at once to save time and keep them consistent.

8. Final Export: Saving the images in the right formats for online use, making sure they load quickly.

What comes before post-production?

Before post-production, there are the pre-production and production phases:

• Pre-Production: Planning the photoshoot, choosing the style, background, lighting, and props, and defining the final image requirements.

• Production: The actual photoshoot, where the product is set up, and photos are taken.

What should be edited in e-commerce post-production?

In e-commerce post-production, you should edit the following:

• Background: Remove and replace with a clean, consistent background.

• Color Accuracy: Make sure colors match the real product.

• Exposure and Lighting: Correct exposure and balance lighting to make the product look its best.

• Retouching: Remove flaws like dust or scratches to make the product more attractive.

• Shadows and Reflections: Add shadows or reflections to give the product depth.

• Cropping and Resizing: Adjust the size and position so the product is highlighted.

• Sharpness and Clarity: Make sure all important details are sharp, which helps build customer trust.

Pixel by Hand Background Removing Service

Pixel by Hand is a top-rated background removal service that offers high-quality results at competitive prices. Our creative editors have years of experience in removing backgrounds from photos, and we’re confident that we can provide the best results for your eCommerce business.

We offer three main types of background removal services: clipping path services, deep etching services, and mask editing services. We also offer various other photo editing services, such as product photo retouching, color correction, and ghost mannequin services.

Say hello to us in the chatbox below! Our staff will be delighted to assist you with all of your product photography requirements.