If you’re selling on Amazon, your product photos are one of the most important parts of your listing. Shoppers can’t touch or try your products, so images need to do all the heavy lifting—catching attention, building trust, and driving sales. But before creativity comes compliance: Amazon has strict image requirements, and if you don’t follow them, your photos won’t even upload.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know—from the technical must-haves to pro tips for optimizing your product photos.

Amazon’s Basic Image Requirements

Every image you upload must meet Amazon’s baseline rules, otherwise the file will be rejected. Here’s what you need to know:

• At least one main image is required.

• Product coverage: The product must fill at least 85% of the frame.

• Image size: Minimum 500px on the longest side (1,000px required for zoom; 1,600px+ recommended —Amazon says “zoom has been to shown to help enhance sales”).

• Maximum size: 10,000px on the longest side.

• File formats: JPEG (.jpg), TIFF (.tif), PNG (.png), or GIF (.gif). JPEG is preferred; animated GIFs are not allowed.

• Color mode: RGB is best (CMYK and grayscale are accepted).

• Maximum Amazon image file size: 10 MB

• Aspect ratio: A 1:1 square works best, but ratios up to 5:1 are accepted.

• Resolution: At least 72 dpi.

Main Image Rules

(The One That Really Matters)

The main product photo is the image that shows in search results and at the top of your listing, so Amazon keeps it extra strict.

• Must have a pure white background (RGB 255, 255, 255).

• Must be a professional photo of the actual product (graphics, illustrations, mockups, or placeholders are not allowed).

• Must show the entire product without being cut off.

• Cannot include text, logos, watermarks, or borders over the top of a product or in the background.

• Images must show the entire product that is for sale. Images must not touch or be cut off by the edge of the image frame, with exception of Jewellery (such as necklaces).

• Must not show extra props or accessories that aren’t included.

• Products must be outside of their packaging (unless packaging is a key feature).

• Clothing, shoes, and accessories have additional category-specific rules (e.g., shoes must show a single shoe facing left at a 45-degree angle; Women’s and Men’s clothing must show the product on a human model, kids’ clothing must be photographed flat, not on models).

• Images of multi-pack apparel items and accessories must be photographed flat (off-model).

• Images of clothing accessories must not show any part of a mannequin, regardless of the mannequin’s appearance (clear, solid-color, flesh-toned, framework or hanger).

Amazon’s Recommended Settings (for Better Sales)

Meeting the bare minimum gets your image online—but optimising your photos helps you sell more. Here are the best practices:

• Upload 6 product images and 1 video (you can upload up to 9, but only 7 will display).

• Image size: 2000px by 2000px square for maximum zoom.

• Format: Save as JPEG with 100% quality (Amazon compresses again).

• Colour space: sRGB recommended.

• Framing: Crop tightly to fill the frame and highlight the product.

• Lighting: Add a subtle drop shadow to white products so they don’t blend into the background.

The other listing Images

Tell your customers all about your product's benefits or it's best features.

Use these visuals to tell the story of what your product is and why it’s great.

Informative text, and comparisons or size charts provide important information that help customers choose your product.

Add eye-catching graphics and text to your additional images to keep the customer interested and informed.

All contents included - This is where you show the customer what is included in the package.

Sizing - It is important to show the customer directly how high/wide/long your product is.

Infographics with feature - Point out the most important features/benefits of your product.

Lifestyle - Let them imagine using your product.

When you are selling online remember that the customer does not have the opportunity to pick up the product take and look at it.

There is considerable evidence that product photography can significantly increase sales in e-commerce:

1. Conversion Rates: A study by Adobe found that products with high-quality images can lead to conversion rates increasing by up to 40%. This demonstrates the direct correlation between effective product photography and sales.

2. Consumer Behaviour: Research from Justuno indicated that 93% of consumers find visual content helpful in the decision-making process. This suggests that clear, appealing images can drive more purchases.

3. Detailed View Importance: According to Big Commerce, 56% of online shoppers prioritise detailed product images when making a purchase decision. This highlights the importance of showcasing products from multiple angles and in various settings.

4. Reduced Returns: Clear and accurate product photography helps set realistic expectations, which can reduce return rates. According to Invesp, 22% of returns are due to misleading images.

5. Case Studies: Many e-commerce brands have reported sales increases after improving their product photography. For instance, ASOS saw a significant boost in conversion rates after enhancing their product imagery.

Tips for Building a Winning Image Set

While Amazon gives you room for nine photos, you don’t need to fill every slot. Instead, focus on quality over quantity. A strong lineup might look like this:

1. Main image: Clean, professional, white background and
   2–4. Feature images: Highlight product details and benefits.

2. Lifestyle image: Show the product in use.

3. Comparison or infographic image: Make features easy to understand.

4. Video or 360° spin: Boosts engagement and trust.

Final Thoughts

Amazon’s image requirements may seem strict, but they exist for a reason: clear, professional product photos sell better. Once you’ve mastered the technical side, focus on creating images that tell your product’s story—highlighting features, showing real-world use, and giving shoppers confidence to buy.

Think of your main image as the “attention grabber,” High-quality images create a strong first impression, The other images then tell your customers the USPs of your product which can significantly influence a consumer's decision to purchase. Research shows that 93% of consumers consider visual appearance the key deciding factor in a purchase (Source: Mckinsey). and you’ll give your products the best chance to stand out in Amazon’s crowded marketplace.

In Etsy’s buyer surveys, 90% of shoppers said the quality of the photos were “extremely important” or “very important” to a purchase decision. 22% of returns were by people who say the item they received did not match the photo.

These images are your main form marketing for your product, they are what you will use to bring customers to your listing.

So before you think about hiring a SEO expert to get your listing onto the first page of the search, look at your images and think why would a customer click on my listing?

Why Choose Watermill Studio:

Personalized Approach: We don't believe in one-size-fits-all. Taking the time to understand your brand's personality, values, and goals to create visuals that resonate with your audience.

Fast turnaround: Image creation is a skilful time consuming and labour intensive process and time is money. Let us know your deadline and we will see what we can do to make it happen.

When you're ready, Contact me. I'm always excited to talk about my work or potential assignments.

We have a range of packages to suit your needs