Guide to Amazon Product Image Requirements and Best Practices

How can you ensure that your Amazon product images are high-quality and optimized for conversions? On Amazon, your images are the most powerful sales tool you have. A strong image strategy has been proven to improve visibility, attract clicks, and drive conversions. Following Amazon’s product image guidelines is non-negotiable, but going beyond the basics with proven best practices can give you a competitive advantage.

Below are 18 best practices for Amazon product images that will help you stand out, build trust with buyers, and maximize your sales potential.

Focus on Your Main Image

Your main image is your primary marketing asset for each product. It is the photo customers see first in search results, category listings, and featured deals. Because it represents your product before buyers even click through to your listing, it has a direct impact on click-through rate.

The main image must have a pure white background (RGB 255, 255, 255) and display only the product itself, without logos, watermarks, or text overlays. Think of it as your product’s “passport photo” — simple, professional, and accurate.

This is not the place for lifestyle shots or infographics. Instead, showcase your product clearly with excellent lighting, sharp focus, and accurate colors. For example, if you’re selling headphones, ensure the image displays the full set at the correct scale, without props like mobile phones or laptops. The better your main image, the more likely customers will click on your listing.

Use as Much Space as Possible

Amazon requires your product to occupy at least 85% of the frame in the main image. However, the best-performing images often push this closer to 90–95%. Leaving excessive white space makes the product appear small or unimportant compared to competitors.

When preparing your images, crop them tightly around the product while maintaining balance and proportion. For example, if you’re selling a coffee mug, don’t place it in the center with too much empty space on the sides. Instead, zoom in so that the mug fills the frame while still showing its full shape.

This practice not only maximizes visibility in search results but also ensures buyers can clearly see product details without straining.

Ensure Images Are High-Resolution

High-resolution images are critical because they activate Amazon’s zoom feature, which allows customers to inspect your product in detail. Amazon prioritizes images that are at least 1000 pixels on the longest side. Lower resolution can look unprofessional and will reduce customer confidence.

Resolution matters for more than just photography. Infographics and diagrams should also be saved in high-quality formats, so when customers zoom in, they don’t see pixilation or blurry text. For example, if you’re selling a smartwatch, a zoomable image can let buyers examine the texture of the strap or the layout of the buttons, which builds trust in the product.

Think of your images as your digital salesperson — the clearer they are, the easier it is to convince someone to buy.

Use Multiple Angles

In a physical store, shoppers can pick up a product and examine it from all sides. On Amazon, your gallery images must serve this function. Providing multiple angles gives customers the confidence that they’re seeing the entire product, not just a flattering view.

At minimum, show the front, back, side, top, and bottom views. For complex items, like furniture or electronics, consider including angled shots that highlight specific features. For example, a backpack could be photographed from the front, back (showing straps), side (showing depth), and open (showing compartments).

The more angles you provide, the fewer unanswered questions remain, and the more likely customers will trust your listing.

Tell Your Product’s Story

Every image in your gallery should play a role in telling the product’s story. Start with the main image to establish what the product is, then use additional images to expand on features, benefits, and context.

For instance, if you’re selling yoga mats, the first image will show the mat clearly. Subsequent images can show the mat rolled up for portability, in use during exercise, a close-up of its texture, and even a lifestyle shot of someone practicing yoga outdoors.

By structuring your gallery this way, you answer customer questions in order, build trust, and create an emotional connection that goes beyond basic product details.

Highlight Key Product Features

Use close-up shots and infographics to emphasize your product’s best attributes. If your product has unique materials, special functions, or design details, make sure they are highlighted visually.

For example, a stainless-steel water bottle could include a close-up of its double-wall insulation, an infographic explaining how it keeps drinks cold for 24 hours, and a zoomed-in view of its leak-proof cap.

By visually showcasing what makes your product better than competitors, you reinforce your product description and help buyers quickly understand its value.

Show Your Product to Scale

One of the biggest customer complaints on Amazon comes from items being smaller or larger than expected. Avoid this issue by including at least one image that clearly shows the product’s dimensions.

This can be done with scale graphics (lines and measurements) or by placing the product next to a familiar object. For example, showing a desk lamp next to a laptop helps customers instantly understand its size.

Providing scale reduces returns, builds trust, and reassures buyers that your product matches their needs.

Use a White Background (Even Beyond the Main Image)

While Amazon requires a pure white background for the main image, extending this to your gallery images creates a consistent, professional appearance. White backgrounds remove distractions and keep the focus on your product.

For example, clothing brands often use white backgrounds for all images, ensuring the colors of the fabric stand out clearly. Even infographics look more polished and cohesive when designed on a clean white base.

Consistency across your gallery builds credibility and makes your listing look high-end.

Prioritize Good Lighting

Lighting can make or break your product photography. Shadows, glare, or poor lighting can make even the best products look cheap or misleading.

Use diffused lighting to evenly illuminate your product from multiple angles. Avoid harsh direct light that creates strong shadows. A lightbox, softbox, or ring light can help achieve professional results.

For example, jewelry sellers often rely on high-quality lighting setups to capture sparkle without glare. Similarly, tech sellers use even lighting to ensure screens or glossy surfaces appear clean.

Good lighting ensures your product looks true-to-life, trustworthy, and attractive.

Use Text Overlay (for Secondary Images)

While text overlays are prohibited on main images, they can be highly effective on secondary images when used appropriately. Overlays can highlight product features, explain benefits, or call out specifications in a clear, visual way.

For instance, a blender listing could use a text overlay to showcase “1200W Power,” “Dishwasher-Safe Parts,” and “BPA-Free Materials.” These overlays provide quick, scannable information that complements the bullet points in your listing.

Keep overlays simple, professional, and easy to read — avoid cluttering the image with too much text.

Consider Professional Photography

While DIY photography is possible, professional product photography often pays for itself with higher conversions. Professionals have the equipment, experience, and editing skills to ensure your images meet Amazon’s standards and showcase your product at its best.

Studios typically use green screens, high-resolution cameras, and diffused lighting setups. They also understand how to highlight features through composition and editing.

If you’re selling in a competitive category (electronics, apparel, beauty), professional images can be the difference between blending in and standing out.

Optimize Image File Names

Image file names may seem insignificant, but they contribute to SEO, especially for Google image searches. Descriptive, keyword-rich file names can help your product images appear in external searches, driving more traffic to your listing.

Instead of uploading “IMG_12345.jpg,” rename your file to something like “red-leather-handbag-gold-clasp.jpg.”

This small step improves discoverability and adds another layer of optimization to your listing strategy.

Use Before-and-After Photos

Before-and-after shots are one of the most persuasive visual strategies for certain product categories. They demonstrate real-life effectiveness and create emotional impact.

For example, a cleaning spray could show a stained surface “before” and a spotless surface “after.” A skincare product could highlight reduced blemishes or wrinkles.

These images provide instant proof of your product’s value, making them powerful tools for conversion.

Include Tutorial or How-to Images

Tutorial images show customers how to assemble, use, or apply your product. These are especially important for complex items like furniture, electronics, or DIY kits.

For instance, a flat-pack chair could include a step-by-step infographic showing the assembly process. A kitchen gadget could demonstrate how to use it safely.

By simplifying instructions visually, you reduce buyer hesitation and prevent post-purchase frustration.

Optimize Images for Mobile

With more than half of Amazon shoppers browsing on mobile devices, ensuring your images display well on small screens is essential.

Use large fonts for overlays, simple layouts, and high-resolution files that load quickly. Test how your listing looks on a smartphone to confirm that text is readable and images remain sharp.

Mobile-optimized images improve the user experience and can directly increase conversions.

Use Text to Differentiate Product Variants

If your product comes in multiple colors, sizes, or variations, use images to make these options clear. Multi-section images or simple text labels can highlight the differences between variants.

For example, a bedding set could display “Twin,” “Queen,” and “King” size options in one comparison graphic. Similarly, headphones could show “Black,” “Blue,” and “Red” color options.

This helps customers quickly find the version they want and reduces confusion that could otherwise lead to returns.

Split-Test Your Images

Not sure which images will perform best? Use A/B testing (split testing) to compare different versions of your images and see which drives more clicks or conversions.

For example, you could test a lifestyle shot versus a product-only image as your second gallery photo. If one version leads to higher engagement, use that insight to refine your image strategy across your catalog.

Tools like PickFu or Amazon’s “Manage Your Experiments” make testing simple and data-driven.

Don’t Take Shortcuts

Finally, never cut corners on product images. Blurry photos, poor lighting, or shortcuts in editing can damage your brand’s credibility and cost you sales.

Invest the time to ensure every image is high-resolution, well-lit, compliant with Amazon’s guidelines, and strategically optimized. Remember, your images are not just pictures — they are your primary marketing tool on Amazon.

Consistently high-quality images build trust, reduce returns, and establish your brand as professional and reliable.