Optimizing Product Images for Amazon and Etsy

Platform Requirements Aren't Optional

Amazon will suppress your listing. Etsy will bury it in search. Breaking image rules isn't just a guideline violation—it directly impacts whether customers ever see your products.

But compliance is just the starting point. Within each platform's rules, there's room to optimize.

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Amazon Image Requirements

Amazon's rules are strict because consistency builds buyer confidence across millions of listings.

Main Image Requirements

• Pure white background (RGB 255, 255, 255)
• Product fills 85% or more of the frame
• No text, logos, watermarks, or borders
• No props, accessories, or multiple units (unless sold as a set)
• Professional quality—no blurry or pixelated images
• Minimum 1000 pixels on longest side (1600+ recommended for zoom)
• JPEG, PNG, GIF, or TIFF format


Additional Image Slots

You get up to 8 additional images (9 total). These have more flexibility:

• Lifestyle photos showing products in use
• Infographics highlighting key features
• Comparison charts
• Size charts and measurements
• Multiple angles and detail shots
• Package contents

What Gets Your Listing Suppressed

• Main image with any background color other than white
• Watermarks or promotional text on main image
• Borders or color blocking
• Images that don't match the product title
• Mannequins (for apparel main images)

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Etsy Image Requirements

Etsy's approach is different. The platform rewards personality and craftsmanship over sterile uniformity.

Technical Requirements

• Minimum 2000 pixels on shortest side for optimal display
• Up to 10 images per listing
• First image appears in search—this is your main image
• Video option available (check current limits in Seller Handbook)
• Square crop recommended (Etsy will auto-crop thumbnails)


What Works on Etsy

• Lifestyle and styled shots perform better than plain white
• Show the making process—buyers value handmade authenticity
• Include scale references naturally (hands, common objects)
• Consistent aesthetic across your shop builds brand
• Natural lighting tends to outperform studio looks

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Key Differences: Amazon vs. Etsy

| Aspect | Amazon | Etsy | |--------|--------|------| | Main image | White background required | Flexible, lifestyle often better | | Aesthetic | Clinical, consistent | Authentic, handmade feel | | Text on images | Never on main image | Use sparingly | | Props/styling | Remove from main image | Can enhance lifestyle shots | | Buyer expectations | Product exactly as shown | Story and personality matter |

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Optimizing Beyond Compliance

Meeting requirements is the minimum. Here's how to outperform competitors within the rules.

For Amazon

Maximize Zoom Functionality

Images 1600 pixels or larger enable the zoom hover feature. Customers use this constantly. If your images are too small to zoom, you're at a disadvantage.

Use All 9 Image Slots

Many sellers stop at 3-4 images. Using all available slots correlates with higher conversion rates. More angles, more details, more lifestyle context.

Design Infographic Images

Secondary images can include text. Use this for:

• Feature callouts with arrows pointing to specific elements
• Size charts and measurement guides
• What's included in the package

For Etsy

First Image Is Everything

Your first image shows in search, favorites, and when shared. Make it your absolute best shot—not necessarily a full product view, but the image most likely to stop scrollers.

Show Process and Scale

Etsy buyers want to know there's a real person behind the product. Images showing hands at work, or products being packaged, build trust.

Seasonal Variations

Etsy shoppers browse seasonally. Consider having alternate first images for holiday periods: autumn leaves as props in October, gift wrapping context in December.

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Common Cross-Platform Mistakes

Using the Same Main Image Everywhere

What works on Amazon may underperform on Etsy. Tailor your hero image to platform expectations.

Ignoring Mobile Display

The majority of both Amazon and Etsy traffic comes from mobile devices. Check how your images appear on phone screens.

Inconsistent Image Quality Across Listings

Your newest products have professional photos. Older listings still have original phone snapshots. The inconsistency makes your entire store look less professional.

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The Multi-Platform Workflow

For sellers on both platforms (and your own site), here's an efficient workflow:

1. Capture one high-quality source image per product
2. Generate platform-specific variations: white background for Amazon, lifestyle for Etsy
3. Create secondary images: angles, details, infographics
4. Resize and crop for each platform's requirements
5. Test performance and iterate

AI tools compress this from days of work to minutes.

Try it free to generate Amazon-compliant and Etsy-optimized images from the same source photo.