How to make product photos with a white background

Why white backgrounds work

A plain white background removes distractions so the product is the only thing to look at. It also makes a catalogue look uniform, even when photos were taken on different days, and it is required for the main image on several large marketplaces. Always check the current image rules for the platform you sell on.

Shoot for an easy cut-out

A few habits make automatic background removal far more accurate:

• Use soft, even light – a large window on an overcast day is ideal. Avoid harsh direct sun.
• Place the product on a plain, contrasting surface: a sheet of white or light-grey paper for dark products, a darker surface for white products.
• Leave space around the product and keep it fully in frame.
• Keep the product sharp: tap to focus and hold the phone steady or use a stand.
• Shoot at the phone’s highest resolution; you can always make the photo smaller later.

Remove the background automatically

Modern AI background removers detect the main subject and separate it from the background in seconds. Asset Compressor runs the AI model directly in your browser, so product photos – including unreleased products – are never uploaded to a server.

After the cut-out, choose a white background, check the edges in the before/after view, and use the Edges setting if needed: Crisp suits products with hard edges such as boxes and electronics, Soft suits fabric, fur and hair.

Export settings for marketplaces

For a white background, JPEG is the most widely accepted format and keeps files small. Many marketplaces recommend large images – often at least 1000 pixels on the longest side – so shoppers can zoom. Keep the product filling most of the frame.

If you need transparency instead – for example to place the product on colored banners or in design tools – export a transparent PNG or WebP.

Keep a consistent look

Consistency makes a store look professional:

• Use the same aspect ratio for all main images (square is common).
• Keep a similar amount of space around each product.
• Use the same white and the same lighting direction.
• Name files descriptively (for example blue-ceramic-mug-front.jpg) – it helps you and image search.

Troubleshooting tricky products

Transparent glass, very thin details and products that are the same color as the background are the hardest cases for any automatic tool. Increase the contrast when shooting – a dark backdrop behind a clear bottle, for example – and try both edge settings.

If a small part of the background remains, reframing or cropping the original photo so the product dominates the frame usually fixes it.