How to Edit Photos for Your Etsy Shop

Etsy Listing Photo Requirements and Best Practices

Etsy's image guidelines are more flexible than Amazon's but quality still matters enormously for conversions. Photos must be at least 2000px wide for the zoom feature. Etsy supports JPEG, PNG, and GIF formats with a maximum file size of 20MB. The recommended aspect ratio is 4:3 for thumbnails that display well in search. Etsy allows up to 10 photos per listing. Unlike Amazon, Etsy actively encourages lifestyle photos, styled flat lays, and images that show the product in use. The first photo is your thumbnail in search results, so it needs to stop the scroll.

Photo Styles That Drive Etsy Sales

• Clean, well-lit hero shot against a simple background for the first image
• Lifestyle photos showing the product in use or in context (worn, displayed, held)
• Scale shots next to common objects so buyers understand the size
• Detail close-ups of texture, stitching, materials, or unique features
• Flat lay arrangements with complementary props that match your brand aesthetic
• Process or packaging photos that tell your maker story

Fixing Lighting Issues in Handmade Product Photos

Natural light is the gold standard for Etsy photos, but not every maker has a well-lit workspace or shoots during golden hour. Common problems include yellow indoor lighting that makes products look dingy, harsh shadows from direct sunlight, and dim photos taken on overcast days. EditThisPic can fix all of these. Upload your photo and describe the issue: 'fix the yellow lighting and make it look like natural daylight,' 'remove the harsh shadows,' or 'brighten this photo while keeping the colors accurate.' The AI adjusts lighting while preserving the true colors and textures of your product.

Background Options for Etsy Listings

Etsy shoppers respond to backgrounds that feel intentional and on-brand. A handmade ceramic mug looks great on a rustic wood surface. Jewelry pops against a marble slab or linen cloth. Art prints need a clean wall mockup. If your original background is cluttered or doesn't match your brand, EditThisPic can replace it. Try prompts like 'replace the background with a light wooden table,' 'change the background to a soft neutral linen texture,' or 'put this product on a clean white marble surface.' You can also remove the background entirely for a transparent PNG to create your own composites.

Making Your First Photo Stop the Scroll

Your first listing photo appears as the thumbnail in Etsy search results and category pages. It competes with dozens of other listings on screen at once. The product should be the clear focal point, centered and well-lit, with enough contrast against the background to be recognizable at thumbnail size. Avoid busy backgrounds or too many props in the first image. Save the styled lifestyle shots for images 2 through 10. If your first photo feels flat, EditThisPic can enhance contrast, brighten the product, and sharpen details so it stands out in search.

Getting Colors Right to Reduce Returns

Color accuracy is one of the biggest pain points for Etsy sellers. Buyers who receive a product that looks different from the listing photo leave negative reviews and request returns. Indoor lighting skews colors warm or cool. Camera auto-white-balance can overcorrect. EditThisPic can fix this with prompts like 'correct the white balance so colors look natural' or 'make the blue fabric look true to life, not purple.' Getting colors right in your photos saves you from returns and builds trust with repeat buyers.