If you've ever had an Amazon UK listing suppressed for a non-compliant main image, you know the frustration. Amazon requires a pure white background (RGB 255, 255, 255) on main product images — and they enforce it. Shopify, eBay UK, and Etsy don't mandate white, but sellers who use clean backgrounds consistently report better click-through rates.
Professional product photography studios charge anywhere from £15 to £50 per image. If you're a small seller with 50+ SKUs, that adds up fast. Here's how to do it yourself with remove-bg.io — for free.
What Each Platform Actually Requires
Amazon UK requires a pure white background (RGB 255,255,255) on main images, while Shopify, eBay UK, and Etsy recommend white or clean backgrounds for better conversion rates.
Getting the specifics wrong wastes time. Here's what you need to know:
Amazon UK
- Main image must have a pure white background
- Minimum 1000 pixels on the longest side; 1600+ recommended for zoom
- Product should fill at least 85% of the frame
- No text, logos, watermarks, or borders on the main image
- Secondary images can have lifestyle backgrounds, infographics, etc.
Shopify
- No strict background colour requirement, but white performs best
- 2048x2048 pixels square recommended for consistent grid display
- Consistency across your shop matters more than perfecting individual images
eBay UK
- White or light backgrounds recommended
- Minimum 500 pixels on the longest side; 1600+ for zoom
- No stock photos allowed — must be your own images
- First photo is everything — it's what appears in search results
Etsy
- 2000 pixels minimum on the shortest side for zoom functionality
- A mix of white backgrounds (for visibility) and lifestyle photos (for context) works well
- First photo is everything — it's what appears in search results
The Process: From Phone Camera to Listing-Ready
1. Shoot with Removal in Mind
You don't need a light box or studio. A phone camera on a table near a window works. The key is even lighting on the product — the background doesn't matter because you're removing it. Avoid harsh overhead shadows. Overcast days or indirect window light give the most even results.
Shoot all your angles: front, back, side, three-quarter, detail shots. For Amazon UK, ensure the product fills at least 85% of the frame.
2. Upload and Remove
Go to the Background Remover and upload your photo. The AI separates the product and strips everything else — table, wall, floor, whatever. The result is a clean cutout on a transparent background.
If you have many photos, the Bulk Background Remover lets you process up to 20 at a time, which saves significant time during shop updates.
3. Set Your Background
For Amazon UK main images, go to the Background tab and select white. For secondary images or other platforms, you might want a subtle shadow under the product to anchor it on the ground — the editor has shadow controls that let you adjust intensity and angle.
If you're listing on multiple platforms, you can download both the white background version and a transparent PNG from the same session.
4. Download in HD
The download preserves your original resolution. No watermarks, no downsizing.
Practical Tips That Actually Matter
White products on white backgrounds are tricky. If your product is white or light-coloured, add a subtle drop shadow in the editor. Without it, the product edges disappear into the background.
Batch your workflow. Don't process product photos one at a time. Shoot all your product photos in one session, then process them in bulk. This gives you consistent lighting and a faster workflow.
Keep your originals. Always save your original photos. You might want to reprocess them later with a different background for seasonal campaigns or different platforms.
File names matter. Name your files descriptively (e.g., widget-blue-front-white-bg.jpg) before uploading to your shop. It helps with organisation and some platforms use file names for alt text.
Try lifestyle backgrounds for secondary images. For Amazon UK secondary images (images 2-9) or Etsy listings, try placing your product in a contextual scene using the Add Background tool. A kitchen gadget on a kitchen counter tells a story that a white background can't.
When to Use White vs. Transparent vs. Lifestyle
Use pure white for Amazon UK main images, transparent PNG for multi-platform flexibility, and lifestyle backgrounds for secondary images that show the product in context.
| Use Case | Background Type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon UK main image | Pure white | Amazon requires it |
| Shopify/eBay UK main | White or transparent | Clean, professional look |
| Amazon secondary images | Lifestyle or infographic | Shows product in context |
| Etsy listings | Mix of both | White for visibility, lifestyle for style |
| Social media adverts | Custom/branded | Catches attention in the feed |
| Your own website | Whatever matches your brand | Consistency with your design |
The Change Background Colour tool is useful when you want to test different backgrounds without reshooting.
Common Mistakes
Uploading small photos. The AI processes whatever you give it, but a small input means a small output. Shoot at your camera's maximum resolution.
Ignoring the 85% rule on Amazon. Even with a perfect white background, Amazon can suppress your listing if the product doesn't fill enough of the frame. Pay attention to framing.
Inconsistent lighting across product variants. If you're shooting products on different days in different lighting, the results won't look consistent even with matching white backgrounds. Try to batch your photo sessions.