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If you’re selling products online in 2026, your images need to meet specific technical requirements for every platform you use. Amazon, Shopify, and Etsy each have their own rules — and failing to comply can mean your listings get suppressed, flagged, or simply underperform compared to optimized competitors. This complete guide covers every major platform’s product photography requirements so you can ensure your Montreal product photography session produces images that are immediately usable everywhere you sell.
Amazon Product Image Requirements (2026)
Amazon is the most technically exacting of the major e-commerce platforms. Non-compliant images can result in listing suppression — meaning your product won’t appear in search results.
Main Image Requirements
- Background: Pure white background ONLY (RGB 255, 255, 255). No lifestyle images, no props, no text or watermarks.
- Product fill: Product must fill at least 85% of the image frame
- Minimum size: 1,000 pixels on the longest side (for zoom functionality); 2,000+ pixels recommended
- File format: JPEG, PNG, GIF, or TIFF (JPEG preferred)
- No human models for most categories: Models are only permitted for apparel and select categories
- No logos, text overlays, or borders
Additional Image Requirements
- Up to 9 additional images (recommended to use all slots)
- Lifestyle images, multiple angles, feature callouts, and infographic images are all permitted
- Images with text overlays must be accurate and not misleading
- Scale reference images (showing size relative to common objects) are recommended
For the full breakdown of what makes a perfect Amazon listing, see our Amazon product photography Montreal guide.
Shopify Product Image Requirements (2026)
Shopify is more flexible than Amazon, but that flexibility means it’s easier to create an inconsistent, unprofessional-looking store. Here are the technical specs and best practices:
Technical Specifications
- Minimum size: 800 x 800 pixels (higher resolution is always better)
- Maximum file size: 20 MB per image
- Recommended dimensions: 2,048 x 2,048 pixels square for consistency across themes
- File formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP
- Aspect ratio: Square (1:1) is strongly recommended for consistency across product galleries
Shopify Best Practices
- Use consistent backgrounds across your entire product catalogue (white, grey, or lifestyle — but pick one and stick to it)
- Include multiple images per product: main shot, detail shots, lifestyle context, and size reference
- Use descriptive alt text for every image to improve accessibility and SEO
- Compress images before uploading to improve page speed
Read more about creating a visually cohesive Shopify store in our Shopify product photography Montreal guide.
Etsy Product Image Requirements (2026)
Etsy’s marketplace is visually driven, and the platform’s algorithm favours listings with high-quality images that perform well in click-through rate testing.
Technical Specifications
- Minimum size: 2,000 pixels on the shortest side
- Recommended: 3,000 x 3,000 pixels for full zoom quality
- File formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF
- Number of images: Up to 10 images per listing (use all slots)
- Aspect ratio: Square (1:1) for consistency; Etsy also supports portrait (4:3 or 3:4)
Etsy Best Practices
- The first image is your thumbnail — make it your strongest, most click-worthy shot
- Lifestyle images consistently outperform plain product shots on Etsy
- Show scale, context, and how the product is used
- Include a size reference image (especially for jewellery, accessories, and home goods)
- Bright, natural-looking light tends to perform best in Etsy search results
For Etsy-specific photography strategies, see our Etsy product photography Montreal guide.
How Our Montreal Studio Delivers Platform-Ready Images
When you book a product photography session in Montreal, we don’t just hand you raw files — we deliver platform-optimized versions sized and formatted for each of your sales channels. You’ll receive:
- Full-resolution master files for maximum flexibility
- Amazon-ready JPEGs (pure white background, 2000px minimum)
- Shopify-ready square crops at 2048 x 2048px
- Etsy-optimized files at 3000px for maximum zoom quality
- Social media crops sized for Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook
No extra post-production work on your end — your images are ready to upload immediately after delivery.
Questions about your specific platform requirements? Contact us and we’ll make sure your session produces exactly what you need. You can also explore our pricing page or read our guide on product photography costs in Montreal.
Frequently Asked Questions: Platform Requirements
Can I use the same images on Amazon, Shopify, and Etsy?
The main product images (white background, pure product) work across all three platforms. Lifestyle images created for one platform can often be adapted for others. However, each platform has slightly different size requirements, so you’ll want properly sized versions for each. We handle all of this in post-production.
What’s the minimum resolution for e-commerce product photos?
Amazon requires a minimum of 1,000 pixels on the longest side; Shopify recommends 2,048 pixels; Etsy recommends 3,000 pixels. We always shoot at the highest resolution to future-proof your images — you can always downsize, but you can’t upsize without quality loss.
Do Amazon’s image requirements differ by product category?
Yes. Some categories (like apparel) have different rules that allow lifestyle or model images as main images. Amazon updates its requirements periodically, so we stay current on the latest guidelines for every category we photograph.
Professional E-Commerce Photography for Montreal Sellers
Ready to get marketplace-compliant images for your products? Our Montreal studio specializes in all major platforms:
- Amazon Product Photography Montreal — Pure white background shots meeting Amazon requirements
- Shopify Product Photography — Conversion-optimized images for your Shopify store
- Etsy Product Photography — Images that stand out in handmade marketplace results
- White Background Photography — Clean, compliant e-commerce shots
- Lifestyle Photography — Secondary images that tell your brand story
- 360 Product Photography — Interactive images for enhanced product listings
- Photography Pricing — Competitive rates for every volume level
- Get a Free Quote — Custom pricing for your catalogue
