How to edit photos of clothing for an ecommerce site – 12 Best Ways

Want to know how to edit photos of clothing for an ecommerce site? Looking for the best ways to make your product images look professional and eye-catching?

High-quality product photos can make or break an online clothing store. Because shoppers can’t touch or try on the clothes. So they rely entirely on visuals to make a purchase decision. 

f your images look dull, blurry, or inconsistent, you risk losing potential buyers. That’s why photo editing is essential. It also helps refine your images, highlight details, and create a clean and polished look that attracts customers.

In this post, I’ll share 12 best methods on how to edit photos of clothing for an ecommerce site. Let’s dive in!

How to edit photos of clothing for an ecommerce site using 12 Best Methods

Setting the Scene: Preparing Your Clothing Photos for Editing

It’s important to start with high-quality raw photos before jumping into the actual editing. A well-taken image makes the editing process easier and helps you get the best results.

The Importance of Good Raw Photos

If you take a poor-quality image then no amount of editing can make it look great. That’s why I always recommend focusing on:

• Lighting: Soft and even lighting prevents harsh shadows and highlights clothing details. Natural light or softbox lighting works best.
• Camera settings: Use a high-resolution camera, set the right white balance, and shoot in RAW format for better editing flexibility.
• Neutral background: A plain white or light grey background keeps the focus on the clothing and makes editing easier.

You’ll save time in post-processing and get better final results by following these steps.

Essential Tools and Software for Photo Editing

You need the right tools to edit clothing photos professionally. There are many options, but the most popular ones include:

• Adobe Photoshop: Adobe Photoshop is the best choice for advanced editing. You can do background removal, ghost mannequin effects, and color correction easily.
• Adobe Lightroom: Adobe Lightroom is great for quick adjustments like brightness, contrast, and color enhancement.
• Canva & Pixlr: Canva & Pixlr are easy-to-use online tools for basic photo retouching.
• Remove.bg & Clipping Magic: These are automated background removal tools for fast edits.

Choosing the right software depends on your needs. If you need full control over editing then Photoshop is the best one. If you just want quick enhancements then online tools are a good alternative.

Now you understand why photo editing is essential and how to prepare your clothing photos. Let’s dive into the 12 best methods on how to edit photos of clothing for an ecommerce site. 

In the next section, I’ll break down each technique step by step to help you create stunning product images.

Stay tuned!

How to edit photos of clothing for an ecommerce site using 12 Best Methods

Method 1: Adjusting White Balance and Color Correction

Why color accuracy is vital for clothing photos

Customers rely on product images to decide whether to buy when shopping online. If the color in your clothing photos looks different from the actual product then it can lead to customer dissatisfaction and product returns. 

That’s why color accuracy is so important when learning how to edit photos of clothing for an ecommerce site.

Lighting conditions can affect how colors appear in a photo. Sometimes, a yellow or blue tint can make the image look unnatural. 

Correcting the white balance ensures that the clothing colors match real life. It also helps customers make better choices.

How to correct white balance in Photoshop and Lightroom

Fixing white balance is easier than you think. Here’s a quick way to do it using Photoshop and Lightroom:

In Adobe Photoshop:

1. Open your image and go to Image > Adjustments > White Balance.
2. Use the Eyedropper tool to select a neutral color (like a gray or white area).
3. Adjust the temperature and tint sliders until the colors look accurate.
4. Fine-tune the exposure and contrast for a natural look.

In Adobe Lightroom:

1. Open your image in the Develop module.
2. Use the White Balance Selector (Eyedropper tool) and click on a neutral-colored area.
3. Adjust the Temperature and Tint sliders to remove unwanted color casts.
4. Increase the Vibrance and Saturation slightly to enhance the colors without overdoing it.

Once you correct the white balance, your clothing photos will look more professional and true to life.

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Method 2: Image Cropping and Resizing for Consistency

Creating uniformity with cropping and resizing

If your ecommerce store has inconsistent image sizes then it can look messy and unprofessional. Cropping and resizing your images properly ensures that all product photos look uniform on your website. 

This improves the shopping experience and keeps your store looking clean and well-organized.

Focus on the product when cropping clothing photos. Also, avoid leaving too much empty space or cutting off important details. The goal is to highlight the clothing while keeping the composition balanced.

Best practices for resizing clothing images

Different ecommerce platforms have specific image size requirements. Here are some common recommendations:

• Shopify: On Shopify try to keep the clothing image within 2048 x 2048 pixels. Because square images work best.
• Amazon: At least 1000 x 1000 pixels for the zoom capability of the cloth image.
• WooCommerce: Cloth image with 800 x 800 pixels or larger for clear product visibility on WooCommerce.

Keep these points in mind when resizing:

• Always maintain the aspect ratio to avoid distortion.
• Save images in JPEG or PNG format for quality and compatibility.
• Optimize the file size to ensure fast loading speeds without losing quality.

Proper cropping and resizing help create a seamless browsing experience. It also makes it easier for customers to compare products.

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Method 3: Removing Backgrounds for a Clean Look

Why background removal is essential

A cluttered background can take attention away from the clothing. That’s why most ecommerce stores use plain white or transparent backgrounds. 

Background removal also makes the product stand out. It gives your website a clean and professional look.

Removing the background also helps when creating marketing materials, banners, or product listings. It also allows you to place the clothing image on any backdrop while keeping it sharp and well-defined.

Techniques for easy background removal

There are several ways to remove backgrounds in Adobe Photoshop:

Using the Pen Tool:

• The Pen Tool gives precise selections for cutting out clothing.
• Outline the product carefully and convert the selection into a mask.

Using the Magic Wand Tool:

• The Magic Wand selects similar color areas.
• Adjust the tolerance to refine the selection and delete the background.

Using the Background Eraser Tool:

• This tool removes background colors based on sampling.
• Adjust the hardness and spacing settings for smooth edges.

Online tools like Remove.bg is great if you want a faster solution. You can automatically erase backgrounds with one click.

For Professional Clothing Image Editing Contact Smart Clipping

Now you’ve mastered white balance correction, cropping, and background removal. It’s time to explore more essential editing techniques. 

Up next, I’ll walk you through additional methods on how to edit photos of clothing for an ecommerce site. So that your images look even better. Stay tuned!

Method 4: Enhancing the Clothing’s Details with Clipping Path

What is Clipping Path and Why It’s Crucial?

Clipping path is a technique used to cut out objects from their backgrounds with precision. 

It’s a game-changer in ecommerce product photography. Because it ensures clean and sharp edges. It makes the clothing item stand out professionally.

Clothing images can look unpolished without proper edge refinement. Great for clothing images with rough edges or unwanted background elements. Clipping path helps in:

• Creating a clean cutout of the clothing for a white or transparent background.
• Enhancing details like buttons, zippers, and fabric edges for a professional look.
• Ensuring consistency across all product photos.

This technique is widely used in fashion ecommerce, Amazon product images, and even high-end catalogs where precision matters.

How to Create a Clipping Path in Photoshop

If you’re new to clipping path then here’s how to do it using the Pen Tool in Photoshop:

1. Open your clothing image in Adobe Photoshop.
2. Select the Pen Tool (P) from the toolbar.
3. Zoom in and carefully draw a path around the clothing by clicking and dragging to adjust curves.
4. Once you complete the path, go to Paths Panel > Make Selection and refine the edges.
5. Press Ctrl + J (Windows) or Cmd + J (Mac) to create a new layer with just the clothing.
6. Fine-tune the edges using the Refine Edge or Feather option. This will ensure a natural look.

After applying a clipping path, you can adjust brightness, contrast, and texture details. This will also make the fabric look crisp and well-defined.

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Method 5: Adjusting Shadows and Highlights for Depth

The Impact of Shadows on Clothing Photos

Clothing images can look flat and lifeless without shadows. Adding shadows and highlights also creates depth.

It makes the clothing appear more natural and three-dimensional. This is important for eCommerce stores where customers can’t physically touch the product.

Shadows In Clothing Images help:

• Create a realistic shape and structure for folded or draped fabrics.
• Add a professional studio effect by mimicking natural light.
• Prevent the product from looking overly processed or artificial.

How to Adjust Shadows and Highlights Using Photoshop

You can easily fine-tune shadows and highlights with these steps:

1. Open your image and go to Image > Adjustments > Shadows/Highlights.
2. Move the Shadows slider to bring out darker areas without losing details.
3. Adjust the Highlights slider to control overexposed areas.
4. Use the Dodge Tool to brighten certain areas for a natural shine.
5. Use the Burn Tool to deepen shadows where necessary, like under folds or near edges.

Shadow under the clothing gives a floating effect on ecommerce cloth photos. It makes the product stand out against a white background. 

Drop Shadows and Natural Shadows are commonly used to achieve this look.

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Method 6: Adding Reflections and Product Styling

The Art of Styling Clothing Photos

Great product photography isn’t just about editing. It’s also about styling. Well-styled clothing images boost sales. Because they create a more appealing shopping experience. 

Instead of a plain and flat-lay image, you can add some movement, layering, or even reflections can make a big difference.

Here’s why styling matters:

• It makes the clothing look more luxurious and premium.
• It helps customers visualize the product better. It leads to more purchases.
• It creates a cohesive brand image. It makes your store look more professional.

How to Add Realistic Reflections in Photoshop

Reflections work well for products like shoes, accessories, and glossy fabrics. Here’s how to add them:

1. Open your clothing image in Photoshop.
2. Duplicate the layer (Ctrl + J / Cmd + J).
3. Flip the duplicate layer vertically (Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical).
4. Lower the opacity of the flipped layer to create a natural reflection.
5. Add a Layer Mask and use a soft brush to fade the reflection gradually.

This technique gives your ecommerce photos a sleek and modern touch. This is great for high-fashion clothing brands.

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Method 7: Retouching and Removing Imperfections

Common Imperfections in Clothing Photography

Even with careful preparation clothing photos can have wrinkles, dust, stray threads, or fabric imperfections. These minor flaws can distract buyers and make the product look less appealing. 

Retouching is essential to ensure that your clothing images look clean and professional.

Best Tools for Retouching Clothing Photos

In Photoshop, the best tools for removing imperfections are:

• Clone Stamp Tool (S) – Copies and blends textures seamlessly.
• Healing Brush Tool (J) – Removes wrinkles and lint with natural blending.
• Spot Healing Brush Tool – Instantly fixes small fabric flaws with a single click.

How to Retouch Clothing Photos Step-by-Step:

1. Open the image and duplicate the layer (Ctrl + J / Cmd + J).
2. Select the Spot Healing Brush Tool and click on any small imperfections.
3. For larger wrinkles, use the Clone Stamp Tool with a soft brush.
4. Adjust Brightness and Contrast slightly to make the fabric details pop.
5. Save the final image in high resolution for a crisp, professional look.

Well-retouched clothing photos give your store a high-end appearance. It also increases customer trust and conversion rates.

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Method 8: Sharpening Images for Clarity

The Importance of Sharp Images in Ecommerce

When shoppers browse an online store, they expect crisp, high-quality images. If a clothing photo looks blurry then it can make the fabric appear low-quality. This leads to fewer sales. 

A sharp image enhances fabric texture, stitching details, and overall product appeal. This is really important for fashion brands where small details make a big difference.

How to Sharpen Clothing Photos Without Overdoing It

Sharpening is great. But too much of it can create an unnatural look. The key is to increase clarity without adding a harsh “halo” effect around the edges.

Here’s how to do it in Adobe Photoshop:

1. Open your image and duplicate the layer (Ctrl + J / Cmd + J) to work non-destructively.
2. Go to Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask for fine control.
3. Adjust the Amount (100–150%), Radius (1–2 pixels), and Threshold (5–10) for a natural sharpness.
4. If needed, use the High Pass Filter (Filter > Other > High Pass) to add extra detail.
5. Apply a layer mask and use a soft brush to remove sharpening from unwanted areas.

A well-sharpened clothing image makes textures pop while keeping the overall look smooth and natural.

Method 9: Using Color Grading for a Unique Look

Why Color Grading Can Make Your Clothing Photos Stand Out

Color plays a big role in branding and customer perception. A consistent color style across all product images helps build trust and make your store look professional. 

If you want a warm, vintage tone or a bright, modern look then color grading helps set the right mood.

How to Apply Color Grading in Photoshop

Here’s an easy way to color grade your clothing photos:

1. Open your image and create a new adjustment layer (Curves, Color Balance, or Selective Color).
2. Adjust the tones to match your brand’s style. For example, fashion brands often use cool tones for luxury appeal and warmer tones for casual wear.
3. Try LUTs (Lookup Tables) for quick, professional color grading. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Color Lookup, then choose a preset LUT.
4. Fine-tune the colors with the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to keep them accurate.

This method ensures your images have a consistent and eye-catching style while keeping fabric colors realistic.

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Method 10: Batch Editing for Efficiency

Why Batch Editing Saves Time for Ecommerce Businesses

Editing dozens of clothing photos one by one takes forever. But with batch editing, you can apply the same edits to multiple images at once. They also make the cloth image look consistent while saving time.

How to Batch Edit Clothing Images in Lightroom

Lightroom makes batch editing super easy:

1. Import all your images into Adobe Lightroom.
2. Edit one image and adjust brightness, contrast, color balance, and sharpness.
3. Click “Copy Settings”, then paste the settings onto all similar photos.
4. Use Presets to save your favorite adjustments and apply them to future photos.
5. Export all images in optimized file sizes for ecommerce sites.

Batch editing maintains consistency across your store. It also makes your product pages look more professional and polished.

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Method 11: Using Mockups to Present Clothing in Context

Why Mockups Are Essential for Ecommerce Clothing Photos

Flat-lay clothing images are great, but mockups add a real-life feel. They help customers visualize how the clothing looks when worn or displayed in stylish settings. This also works well for t-shirts, hoodies, and fashion accessories.

How to Create and Use Mockups for Clothing Images

Follow these steps to make realistic mockups:

1. Download a clothing mockup template from sites like Placeit, Freepik, or Envato Elements.
2. Open the file in Photoshop and replace the placeholder design with your product image.
3. Adjust the shadows and lighting to match the natural folds of the fabric.
4. Export the final mockup and use it for marketing, product listings, or social media ads.

Mockups enhance the presentation of your clothing items. It makes them look more professional and appealing.

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Method 12: Optimizing Images for Faster Loading Times

Why Image Optimization Is Critical for Ecommerce Success

Did you know slow-loading images can increase bounce rates? If your product pages take too long to load then potential customers leave without buying. 

Optimizing your clothing photos keeps your site fast and user-friendly. It also leads to higher sales and better SEO rankings.

How to Optimize Clothing Photos for Web Use

Here’s how to keep your images high-quality but lightweight:

1. Resize images to the correct dimensions (e.g., 1200x1200px for product photos).
2. Save images in WebP, JPEG, or PNG format for better compression.
3. Use TinyPNG, ShortPixel, or Photoshop’s “Save for Web” feature to compress images without losing quality.
4. Enable lazy loading on your website so images load only when needed.

Optimized images make your ecommerce site load faster, rank higher on Google, and convert more visitors into buyers.

If you want to master how to edit photos of clothing for an ecommerce site then these 12 methods will help you create stunning product images that boost sales. 

From sharpening and color grading to mockups and batch editing, each step plays a key role in making your clothing photos look professional.

Need expert photo editing? Check out Smart Clipping for high-quality ecommerce image editing services.

Final Thoughts on How to Edit Photos of Clothing for an Ecommerce Site

Editing clothing photos is more than just making them look good. It’s about creating images that sell. High-quality product photos help customers trust your brand. It makes them more likely to buy.

Recap of the 12 Best Methods for Editing Clothing Photos

Here’s a quick summary of the best ways to edit photos of clothing for an ecommerce site:

1. Background Removal: Makes the product stand out.
2. Ghost Mannequin Editing: Gives a natural 3D effect.
3. Color Correction: Keeps colors true to life.
4. Removing Wrinkles and Creases: Makes clothes look fresh.
5. Lighting Adjustments: Enhances visibility and appeal.
6. Resizing and Cropping: Optimizes images for different platforms.
7. Shadow and Reflection Effects: Adds depth for a realistic look.
8. Sharpening for Clarity: Improves texture details.
9. Color Grading: Creates a unique, branded style.
10. Batch Editing: Saves time while ensuring consistency.
11. Using Mockups: Helps customers visualize how clothing looks.
12. Image Optimization: Improves website speed and SEO.

If you’re running an ecommerce store then investing time in perfecting your product images is worth it. A polished and professional cloth image makes a huge difference in sales and brand perception.

Try These Editing Methods and See the Difference

If you haven’t tried these techniques yet then start now! Even small edits—like fixing wrinkles or adjusting lighting can boost your product’s appeal. The better your images, the more likely customers are to click and buy.

For more advanced editing, you can always hire professional image editing services. Websites like Smart Clipping offer high-quality clothing photo retouching to help ecommerce stores look their best.

FAQs about “How to edit photos of clothing for an ecommerce site”

That’s it! Now you know how to edit photos of clothing for an ecommerce site like a pro. Happy editing!