How to clean up Amazon listing photos that meet Amazon's image requirements
Amazon's image policy is specific and enforced. The main product image needs a pure white background, no text, no watermarks, no props, and the product filling at least 85 percent of the frame. Listings that don't comply get suppressed from search. This guide covers how to get compliant fast, and what BOARD can and cannot do for each requirement.
Amazon's image requirements, plainly stated
Amazon publishes its image standards in Seller Central, but the document is long. The parts that actually get listings suppressed are these:
- Main image background must be pure white (RGB 255, 255, 255). Off-white, light gray, and "almost white" do not pass automated checks.
- No text, graphics, logos, watermarks, or colored borders anywhere in the main image.
- No props, accessories, or additional items not included in the purchase (with category-specific exceptions).
- Product must fill at least 85 percent of the image frame.
- No human models in the main image for most apparel and jewelry categories (lifestyle shots go in secondary images).
- No blurry, pixelated, or sketch images. Minimum 500 pixels on the longest side; 1,000 pixels or larger recommended for zoom.
Secondary images (positions 2 through 9 and beyond) have much more flexibility. Lifestyle context, props showing scale, infographics, and text overlays are all allowed in secondary images. The strict rules apply only to the main cover image that appears in search results.
The four most common main image compliance problems
The most common suppression trigger. A background that looks white on a laptop monitor is often #F5F5F5 or #EEEEEE, not #FFFFFF. Amazon's algorithm flags the difference. The fix requires either shooting against true white or using a background replacement tool after the shoot. BOARD can remove objects from a white background to clean it up, but cannot replace a gray background with pure white. For that, use Remove.bg or Adobe Express, then bring the result into BOARD if there are additional objects to remove.
A stand used to hold the product upright. A hand holding the item during photography. A complementary product staged next to the main item. A measuring tape showing scale. In secondary images, all of these are fine. In the main image, only the product itself (and what is included in the purchase) can appear. BOARD handles these removals well. Tap the prop, tap Remove, done.
A supplier watermark on a product photo you received from a manufacturer. Your own brand logo overlaid on the image. A "new" badge added by your photo editor. Text showing size, color, or any product attribute. None of these are allowed in the main image. BOARD can remove watermarks from photos you own or have rights to use. See the note below on watermark ethics and legal use.
If the product fills less than 85 percent of the frame, Amazon may flag it. BOARD does not crop or resize images. Fix this by cropping tightly around the product in your photo editor or phone's native crop tool before uploading. Do the crop, then bring the cropped image into BOARD if you need object removal on the cleaned version.
How to use BOARD to clean up Amazon main images
BOARD is best for removing discrete objects: a prop, a hand, a watermark, a shadow-casting item. It is not a full background replacement tool. Here is when to use it in an Amazon workflow.
- Start with a photo shot against white paper or foam board. This is the fastest path to a compliant background. Even cheap foam board from a dollar store reads as white enough for most cameras.
- Open app.brd.ing in any browser.
- Upload the photo.
- Tap any prop, hand, stand, or incidental object that needs to go. BOARD outlines it and confirms your selection.
- Tap Remove. The AI fills behind it, which on a white background typically gives a clean white fill.
- Remove any watermark from the photo the same way: tap it, remove it.
- Download. Then crop tightly around the product before uploading to Seller Central.
5 free edits with no account. $0.50 per edit after the free tier. For a small catalog, this is the fastest path to compliant images without hiring a photo studio.
Watermark removal: the legal boundary
Only remove watermarks from photos you own or have licensed. If you took the product photo yourself, you own it. If you commissioned a photographer, get the rights in writing first. If a manufacturer or supplier provided product images and your contract includes rights to use them, you can remove their watermark if it violates Amazon's policy. What you cannot do: remove a watermark from a stock photo you have not licensed, or from any photo where the watermark indicates copyright of a third party. BOARD is designed for removing marks from your own photos. Using it to strip other people's copyright marks is an infringement problem, not a photo editing problem.
Amazon secondary images: where you have more freedom
The strict rules are for main images only. Secondary images are where you tell the product story. Amazon recommends a minimum of four secondary images for strong listings. The standard approach that performs well:
- Lifestyle photo showing the product in use (context, scale, emotion)
- Close-up detail shot showing texture, material, or quality indicators
- Infographic image with key specs or benefits called out (text and graphics allowed here)
- Multiple angles or color variant photos
BOARD's Edit (Alter) feature can change product colors in secondary images if you want to show a product in additional colors without reshooting. Tap the product, type the color prompt, review. This works best on solid-color items with defined surfaces. It works less reliably on complex textures or patterned items.
Quick Amazon image compliance checklist
Before uploading to Seller Central, verify:
- Main image background is pure white (#FFFFFF), not off-white or light gray
- No text, logos, watermarks, or graphic overlays in the main image
- No props or accessories that are not included in the purchase
- Product fills at least 85 percent of the frame
- Image is at least 1,000 pixels on the longest side (for zoom capability)
- Secondary images tell the product story with lifestyle, detail, and infographic shots
BOARD vs other tools for Amazon image compliance
BOARD
Best for removing specific objects: props, hands, watermarks, stands. Works in any browser. 5 free edits, $0.50 after. Cannot do full background replacement to pure white.
Remove.bg
Full background removal and replacement. Good for getting a pure white background on a photo shot against an imperfect surface. Credit-based pricing. Use before BOARD if you need background replacement plus object removal.
Canva Pro
Background removal, resizing, and text overlay removal. Good for batch editing secondary images. Monthly subscription. Slower than BOARD for single-object removal.
Amazon's own image tools
Seller Central has a basic image enhance feature for some categories. Limited, inconsistent across categories, and cannot remove specific objects. Use as a last resort.
Related guides
- How to edit eBay product photos to sell faster
- How to edit Etsy product photos with AI without Photoshop
- Best photo editor for removing objects: a direct comparison
- How to get a clean white background for product photos
Frequently asked
What are Amazon's main image requirements?
Amazon requires the main (cover) image to have a pure white background (RGB 255, 255, 255), no text, graphics, watermarks, or borders, no props, and the product must fill at least 85 percent of the image frame. Human models are not allowed for the main image in most categories. Secondary photos have more flexibility.
How do I get a pure white background for Amazon product photos?
The fastest approach: shoot against white paper or foam board in bright natural or diffused light, then use brd.ing to remove any objects that don't belong (shadows, props, incidental items). brd removes specific objects. For full background replacement to pure white, you need a dedicated background removal tool like Remove.bg or Adobe Express.
Can I remove a watermark from a product photo for Amazon?
Only if you own the photo or have rights to it. Removing a watermark from a photo you took yourself or that you commissioned is fine. Removing a watermark from a stock photo you have not licensed is copyright infringement. Only edit photos you have the right to use.
What happens if my Amazon main image doesn't meet requirements?
Amazon can suppress your listing from search results until the image is replaced. A suppressed listing does not appear to buyers at all. The platform reviews images at upload and can also flag violations after listing goes live based on periodic review. Check Seller Central's image health dashboard for any active suppressions.
Does brd work for Amazon sellers who need to edit many product photos?
brd is best for targeted object removal: removing a prop, a shadow-casting object, or a watermark from individual photos. For high-volume Amazon sellers editing hundreds of images, a batch processing tool like Canva Pro or a professional photography service may be more efficient. brd's per-edit pricing ($0.50) makes it cost-effective for occasional cleanup or for sellers with smaller catalogs.
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