Creating a white background for your product images isn’t just an aesthetic choice; it’s a necessity in today’s ecommerce space. White backgrounds make your product photos look clean, professional, and consistent across your website. They help highlight the true colors and details of your product and are often a requirement for selling on third-party marketplaces like Amazon or eBay.
But don’t worry if your product photos weren’t shot against a white background. With Photoshop, you can switch up your backdrop in just a few simple steps. This tutorial will show you exactly how to create a flawless white background in Photoshop, even if you’re a beginner.
Stay with us as we walk you through the process with clear, easy-to-follow instructions.
Why Choose a White Background?
A white background is more than just visually appealing; it serves multiple purposes:
- Consistency: Ensures your website looks clean, organized, and professional.
- Focus: Highlights your product, drawing attention to its features and details.
- Accessibility: Meets platform requirements, as many marketplaces insist on white or neutral backgrounds.
- Color Accuracy: Allows your product’s true hues to shine without interference from a distracting backdrop.
With that in mind, adding a white background is a crucial skill for anyone involved in ecommerce or photography. And Photoshop makes it easier than you think.
How to Make a White Background in Photoshop
Follow these three easy steps to create a white background for your product images in Photoshop.
Step 1. Select Your Product
First, open your image in Photoshop. For this tutorial, we’re working with an image of pink sneakers against a solid pink background. (You can apply the same process to products on any background!)
From the Toolbar on the left-hand side, select the Magic Wand Tool. Once chosen, head to the top of the screen and click Select and Mask from the Options Bar.
Refine Your Selection
Within the Select and Mask window, choose Select Subject to create an initial selection around your product. Photoshop will automatically highlight your product while marking the rest of the image with a red overlay.
If the selection isn’t perfect, don’t worry! Use the brush tools on the left side of the window to fine-tune it. Adjust the brush size and toggle between “add” and “subtract” to ensure your product edges are smooth and accurate. Once you’re satisfied, hit OK.
You’ll now see the marching ants border around your selection in the main Photoshop window.
Step 2. Create a Mask and Add a White Background
To work non-destructively (preserving the original image), start by duplicating your Background layer:
- Go to the Layers Panel, click the three-line menu in the upper-right corner, and select Duplicate Layer. Name the duplicate layer something clear, like “Product”.
- While your selection is active, click the Layer Mask icon at the bottom of the Layers Panel (a rectangle with a circle inside). This will mask out everything except your product on the duplicated layer.
Add a White Fill Layer
Now, to create the white background:
- Select your original Background layer in the Layers Panel.
- Click Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color.
- Choose pure white from the Color Picker and click OK.
With this step, your product should now appear cleanly placed on a white background.
Step 3. Enhance with Shadows and Highlights
To make your image look natural (like it was originally shot against a white backdrop), add shadows and highlights.
Adding Shadows
- Select your Product layer, then go to Layer > Layer Style > Drop Shadow.
- Adjust the shadow’s angle, spread, and distance to match your product’s original lighting.
- Click OK when satisfied.
Separate the Drop Shadow from its layer by selecting Layer > Layer Style > Create Layer. Then, use Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur to soften the shadow for a more realistic look.
Adding Highlights
- Create a new layer by selecting Layer > New > Layer.
- Set the blending mode to Overlay and check the box for “Fill with Overlay-neutral color (50% gray)”.
- Using the Dodge Tool, gently paint highlights onto the product to simulate light reflecting from the white background.
And there you have it! You’ve successfully created a professional, clean product image with a white background.
FAQs on Creating White Backgrounds
How do I white out a background in Photoshop?
If your image already has a near-white background, use the Curves Tool to adjust and brighten the background to pure white. Go to Image > Adjustments > Curves, then use the white eyedropper tool to select the lightest areas of your backdrop.
Is it easy to remove complex backgrounds?
Absolutely. If your background includes multiple elements, tools like Select and Mask or Pen Tool can help isolate the subject. It just takes a bit more patience and precision.
Next Steps for Picture-Perfect Product Photos
Creating a white background in Photoshop can instantly elevate the professionalism of your product images, and it’s a skill every ecommerce entrepreneur or marketer should have. But if you’re short on time or need pixel-perfect results, outsource your edits to professional photo editors.
Take your product photos to the next level with stunning visuals that engage customers and drive sales. Want to streamline your photography workflow? Check out our full range of photo editing services today!
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