Export product photography tips

1. The Core Principle: Accuracy and Resolution

A B2C photo might be aesthetically pleasing; an export photo must be technically flawless and consistent.

• High Resolution is Mandatory: Every image must be high-resolution (300 DPI is often a standard for print-ready documentation, though 72 DPI is common for web display). Buyers often zoom in to inspect materials, welds, or finishes. Blurry, pixelated images immediately signal low quality.

• The Pure White Background: Use a pure white (RGB 255, 255, 255) background for your primary product shot. This eliminates distraction and meets the standard requirement for most global e-commerce platforms and digital catalogs.

• Consistent Lighting: Use soft, diffused lighting to eliminate harsh shadows. Shadows can distort the appearance of color, texture, and shape, which is unacceptable when a buyer is making a decision based on material specs.

2. Essential Angles: What the International Buyer Needs to See

A single shot of the front face is never enough. Buyers need a visual data package to make an informed decision.

Actionable Tip: If your product has an important serial plate, certification label, or compliance mark (like a CE mark), include a dedicated, high-magnification close-up shot of this element.

3. Integrating Trade Data into Your Visuals

The best export product photography integrates necessary trade information into the visual presentation itself.

• Caption Consistency: Ensure the filename and image captions always include the SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) and the HS (Harmonized System) Code where appropriate. This links the visual asset directly to your inventory and compliance systems.

• In-Image Annotations: For complex machinery or components, consider using basic graphics or overlays on a secondary photo to point out key technical features or dimensions (e.g., an arrow pointing to a pressure valve with a label stating “Max Pressure: 150 PSI”).

• Show All Variations: If your product comes in three colors or two different power configurations, photograph every single variation. Never assume a buyer can imagine the difference.

4. Final Polish: Organization and Deliverability

The greatest photos are useless if your buyers can’t access them easily.

• Optimize for Web Speed: While you must shoot in high-resolution, compress your final web-facing images so they load instantly on global networks. Use modern formats like WebP for optimal balance between quality and speed.

• Create a Digital Asset Library: Organize all product shots, close-ups, and dimension shots into a structured folder system. Make these high-resolution files easily accessible for your distributors, agents, and customs brokers who need them for tenders and documentation.

• Consistency Across Platforms: Use the same high-quality photo set on your website, your export catalog, your LinkedIn showcase, and any B2B marketplaces (like Alibaba or Thomasnet). Consistency builds confidence.