Product photos and short videos for fashion stores
Shoppers cannot touch the fabric, so your media has to do it for them. This guide covers the set of photos a fashion product page needs, the image and video limits in Shopify, and how short videos fit in.
The photo set every product needs
One front photo is rarely enough. For clothing, a set that answers the questions a shopper would ask in a fitting room works well:
- Front and back, on a model or flat, in the same lighting
- A side or three-quarter view that shows the cut and how it falls
- Close-ups of the fabric, the stitching, closures, labels and any detail that makes the piece special
- On a model, with the model's height and the size they are wearing written in the description
- The piece styled with other items, so shoppers can picture wearing it
- Each colour you sell, shot the same way
Keep the lighting, background and framing the same across your catalog. A consistent look makes a small brand look established.
Shopify image limits
Shopify accepts product images up to 5000 by 5000 pixels and under 20 MB, in PNG, JPEG, TIFF, BMP, GIF, SVG, HEIC and WebP. Shopify notes that a 2048 by 2048 pixel square usually displays best. Large files slow a page down, and Google advises balancing quality against speed, so compress your images before uploading.
Give files short, descriptive names, such as black-linen-shirt-front.jpg, instead of IMG00023.jpg. Google says filenames are only a light clue to what an image shows, but a clear name costs nothing.
Why add a short video
A still photo shows how a piece looks. A short video shows how it moves: how the fabric drapes, how a skirt swings, how a jacket sits when the wearer lifts an arm. For shoppers deciding on a fabric they cannot touch, that is useful information.
A clip of about five to fifteen seconds is usually enough. Show movement and one or two details, not a story. Vertical video also works well on Instagram, TikTok and Shorts, so one clip can serve the product page and social channels.
Shopify video limits
- Formats: .mp4, .mov and .webm. Shopify converts .mov and .webm for playback.
- Length up to 10 minutes, file size up to 1 GB, resolution up to 4K.
- Playback quality is 480p, 720p or 1080p depending on the viewer's connection.
- YouTube and Vimeo links can be embedded instead of uploading a file.
- Product videos need a theme that supports them, such as an Online Store 2.0 theme. If a video does not show, check your theme first.
No shoot budget? Start from the photos you have
You do not need a film crew. Many short product videos can be made from good photos: a few angles of the same piece, edited into a short clip with gentle motion. The quality of the result depends on the quality of the input, so give each product at least two or three clear photos, ideally with a detail shot or a shot on a model.
This is also the approach behind our monthly content service for independent fashion brands, which turns your catalog photos into blog posts, short videos and captions.
Put media where it can be found
- Place images and videos near the text that describes them.
- Write alt text for every product image that describes what is visible.
- Check your product pages for items with only one photo, and fix those first.
Questions
How many photos should a fashion product have?
There is no single number, but a set that covers front, back, a detail, a styled or on-model view and each colour works well. Aim for at least two or three clear photos per product, more for key pieces.
Do I need a video for every product?
No. Start with your best sellers and new arrivals. A short video is most useful for pieces where fabric movement or fit is the deciding factor.
What image size should I upload to Shopify?
Shopify allows images up to 5000 by 5000 pixels and under 20 MB, and a 2048 by 2048 pixel square usually displays best. Compress before uploading so pages stay fast.
Can I make a product video from photos?
Yes. A short clip with gentle motion can be made from a few good photos. The results depend on the photos, so use sharp images with consistent lighting.
Want to see where your store stands?
Our free Chrome extension checks a Shopify store's blog, product descriptions, photos and alt text in one click. Or let us write the content for you every month.