Great-looking and high-quality product images are key to the success of a retail e-commerce business. Composition and lighting are necessary, but backdrops help transform a simple product shoot into engaging.
But the question is: how do you choose a proper background that helps to bring out the best appearance and features to the limelight? Don’t panic! In this article, you’ll get a complete backdrop product photoshoot guide, including:
- Benefits of using backdrops,
- Best product backdrop ideas,
- Which color backdrop you should choose, and
- Which factors do you need to consider before buying one?
So, without more talk, let’s get started!
A backdrop in photography is a painted canvas that is hung as a background to add context to your product. In other words, a backdrop is a surface or material placed behind the product as a background to create an aesthetic.
In photographs, a backdrop can be anything from paper to tiles or others. However, a backdrop plays a vital role in conveying a story around the product and setting a mood in the viewer’s mind.
Why Use Different Backdrops for Product Photos?
Backdrops in product photography add creative flair and influence customer perception and sales. Here are some key reasons behind using different backdrops for product photoshoots:
- Bring product into the spotlight: Your online business’s key goal is to highlight your product and make it stand out. For example, white backgrounds showcase products’ real beauty, while colored or textured ones can create an eye-catching contrast.
- Draw the user’s attention: Using a perfect backdrop, you can drive CTR. Different backdrops evoke different emotions and feelings. For example, a rustic wooden background helps you to create a cozy outlook, while a marble surface makes a product modern and luxurious.
- Shape brand identity: Consistent background choices can reinforce your fashion brand’s identity and express a story that resonates with the target audience. For example, to represent eco-friendly products, you can use natural or earthy settings to reflect their values.
- Professional consistency: Backdrops provide flexibility to different marketing channels, and you can create distinct looks for your website listings, social media posts, ads, and so on. So, ensure a consistent feel and look across product pages and categories.
- Contextualization: You can use backdrops that relate us to the real-world environment (i.e., cooking utensils, handmade crafts, etc.). All these backdrops are crucial to show the product in use, which builds customers’ trust and increases engagement.
- Align with e-commerce marketplaces: Amazon and eBay have specific product representation requirements to create a balanced and harmonious browsing experience for users. For example, white is popular for its distraction-free appearance. But you can also try off-white or neutral colors.
Best Product Photography Backdrop Ideas
Choosing backdrops might be a daunting task because of its endless options. So, before choosing one, ensure you go through all key details, pros, and cons of every backdrop category mentioned below:
Vinyl Backdrops
One of the best photography backdrops is the vinyl backdrop. It is made from PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and is widely used for product photography. You can buy different styles of vinyl backdrops, like faux marble, faux wood boards, solid colors, and so on. It comes in a roll that needs to be set in a stand.
However, you need to pay attention to the lighting setup for the black vinyl background, as it is a bit glossy and reflects light. Don’t forget to use a hair dryer or other hot air tool, if it becomes stiff or notice a crease.
Pros | Cons |
1. Long-lasting | 1. Some backdrops can be stiff at a lower temperature |
2. Waterproof | 2. Black vinyl is reflective with a visible texture |
3. Easy to clean | 3. Two primary types of finishes: matte and gloss |
4. Crease and wrinkle-resistant | |
5. Matte vinyl is glare-free | |
6. Available in different sizes, colors, and patterns. |
Note: Must place the backdrop on a hard surface to avoid damage, use masking tapes or fabrics to prevent scuff marks.
Foam Board
Do you want to use small backdrops for your product photoshoot? Budget-friendly foam boards are a good option. It is available in most craft shops. Also, you can use colors to customize styles and designs and create patterns as per brand guidelines or preferences.
However, you can use it as a backdrop and surface for flat-lay product photography. Without any hesitation, it’s one of the best DIY photography backgrounds.
Pros | Cons |
1. Lightweight | 1. Fragile, can damage easily |
2. Cost-friendly | 2. Temporary use only |
3. Easy to transport | 3. Not completely waterproof |
4. Useful as reflectors | |
5. Stuck to the walls with removable adhesive |
Paper Backdrops for Photography
Seamless paper backdrops are a popular choice among professional photographers. It allows professional photography at a reasonable price and comes with a roll of paper. The paper is long-time use and 100% recyclable. However, use a stand bar with clamps to set the heavy paper roll and keep it in place.
Pros | Cons |
1. Easy to use | 1. Can be creased easily |
2. Lightweight | 2. Good for 1-time use |
3. Non-reflective | 3. Not water-resistant |
4. Smooth and clear background | |
5. A damaged portion can be trimmed using a knife or scissors |
Decorative Tile
Another most used backdrops for product photography are ceramic flooring or decorative tiles. These are made with clay, glass, and sand which makes backdrops more durable. You can choose different colors and patterns as decorative tiles to make an elegant product outlook. However, you can use a single time for a small accessories photoshoot. But for larger products, it’s ideal to use wall or floor ones.
Pros | Cons |
1. Long-lasting | 1. Shiny ones are reflective |
2. Waterproof | 2. Water makes it slippery |
3. Fire resistant | 3. Can get scratches |
4. Dirt and stains can be removed easily |
Note: Try to install decorative tile on the floor or wall to avoid unwanted issues.
The Bokeh Background
It is a fancy way to blur out the background and make it less of a focal point. Mainly, it separates the background from the subject and draws attention to the main subject. To create this, you don’t need to buy any specific backdrop but use a fast camera lens and select the Aperture ranging from f/2.8 to f/1.4. Remember, the lower the aperture, the smoother the bokeh effect.
Pros | Cons |
1. Smooth bokeh effect | 1. Lens are pricey |
2. Ideal for jewelry product photography | 2. Imperfect bokeh effect can ruin photos |
3. Make product photos appealing and aesthetic | 3. Improper lighting might create a product silhouette |
4. Erase imperfections of the backdrop |
Cloth & Fabric Backdrops
Want to use a cloth backdrop for photography? Muslin is the best option for cloth or fabric backdrops because of its longevity and quality. You can professionally add depth to the photograph by using it. Also, you can use silk to give a luxury vibe to your jewelry product. However, to create a 3D look and enhance the product’s overall beauty, you can use soft fabric.
Pros | Cons |
1. Easy to wash | 1. Gets wrinkled easily |
2. Long-lasting | 2. Not water-resistant |
3. Easy to carry | 3. Need steaming to remove creases |
4. Non-reflective | |
5. Smooth effect |
Marble, stone, or porcelain
Do you want to utilize natural elements to give an organic product outlook? If so, you can use marble, stone, or porcelain. All these elements are best fit for small accessories, like watch photography, jewelry photography, and so on.
Pros | Cons |
1. Easily available | 1. Best for small products |
2. Gives a touch of nature | 2. Arranging stones might be challenging |
3. Provides conceptual meaning |
Rugs
Another popular backdrop is rugs that provide texture and warmth on cold floors. There are different colors and patterns of rugs available so that you can choose the best one. For example, shag rugs, bohemian or patterned rugs, natural woven rugs, vintage or Persian, minimalist flatwoven rugs, etc. These backdrops are useful for soft goods, lifestyle items, home decor, and others.
Pros | Cons |
1. Create a depth and texture | 1. Not Flexible |
2. Easy to use | 2. Come with certain sizes and aren't very customizable. |
3. Perfect for makeup product photography |
Butcher Paper
Use a simple yet versatile product photoshoot backdrop: butcher paper. Its matte and non-reflective surface offers a clean and simple backdrop. You can customize the surface by enhancing it with textures, paints, or other creative touches.
Pros | Cons |
1. Budget-friendly | 1. Damage with water |
2. Customize options available | 2. Prone to movement |
3. Neutral & non-reflective finish | |
4. Easy to use |
Smoke, water, or light
You can also try some creative backdrops for commercial advertising or hero shots. For example, smoke helps to add mystery to a shot, while light can be put through shades or trees to add creative shadows. A mirror and falling objects, like flowers, snowflakes, or others, are also used as background.
Pros | Cons |
1. Help to create stunning and dynamic visuals | 1. Difficult to capture specific water shapes or splashes |
2. Draw online shoppers' eyes toward specific product lines | 2. Controlling smoke might be a challenging task |
3. Emphasize product key themes (i.e., activity, hydration, etc.) | |
4. Strategic lighting emphasizes textures, finishes, unique features, and so on |
Foliage
Do you plan to sell eco-friendly or sustainable products? Foliage works best as a product photoshoot backdrop with plants and verdant foliage. If you have houseplants, you can easily use them and introduce consumers to the beauty of green.
Pros | Cons |
1. Plants are cost-effective and easy to use | 1. Need proper maintenance |
2. Eco-conscious products | 2. Lighting challenges |
3. Wide variety of plants: live plants, dried florals, and even shrubs | |
4. Best for organic or vegan products |
Which Color Backdrop is The Best For Product Photography?
The backdrop color selection depends on your product color and brand preferences. Here, we’ve highlighted some commonly used backdrop colors for product images that give a neat and professional look.
White backdrop
The plain white background is popular on e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Shopify, etc. Its classic and sleek appearance suits almost every photography niche perfectly. You can pair it with a textured or colored backdrop to create an amazing outlook. Other benefits are:
- Guide consumers to the actual product without any visual distractions.
- Help create a minimalist presentation by putting the product front and center.
- Offers versatility and goes with different color products.
Neutrals
You can use off-white, gray, and beige-colored backdrops to create a balanced outlook. The off-white or gray one adds a touch of sophistication but not as attention-grabbing as white. However, these colors are perfectly suited for fashion items, home decor, and lifestyle products.
Black backdrop
When you want to highlight a specific mood around your product, a black background is the best choice and goes perfectly with the theme. As you noticed, the white color presents a light and transparent feel to your product marketing. On the contrary, black color adds a touch of mystery or dramatic effect.
Note: You can use a black background for black or dark products by utilizing certain lighting techniques.
Colorful backdrops
Considering your branding and products, you can use colorful backdrops but must consider color psychology, such as –
- Blue evokes reliability, peace, etc.
- Green is popular for its natural and calm look.
- Yellow recalls sunshine and many more.
Also, pay attention to your e-commerce website designs before selecting one. For more accurate results, you can follow the color wheel known as “complementary colors.”
Pastels
These colored backgrounds are soft and give a pleasant vibe to the consumer’s eye. But try to avoid using pastel colors in crowded product listings. For better results, you can use pastels for baby products, baby items, and seasonal collections.
However, you can go with other options, like solid colors, two-toned backgrounds, gradients, patterns, and many more.
What to Consider When Choosing Product Photography Backgrounds?
When it comes to selecting a perfect backdrop that helps to add context to your product, you need to consider several factors, such as:
Figure out which platform you're using
Your product marketing’s ultimate goal is to increase sales and potential traffic conversions. So, it’s ideal to consider your business sales channels, like online marketplaces, social media, etc. Let’s look at the best background color combination for each channel.
- E-commerce store: White, transparent, off-white, or light gray are popular for almost all e-commerce websites. These colors are popular for their clean and focused outlook. But you can also combine colors, just like Kidly, a children’s product retailer.
- Social media: Do you want to build a connection between your product images and overall brand identity? You can experiment with colorful backgrounds, cropping, and filters, considering your audience and brand. For example, Vielö which sells premium skincare products. The brand’s Instagram profile is rich with neutral colors and tactile materials.
- Print: Brochures, print, and catalogs play a vital role in boosting your marketing campaigns. A clean white background is best for showing the product’s features and colors. For example, B&Q, a DIY and home improvement retailer, uses different color combinations.
Consider your product color
Another important factor is your product color. But the question is: how do you know what color your product suits? Different colors come with different emotions and feelings. So, to get the perfect outcome, know your audience and maintain the branding colors. Suppose you sell natural products, then go with gray, nude, and neutral shades to add a sophisticated look.
Pay attention to other subjects
Do you plan to create lifestyle or styled product shots? You might need props to create a story around your product. So, pick props that have the same background color or pattern, which will complement your product and attract more consumers.
Use colors to evoke specific moods or emotions
Do your selected colors complement the product and brand? Will they convince shoppers to buy? Think about all these questions and then choose one. Remember, there are no fixed rules for selecting the best color for the background. The colors depend on your brand goal and what you’re trying to express.
Review photos on different devices
As per the study, 92% of shoppers check out products on their phones first before making a final purchasing decision. So, review your product images on different devices, like computers, tablets, and smartphones. Also, must consider rechecking screen brightness and contrast levels to avoid color blending.
Get recommendations
You can get an idea from e-commerce product photographers, online forums, tutorials, or read reviews to get an idea about different backdrops. Photographers with hands-on experience help you with resourceful information that’ll fit your needs.
Budget for backdrops
There are different backdrops available on e-commerce platforms. So, keep your budget in mind when selecting your background. Never think costly backdrops are great. You can use budget-friendly backdrops, like household props, wooden textures, rugs, houseplants, etc., to add creativity to your lifestyle product photography.
Frequently Asked Questions About Product Photography Backdrop
What is the best backdrop for food photography?
The best backdrop for food photography are:
- For a classic look, solid color backgrounds, i.e., paper, foam boards, or fabric.
- Rustic wooden surfaces, marble slabs, or textured fabrics for a modern look.
- Neutral tones and subtle patterns backdrops.
- Painted canvas, granite, and other household materials and props.
What is the best backdrop for professional photography?
The best backdrop for professional photography depends on the subject and photoshoot style. For example, solid colors like black, white, and gray are best for headshots and portraits. On the other hand, for creative or themed shoots, you can try custom backdrops, like specific textures, colors, or scenes, to enhance the visual narrative.
What can I use as a backdrop?
There are different materials available that can be used as backdrop, such as –
- Paper or craft paper
- Fabric & textiles
- Wooden boards
- Vinyl, metallic, PVC sheets
- Canvas
- Wallpaper, and so on.
What is the best backdrop for selling online?
White is the best backdrop for selling online. The key reasons behind its popularity are:
- Compatible with marketplace requirements,
- Uniformity, and
- Sharp focus on the product details.
Conclusion
Vinyl, foam board, rugs, or others – endless product photography backdrops are available in the marketplace. But to pick the best one, you need to understand your audience’s desires and what mood your brand tries to establish to communicate.
Still not sure which one is suitable for your product photoshoot? Consider the pros and cons of the product-selling platform.
Best of luck!
