A product sitting on pure white with no shadow can look like a sticker. Adding a realistic shadow grounds it, gives a sense of weight and makes the image feel like a studio shot rather than a cut-out.
There are several kinds. A natural shadow keeps or rebuilds the soft shadow the product actually cast during the shoot. A drop shadow is a soft, even shadow placed under the item. A reflection mirrors the product on a glossy surface, popular for electronics, watches and cosmetics. A cast shadow falls to one side, as if lit by a window.
We match the shadow to the light in your original photo, so it falls in the right direction and has the right softness. That is what keeps it believable.
What our shadow creation service includes
- Natural shadow kept from the original shot
- Drop shadow (soft, under-product)
- Reflection shadow for glossy looks
- Cast shadow to one side
- Floating shadow for suspended items
- Shadow on its own layer in PSD
- Consistent shadow style across a catalogue
- Combined with background removal
Before and after
Drag the slider to compare an unedited photo with the finished result. These are real photos edited by hand, not mock-ups.
Before After Who it is for
Ecommerce white backgrounds
A subtle shadow makes white-background shots look premium while staying marketplace-friendly.
Footwear
Shoes look heavy and real with a soft contact shadow at the sole.
Electronics and gadgets
Reflections give phones, speakers and headphones a polished, high-end feel.
Furniture
Grounded shadows stop sofas and tables from looking like they float.
Cosmetics and fragrance
Bottles with reflections look luxurious on product pages and ads.
How we make sure it looks right
We build shadows from the product shape, not from a generic brush. Contact points (where the product touches the ground) get the darkest, tightest shadow, and it softens as it moves away. That small detail is what the eye uses to judge whether a shadow is real.
Shadows are delivered on a separate layer if you order PSD, so your team can lighten, darken or switch them off for a different layout.
How it works
- Send cut-outs or originals. We can remove the background first or work on your existing cut-outs.
- Choose a style. Pick natural, drop, reflection or cast, or send an example.
- Build the shadow. Editors create the shadow to match light direction and surface.
- Check consistency. We compare across the set so every image matches.
- Deliver. Flattened JPG/PNG plus layered PSD if requested.
Turnaround and file formats
Delivery time depends on the number of images and how complex they are, so we confirm a firm deadline with every quote rather than promising a one-size-fits-all number. Rush delivery is available for many jobs; just ask when you send your files.
We accept JPG, PNG, TIFF, PSD, HEIC, WebP and most camera RAW formats (CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, RAF, DNG). You choose the output: high-quality JPG, transparent PNG, layered PSD, TIFF or WebP, in sRGB for web or another colour profile for print. We keep your file names and folder structure so the edited files drop straight back into your workflow.
Preparing your files
- Send the largest, sharpest version you have. We can always size down, but we cannot add detail that is not there.
- Tell us where the images will be used (Amazon, your own store, print, social) so we export the right size.
- Include one finished example or a reference image if you have a particular style in mind.
- Share large batches by Google Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer or a similar link.
Why hand editing still matters
Automatic tools are fast, and for some jobs they are good enough. The trouble is that they make the same small mistakes again and again: soft edges where there should be crisp ones, missing gaps, colour fringes, and details that quietly disappear. On a thumbnail you might not notice. On a zoomed product page, a printed catalogue or a large banner, customers do. Our shadow creation work is done by trained editors who look at every edge and every surface, and who can make judgement calls a tool cannot, such as what belongs to the product and what is just a reflection or a speck of dust.
Our quality checklist
- Every image is checked at 100% zoom, not just as a thumbnail.
- Edges are reviewed on contrasting backgrounds to catch halos and stray pixels.
- Colour is compared with the original so the product stays true to life.
- Sizing, margins and naming follow the brief for the whole batch.
- A second editor signs off each file before delivery.
Large and recurring orders
If you have a big catalogue or a regular flow of new products, we set up a short style guide with you on the first order covering background, margins, shadows, file size and naming. Every later batch follows it, whichever editor works on it, so your images stay consistent month after month. Regular clients also get volume pricing and a predictable delivery schedule agreed in advance, which makes it easier to plan product launches and seasonal drops.
Pricing
Every image is different, so we price shadow creation by complexity and volume. Send a few samples and we will reply with a clear per-image quote before you commit to anything. See our pricing page for how quotes work.
Frequently asked questions
Which shadow is best for Amazon?
A soft natural or drop shadow on pure white usually works well. Keep it subtle.
Can you keep my original shadow?
Yes, if the original is clean we preserve it while removing the background.
Can I get a transparent PNG with a shadow?
Yes, the shadow is kept semi-transparent so it works on any light background.
Will the shadow match the lighting?
We match direction and softness to your original photo.
Do you add reflections on any product?
Reflections suit glossy or premium products best. We will suggest if it suits your item.
Can I try the service before paying?
Yes. Send a few images through our free trial and judge the quality yourself, with no card needed.
Are my images kept private?
Yes. Your files are used only to complete your order and are not shared or used in our portfolio without your written permission.
Try our shadow creation service free
Send us a few images and we will edit them at no cost, so you can see the quality before placing an order.
Related services: Background Removal Service, Clipping Path Service, Product Photo Editing.
