LUX Production · Berlin & Istanbul · 2026 Current
E-Commerce Image Dimensions for German Marketplaces
We’ve compiled the visual guidelines for Amazon.de, Otto, Zalando, and eBay.de that will be in effect in 2026—including their preferred RGB background colors and how to turn these technical details into sales—all on a single page.
When shopping online, your customers can’t touch the product, feel its weight, or examine the fabric between their fingers. The only thing that fills this physical gap is your product photo. In a disciplined and saturated market like Germany, this isn’t a matter of choice; it’s a technical threshold that determines whether your listing stays live or not.
At LUX Production, we’ve been producing marketplace videos for brands entering the European market at our studios in Berlin and Istanbul for years. The guide below outlines the dimensions valid for each platform in 2026 and—more importantly—this year the rules that are quietly changing brings together.
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Quick Reference
Marketplace Visual Report Card (2026)
| Platform | Recommended Size | Ratio | Main Visual Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.de | 2000 × 2000 pxFor Zoom, a minimum of 1000 px × 1600 px+ is ideal | 1:1 (Square) | |
| Otto.de | Min. 500 × 1000 pxMax. ~4,500 px (edge) | Generally vertical | |
| Zalando | 1800 × 2600 pxMax. 2000 × 2880 px · ≤ 2 MB | 1:1.44 (Vertical) | → |
| eBay.de | 1600 × 1600 pxMin. 500 px · zoom 800 px+ · ≤ 12 MB | 1:1 (recommended) |
New
4 Rules That Will Quietly Change in 2026
Zalando: The "gray screen" era is over
Packshot is now on a white background You submit it; the platform automatically prints the light gray itself. The old recommendation to "print a gray sample at RGB 240,240,240" leads to incorrect calibration.
Otto: Seller eligibility requirements have been tightened
§19 Small business owners can no longer sell on Otto. Your headquarters must be located in DE/NL/PL/AT, and you must have your own VAT ID; monthly 99,90 € There is a fee.
Amazon: Practical zoom threshold: 1600 px
1000 px is still the minimum, but for the benefit of sharp zooming and sorting 1600 px+ It has become the standard. It features 9 visual slots and more aggressive automatic fund control.
eBay: 24 slots + open to AI
Per listing 24 images, 12 MB limit. AI-generated images are now explicitly allowed—a real photo is required only for used or damaged items.
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This guide is more than just a list of pixels. We wrote this based on studio experience accumulated since 2005, explaining why Zalando accepts white and prints gray on its own, Amazon’s pure white (255,255,255) sensitivity, and how these factors directly impact your conversion rate. Our job is to get your product listings approved and boost your sales—the rest is just details.
BY
Burak Bulut Yildirim
Photographer · Founder of LUX Production · Visual Strategist for the German Market
01
Business Logic
Why Do Technical Details Directly Affect Sales?
Rules regarding pixels, formats, and backgrounds may seem dry. But behind every rule lies a mechanism that drives purchasing behavior:
Building Trust
Visuals that follow the rules and are consistent elevate your brand to the "professional" category. Inconsistent backgrounds and proportions subconsciously convey a "cheap" impression.
Better visibility
Algorithms such as Amazon A10 and eBay Cassini prioritize high-resolution images that follow the guidelines and support zoom in their rankings.
Increases conversion
The zoom feature puts an end to indecision. Customers who can see the texture of the fabric and the craftsmanship of the jewelry are much more likely to say "yes" right away.
Reduces returns
An image with properly calibrated colors significantly reduces complaints such as "it didn't turn out the way I expected" and the cost of returns.
02
Germany's driving force
Amazon.de
Amazon is the hub of German e-commerce and the platform with the strictest guidelines for product images. The main image is the only one that appears in search results, ads, and the Buy Box—so there’s no room for compromise.
Amazon.deMain image = search + ad + Buy Box
Recommended resolution
2000 × 2000 px (1:1) — ideal up to 3000 pxZoom thresholdMin.
1000 px · in practice 1600 px+ 2026Product categoryThe frame's
≥ %85'iMax. file
10 MB · JPEG (preferred), TIFF, PNG, GIFVisual slot1 main + 8 additional =
9 images (7 are displayed by default)Prohibited in the main imageText, logo, badge, watermark, props · product only
LUX Note
Amazon's automated system Even a broken white like RGB 250,250,250 Rejects. A background that "looks white" at home is often slightly gray or shadowed, which will cause your order to be put on hold. In the studio, with calibrated lighting and a clean cutout, the background truly becomes 255,255,255; we also deliver at least 1600 px for zoom.
03
Long-established local giant
Otto.de
Hamburg-based Otto is one of Germany’s strongest local platforms for fashion, furniture, and home electronics. It serves as a powerful channel for brands positioned as premium and sustainable.
Otto.deCutout of main image · neutral background
ResolutionMin.
500 × 1000 px · max. ~4,500 px edgeFormat / ColorJPG or PNG · always
RGBProduct categoryImage ~
%85'iClothing ExemptionThe main image can feature a model, but the background should remain neutral
Seller Eligibility§19 Small Business Owners cannot make a sale 2026
MembershipDE/NL/PL/AT headquarters + VAT ID ·
99.90 €/month+%25First-quarter sales
Case Study: Sales Growth at Otto Through Proper Trimming
When the products of one of our furniture brands were re-uploaded with accurate cutouts and detailed shots from various angles, sales increased by approximately in the first quarter. Customers were able to clearly see every detail of the furniture and placed their orders with confidence.
04
The center of European fashion
Zalando
Zalando positions itself not as a "marketplace" but as a premium fashion retailer. Here, your products should look as if they’ve stepped right out of an editorial photoshoot. The technical guidelines are also designed to preserve this aesthetic.
ZalandoOn-model · editorial standard
Aspect ratioAbsolutely.
1:1,44 (width × height)SizeRecommended
1800 × 2600 · max. 2000 × 2880 pxFormat / fileJPEG · RGB · max.
2 MBBackground ruleWhite packshot delivered → Zalando prints it in gray Correction
CompositionProduct is fully visible · mannequin/hanger is not visible · model is wearing shoes
Set1 catalog image + at least 2 additional images · Duplicate images will be rejected
LUX Note
Most of the old guides circulating online still say, "Take photos against a medium gray background (RGB 240,240,240) for Zalando.". That's no longer true. We shoot and deliver the packshot against a clean white background; the platform applies the gray layer on its own consistency layer. If you shoot and deliver it against a gray background, it will result in a double gray layer and color shift. Our Berlin team sets up the set exactly according to this calibration.
05
Diversity and Trust
eBay.de
eBay remains strong in Germany, and the primary purpose of the image is to provide buyers with honest, clear information about the product's condition. The rules are more flexible than Amazon's, but they were significantly tightened in 2026.
eBay.deTransparency is key · Up to 24 slots
SizeMin.
500 px · recommended 1600 × 1600 pxZoom
800 px+'Active in · 1600 px optimalMax. file
12 MB · JPEG (preferred), PNG, TIFF, BMPVisual slotPer listing
24 images 2026ProhibitionsBorder, watermark, promotional text, stock image
AI imageFor Sale — Actual photos required for used/damaged items 2026
06
Global player
AliExpress
AliExpress reaches a significant audience in Germany as well with its affordable products. The visual requirements are more flexible; that’s exactly why it’s relatively easy to stand out with high-quality, clean visuals.
AliExpressFlexible rules · make a difference in quality
Recommended sizeMain image
1000 × 1000 px+ (nearly square)Max. file / format~
5 MB · JPG / PNGFor more in-depth information specific to Amazon, "Everything You Need to Know About Adding Product Images to Amazon" you can take a look at our article.
07
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Germany Marketplace Filming
What factors determine marketplace listing fees?
Pricing varies depending on the number of products, the type of shoot (product stills / lifestyle / infographics), the platform (Zalando has different styling requirements), and the post-production time. We’ll need the details of your project to provide a specific quote.
Is a white-background (cutout) photo enough?
No. Product shots are a technical requirement for the main image on Amazon and Otto. However, it is lifestyle (concept) and infographic (detail) shots that convince customers, demonstrate usage, and establish a connection with the brand. A successful strategy uses both together.
Why does Zalando want a white background, and where does the gray come from?
As of 2026, Zalando requires you to submit packshots on a white background (RGB 255,255,255) and automatically adds a light gray background itself to ensure store consistency. Therefore, shooting and submitting images on a gray background (the old recommendation) results in double exposure and color shifts. The correct approach: submit clean white images; let the platform handle the gray.
My products are in Turkey—how do we approach the German market?
We have studios in both Istanbul and Berlin. You can shoot your products at our Istanbul studio before shipping them to Europe, or you can send them from your warehouse in Germany to our Berlin studio. We are well-versed in the regulations of both markets.
Can I sell as a small business under §19 on Otto?
According to current rules, §19 "small business" status is not accepted for sales on Otto Market; you must have an appropriate legal entity, a headquarters in DE/NL/PL/AT, and your own VAT ID. No matter how well-prepared your product listings are, we recommend that you first confirm your eligibility as a seller.
Berlin & Istanbul Studios
Let’s take your brand to the top of the German market
Instead of getting bogged down in technical details, focus your energy on growth. We’re ready to showcase your products with sales-focused visuals that are fully compliant with the 2026 requirements of Amazon.de, Otto, Zalando, and eBay.
Last update: June 2026 · LUX Production — Burak Bulut Yıldırım.
Marketplace image requirements change periodically; we recommend that you confirm the rules—particularly those of Zalando, Otto, and Amazon—in the official seller documentation before uploading a large catalog.
