Image retouching is the process of enhancing photos to look clean, consistent, and conversion-ready—without distorting reality. From eCommerce catalogs and portraits to real estate and jewelry, retouching corrects distractions (dust, creases, color cast), fixes exposure and skin/fabric issues, and adds polish (shadows, reflections) so visuals feel trustworthy and premium.
What Is Image Retouching?
Retouching goes beyond simple filters. It’s a targeted, pixel-level set of adjustments:
- Cleanup: dust, lint, scratches, stray threads, sensor spots
- Skin/Fabric: blemish control, wrinkle softening (texture preserved)
- Color/Tone: white balance, cast removal, contrast, saturation
- Geometry: straightening, perspective fix, subtle symmetry
- Composite Touches: natural shadows/reflections, background tidy-up
- Consistency: same look across a catalog (crop, margins, color)
Goal: authentic perfection—keep texture and true product/skin integrity.
Common Retouching Categories
1) Product & eCommerce
- Pure-white or brand background, edge cleanup
- Color accuracy (match swatches/PANTONE)
- Natural shadow/reflection for depth
- De-dust metal/glass, remove sticker glue, and tame speculars
2) Portrait/Beauty
- Texture-safe skin work (frequency separation carefully)
- Flyaway hair cleanup; eye/teeth enhancements
- Color grading to brand/lookbook styles
3) Fashion (Ghost-Mannequin Friendly)
- Neck-join finishing, seam alignment
- Fabric realism (don’t over-smooth)
- Multi-path colorways
4) Jewelry & Luxury
- Micro-dust removal; prong/polish clarity
- Highlight control; gemstone sparkle without noise
- Subtle reflection for premium finish
5) Real Estate/Automotive
- Sky replacement (tasteful), color cast cleanup
- Window glare control; straight verticals
- Showroom-style shadow/reflection for cars
Image Retouching Workflow (Step-by-Step)
- Intake & Brief
The style guide, background choice, output sizes/aspects, and marketplace rules are all important considerations. - Base Corrections
Exposure, WB, lens/perspective; crop to template. - Cleanup
Heal/clone dust, lint, and creases; remove distractions. - Detail Retouch
Skin/fabric true-to-life; hardware/logo clarity; edge refinement. - Depth & Realism
Add a soft floor shadow or reflection; dodge/burn for shape. - Color Fidelity
Match swatches; keep midtones natural and uniform across variants. - Consistency Pass
Margins, alignment, and file naming; compare against reference shots. - Export
WebP/PNG for transparency, JPEG for white/brand BG, and layered PSD master; create size buckets (thumb/PLP/PDP).
Tools & Techniques (That Actually Matter)
- Healing/Clone for micro cleanup
- Dodge & Burn (low flow) for sculpting
- Frequency Separation (sparingly; keep pores/weave)
- Color Range/Selective Color/Curves for precise hues
- Layer Masks & Paths for controlled edits
- Generative Assist (Photoshop) for plate cleanup/background extension—document AI steps for compliance; always finalize with human QC
QA Checklist (10 Points)
- ☐ Edges clean at 200–400% (no halos/jaggies)
- ☐ Skin/fabric texture intact (not plastic)
- ☐ Dust/threads removed; logos/hardware crisp
- ☐ White balance neutral; no color cast
- ☐ Shadows/reflections natural, subtle
- ☐ Colorways match swatches/PANTONE
- ☐ Crops, margins, and angles consistent
- ☐ File names/alt text SEO-friendly
- ☐ Required sizes/formats delivered
- ☐ Marketplace guidelines satisfied
Ethics & Brand Safety
- Avoid body reshaping (unless client-approved).
- Disclose AI-assisted edits when required.
- Maintain product truth: no misleading alterations.
Pricing & Turnaround (Signals)
- Simple product cleanup: low
- Complex (jewelry, glass, heavy skin work, composites): mid–high
- Add-ons: colorways, ghost-mannequin assembly, 360/AR prep, feed QA
- SLA: bulk eCom 24–48h; complex sets in staggered batches
File Delivery (Recommended)
Use Case Format Profile BG Web PDP / Zoom JPEG 2000–3000px sRGBWhite/Brand Transparent Assets PNG / WebPsRGBTransparentMaster Editable PSD (layered) sRGB / AdobeRGBN / APrint / LookbookTIFF 300 DPIAdobeRGB/CMYK White/Brand
FAQs
Is retouching the same as editing?
Editing covers global adjustments and cropping; retouching is detailed, localized refinement.
How do you keep portraits natural?
Texture-safe methods (subtle frequency separation, dodge/burn), no excessive smoothing.
Can you match exact brand colors?
Yes—work from physical swatches/PANTONE, calibrate displays, and verify midtones.
Do you use AI?
Only as an assistant (background extend/cleanup), with human QA and clear documentation.
