Shop Makeover Series: Makeover Your Listings with Color

jenlo262

Story by jenlo262

Published on Jan 22, 2008 in Seller Handbook

Photo by Green Katamari pincushion by ReFabulous


For her second post in her color theory series, jenlo262 has some recommendations and examples for sellers undertaking the Shop Makeover series. The following article covers color combinations and theory, as it applies to your listings.

Before you can make a sale, you will need to get buyers to look at your art. There’s no better way to entice the browsing customer to click on your image than by keeping it fresh, interesting, and colorful!

For the first image in your listing, I suggest worrying less about what and more about the wow. It’s not necessarily important to capture the whole complete image of your item as long as you get the basics of the item with some colorful artsy flair. How can color make your item pop? Follow these six tricks for a better image and see how these sellers made it work…

  1. First things first — keep your colors true: Before you start arranging or choosing colors for your background, you will want to make sure you can keep your colors as bright as they can be by building a light box (see Lori’s post here). A box will especially help when trying to keep your whites bright — making your item the center of attention. If you can’t build a light box (or your item is too big, keep it natural by using indirect sunlight. For two-dimensional items, scanners work great too if you have one available.

    [crochet pattern by anapaulaoli, yarn by OneSheepHill, bracelet by FancyFreeMe ]
  2.  Contrast – balancing your lights and darks: Keep your item from blending into your background by using dark colored backgrounds for light items and light backgrounds for dark items. Or mix and match!

    [earrings by KiwiTreeBotique, mug by misslo, apron by JoyfulAbode]
  3. A splash of bright color: Keep your listing fresh by increasing your color intensity.

    [soap by SudsMuffin, beads by tearose, cuff by NicoleLorentz]
  4.  Using your color compliments: Make your item pop by looking across your color wheel for a background color.
    [buttons by frombelgiumwithlove, hairpins by thefunkyfelter, clay pendant by Dirtgirlpottery]
  5. Using analogous colors:  Invite your viewer into your listing with a lovely combination of similar colors.

    [earrings by staroftheeast, face wall pocket by amandamoon, ceramic pendant by leapinglizards's shop]
  6. An artsy background: Finally, give your listing a little artsy flair with an interesting, unusual, or incongruous background and have some fun!

    [earrings by  executeme, lariat necklace by 12linden, vintage book by whiteelephantvintage, Green Katamari pincushion by ReFabulous]

If you’re still not sure how to spruce up your listing, try just keeping it simple. The tiny little square that makes or breaks whether you get a shopper in your shop can only hold so much. A solid colored background with a quality photo will make a great lead-in to your wonderful works of art.

Comment below with links to your before and after screenshots from your Shop Makeover improvements! Which of the techniques described here helped you out?

Discuss: 80 comments

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  • Caprichos

    Caprichos says:

    amazing!

    4 years ago

  • Dirtgirlpottery

    Dirtgirlpottery says:

    Yeah! My pendant was featured! I'm new at photographing my stuff, but when I started I went back to my orginal color theory lessons and that have been really helpful to me.

    4 years ago

  • jenlo262

    jenlo262 says:

    Great job dirtgirlpottery! I love your use of color!

    4 years ago

  • staroftheeast

    staroftheeast says:

    This is awesome!! I've been working 16 hours a day for the past 1,5 month to change all the pictures in our shop! The nice thing is I was reading the Make over article of the Storque so this is awesome to be an example now!!! Thank you, thank you!!! Now off to change some more pics :)

    4 years ago

  • pouch

    pouch says:

    taking good pics is one of the things that takes up most of my time and I am always thinking of new ways to take photos! I've learnt lots about photos since joining Etsy and hope my pics are improving :)

    4 years ago

  • SudsMuffin

    SudsMuffin says:

    What a great article and what a treat it it to also be featured in it! Thank you so much! :)

    4 years ago

  • muxoriginals

    muxoriginals says:

    This is great!

    4 years ago

  • KiwiTreeBotique

    KiwiTreeBotique says:

    I've been lucky. I can manage to take my photographs in natural light. It is ideal for my jewelry, since I tend to use natural stones and glass as my focal pieces... they literally glow in the light of my north-facing window. As for my NotableBookmarks, I think it is time to build a lightbox. I hate using Photoshop to alter my images, but with paper products, they can look so flat. A lightbox will reduce the need to alter brightness/contrast and correct for color expression. I'll be working on that as my next project! Thank you for featuring me in your examples... as a newbie, I am quite honored.

    4 years ago

  • Luvbubblettes

    Luvbubblettes says:

    Thank you... isn't Etsy fab with all the tips and tricks and so on... no other site like it! I'm going to go away and play around with colours for my photo's now!

    4 years ago

  • pawandclawdesigns

    pawandclawdesigns says:

    Nice article! I made some changes in my shop after reading this. took 1207 pictures today; bet that's some kind of record ;)

    4 years ago

  • jenlo262

    jenlo262 says:

    Way to go pawandclaw!

    4 years ago

  • katelynjane

    katelynjane says:

    Thanks for the advice! I'm going to have to change up some of my photos (:

    4 years ago

  • SilverShadow

    SilverShadow says:

    Nice article. I had already revamped some of my product photography, after getting my lightbox, but some older ones still need to be redone. This article is "pushing" me to finish it ☺ Good job!

    4 years ago

  • nicoleraephotos

    nicoleraephotos says:

    Love this article. I definitely need to get creative in using color. These are ideas I hadn't even really thought of before. Thank you!

    4 years ago

  • coventgardenvintage

    coventgardenvintage says:

    Thank you for your advice. I have a lot of work to do and now I have a direction.

    4 years ago

  • patricewright

    patricewright says:

    great information for all of us out there who are trying to get those pics right. thanks

    3 years ago

  • tinyhands

    tinyhands says:

    Thanks! This is great, and just what I'm looking for.

    3 years ago

  • susanskeepsake

    susanskeepsake says:

    Thank-you so much for this great advice. I really needed some help with my pictures and lighting. I have tried many forms of light and just haven't been getting it right. I can now go back and redo my pictures. Thank-you.

    3 years ago

  • BebeToby

    BebeToby says:

    Thanks for the great tips! I've always have trouble thinking about what background to use.

    3 years ago

  • LaurieValko

    LaurieValko says:

    Wonderful tips! I am going to try out some new colors in my photos. I also like the idea of using different/unique background that compliment my sculptures. I am thinking dog treats, collars......I'm going to have fun! Thank you!

    3 years ago

  • HomemadeZen

    HomemadeZen says:

    nice tips, thanks!

    3 years ago

  • PDXfabricdeli

    PDXfabricdeli says:

    Great tips, I always knew but didn't know exactly what. Thanks for giving direction.

    3 years ago

  • janetkemp88

    janetkemp88 says:

    Wonderful advice and just in time for the weekend, so I can get to the work on a light box. Thanks Etsy!

    3 years ago

  • AuntTiff

    AuntTiff says:

    I am so glad to have read this. I need color! My shop is currently like my house with white walls. I'm addin' COLOR! Thanks for the inspiration.

    3 years ago

  • loopiforyou

    loopiforyou says:

    Now that I have made a lightbox... maybe I should start using a bit more colour. Thanks for the tips!

    3 years ago

  • handstrung

    handstrung says:

    I am a newbee with Esty, so I love to hear about how to take good pictures for my shop. Thank U all!

    3 years ago

  • HModine

    HModine says:

    Love this series and all your tips are fantastic!!

    3 years ago

  • 2BellesBeads

    2BellesBeads says:

    Excellent!

    3 years ago

  • debthedollgnome

    debthedollgnome says:

    My favorite color is blue. Should I be using it as a tag in every listing?

    3 years ago

  • myfriendamy

    myfriendamy says:

    thanks for the tips. i really like idea #4!

    2 years ago

  • Tina669

    Tina669 says:

    Thanks! This is great!!!~

    2 years ago

  • idaviktoria

    idaviktoria says:

    Thanks for some great advice!

    2 years ago

  • gpearson55

    gpearson55 says:

    Thanks for all for all your help! I knew my camera just wasn't cutting it, so... off to buy a new one!

    2 years ago

  • vintagepaige

    vintagepaige says:

    Very helpful as I am brand new to this. Thanks!

    2 years ago

  • RozPetalzStudio

    RozPetalzStudio says:

    I just added color to my shop. Glad to hear I'm headed in the right direction! Thanks!

    2 years ago

  • mnhince

    mnhince says:

    This was so helpful. I'm still working on improving my photos and my shop feels a bit bland right now. Bring on the colour!

    2 years ago

  • allthepreciousthings

    allthepreciousthings says:

    Thanks for another helpful post. Great photos definitely make a difference..

    2 years ago

  • TheNightjar

    TheNightjar says:

    great suggestions : )

    2 years ago

  • insectus

    insectus says:

    Interested in what people suggest for gray items? I mostly work in steel, which doesn't have the highlights of silver, like in the 12linden photo above. I fear using colorful backgrounds would distract from the item... Good article, though!

    2 years ago

  • insectus

    insectus says:

    Star of the East, your new photos look AWESOME. i was a fan of your shop before, but now...it's MINDBLOWING!

    2 years ago

  • LizAnnasOnTheLake

    LizAnnasOnTheLake says:

    Thanks for this helpful post! I'll be reopening my Etsy shop after a 'vacation' period while I worked on new stock. This will be a good opportunity to try out some different background ideas.

    2 years ago

  • mariadiana

    mariadiana says:

    i am an art major. why didn't i think of that? oink!

    2 years ago

  • eloiseBYemily

    eloiseBYemily says:

    great advice! i am going to have to change some of my photos now!!

    2 years ago

  • GemuineCreations

    GemuineCreations says:

    Thanks! Some ideas I never thought of like using complimenting color backrounds. It's fun to switch it up:)

    2 years ago

  • EponaJewels

    EponaJewels says:

    These are great tips. Photos are soooo hard sometimes!

    2 years ago

  • SmokyMountainVintage

    SmokyMountainVintage says:

    I have always been a horrible photographer so this is the hardest thing for me to do when listing my items. I also have problems with glare. Thanks for the tips. I will definitely use them.

    2 years ago

  • charisg08

    charisg08 says:

    Awesome! I'm going to have to work on some better ideas for photos.

    2 years ago

  • SweetiePieCaketopper

    SweetiePieCaketopper says:

    Vety interesting. I guess I need a better camera for starters.

    2 years ago

  • Stompz

    Stompz says:

    I'm thinking it's time to stock up on some scrapbooking paper with a wide range of colors and patterns.

    2 years ago

  • taintbosh

    taintbosh says:

    Great advice, especially on another post about using software to help as well.

    2 years ago

  • zoozjewelry

    zoozjewelry says:

    Great article! I need a lightbox, the light is too sharp in Greece.

    2 years ago

  • lv2cr8

    lv2cr8 says:

    This is one of my favorite articles. Photography is my biggest struggle and I am constantly trying new things. Thank you for the basics.

    2 years ago

  • JBMoods

    JBMoods says:

    Working. on these photo changes is alot of work, but when an item was featured I thought it was awesome! So I'm still working of both my pages. Always good advice I get from the Etsy team!

    2 years ago

  • Lissies

    Lissies says:

    Great tips! Thank you for sharing! :)

    2 years ago

  • DIVINEsweetness

    DIVINEsweetness says:

    Thank you so much!!

    2 years ago

  • AJSPASTIME

    AJSPASTIME says:

    love the tips, I have already tried using dark background for my pics but I think maybe I should use more of a contrast than the color that I used. thanks for sharing

    2 years ago

  • ToteallyBlessed

    ToteallyBlessed says:

    This is great! I have alot to learn! Thanks so much.

    2 years ago

  • onceuponapeony

    onceuponapeony says:

    I was wondering how people got those beautiful white backgrounds! Thanks so much for all the great info!

    2 years ago

  • CJJewels

    CJJewels says:

    Thanks for the info. I had made a box with a white background but didn't think of adding a light inside. I'm off to try it right now :).

    2 years ago

  • Jordannajoy

    Jordannajoy says:

    Thanks! I will work on my pics.!

    2 years ago

  • Cookstah

    Cookstah says:

    So super. I am wondering this though... it seems to me that most front page treasuries have white or very plain backgrounds? Maybe 80%? Would you say this is the best way to go?

    2 years ago

  • MarianDesigns

    MarianDesigns says:

    Thanks for sharing your excellent and creative color ideas!

    2 years ago

  • 2Tui

    2Tui says:

    Thanks for sharing! Great article. Away with my white backgrounds!!

    2 years ago

  • ScrapHappieAZ

    ScrapHappieAZ says:

    Love the tips, I hope I improve

    2 years ago

  • MysticStarDesigns

    MysticStarDesigns says:

    Excellent tips thx!

    2 years ago

  • laylacopeland

    laylacopeland says:

    Thank you! These are really inspiring ideas.

    2 years ago

  • RomanceCatsAndWhimsy

    RomanceCatsAndWhimsy says:

    Great tips - thank you!

    2 years ago

  • frenchiesfinds

    frenchiesfinds says:

    Thanks for this! I'm just getting started and just got a great camera. Now I just need time to create and take pictures! This will help!

    2 years ago

  • kathartstudio

    kathartstudio says:

    Thanks for the great tips!

    2 years ago

  • TMutzCreates

    TMutzCreates says:

    Great samples!! especially "rock in the road" which i want to check out now...

    2 years ago

  • GemdropsoftheFalls

    GemdropsoftheFalls says:

    GREAT tips! I love the idea of using the color wheel. That is genius and I never would have thought of it. Thank you!!

    2 years ago

  • designsbyegs

    designsbyegs says:

    This sounds really doable - I'll give it a try. Sure can't make my photos any worse. Thanks

    2 years ago

  • InYourBones

    InYourBones says:

    Thanks for another helpful post

    1 year ago

  • VintageStyleJewelry

    VintageStyleJewelry says:

    pictures pictures! wish I knew someone who could take pictures for me as I am really struggling.

    1 year ago

  • earthnskystudio

    earthnskystudio says:

    Wonderful tips!

    1 year ago

  • Lillypicadilly

    Lillypicadilly says:

    Thank you, for these really simple and usable ideas.

    1 year ago

  • chocolatetulipdesign

    chocolatetulipdesign says:

    These are tips I needed to hear! I am going to implement some! Thanks!

    1 year ago

  • dbghouston

    dbghouston says:

    Great article! I will definitely keep these in mind!

    1 year ago

  • LalitasGemmes

    LalitasGemmes says:

    Nice tips! I am still a rookie at photography and these tips are going to help. Thanks!

    363 days ago

  • TRaewyn

    TRaewyn says:

    Thanks! This is great, and just what I'm looking for.

    153 days ago