Choose between transparent PNG and JPEG
Use a transparent PNG when the product needs to sit on another background. Use a finished photo when you want the background to travel with the image. The choice depends on what happens after export.
What the formats preserve
| Format | Useful for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| PNG with transparency | Product cutouts, overlays, reusable design assets | Transparent pixels are present and edges look correct |
| PNG with a solid background | A finished image where you want lossless storage | File size and destination support |
| JPEG | Finished product photos with an opaque background | Compression quality and visible detail |
PNG supports transparency, but a PNG file does not automatically have a transparent background. JPEG does not store transparent pixels. Renaming a file changes neither its format nor its background.
Start with a real cutout
To make a transparent product image, separate the subject from the source background in an editor. Inspect the selection before exporting. The checkerboard you see behind a cutout usually represents empty pixels.
A screenshot of that preview includes the checkerboard as part of the image. Export the actual cutout instead. Lightbox’s transparent background workflow is designed for this reusable version.
Test the file against another color
Place the exported image over a dark background and then a light one. If a rectangle remains around the product, the background was flattened into the file. If a pale fringe appears only on dark colors, revisit the cutout edge.
Fine hair, translucent material, and soft reflections can behave differently from solid edges. Sometimes a simple photographed background explains those materials better than a cutout.
Choose a finished background for listings
A marketplace may ignore transparency or display it against a background you did not expect. Etsy, for example, says transparent PNG areas appear black. See Etsy’s image requirements, checked on September 18, 2026.
Add a solid white background before export when you need predictable listing photos. Then inspect the uploaded version inside the listing.
Keep the master and the export
Save an original photo and a reusable cutout separately from the files you upload. Repeatedly saving a JPEG can introduce more visible compression. Make a new export from the master when you need another size.
File size is not a measure of image usefulness. An oversized PNG may upload slowly without adding detail a buyer can see. A heavily compressed JPEG may lose important labels or texture. Choose the smallest export that preserves the detail your destination needs.
Request Lightbox beta access or read the image resizing guide.