Image Generation / Product Photography
Generate prompts for post-processing needs — clipping paths, color correction, shadow addition, and background removal for production workflows.
Why This Prompt Exists
Raw AI-generated product images are rarely production-ready. They need retouching — but most users don’t know what to ask for or how to prompt for post-processing.
You get:
- images with messy backgrounds that need clipping paths
- colors that don’t match brand guidelines (no color correction prompts)
- missing or unnatural shadows (products look like they’re floating)
- inconsistent white balance across product line
- dust, scratches, or artifacts that need removal
But retouching has standard steps:
- clipping path: remove background, clean edges
- color correction: match brand colors, white balance
- shadow addition: cast shadow, drop shadow, reflection
- dust/scratch removal: clean up artifacts
- sharpening: enhance detail
- resizing: fit platform requirements
Without retouching prompts, images look unfinished.
This prompt builds post-processing workflows and prompts.
The Prompt
Assume the role of a product image retouching specialist. Your task is to generate post-processing prompts and workflows. Generate: 1. RETOUCHING TASK CLASSIFICATION | Task | Description | When Needed | Software | |------|-------------|-------------|----------| | Clipping path | Remove background, clean edges | All products for e-commerce | Photoshop, remove.bg | | Color correction | Match brand colors, white balance | Color-critical products | Photoshop, Lightroom | | Drop shadow | Add realistic shadow beneath product | White background images | Photoshop | | Reflection | Add mirror reflection below | Luxury, cosmetics, glass | Photoshop | | Dust/scratch removal | Clean up artifacts | All AI-generated images | Photoshop, Lightroom | | Sharpening | Enhance edge detail | Soft images | Photoshop, Lightroom | | Resizing | Fit platform dimensions | All outputs | Any editor | 2. RETOUCHING WORKFLOW BY PRODUCT TYPE | Product Type | Priority Tasks | Secondary Tasks | |--------------|----------------|-----------------| | Jewelry | Clipping path, dust removal, color correction | Reflection, sharpening | | Apparel | Clipping path, color correction | Shadow, sharpening | | Electronics | Clipping path, screen correction, color correction | Drop shadow | | Food | Color correction (warm), dust removal | Shadow, sharpening | | Furniture | Clipping path (complex), color correction | Shadow, resize | | Cosmetics | Clipping path, color correction, reflection | Dust removal | 3. RETOUCHING PROMPT TEMPLATES **Clipping path / background removal:** `Remove the background from this product image, clean white background, smooth edges, no halos, product only` **Color correction:** `Correct the color balance of this product image, match brand [color name], natural white balance, consistent lighting` **Drop shadow:** `Add a realistic drop shadow beneath the product, soft shadow, consistent with product lighting, natural, e-commerce ready` **Reflection:** `Add a subtle reflection beneath the product, mirror effect, fading to transparent, luxury product presentation` **Dust removal:** `Remove all dust, scratches, and artifacts from this product image, clean, professional finish` **Sharpening:** `Sharpen the product edges and details, enhance texture without introducing noise, natural looking` 4. PRODUCTION CHECKLIST - [ ] Background removed or cleaned - [ ] Edges smooth (no halos, no jagged lines) - [ ] White balance matches brand standard - [ ] Colors match Pantone or hex values - [ ] Shadows natural and consistent - [ ] No dust, scratches, or artifacts - [ ] Sharpened for web/print - [ ] Resized to platform dimensions - [ ] File named correctly (SKU_angle.jpg) 5. PLATFORM-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS | Platform | Background | Color Profile | Dimensions | Max File Size | |----------|------------|---------------|------------|---------------| | Amazon | White (255,255,255) | sRGB | 2000px min | 10MB | | Shopify | White or transparent | sRGB | 2048px min | 20MB | | Google Shopping | White or transparent | sRGB | 800px min | 16MB | | Instagram | Any | sRGB | 1080x1080 | 30MB | | Pinterest | Any | sRGB | 1000px width | 20MB | 6. BATCH PROCESSING RECOMMENDATIONS - Same lighting across batch → consistent color correction - Same product family → consistent shadow style - Same background type → batch clipping path - Create Photoshop actions for repeatable tasks 7. QUALITY CONTROL METRICS | Check | Pass Criteria | Fail Action | |-------|---------------|-------------| | Edge quality | No halos, smooth curves | Re-do clipping path | | Color accuracy | ΔE < 2 from brand standard | Re-color correct | | Shadow realism | Light direction matches | Adjust shadow angle | | Artifacts | None visible at 100% | Dust removal pass | INPUTS: Product type: [E.G., "White ceramic coffee mug", "Black leather wallet"] Original image issues (if known): [E.G., "Green color cast, messy background, no shadow"] Output platform: [AMAZON / SHOPIFY / WEBSITE / SOCIAL / PRINT] Brand color standards (if any): [E.G., "Pantone 123 C for logo, white background"] RULES: - Always start with clipping path (background must be clean) - Color correct after clipping path (background influences color perception) - Add shadows last (after product is isolated) - Use non-destructive editing (keep original layers) - Match shadow direction to original lighting (inconsistent shadows look fake) - Export in sRGB for web (Adobe RGB for print) - Test at 100% zoom before finalizing (artifacts hide at lower zoom)
How To Use It
- Always start with clipping path — background must be clean before any other retouching.
- Color correct after clipping path — background influences color perception.
- Add shadows last — after product is isolated from background.
- Use non-destructive editing — keep original layers, edit on copies.
- Match shadow direction to original lighting — inconsistent shadows look fake.
- Export in sRGB for web — Adobe RGB for print.
- Test at 100% zoom before finalizing — artifacts hide at lower zoom levels.
Example Input
Product type:
"White ceramic coffee mug with black handle"
Original image issues:
"Warm yellow color cast, no shadow, some dust on surface, uneven edges"
Output platform:
"AMAZON"
Brand color standards:
"Pure white background (255,255,255), mug should be true white, not warm"
Why It Works
Most product images from AI generators need retouching — but users don't know what to fix or how to prompt for fixes.
This framework improves outcomes by forcing:
- retouching task classification (clipping, color, shadow, reflection, dust, sharpening)
- product-specific workflow (priority tasks by product type)
- prompt template generation (ready-to-use retouching prompts)
- production checklist (pre-flight for image delivery)
- platform requirements (Amazon, Shopify, social specs)
Failure modes this prevents:
- Messy backgrounds not removed (clipping path missing)
- Inconsistent color across product line (no color correction)
- Floating products with no shadow (looks unprofessional)
- Dust and artifacts left in final image (no cleaning pass)
- Wrong dimensions for platform (rejected or cropped)
This improves on: Raw AI generation. Retouching completes the production workflow.
Related to: PP-01 (Lighting) for shadow direction; PP-05 (Conventions) for category standards.
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