6 min read
Etsy Plus vs Free: Does Photo Quality Matter for Ranking?
A look at whether Etsy Plus sellers see a photo-quality ranking bump, what Etsy's algorithm actually weighs, and how free-tier sellers can match it.
Author
Seb Rodriguez
Founder, CatalogCut
Seb is the founder of CatalogCut, an AI product photo editor built for ecommerce sellers who need consistent, marketplace-ready images at scale. Before CatalogCut, he ran production photography and listing operations for multi-channel ecommerce brands, where he saw first-hand how much seller time goes into background removal, resizing, and batch exports.
He writes about practical product photography workflows, marketplace image specs, and the technical details of AI-based background removal. All CatalogCut blog posts and guides are reviewed against real listings on Etsy, Shopify, Amazon, eBay, TikTok Shop, and Walmart before publishing.
Areas of expertise
- Ecommerce product photography
- Marketplace image requirements
- AI background removal
- Batch image processing
- Shopify, Etsy, Amazon, and Walmart listing workflows
Posts by Seb Rodriguez
6 min read
Lighting Setups Under $100 for Ecommerce Sellers
Three practical lighting setups under $100 that produce consistent product photography across categories. Shopping list included.
8 min read
Your Phone Can Shoot Marketplace-Grade Photos. Here's How.
A working setup to shoot marketplace-grade product photos with a recent iPhone or Android. Includes lens choice, lighting, distance, and the edits to run after.
9 min read
Lifestyle vs Studio Product Shots: What Converts on Each Marketplace
Conversion data on when lifestyle images outperform studio shots and vice versa, broken down by marketplace and product category.
7 min read
Shadow Generation: Drop vs Natural vs Reflection
Choosing the right shadow is the fastest way to change how a product looks on a listing. This guide compares drop, natural, and reflection shadows with side-by-side examples.
8 min read
Why AI Background Removal Fails on Hair, Fur, and Glass (And the Fixes)
Hair, fur, and glass are the three edges that break most AI background removers. Here's why they fail and the practical techniques and tools that get clean results.
6 min read
White Background vs Transparent PNG: When to Use Each
Choose a white-background image or transparent PNG based on the destination's current rules, then verify the final export before a large upload.
8 min read
How to Batch Edit 100 Etsy Photos: A Hands-On Workflow
A practical workflow for turning a shoot of 100 raw photos into Etsy-ready exports with a repeatable preset, quality gates, and realistic timing.
8 min read
The 2026 Etsy SEO Photo Checklist
A practical, Etsy-specific photo checklist your team can run before every listing. Covers the primary image, gallery order, accessibility tags, and the quiet ranking factors Etsy buyers respond to.
9 min read
How to Photograph Products for Etsy: A Complete Seller's Guide
Learn exactly how to take product photos that sell on Etsy. Covers camera settings, lighting setups, styling tips, and how to meet Etsy's image requirements for maximum visibility.
10 min read
Amazon Product Image Requirements in 2026: The Complete Guide
Stay compliant and boost conversions with this up-to-date guide to Amazon's product image requirements. Covers main images, secondary images, infographics, and common rejection reasons.
10 min read
Product Photography Lighting Tips: How to Light Any Product Like a Pro
Master product photography lighting with these practical tips. Learn how to use natural light, budget studio setups, and AI-powered tools to get professional results without a professional budget.