A little preparation can save time during a packshot shoot and help your products look consistent across a catalog or online store. Before the session, inspect each item, clean it carefully, and check that labels and packaging match the version you plan to sell. Then send your photographer clear instructions about the required images and any product details that affect handling or styling. Use this checklist to get your products ready and reduce last-minute questions.
Clean and Inspect Each Product
Remove dust, fingerprints, smudges, and residue with a cleaning method suited to the material. Use a soft microfiber cloth on glossy surfaces, and avoid harsh cleaners unless the manufacturer recommends them. For glass or reflective finishes, check the item under bright light from several angles; small marks that are hard to see in a room may stand out in a close-up photograph.
Inspect products for scratches, dents, loose parts, or other defects before packing them. Decide whether the shoot should show the item as it arrives to customers or whether you want a flawless display sample. If you are sending multiple units, choose the cleanest, most representative one and note any natural variations that the photographer should preserve.
Check Labels and Variations
Confirm that labels are straight, readable, and free of bubbles, wrinkles, or peeling edges. Check spelling, required product information, and the correct logo or design version. If packaging has recently changed, identify which version should appear in the images so the photographer does not unknowingly use an outdated sample.
Separate product sizes, colors, flavors, or models and label each group clearly. Provide a simple list that connects each item to its product name or SKU. If the shoot includes several variations, specify whether you need individual images, a group shot, or both. This helps prevent mix-ups and makes it easier to match finished images to your online listings.
Pack Products for Safe Handling
Pack each item so it cannot shift, rub against another product, or arrive with new marks. Use clean protective material and keep small components, caps, inserts, and accessories together with the correct item. For liquids or fragile products, secure closures and use leak-resistant or cushioned packaging as appropriate. Avoid tape directly on product surfaces or labels.
Include any retail box, sleeve, or other packaging that should appear in the photographs. Send extra packaging pieces when they are easy to damage, and mark which items are display samples versus backup units. Add a packing list with product names, quantities, and handling notes. If a product must stay upright, remain chilled, or be assembled in a specific way, flag that before delivery.
Brief Your Photographer Clearly
Share the purpose of the images and where you plan to use them, such as product pages, a printed catalog, or social media. List the required views, including front, back, side, detail, scale, or packaging shots. Note any image dimensions, background preferences, cropping needs, or platform requirements you already know. If you have reference images, send them as examples of direction rather than as exact promises of a result.
Tell the photographer about reflective, transparent, unusually shaped, or delicate surfaces and point out details that must remain visible. Identify the main selling features, areas to avoid retouching, and any parts that need careful positioning. Confirm the product count, delivery or pickup plan, and who can answer questions. Tacoma Packshot Studio can use these details to plan the session and handle each sample appropriately.
Before the shoot, clean and inspect each sample, verify the correct labels, pack items securely, and send a clear list of required images and handling notes. Keep a copy of your product and variation checklist so you can confirm what was photographed. If you are planning a session, contact your photographer to review the product list and preparation needs.