Depop photo tips, in short: the app takes up to four photos and one video per listing, and Depop.com takes up to eight photos. Put the whole item in the first photo, shoot in natural daylight on a plain background, add close-ups of labels and tags, and photograph every fault. Only original photos are allowed; listings with stock images are removed.
More on this topic: Marketplace image requirements, every guide in one place.
Depop is a visual app first. Buyers swipe through a grid of photos, tap what catches their eye, and decide from a handful of images whether the piece is worth it. With only four photo slots in the app, every shot has to do a job. This guide covers Depop's own rules, how to plan four photos (or eight on the web), what the video is for, model shots versus flat lays, and how to show condition so you avoid "not as described" claims.
- App: up to 4 photos and 1 video. Web: up to 8 photos. If you need more than four shots, list from Depop.com.
- First photo: the whole item, clear and centered. It's what buyers see in the grid.
- Light: daylight from a window, no flash, no color-changing filters.
- Original photos only. Depop removes listings that use stock images.
- Photograph faults, labels and tags. Wrong colors and undisclosed major wear count as "significantly not as described."
How many photos can you upload on Depop?
You can add up to four photos and one video when you list in the Depop app, and up to eight photos when you list on Depop.com from a laptop or desktop. Depop's help center lists both limits on its "How to list an item" page. Drafts sync between the app and the web, so you can start a listing on your phone and finish it on a computer to use the extra slots.
| Item | Photos to plan | Must include |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirts and tops | 4 | Front, back, brand and size tag, any marks |
| Jeans and trousers | 4–6 | Front, back, waist tag, wear on knees or hems |
| Dresses and jackets | 4–6 | Full length, back, fabric close-up, zips or buttons |
| Trainers and shoes | 6–8 (web) | Both sides, soles, heels, size label, creasing |
| Bags and designer pieces | 6–8 (web) | Logo, hardware, inside, corners, any date code |
| Vintage | 4–8 | Label, era details, fabric, every flaw |
Depop's photo limits and listing rules were checked in October 2026. Marketplaces change their rules, so confirm the current requirements in your seller dashboard before you upload a large batch.
What should the first photo on Depop be?
The first photo should show the whole item, clearly, with nothing cut off. It is the image buyers see in search and on your shop page, so it needs to read well at thumbnail size. On the web you can choose which photo is the cover image and crop it before posting.
- Whole item in frame. Sleeves, straps, hems and toes all inside the edges.
- Plain background. A white wall, a clean floor or a plain sheet keeps the item the hero.
- Style it, but keep it honest. Depop buyers respond to personality, and Depop itself says you can get creative with your own photos. Just make sure the item is the clear subject.
- Leave a margin. Depop doesn't publish a required pixel size or aspect ratio, so give the item some space on every side and check the crop in the preview before you post.
Which four photos should you use on Depop?
Use the four slots for the front, the back, the label and the most important detail or flaw. That covers the questions buyers ask most: what it looks like, what it looks like from behind, what brand and size it is, and what condition it's in.
- Front: your cover, worn or laid flat, whole item in frame.
- Back: same setup, same light.
- Brand and size label: close enough to read. Depop's selling guide asks you to include photos of labels and tags.
- Detail or fault: the one thing a buyer most needs to see up close, such as a stain, a print, fabric texture or hardware. If there's a fault, it gets this slot.
If the item needs more than that (shoes, bags, anything with several flaws), list it on Depop.com for eight photos, and describe anything you couldn't photograph in the description with measurements.
Should you add a video to a Depop listing?
Yes, if you list from the app: the video slot is the easiest way to show fit, movement and fabric without using a photo slot. Depop doesn't publish a video length limit in its help center, so keep it short and check what the app allows when you record.
- Show fit: a slow turn while wearing the item, front, side and back.
- Show texture: move slowly across knit, denim or sequins in good light.
- Show function: zips, clasps, a bag opening and closing.
- Same light as your photos, so colors match between the video and the stills.
Model shots or flat lays on Depop?
Use both if you can: a worn or model shot shows fit and style, and a flat lay shows the whole garment and its true shape. Depop's own blog suggests mixing a model shot, a flat lay and close-ups across your photos.
| Style | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Worn or on a model | Fit, drape, streetwear and vintage styling | Cluttered mirrors and rooms; crop at the neck if you prefer |
| Flat lay | Whole-garment shape, kidswear, accessories | Creases and shadows; shoot from directly above |
| Hanger on a plain wall | Dresses, coats, shirts | Hooks and doors in the background |
| Close-up | Labels, fabric, hardware, faults | Blur; tap to focus and hold still |
Two rules apply to worn photos. Depop's nudity policy bans nude and semi-nude imagery in listings, and for models aged 13 to 17 it bans images of them wearing lingerie, swimwear or sheer clothing. For kidswear, Depop recommends flat lays and doesn't allow images of children modelling swimwear or underwear.
Put a clean, light background behind a cluttered flat lay, keeping the item exactly as you shot it.
Clean up a photo7 days free · 50 credits · No credit cardHow do you take good Depop photos with your phone?
Shoot next to a window in daylight, on a plain background, with your phone's main lens and no flash. Depop's blog recommends natural light because it shows an item's true color. Step by step:
- Find the window. Stand side-on to it and turn off yellow ceiling lights.
- Prep the item. Steam out creases, de-lint, empty pockets, snip loose threads.
- Use the 1× lens and step back instead of zooming in digitally.
- Tap to focus on the item and pull exposure down slightly for white or pale fabric.
- Keep one setup for every listing. A consistent background makes your shop look curated when buyers scroll it.
- Check at thumbnail size on your phone before posting.
For more on lighting and framing clothing, see how to photograph clothes for selling online, flat lay photography and how to photograph shoes.
What photos are not allowed on Depop?
Depop only allows original photos taken by you. Its help center says stock images and photos from the internet belong to the original photographer, and that listings using stock images will be removed. Avoid:
- Stock, catalog or brand photos, and photos copied from another seller's listing.
- Nude or semi-nude imagery, in listings or profile photos.
- Misleading edits: filters that change color, or retouching that hides wear.
- Personal information. Depop advises never sharing personal details in listings; check for post with your address or documents in the frame. Phone photos can also carry hidden GPS location in their metadata, and our free photo metadata remover saves clean copies.
How do photos protect you from "not as described" claims?
Clear photos of condition are your evidence. Depop defines "significantly not as described" as an item that is significantly different from the listing's photos or description, and says it's the seller's responsibility to make both accurate.
Depop's examples include incorrect sizes, wrong colors, counterfeit items, severe damage, and major wear or flaws that weren't detailed on the listing. Minor damage on secondhand or vintage items isn't covered. A clear photo of a flaw, plus a mention in the description, is the simplest way to stay on the right side of that line.
Depop's search guidance points the same way: show the item from every angle and highlight details and flaws, and include measurements and signs of wear in the description.
Common Depop photo mistakes
| Mistake | Why it hurts | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Using a stock or brand photo | Listing removed | Shoot the actual item yourself |
| Four photos, all of the front | Buyers can't judge back, label or condition | Front, back, label, detail |
| Yellow indoor light | Colors look wrong; wrong color is a not-as-described reason | Window daylight, no flash |
| Item cut off in the cover | Looks careless in the grid | Step back; leave a margin |
| Flaw only in the description | Buyers miss it; disputes follow | Give the flaw its own photo |
| Unreadable tag | Size and authenticity questions | Close-up in focus, good light |
Editing Depop photos without misleading buyers
Cropping, straightening, brightening and tidying the background are fine. Changing the item itself, such as removing a stain or shifting the color, is not, and it's exactly what a not-as-described claim looks for. If you list from a computer and your iPhone photos are HEIC files, our free image compressor and converter turns them into JPGs and shrinks large files.
For a messy bedroom you can't reshoot, AiArter's product photo tools can swap the background for white or a soft color while keeping the item as you photographed it. Free-trial images carry a small "Made with aiarter" mark, so only use clean exports from a paid plan in listings. Selling on several apps? See our Poshmark photo tips, Vinted photo tips, Mercari photo tips and the Poshmark and Depop photo size guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many photos can you put on Depop?
Up to four photos and one video when you list in the Depop app, and up to eight photos when you list on Depop.com from a laptop or desktop. Drafts sync, so you can start in the app and finish on the web.
Can you add a video to a Depop listing?
Yes. The app lets you add one video per listing alongside your photos. Depop doesn't publish a video length in its help center, so check the limit in the app when you record.
What size should Depop photos be?
Depop doesn't publish a required pixel size or aspect ratio. Photos straight from a phone camera work; keep the whole item inside the frame with some margin and check the crop in the listing preview.
Can I use stock photos on Depop?
No. Depop only allows original photos you took yourself, and listings that use stock images are removed. Stock photos also belong to the original photographer.
Should I model the clothes in my Depop photos?
Worn photos help buyers judge fit, and Depop's blog suggests mixing a model shot with a flat lay and close-ups. Nude and semi-nude imagery isn't allowed, and kidswear is best shown as a flat lay.
Do I have to show flaws on Depop?
You should. Major wear or flaws not detailed on the listing count as significantly not as described, and Depop may refund the buyer. Photograph each flaw and mention it in the description.
Why do my Depop photos look yellow?
Indoor bulbs add a warm cast. Shoot next to a window in daylight with the room lights off and no flash, which keeps colors true.
Swap a cluttered background for white or a soft color, with the item itself left exactly as you shot it.
Start free trialSee pricing7 days free · 50 credits · No credit card. Trial images carry a small “Made with aiarter” mark; paid plans export clean files you can use commercially.
