What to look for
No bubbles, bumps, ridges, scuffs, ink smudges, peeling corners, etc. Also be sure to pick a bottle where the label is level, and not crooked.
Finally, find a bottle where the glass seams are on the sides of the label and not behind it. It can cause a flat spot if the seam is behind the label, causing lighting issues.
Target bottles with the seams on the sides of the bottle that are smooth.
Avoid bottles with glass defects, color variations, bubbles, residue, or other deformities.
Again these want to be clean. If you find a very clean bottle that has your branded logo or name facing forward on the cap or cork, thats a bonus, but not important. I can fix this in post production very easily.
No tears, knicks, or funky shapes in foil.
No dented screw caps.
If you have a white wine or rosé in a clear or lightly tinted bottle, the camera will see right through it. This means that the back label will be visible in certain spots, and often times causes light to bounce in awkward ways inside the bottle. If it is an issue, the back label will be removed in the studio.
For painted labels on clear glass I require 2 copies of the bottle, only if you require both a front and back label image. A razor blade will be used for removing the opposite side from which I’m photographing, otherwise it will appear through the glass, and look pretty bad.
Obviously no dents or rough scratches if possible.
If your label is a wrap, make sure the wrap is even and not wavy or warped looking. Especially around the top and bottom edges of the wrap.
If your label is printed on the can, make sure there are no smudges, scratches, or blemishes.
If you sell cans in a multi-pack, bring a full pack along to include with the individual can photo. Make sure the packaging is clean and unblemished around the edges, corners, etc. The individual can and the multi-pack are considered 2 different products and will be billed as 2 separate items. A photoshopped “Cluster” image can be made from a single can if you sell in a multi-pack, instead of shooting the multi-pack itself. A $15 fee for the Cluster image may save a few dollars.
What to avoid
Vintage Removal
If you release a product regularly and would prefer not to include a vintage year or AVA on the label so you can recycle the photo from year to year, I can likely remove it using magic. Depending on your artwork of the label, some may not be eligible for this service, but most labels do qualify.
Transparent Background
Most websites feature images with a transparent background so that your bottle’s background will be the same as your website’s background/design. I feel this is the best way to deliver images, as they also work for spec sheets or other advertising and graphic needs.
Images with transparent backgrounds are delivered as .png files, which preserves background transparency. All other images will be delivered as .jpeg files.
If you want me to get in touch with your web developer to discuss technical gibberish, I’d love to. That way you get what you need and everything works the way it should.
