What photos to send for a 3D product render.

You don't need a photographer, a lightbox or 3D files. A phone and a window will do. Here's exactly what we need to build your product in 3D, and why each thing matters.

1. Find good light

Shoot next to a window in daylight, with the flash off. An overcast day is ideal because the light is soft and even. Avoid warm indoor bulbs: they tint everything yellow, and we match your product's colour from these photos.

2. Shoot every side

We need to see the whole product to build it. Take one photo straight on from the front, back, left, right, top and bottom, then one from a three-quarter angle.

• Hold the phone level with the product, not above it. Shooting from above makes bottles look like they taper.
• Fill most of the frame, but leave a little space around the edges.
• Use a plain background. A sheet of white paper is perfect.

3. Get close to the details

Labels, pumps, caps, engraving and textures are what make your product yours. Take a close-up of each one, and tap the screen to focus before you shoot so the small print is sharp.

4. Measure it

Send the height, width and depth in millimetres. For round things, send the diameter. If you can, take one extra photo with a ruler next to the product.

5. Send your artwork if you have it

Your label or packaging files, as a PDF or AI file, keep ingredient lists and fine print crisp in every image. Without artwork we work from your photos, which is fine for most things, but very small text may come out softer.

What about CAD or 3D files?

They help, but you don't need them. If your manufacturer already has CAD files, send them along and we'll use them as a starting point.

Things that slow us down

• Blurry photos, or photos taken in coloured light
• Missing sides, especially the back and the bottom
• Only photos of the box, when we're building the product inside it

If anything's missing, we'll tell you within a few working hours, and your 72 hours start once the brief is confirmed.