Sports image guide

At Zalando, delivering a top-tier customer experience is one of our core values, and your support is crucial in helping us consistently meet and surpass expectations.

We strongly recommend that you provide a wide range of high-quality images to captivate customers and showcase your articles, stories and experiences effectively.

To ensure efficient processing of your article images, an understanding of our image terms is essential. An image term describes the type of image that is required for a successful onboarding of your article. Below you’ll find the image terms, the type of assortment that this image is used for and a detailed description of what it means.

Our image requirements vary depending on what they will be used for on our website. Please adhere to them to ensure smooth and efficient processing of your article images and thus the processing of your articles.

Technical image requirements

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This overview is intended to introduce you to the technical requirements your images have to fulfil, in order to be accepted by Zalando.

Background colour range requirements

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Packshot views

For packshot views it's important to remember that primary packshots must have a white background. We do accept packshot view with colours from the background colour range, but these aren't allowed as primary packshots, but as additional view only.

To make sure your model view is suitable as a catalogue view, use our background colour range for a compliant background colour. We accept model views with a white background, but they cannot be used as the front crop.

This guide only covers the image requirements for Sports articles. You can find more information about what kind of article fits into the Sports assortment category here.

For full image requirements, please refer to the general Zalando image guidelines.

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  Zalando image guidelines

  Comprehensive guide to Zalando's image requirements, including technical specifications, acceptable image types, and category-specific guidelines. You’ll also find best practice image examples from across assortments.

The table below shows the number of which types of images are needed for onboarding articles in the Sports assortment. For your information, simply duplicating images to meet the requirements is not allowed and would lead to an article rejection. 

In sportswear packshot photography, high-quality images are crucial to showcase the blend of functionality and style. Please make sure to adhere to the following guidelines:

• For the primary packshot, position Sports articles in the centre of the image grid for consistent presentation Please find supporting guidance in this section of the Zalando image guidelines

• Avoid overexposure

• Prepare the articles by steaming or ironing to avoid wrinkles and remove dust and fluff

• Make sure that the bags are clean and, if necessary, filled to ensure full visibility of the article

• Display articles in full length and size

• Articles with an extended back should show this in a packshot

In sportswear photography, selecting models with athletic figures that represent your size range is essential for authenticity. 

Please make sure to adhere to the following guidelines:

• A plus size article must be shown on a plus size model (Minimum size: 44)

• Always show the full length / size of the article in one of the model views

• Make sure that the model is wearing shoes, unless the article is for yoga, when the model must be barefoot

• Use models with athletic figures that reflect your size range and fit models properly, avoiding catwalk models

• Make sure to use samples that fit the models properly

• Models should have clean fingernails and hands

• Encourage natural and dynamic posing

• Headwear is not allowed for Catalogue view images, but is permitted for any further views

• Seated positions are allowed

For womenswear:

• Use discreet makeup with muted lip colours or lipgloss

For menswear:

•  Allow body and facial hair.

When styling sportswear photography, ensure clothing matches the sport and highlights key features. Combine loose and fitted clothing and pair sportswear with matching gear. Outdoor wear, however, can be paired with jeans.

• Keep styling simple

• Drawstrings should be pulled to the same length, ribbons/loops must be tied neatly

• Arms should be shown in full length, should not be bent, rolled up, sticking out or propped up 

• Style according to the sports type: Secondary items and shoes should match

• Show any valuable features (e.g.: removable hood, inner pockets, reversible... ) in a model view

• Combine wide-cut tops with slim trousers, and vice versa; avoid wide top with wide bottom

• Jerseys need matching trousers (i.e. football jerseys with football socks

• Sports tops can be combined with jeans

The following image examples illustrate the required visuals across the assortment, highlighting best-practice model poses, acceptable backgrounds, and specific guidelines for single articles, multipacks, and sets. Use these as a clear reference to ensure compliance with Zalando's Sport article standards.

Both the men's and women's articles have the same packshot view and model view requirements, but differ in unique styling details. Attention should be paid to the following details:

• Sports bras: Must be styled with sports stock (e.g. leggings, sports shorts), not with normal underwear, can be styled with/without sports shoes

• Bottoms: Must be shot barefoot

• Undershirts: Can be styled with long or short sports trousers

• Long bottoms: Can be styled with sports shorts and with/without sports shoes

• Short bottoms: Must be shot barefoot

• Undershirts: Can be styled with long or short sports trousers

• Front and back crop for trousers: Without secondary items, barefoot and naked from the waist up is recommended

• Full body style view: Secondary items allowed (e.g. shirts, trousers)

For sports clothing, Packshot and Model view requirements are the same for both men's and women's articles. Refer to the following best practice image examples for guidance:

Sports shoe images should primarily highlight the product, making packshot views the preferred option. However, model views can enhance storytelling. Please follow the packshot view requirements, while model views adhere to the general guideline requirements:

• Primary packshot: Left shoe pointed to the left, white background and centred. Please see this section of Zalando image guidelines article for more guidance.

• Top view or side view: It is recommended to have both shoes in one image, but it is not mandatory. For the side view, make sure that both the side and the front are visible by angling the perspective.

• Sole view: Mandatory for sports shoes; show the whole sole

• Detail and model views: It is recommended to show fastening (always tied), material, reflective elements, shoe in action during a sports activity

Sport backpacks and bags images should primarily highlight the article, making packshot views the preferred option. However, model images can enhance storytelling. Attention should be paid to the following details:

• One compliant primary packshot to be used as catalogue view (Please note: Front crop is not allowed as catalogue view for these assortment categories) and two further compliant images

Sport accessories images should primarily highlight the article, making Packshot views the preferred option. However, model images can enhance storytelling. Attention should be paid to the following details:

• One compliant Primary packshot or one compliant front crop image (serves as catalogue view) and Two further compliant images

• One compliant primary packshot (catalogue view)