If you’ve ever tried to sell your apparel online, you know how challenging it is to showcase a product’s fit. Your viewers want to know what your product looks when worn– not when lying flat or on hangers. Of course, you could use models to showcase the shape, but they are cost-prohibitive in the long run.
On the contrary, many sellers employ dummies to display their outfits. While this is a cost-effective approach, it fails to deliver consistency and professionalism on a website. Moreover, your camera will pick up the scruff and spots from the mannequins if they are worn off. The good news is you have options!
Today let’s explore the new alternative to life-like photos– the ghost mannequin effect.
What is the ghost mannequin effect?
The ghost mannequin or hollow-man effect is a post-production technique for your apparel. Here, the exterior and interior of your attire are merged, and all the traces of the dummy are eliminated. The result is a photo that perfectly shows your apparel’s appearance in 3D. The 3D silhouettes can accelerate sales by letting your audience imagine themselves in the garment and feel more confident about purchasing.
Before the idea originated, retailers showcased their clothes in four different ways:
· On a real-life model
· On a mannequin/dummy
· On hangers
· By flat-lay
Each process has its pros and cons. However, you will realize they are pricey options or need to be more attractive to generate sales. So, ghost mannequins ultimately become a recognized way to portray your clothes online.
However, reproducing the process takes a lot of work, especially for non-professional editors. Fortunately, it might be easier than you think. There are great tools out there to spruce up your imagery. For instance, the ghost mannequin component from AI-powered autoRetouch lets you reproduce the effect automatically. Whether you’re a fledgling or a professional, you just need the garment photographs to get started. The software will create the effect for you in less than a minute for affordable charges.
Purpose of the ghost mannequin effect:
The ghost mannequin effect features several benefits for the online apparel industry:
- They save money:
The hollow man effect photography is much cheaper than hiring a model. You could get started with any white, non-reflective mannequins. Unlike models, you don’t have to spend time and resources to make them appear stunning on camera. Only styling the apparel on the figurines can create gorgeous product shots. This way, you can spend freely on other areas of your business.
2. They provide clarity and transparency:
Well, it’s no secret online shopping can be deceptive. The dress looks great on the model, but it might be different for your customer. With the ghost mannequin effect, your audience will know exactly what you’re selling. The technique is perfect for showing the garment’s shape, fit, and style. When customers make happy and confident purchases, they’ll be glad to return for more.
3. They deliver consistency:
Did you know the ghost mannequin effect ensures a consistent and uniform look for your website? Having images of different quality and sizes can make your website sketchy. Since you’ll use the same effect for all your apparel, your website will flaunt professionalism. And visual consistency helps your customers think no matter what they purchase, they’ll receive quality products.
4. Cut off the post-production time:
Using models for photography requires professional editing. Multiple stages exist before the images are prepped for a website, like color correction or skin retouching. But, you can easily avoid these issues using the hollow man effect. You need to capture pictures and self-driven software to complete the process.
Conclusion:
Since the shopping pattern has upgraded from offline to online, you should also keep up with the trend. Audiences need to devour the nook and cranny of your apparel before making confident purchases. And if you’re looking for ways to ensure a world-class browsing experience for your website, the ghost mannequin effect has your back.
