If you're comparing photo retouching services, the first question is always the same: how much does it cost, and what are typical retouching rates? The honest answer is that photo retouching prices range from under $1 to $30+ per image — it depends entirely on the type of editing, complexity and volume. Here's a clear 2026 breakdown of photo retouching rates and prices.
These are typical per-image photo retouching rates in 2026 across the most common e-commerce and product services:
| Service | Typical rate / image |
|---|---|
| Clipping path / background removal | $0.50 – $2 |
| Ghost mannequin (neck joint) | $1 – $3 |
| Color correction | $0.50 – $2 |
| Product retouching (e-commerce) | $1 – $4 |
| Jewelry & watch retouching | $2 – $8 |
| High-end beauty / editorial | $10 – $30 |
At Retouch Atelier, e-commerce post-production starts at $1 per image and scales down with volume.
Our own rates. The ranges above are what the industry charges. Retouch Atelier publishes its per-image rates and volume tiers in full — see our rates.
There are two ways retouching is priced. Per-image rates (used by most studios and outsourcing partners) give you a predictable price per photo — from under $1 for a clipping path to a few dollars for product work — so you always know your cost before you order. Per-hour retoucher rates are common with individual freelancers and range from roughly $25 to $150+ per hour depending on skill and market. For e-commerce catalogues, per-image pricing is almost always cheaper and easier to budget, because you only pay for finished images, not time.
A full-time retoucher can cost $2,000–$5,000+/month plus software and management. Outsourcing to a studio converts that into a predictable per-image or retainer cost — you only pay for what you need, and you can scale up for campaigns without hiring. For most brands and photographers, outsourcing is dramatically cheaper than an in-house retoucher's salary and rates.
Explore specific services and pricing: clipping path, background removal, product photo editing, ghost mannequin, jewelry retouching, watch retouching and white-label for studios.
Send 5 images and get it retouched free — no commitment.
Get a Free Test EditTypical photo retouching rates run from about $0.50–$4 per image for e-commerce work (background removal, clipping path, product and ghost mannequin), and $10–$30+ per image for high-end beauty and editorial. Bulk and monthly-retainer rates are lower per image.
E-commerce product retouching typically costs $1–$4 per image depending on complexity, with volume discounts. Simple background removal can be under $1.
Freelance retoucher rates range from roughly $25 to $150+ per hour depending on skill and market. For predictable pricing most e-commerce brands choose per-image rates instead, which start under $1 per image at a studio.
Yes, for most brands. A full-time retoucher costs thousands per month; outsourcing converts that into a per-image or retainer cost so you only pay for what you use.
Yes — send 5 images and we'll retouch it free so you can judge quality before ordering.
See our quality risk-free — no commitment, no card.