In the ecommerce business, the ghost mannequin technique is becoming more common to display the garments naturally and precisely. Here, the businesses offer two types of service. They either take in-house editing or outsourcing.
However, in-house editing is expensive and more time-consuming. That’s why many professional brands choose to outsource ghost mannequins. It is around 59% of businesses. On top of that, professional images through outsourcing can offer a 33% increase in conversions.
There are many more reasons why outsource ghost mannequin service is a smart choice. In this article, we will discuss them in detail.
What is Ghost Mannequin Service?
A ghost mannequin service is mainly a photo-editing technique. The businesses use it to display clothing naturally without showing the mannequin or model. It helps the customer to imagine how the garment will look on the human body.
Moreover, it helps to build visual trust. Recent eCommerce studies show that 87% of buyers see product image quality as the main thing when deciding to buy online. That means clear and high-quality ghost mannequins directly affect your online business sales.
Now, let’s have a quick comparison between ghost mannequin and other techniques.
| Technique | Cost | Visual Impact | Scalability | Best For |
| Live Model | High | Very high | Low | Lifestyle campaigns |
| Flat Lay | Low | Moderate | High | Budget catalogs |
| Ghost Mannequin | Moderate | High | Very high | Apparel eCommerce and bulk catalogs |
Why Outsource Ghost Mannequin Service?
First, let’s understand what outsourcing exactly means. In simple words, outsourcing ghost mannequin editing means here you will hire a professional team to edit your apparel photos. You just need to send photos, and they will return your high-quality images.
There are a number of benefits you can get from outsourcing a ghost mannequin. Check it out below.
① Saves time and speeds up launches
You know, sometimes in-house editing can slow down your product launches. In contrast, outsourcing teams handle bulk orders fast. They can complete the editing within a 12–24-hour standard turnaround time. Ultimately, it can assist you in publishing your seasonal collections sooner and meet the deadlines.
② Lower operating costs
If you prefer in-house editing, you will need to hire editors, buy software/hardware. It will add to your costs. On the other hand, you can get high-quality ghost mannequins at a lower price by outsourcing. You know many high professional service providers charge only $1–$3 per image for standard ghost mannequin edits. You can even get discounts for a large number of images.
Here is a quick overview of ghost mannequin editing costs in outsourcing.
| Ghost Mannequin Editing | Cost |
| Simple edits | $0.50 to $1.00 per image |
| Standard ghost mannequin | $0.60 to $1.50 per image |
| Complex edits | $3.00+ per image |
③ High-quality images
Professional editors professionally handle neck-jointing and fabric texture. Their expertise in this field helps your business to gain the trust of your customers and enhance conversions. On top of that, these high-quality product images can highly influence online purchase decisions.
④ Helps to scale reliably
You know, growing brands often add hundreds of SKUs each season. Here, the outsourcing shift works for shifts and keeps the image style consistent. That is why many professional businesses trust the outsourcing companies to handle high-volume orders and rush deliveries in the peak seasons.
⑤ Helps to focus on growth
Just imagine when the expert editors are focusing on your image retouching efficiently, obviously your in-house team can focus on the other things of the business. For instance, they can make a product strategy or do marketing. Ultimately, you can enhance your business efficiency and lower overhead.
Let’s have a quick comparison between in-house editing and outsourcing editing.
| Factor | In-House Editing | Outsourced Editing |
| Cost Structure | Fixed costs. It can be around US $50,000 to 80,000 per year | Variable costs. Only US$1 to $4 per image |
| Scalability | Scaling is somewhat slow | Highly scalable |
| Turnaround Time | Immediate access to the team. But high volumes may cause problems | Turnaround is faster for bulk tasks |
| Control | High direct control | Less direct control |
| Initial Investment | High upfront cost | Low initial cost |
Pros and Cons of Outsourcing Ghost Mannequin Service
You can notice a marked advantage through outsourcing ghost mannequin editing. However, there are also some downsides. You should understand both sides to make an informed decision.
Pros of Outsourcing
Check it out below.
➀ Professional Quality
Professional photo editors specialize in apparel retouching. So, they know how to remove mannequins efficiently and ensure high-quality images. These types of high-quality images help your buyers to trust what they see. The results? It leads to more sales.
➁ Faster Turnaround Time
No wonder in-house editing takes time. In contrast, outsourcing teams work around the clock and handle bulk orders efficiently. They can ensure high-quality ghost mannequin editing within only 12–24 hours.
➂ Cost Savings
In in-house editing, you need to hire full-time editors, buy hardware. Moreover, you will need to maintain software licenses. These things can be truly expensive.
However, you can save these costs through outsourcing. Researchers say about 59% of businesses outsource to save costs and improve efficiency. You can expect to get the ghost mannequin editing within $0.60 and $3.00 per image. It is almost 60–70% cheaper than maintaining an internal editing team.
➃ Access to Specialized Skills and Tools
Outsourcing teams use advanced retouching tools to ensure high-quality editing. On top of that, their expertise helps your product catalog maintain a professional look in all items.
➄ Focus on Main Business
By outsourcing, your team can spend more time on marketing and customer service. They can invest their time in the growth of the business instead of taking care of the image editing.
Try high-quality ghost mannequin editing for free
Cons of Outsourcing
Check out the cons of ghost mannequin editing below.
➀ Less Direct Control
When an external team handles your edits, you lose direct control of every adjustment. So, sometimes, the final images may not fully match your expectations.
➁ Communication Barriers
If you are outsourcing from different time zones and languages, it can slow down revisions. Sometimes, it can lead to misunderstandings.
➂ Hidden Costs
Some service providers charge extra for revisions and rush jobs. It can add up your total editing costs.
| Pros | Cons |
| ‣ Professional-quality editing ‣ Enhance conversion ‣ Fast turnaround ‣ 60–70% cost savings ‣ Access to skilled editors and the latest tools ‣ Frees your team for core business tasks | ‣ Less direct control ‣ Communication or time-zone delays ‣ Hidden fees for revisions or complex tasks |
What to Check Before Hiring a Ghost Mannequin Editing Partner?
Honestly speaking, outsourcing ghost mannequin is only effective when you choose the right partner. But how can you do so, right? Below are some tips for you,
1. Portfolio and Quality Samples
You should always check for before-and-after examples of garments similar to yours. You should check for
- Clean mannequin removal
- Natural shadows and lighting
- Correct garment shape
- Retouching without over-editing
2. Turnaround Time and Capacity
You should ask the service provider how long it takes to complete a batch. Generally, standard edits take 12–24 hours. You may need to pay extra fees for rush orders.
3. Pricing Structure
Most importantly, you should understand how your service provider changes ghost mannequin editing. You should clearly ask whether they charge per image or subscription. You should compare the costs with multiple service providers to get the best price.
4. Editing Process and Tools
You should also check out what editing process and tools they use for editing. You should check things like-
- Do they use manual or AI-assisted editing?
- How do they ensure quality?
5. Communication and Support
In outsourcing, communication is a must. You should check whether the service provider offers clear communication. It helps to prevent delays and misunderstandings.
6. References and Client Reviews
Last but not least, you should ask for client references or check online reviews. It will give you insight into the quality and professionalism of the service provider.
Best Practices & Tips for Maximising Outsourcing Ghost Mannequin Service
| Best Practice | Why It Matters | How to Implement |
| Prepare high-quality source images | Clean source photos reduce editing time | Use proper lighting and correct angles during the shoot |
| Standardize your garment shots | Ensures consistent results in your catalog | Take shots for each item from each angle |
| Provide clear instructions to the vendor | Reduces errors and revisions | Share your style guide and desired file formats |
| Start with a pilot batch | Tests vendor quality before full commitment | Send 10–20 images first and review edits |
| Monitor vendor performance regularly | Maintains consistent quality over time | Check random samples from each batch and request revisions if necessary |
| Optimize costs with bulk uploads | Reduces per-image costs | Group similar garments and submit in batches |
| Track metrics and ROI | Measures the effectiveness of outsourcing | Monitor conversion rates and product engagement after using edited images |
Conclusion
So, all in all, outsourcing ghost mannequin services is a smart strategy for ecommerce businesses. It saves time and reduces costs. Moreover, it provides access to specialized expertise and helps to maintain brand standards.
So, ultimately, you should also take your time and choose the right service provider. You should provide clear guidelines and monitor performance. It will help you maximize efficiency and enhance online conversions in your ecommerce business.
Also of interest:
- What is Ghost Mannequin Photography? Beginner’s Guide 2025
- Ghost Mannequin vs Model Photography – Which is Best?
- Ghost Mannequin Editing Process – Step by Step Guide
- Proven Ghost Mannequin for Ecommerce Tips to Boost Sales in 2025
- Ghost Mannequin Editing for Clothing & Apparel Brands
- Industries Using Ghost Mannequin Services – Who Needs It Most?
