By Tata Rossi 11 days ago, Apps and Software
Ymage Services
Verdict: Ymage charges $1.25 per image, but the quality of their job is average. This platform provides editing services for various purposes, but the range of the available tools is quite restricted and only includes basic features. There is a free version but its editing capabilities are definitely not enough.
It is designed for preparing pics for being published on e-commerce platforms and works with clients who are interested in 3D options. However, online store owners will get disappointed to find out that it lacks advanced features.
Ymage leverages cutting-edge API integration to provide editing services, therefore you can expect your order to be fulfilled within 24 hours.
✖ No clear requirements for the original photos. Unfortunately, it is not clear what type of photos the platform supports, which causes trouble when uploading pics to the system. Clients often need to adjust some parameters to make the platform accept the photos for editing.
✔ Intuitive ordering process. Placing an order with Ymage is a 3-step procedure. You need to import your photos (the whole directories if required), and then connect the system to your store management platform.
Afterward, you need to specify the tasks the team needs to do with your pics. As the website claims, any order will be completed within 24 hours and even sooner. However, it is not clear whether you will be able to get ready-made photos so quickly if you want to improve the entire catalog.
✔ The editing process does not affect the original pic. Ymage uses a pack of photo editing software to edit pics non-destructively. This means that all the corrections are applied to a separate layer, so the original pic is not affected. So, you can be sure that the source file will remain intact, and if you are not satisfied with the post-processing result, you can return to the initial photo.
✖ No ability to provide individual requirements. Ymage accepts all orders through their automated platform, which eliminates the possibility of leaving any individual requests for further post-processing. Thus, the client’s expectations and reality of working with Ymage often diverge.
Moreover, customers cannot contact retouchers to discuss details and clarify unclear points. They can only write to the technical support chat, but the specialists there are mainly engaged in ensuring the correct operation of the platform and order fulfillment.
✔ 10 photos for free. You can evaluate the result by taking advantage of the ability to order the first 10 pics for free. But pay attention to the fact that this offer is only available for some services, which include basic options like background removal or recoloring, for example.
Ymage specializes in product retouching service, which is the main direction sellers and e-store owners are interested in.
✖ The number of completed works is insufficient. There is no ability to evaluate the quality of the provided services, as the website only contains several photo samples. Many clients, especially those who turn to Ymage for the first time, would like to have access to a more extensive portfolio and express such a wish in their reviews.
✔ Invisible mannequin option. Very often clothes sellers require packs of ghost mannequin photos, and Ymage is an appropriate service to perform this task.
But, unfortunately, the company does not provide discounts for package orders (and plenty of such photos are usually required), which upsets customers, because they need to spend a fortune to get this type of job done.✖ No revisions/edits. Another considerable downside is that the company does not provide revisions. If the output does not satisfy your expectations, be ready to place another order but describe its specifications in greater detail.
✔ Multiple payment methods. A variety of payment methods and the ability to get the invoice in an instant is another appealing aspect of the platform. If you own a special project or large volume, you can get a customized quote and pay the invoice later.
Those who are involved in the marketing field (online store owners, for example) will benefit from the special option provided by Ymage within their e-commerce editing services.
✔ Can add shadows and reflections. Ymage can make your pics voluminous, which is a real lifesaver for those who want to fix flat and unnatural product photos to boost sales. By adding shadows and reflection, the company can make product photos you are going to post in your online store more appealing.
✔ Vector conversion. Users of Illustrator know well that the process of vectorizing images can be complicated and time-consuming, but Ymage simplifies this task. With this method, specialists can turn product photos into marketing materials such as banners, logos, leaflets, etc.
✖ Unclear pricing policy. Although the official website contains a list with defined prices for pic editing, here you’ll also find the info that customers can request individual pricing, which is very confusing.
In addition, there is a single price for editing, and the question arises whether all services cost $ 1.25. Thus, the client loses time when clearing out these issues with Ymage representatives.
✖ Does not offer model retouching. If you need to show the goods on a model, pay attention to the fact that the company can only perform basic retouching of such pics. Some of the options that are available are the removal of skin blemishes, scars, marks, hairs, etc.
But it is not high end services or headshot retouching performed professionally, so it would be unreasonable to expect perfect results.
✖ Yellow skin tone. Many clients complain that the face of the model in the photo features a yellowish tone. Of course, such a result is not satisfactory but there is no opportunity to ask for revisions.
The company offers some item removal options, but their array is not extensive if compared to services that specialize in doing such jobs.
✔ Hides image parts accurately. If you need to conceal or reveal some image sections, Ymage will become your handy assistant in this issue. Besides, the removal process won’t affect other image sections, but in fact, some details are often erased. This often happens when the specialists do not involve layers in the image editing.
✖ Manual clipping path. When clients order manual clipping path services, they hope to get highly accurate output. But actually, the delivered output often does not meet clients’ expectations. This especially concerns pics featuring tiny details. Therefore, this service can be suitable only in cases where the goods have smooth edges.
✖ Unnatural results after recoloring. Color adjustment and recoloring are not what Ymage excels at. Some areas of the photo may be poorly repainted, plus, sometimes the shades look inharmonious, which does not foster selling goods in the online store.
✖ Cannot replace the background. The company provides a background removal service but cannot replace the existing one with a new one. If you want to get not just a transparent background, you will have to add it yourself using software that offers background replacement options.
✖ No mobile version. As a rule, when shooting with a mobile camera, you’ll need to remove the background or use clipping path options, and it would be great if the platform allows uploading images for further editing. But there is no separate version for mobile devices, so you’ll need to upload pics on your PC at first and then send them for post-editing.
Ymage excels the competitors by providing 3D services, which include product visualization, basic animation, rendering service, as well as AR options for representing goods in the best possible light.
✖ A limited number of animation & AR options. As Ymage does not specialize in this type of, the scope of their animation and AR options is really limited. Therefore, using the company’s services, you cannot be sure that your web store will distinguish itself from others, as all the offered animations are quite similar.
✔ 3D configurator settings. With a 3D configurator, clients can adjust product images according to their wishes without trouble. Order this service to provide your customers with an excellent shopping experience.
✔ Allows creating SketchUp libraries. Architects and interior designers will benefit from Ymage’s ability to create libraries inside their 3D designs. Once the client approved the design of the space, your item of furniture will be sold as part of the project automatically.
✖ Basic 3D lifestyle scenes. The platform can place the product in a lifestyle context to better attract the attention of buyers. But when analyzing the work of Ymage experts, you’ll find out that they are far from impressive. As a rule, the lifestyle scenes are not appropriate for presenting products on marketplaces.
✔ Direct sharing. Connect your online store to the Ymage platform and after getting the processed photos, you will be able to upload them directly to the site. However, sometimes the connection is lost, and the user has to renew the connection or double-check before downloading the files.
You will be disappointed to discover that Ymage does not have a detailed pricing list. It is only known that after a trial period, a client will have to pay $1.25 per image.
However, you can benefit from the Enterprise option and ask the company’s representatives for individual quotes.
Verdict: FixThePhoto is one of the best services available on the market today. The company’s specialists can perform professional retouching of photos of various genres, including portraits, product, and jewelry photography. They also specialize in wedding photo retouching and a lot more types of photos, whereas Ymage can only edit images of some genres.
Speaking about item removal, clipping path, masking, and other high-end services, FixThePhoto excels the competitor by delivering accurate results. Unlike Ymage, the company’s team is always focused on delivering high-quality photos, with turnaround time being really short.
Verdict: WeEdit.Photos employes professional retouchers, which makes the company a serious competitor to Ymage. I like that they consider all the wishes and requirements of the clients and are ready to correct the finished project if it is needed.
Comparing the results after face retouching delivered by WeEdit and Ymage, it becomes clear that the first company performs this task more professionally, maintaining a natural skin tone. They also provide comprehensive information about the services and prices, which cannot be said about Ymage.
Verdict: Retouchup beats the competitor by offering a wider list of services. The company does not only specialize in product retouching but also delivers high-quality body retouching, photo restoration and other services.
But the process of placing an order is rather tiresome. The customer needs to fill out a lot of forms, and the original photos are downloaded too long, especially if you add the whole directory at once.
Verdict: Pixc primarily serves e-commerce businesses delivering top-rated editing services to web stores. So, they don’t just edit product photos like Ymage, but offer more specialized options like jewelry retouching, for example.
However, the company's customers complain about a difficult-to-navigate site, and that they have to spend a lot of time figuring out how to place an order. In addition, the quality of work performed is far from professional, and deadlines often do not correspond to those declared at the beginning of the cooperation.
Verdict: Pixelz is another provider of picture editing services, and like Ymage, it mainly provides product post-processing. But the clients who need one-time services will find it very inconvenient to cooperate with them, as the company requires a subscription.
Even though Pixelz is focused on large bulk orders, they do not offer discounts for such customers. In addition, there are too few examples of the finished works on the site, which makes it impossible to fully appreciate the professionalism of the team.
Verdict: Image Salon is an image editing outsourcing company that does not have a gallery with work samples, whereas Ymage provides at least several examples of the performed job. The website boasts an attractive UI and contains “before” photos. However, you’ll have trouble finding the before/after photo samples there.
Although the company positions itself as a professional photo retoucher, you will have to pay extra for some editing jobs. Such options as color correction services and culling will require additional payments.
Verdict: ShootDotEdit is a go-to option for wedding and event photographers. The company specializes in upgrading colors and only accepts batch orders. So, you cannot ask the agency’s team to process several product shots like in Ymage.
If you are a wedding photographer who usually takes 500-700 photos every photo session, ShootDotEdit can become your handy assistant. Unfortunately, there is no detailed description of their services and the site lacks a portfolio.
Verdict: Although image editing services provided by Color Experts International and Ymage are alike, the first company can handle a greater variety of tasks, including image manipulation, real estate photo editing, and more. However, when it comes to placing and management of orders, Ymage makes these processes more convenient for clients.
Sometimes, customers complain about the mediocre quality of pic editing. Inconsistent editing style and neglect of some important details are what cause much discontent among clients. Such inaccuracies deteriorate the overall photo quality.
Verdict: Photza is your comprehensive solution for enhancing product photos. They can clean surfaces, adjust shapes and colors, remove undesired objects, change the size, etc. However, their list of editing services lacks clip editing, which is an obvious downside.
The prices are higher than those offered by Ymage and other retouching services, which is a considerable minus for many. In addition, you will not be able to order individual services, as Photza provides ready-made packages to choose from.
Verdict: IIPVAPI offers similar editing services if compared to Ymage. They can mask images, retouch pics, replace backgrounds, sharpen images, restore damaged photos, etc.
Even though the quality of their work is sometimes not the highest, clients can benefit from its free trial to envisage what result they can expect from this agency. Besides, they can read detailed info about their services and check their portfolio with many samples on the official website.
