Ghost Mannequin Service

Ghost mannequin retouching — also known as the invisible mannequin or hollow man effect — makes a garment appear naturally worn without a model or mannequin visible in the final image. The result is a clean, professional product shot that shows the garment's true shape, fit, and construction without any distraction.

We have been delivering ghost mannequin retouching for fashion brands, apparel e-commerce stores, and catalog studios since 2008. It is one of the services we perform most and one of the ones we are most confident in.

Ghost mannequin is a compositing technique that requires two separate photographs of the same garment:

• Shot 1: The garment on the mannequin — full exterior view
• Shot 2: The interior of the collar and sleeve openings with the mannequin removed

In post-production, both shots are composited. The mannequin is removed from Shot 1. The collar and sleeve interiors from Shot 2 are blended in seamlessly. The seam between both images must be invisible — same light, same tone, same fabric rendering.

Done correctly, the result looks as though the garment is being worn by someone who isn't there. Done incorrectly, the join shows and the image looks amateurish. The difference between the two is experience and attention to the fabric at the seam.

What We Handle

• Invisible neck joint reconstruction
• Front and back garment compositing
• Sleeve and armhole interior matching
• Collar and lapel reconstruction
• Background removal to pure white or transparent
• Light and tone normalization across front/back shots
• Mannequin clip and zipper removal
• Fabric wrinkle and crease clean-up post-composite

The quality of the ghost mannequin result depends heavily on how the garment is shot. Here's what makes the composite work:

• Keep the camera in the same position for both shots — exterior and interior. Any shift makes the composite harder to align.
• Fold the collar and lapels down when shooting the interior so the inside of the neckline is fully visible.
• Match your lighting between both shots. A shift in light angle makes the join visible at the collar edge.
• Use a mannequin with a removable head and arms — it makes isolating the collar opening significantly easier.

If your shoot was not set up for ghost mannequin, send us the files anyway — we will assess what can be achieved and advise on what additional shots, if any, are needed.

• Jackets, blazers and structured outerwear
• Shirts, blouses and knitwear
• Dresses and full-length garments
• Sportswear and technical fabrics
• Swimwear and lingerie
• Children's and infant clothing
• High-end fashion and luxury garments

Turnaround & Pricing

Standard ghost mannequin orders are delivered within 24 hours. High-volume batches and rush orders are available — contact us to discuss your timeline.

Pricing starts at $1 per image for standard ghost mannequin compositing. Garments requiring complex collar reconstruction or extensive fabric repair are quoted individually.

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Also see: Full Apparel Photo Retouching Service · Fashion Photo Editing