Professional Image Editing Software Used by Experts

What Software We Use for Image Editing

Professional image editing software refers to advanced tools used by industry experts to edit, retouch, and optimize images for commercial and eCommerce use. Industry professionals primarily rely on Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, and InDesign to ensure precise background removal, accurate color correction, scalable workflows, and consistent high-quality output.

What is Professional Image Editing Software?

Professional image editing software includes advanced tools like Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, and InDesign that experts use for commercial photo retouching, background removal, color correction, and large-scale eCommerce image editing.

Below are the primary tools our professional editors use daily.

1. Adobe Photoshop (Primary Editing Software)

adobe photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is the most widely used professional image editing software in the world. It allows pixel-level control, making it ideal for both basic edits and complex photo manipulation.

Why Professionals Use Adobe Photoshop

  • Precise background removal and clipping paths
  • High-end product retouching
  • Advanced photo manipulation and masking
  • Full control over color, lighting, and details

These capabilities make Photoshop ideal for our background removal services, clipping path services, and professional photo retouching solutions. At Clipping World, Photoshop is our core tool for delivering pixel-perfect results through our eCommerce image editing services for commercial projects.

2. Adobe Illustrator (Vector & Artwork Editing)

adobe illustrator, software we use for image editing

Adobe Illustrator is primarily used for vector-based graphics, illustrations, and artwork. It complements Photoshop by handling logos, icons, shapes, and scalable design elements.

Why Professionals Use Adobe Illustrator

  • Creating and editing vector graphics
  • Logo and brand asset design
  • Preparing graphics for print and digital platforms
  • Seamless integration with other Adobe tools

These features make Photoshop ideal for our eCommerce image editing services. We use Illustrator when projects require clean, scalable visuals alongside edited images.

3. Adobe Lightroom (Color Correction & Organization)

lightroom

Adobe Lightroom is designed for organizing and enhancing large numbers of photos efficiently. Its non-destructive editing system ensures original image data remains intact.

Why Professionals Use Adobe Lightroom

  • Batch color correction and exposure adjustments
  • Managing large photo libraries
  • Editing RAW images without quality loss
  • Consistent color grading across multiple images

For bulk image projects, Lightroom helps us maintain speed and consistency.

4. Adobe InDesign (Layout & Publishing)

InDesign, software we use for image editing

Adobe InDesign is mainly used for layout and publishing purposes, such as catalogs, magazines, brochures, and marketing materials.

Why Professionals Use Adobe InDesign

  • Designing multi-page layouts
  • Organizing text and images professionally
  • Preparing files for print and digital publishing
  • Maintaining brand consistency across publications

We use InDesign when image editing projects require professional presentation and layout design.

5. GIMP (Free Image Editing Software)

gimp

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, open-source image editing tool. While it offers basic editing capabilities, it has limitations compared to Adobe software.

Why Professionals Use GIMP (Limited Use)

  • Basic image editing for non-commercial tasks
  • Budget-friendly option for beginners
  • Simple retouching and adjustments

For professional and commercial work, we rely on Adobe tools for better accuracy, efficiency, and output quality.

How Software Choice Impacts Image Editing Quality

Using professional software allows us to:

  • Ensure accurate color consistency across devices
  • Maintain high resolution and detail
  • Handle complex edits without quality loss
  • Deliver faster turnaround for bulk projects

At Clipping World, our editors use these tools daily to handle thousands of product images for eCommerce brands, ensuring reliability and consistent results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What software do professional image editors use?

Professional image editors mainly use Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, and InDesign. These tools offer advanced control for retouching, background removal, color correction, and commercial-scale image editing.

Which software is best for professional photo editing?

Adobe Photoshop is considered the best software for professional photo editing due to its pixel-level precision, advanced retouching tools, and flexibility for complex image manipulation.

Do professional photo editors use Lightroom or Photoshop?

Professionals use both. Lightroom is ideal for batch editing and color consistency, while Photoshop is used for detailed retouching and advanced edits.

Is GIMP good for professional image editing?

GIMP can handle basic edits, but it lacks the advanced features, color management, and workflow efficiency required for professional commercial projects.

Final Thought

Using professional image editing software is only half the equation—the other half is expert execution. At Clipping World, our skilled editors use industry-standard tools to deliver consistent, conversion-ready images at scale. Get started today with a free sample and see the difference.

If you’re looking for professional image editing done using industry-standard software, you can explore our photo editing services or request a free consultation to see how we can support your business.