DoorDash menu photo requirements

The rules

Shape

16:9 landscape

Size (px)

At least 1400×800

File size

Up to 2 MB

Format

JPEG / PNG

Menu thumbnail

A centered square

Dish in frame

50–70%

Background

A real surface, nothing edited in

Added text, graphics, borders

Not allowed

Watermarks

Not allowed

Items per photo

One (unless sold together)

Editing

Must look as photographed

AI images

Must show the real dish

Landscape 16:9 only; vertical and square photos are not accepted. At least 1400×800 (1.75:1, slightly wider than 16:9); do not upscale small images. At least 80% of the item visible, filling 50–70% of the frame; do not crop vertical photos to 16:9. Photos must look exactly as photographed, with no added text, graphics or borders; no people, hands only off to the side; one item per photo unless sold together. Menu thumbnails use a centered square.

Common reasons photos are refused

• ·Too small: at least 1400×800 px; do not upscale small images, which blurs them Source
• ·Wrong shape: landscape 16:9 only, no vertical or square photos; do not crop vertical photos to 16:9 Source
• ·Too close or too far: at least 80% of the item must be visible Source
• ·Poor lighting: bright and even, no harsh shadows or blown-out highlights Source
• ·Background: simple, natural and realistic, the item filling 50–70% of the frame; no flashy, cluttered, photoshopped or solid-color backgrounds Source
• ·Added text, graphics, borders or watermarks: photos must appear exactly as photographed; logos only where they are on the cup or plate Source
• ·People in the photo: none; hands only off to the side, never covering the item Source
• ·Not the item served: the actual item, not an idealized or generic version; one item per photo unless sold together; no clip art, illustrations or stock graphics Source

Where its own pages disagree

• White background: the rejection page says a white background is fine if it looks natural and crops nothing, and on the same page lists transparent or white backgrounds as a rejection reason. A natural background is used here. Source 1
• The portal photo editor can apply new backgrounds (including branded ones), while the rejection page says photoshopping a creative background onto a photo is a rejection reason. Source 1 · Source 2

Questions

Can a DoorDash menu photo have a white background?

DoorDash's page contradicts itself: it says white is fine if it looks natural and crops nothing, and also lists white or transparent backgrounds as a rejection reason. A real table or counter is the safe choice. Source

How are menu thumbnails shown?

Menu thumbnails show a centered square, so keep the item in the middle with room around it. Source

Can I edit photos with AI?

DoorDash's merchant portal has its own AI tools (Retouch keeps the dish and cleans up background, light and sharpness; Replate restages it on new dinnerware), and enhanced photos still go through review. Photos you edit yourself must still appear as photographed. Source