Pixometry specializes in automated image enhancement and optimization for companies producing large volumes of images under pressure. Customers include some of the world’s top newspapers, magazines, retailers, and enterprises such as galleries.

The internet has transformed news and magazine publishing beyond recognition, fundamentally changing how images are sourced and distributed.

In the past, "picture desks" handled a small number of high-quality professional images for a limited number of printed pages. Now, most images come from low-resolution sources on social media and must be processed at scale for online publication. The volume of content required has increased massively, putting immense pressure on specialist image production teams.

Pixometry alleviates this burden by automating the image correction (color balance, quality, centering) of the 80% of supporting images publications need. This allows picture editors to focus on what Pixometry co-founder Derek Milne calls “kings, queens, and presidents” — the high-profile, subjective, and creative images that require human expertise.

Background removal, or “cutout,” has long been a painstaking and time-consuming part of publishing. Whether for cover shots, columnist profile pictures, or car advertisements, editors needed a faster, high-quality solution to replace manual cutouts traditionally done in Photoshop.

To answer the need, Pixometry had started developing its own background removal app when an agency introduced them to remove.bg.

“They said, ‘Have you seen this?’ and we looked at it—and it far surpassed what we could offer at the time,” says Milne. “That’s really where the connection started.”

The integration was seamless.  Customers, who were used to waiting to receive outsourced cutouts from India at \$3–\$4 per image, now had instant, cost-effective results.

To help sell the solution, Milne often showcases a striking example: an image of a tennis player at the US Open. remove.bg effortlessly isolated the player from the background, handling the noise of the crowd and court while perfectly cutting out every single string on the racket. “It’s an image that really proves the point of how good automation can be,” says Milne.

Pixometry’s workflow is designed to integrate directly into content management systems (CMS) for publications, retailers, and other enterprises.

Their setup is simple: an input, an output, and the ability to apply image enhancement and background removal in a single streamlined process. Users can generate PSD and TIFF files with multiple layers, allowing for further customization.

Initially, media clients were doubtful that remove.bg could replicate the results they had been achieving manually in Photoshop for years. To convince them, Milne simply showed them the before-and-after results. “We don’t have to say too much about it,” he explains. “We just show two images side by side. It’s obvious.”

The impact of remove.bg has been transformational for Pixometry and its clients:

• Massive time savings: Background removal is now nearly instantaneous, enabling faster turnaround for publishers.

• Cost efficiency: Customers previously outsourcing cutouts now achieve the same results in seconds, at a fraction of the cost.

• Scalability: Major publishers have increased throughput from 1,000 images per month to over 5,000 in just three years.

• Quality consistency: A leading, London-based, international news publisher reports success rates of 95–100%, meaning nearly all processed images require no Photoshop touch-up.

“And when I say ‘success rate,’ I mean…nobody has to touch it manually,” says Milne.

Beyond operational improvements, remove.bg has given Pixometry a significant sales advantage. Additionally, the confidence in the automated cutouts has enabled some customers to action headcount reductions, reallocating resources to other areas of their business. “If we can convince them, it’s a massive opportunity for us,” Milne explains. “Fortunately, it’s very visual, seeing really is believing.”

Pixometry continues to explore additional AI-driven features, including automated shadow creation and enhanced background replacement. While remove.bg already delivers near-flawless results, Milne notes that providing separate shadow layers via the API would be a valuable addition for e-commerce and product photography applications.

By integrating remove.bg, Pixometry has positioned itself at the forefront of AI-driven image processing, empowering publishers to work faster, smarter, and more efficiently in the digital era. “We use it as a powerful sales tool,” Milne concludes. “It’s not just about automation—it’s about unlocking new creative possibilities.”