WCAG 1.4.5: Images of Text
Level AAQuick answer: Use real text for product claims, offers, and instructions whenever HTML can achieve the same presentation.
What This Means
On ecommerce sites, Images of Text usually shows up in repeating storefront components such as product cards, PDP media, search results, cart drawers, checkout forms, and support content. If the live experience depends on patterns like homepage banners contain the only version of 'free shipping over $75' as a png. or size-guide tables are exported as images instead of html tables., disabled shoppers can lose context or get blocked before purchase.
This criterion matters because D2C teams often fix the homepage but miss reusable app blocks, campaign pages, and mobile-specific UI. The practical standard is simple: build the same outcome for keyboard users, screen-reader users, low-vision users, and anyone relying on captions, labels, structure, or predictable behavior.
For Shopify, WooCommerce, and custom storefronts, the fastest remediation path is usually template-level work. Fix the repeated component once, then retest every place it appears across browse, buy, and post-purchase journeys.
Common Violations on Ecommerce Sites
- Homepage banners contain the only version of 'Free shipping over $75' as a PNG.
- Size-guide tables are exported as images instead of HTML tables.
- Checkout instructions are embedded in a screenshot of the payment form.
- Collection hero art includes the only readable category name.
How to Fix It
Start with the live customer journey, not isolated components in Storybook or Figma. Audit the problem on category pages, product detail pages, quick views, cart, checkout, account, and help templates.
- Move offer copy and instructions into HTML layered over imagery when needed.
- Use CSS for typography effects instead of flattening text into graphics.
- Keep only essential brand lockups or artistic wordmarks as images of text.
- Ask designers for editable text layers so marketing assets can ship accessibly.
On Shopify, fix the theme section or app block that repeats the defect. On WooCommerce and WordPress, update the template override or plugin output. In custom React or headless storefronts, move the fix into shared components so merchandisers cannot reintroduce the issue with every campaign.
Code Example
<!-- Before -->
<img src="promo-banner.png" alt="Free shipping over $75">
<!-- After -->
<section class="promo-banner"><p>Free shipping over $75</p></section>FAQ
What is WCAG 1.4.5?
Use real text for product claims, offers, and instructions whenever HTML can achieve the same presentation.
How does WCAG 1.4.5 affect ecommerce sites?
It affects ecommerce anywhere shoppers interact with homepage banners contain the only version of 'free shipping over $75' as a png. and size-guide tables are exported as images instead of html tables. If those patterns are inaccessible, customers can miss product information, fail forms, or abandon checkout.
How to fix WCAG 1.4.5 violations?
Start by auditing the live storefront, then Move offer copy and instructions into HTML layered over imagery when needed.; Use CSS for typography effects instead of flattening text into graphics.; Keep only essential brand lockups or artistic wordmarks as images of text.. Prioritize templates and apps that repeat the issue across product, cart, checkout, and account pages.
Check if your store passes WCAG 1.4.5 → Free ADA Compliance Scan