Hand models are a type of body part model. Hand models are in high demand in advertising, where both print and video advertisers often want to show close ups of the product being handled. However, most peoples hands have blemishes such as scrapes, scars, spots, or discolorations which would stand out in a close up and distract from the product. Hand models tend to have flawless skin and hands with what are considered ideal physical traits.With female hand models agents often look for long, slender hand and fingers and long nail beds. They also value smooth, hairless, unblemished skin with minimal wrinkles nor visible pores.'''

Requirements for male hand models vary; depending on whether the job calls for a burly, "construction worker" type hand or a more white-collar look.

For the print hand model, a necessary trait is the ability to pose the hand in a relaxed and graceful fashion. Professional hand models try to avoid what photographers call "the claw," the rigid death-grip that novices often produce when put in front of the camera.

Hand models are also prevalent in TV commercials, although you may not always see the hand, i.e., most food-related commercials have hand models in them pouring gravy, dipping a french fry, cutting a piece of steak. Here it is not as important to have perfect hands, but timing and patience are required to "hit one's mark."