Some pet photos look great on a phone but lose important detail when turned into a printed portrait. The good news is that you do not need a professional camera. A well-lit smartphone photo is usually enough.
Before placing your order, use this guide to choose a photo that shows your pet clearly and still feels like them.
Choose a Photo That Shows Their Personality
Start with the original file
Look closely at the eyes, nose, ears, and fur. If those details stay sharp when you zoom in, the photo is likely suitable. Send the original file from your phone whenever possible—not a screenshot, social-media thumbnail, or image saved from a messaging app.
Use soft, even light
Daylight near a window or outdoors in open shade usually works best. Avoid strong backlighting and direct flash. For a dark-coated pet, use a lighter background; for a white pet, choose a background that helps the fur outline stand out.
Pick a natural expression
A front-facing or slightly turned pose makes the face easier to recognize, but the photo should still feel personal. A crooked smile, raised ear, or familiar serious look can make the finished shirt more meaningful than a perfectly posed image.
Quick Tips for Different Pets
- Long-haired dogs: Choose a background that contrasts with the fur so the outline does not disappear.
- Flat-faced breeds: Photograph near eye level to avoid making the nose look unusually large.
- Black dogs or cats: Use good daylight and avoid dark furniture or walls behind them.
- Pets that will not sit still: Take several photos in burst mode while holding a treat or toy near the camera.
- More than one pet: Separate photos often work better than one crowded group shot. Use images with similar lighting and eye level.
Photos That Usually Do Not Work Well
- Blurry photos or frames taken from a moving video
- Screenshots with buttons, captions, or other screen elements
- Very small images downloaded from social media
- Heavy filters that change the pet's color or markings
- Photos with cropped ears, hidden eyes, or objects covering the face
- Distant room photos where the pet appears very small
If an old or imperfect photo is the only one you have—especially for a memorial gift—send the best original available. We can review it and let you know if it has enough detail before production.
Do You Need to Remove the Background?
No. Please send the original image instead of cutting the pet out yourself. Home-edited outlines can accidentally remove whiskers, fur, or part of an ear. If something in the background should stay, mention it when you email your customization details.
How the Customization Process Works
- Browse our custom pet photo shirts and choose your style, color, and size.
- Complete the order so we can match the photo to your order number.
- Email the photo and order number to support@storiwear.com. Include the pet's name if the design uses it. Suggested subject: Custom Pet Photo – Order #1234.
- Review the digital design preview and check the portrait, spelling, and layout.
- Approve the preview so production can begin.
Pet Shirt Gift Ideas
A custom portrait shirt can be playful, sentimental, or both. A few ideas:
- A personalized pet photo mom shirt for Mother's Day or a birthday
- A favorite funny expression for a dog dad
- Matching shirts for a pet and their person
- A simple portrait made from a meaningful memorial photo
- A group design featuring two or more family pets
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a phone photo?
Yes. Most recent smartphone photos work well when the face is sharp and evenly lit. Send the original file rather than a screenshot.
Can you use a photo with a busy background?
Usually. The pet needs to be clearly visible, but you do not have to remove the background yourself.
Can I include more than one pet?
Depending on the product and layout, multiple pets may be possible. Send a clear image of each pet and tell us how you want them arranged.
Will I see the design before printing?
Yes. We send a digital preview for approval before production begins.
Turn a Favorite Photo Into Something You Can Wear
Once you have chosen your photo, visit the Custom Pet Lovers collection to select a shirt. If you are unsure about an image, email it to support@storiwear.com and we will help you choose.