How to Take the Best Pet Photo for Your Custom Embroidered Hoodie

Ordering a custom embroidered pet hoodie is an exciting way to celebrate your furry friend, but did you know that the quality of your pet’s photo directly impacts the final embroidery? Whether you’re choosing a detailed pet portrait, a minimalist silhouette, or a paw print design, a clear, high-quality photo ensures the best results.

At Toby & Co., we take pride in creating stunning, high-quality embroidered pet apparel, and it all starts with the perfect pet photo.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to take the best pet photo for your custom hoodie, including:

✔ The best lighting and angles to use

✔ What to avoid when taking your pet’s picture

✔ How to get your pet to sit still for the perfect shot

✔ Tips for capturing a great paw print image

Follow these expert tips to make sure your custom pet hoodie turns out beautifully!

1. Choose the Right Lighting

Lighting is the most important factor in getting a clear, detailed photo of your pet. Natural lighting works best because it highlights the unique features of your pet’s face and fur.

✅ Best Lighting Tips:

✔ Use natural daylight: Take the photo near a window or outside in soft sunlight.

✔ Avoid harsh shadows: Make sure your pet’s face is evenly lit.

✔ No flash! Flash can wash out details and make your pet’s eyes look unnatural.

💡 Best Pick: Our Custom Embroidered Pet Portrait Hoodie captures every detail of your pet—so a well-lit photo is key!

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2. Capture Your Pet’s Best Angle

Not all angles work well for embroidery. To get a great result, take a straight-on or side-profile photo where your pet’s entire face and ears are visible.

✅ Best Angles for Pet Photos:

✔ Front-facing portrait: Your pet should be looking straight at the camera.

✔ Side-profile shot: Works well for minimalist silhouette designs.

✔ Head and shoulders only: Avoid full-body shots—we focus on the face for embroidery.

❌ Avoid These Mistakes:

🚫 Blurry or low-resolution photos – Embroidery requires sharp, clear images.

🚫 Photos where part of the face is cropped – The full head should be visible.

🚫 Overhead angles – These distort your pet’s features and are harder to embroider.

💡 Best Pick: Our Minimalist Pet Silhouette Hoodie is designed for sleek side-profile images!

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3. Get Your Pet to Stay Still

Getting a sharp, focused photo can be tricky if your pet is constantly moving. Here’s how to get the perfect shot:

✅ Tips for a Still, Focused Photo:

✔ Use treats or toys: Hold a treat near the camera to keep their attention.

✔ Take the photo at their eye level: Kneel down or place your pet on an elevated surface.

✔ Use “burst mode” on your phone: This captures multiple shots, so you can pick the best one.

✔ Try after playtime: If your pet is too excited, wait until they’re tired for a calmer photo.

💡 Best Pick: Our Custom Embroidered Pet Name Sweatshirt is perfect for pet parents who want a simple name embroidery in addition to their pet’s image.

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4. How to Take a Clear Paw Print Photo

If you’re ordering a custom paw print hoodie or tote, the best way to capture your pet’s paw print is to use a stamp or ink method.

✅ Steps to Get a Perfect Paw Print:

1️⃣ Use pet-safe ink or paint. Avoid anything toxic or hard to wash off.

2️⃣ Press their paw gently onto white paper. Make sure the full shape is visible.

3️⃣ Take a high-resolution photo of the print. Keep the camera steady and well-lit.

4️⃣ Upload the image when placing your order.

💡 Best Pick: Our Custom Embroidered Paw Print Hoodie turns your pet’s unique paw print into a stylish, personalized keepsake.

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5. Ensure a High-Resolution Image

Even if your pet is in the perfect pose, a low-quality image can ruin the final embroidery. For the best results, make sure your photo is sharp and high resolution.

✅ How to Get a High-Quality Image:

✔ Use your phone’s rear camera – Avoid selfies or using the front camera.

✔ Make sure the photo isn’t pixelated or grainy – If it looks blurry when zoomed in, it won’t work.

✔ Take the photo in good lighting and from a close distance.

💡 Best Pick: Our Custom Embroidered Pet Tote Bag is a stylish and practical way to keep your pet close—perfect for high-quality portrait or paw print embroidery!

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Final Checklist: Is Your Pet Photo Ready for Embroidery?

Before submitting your pet’s photo, double-check these key factors:

✅ Good lighting – Natural daylight, no harsh shadows

✅ Clear focus – No blurriness or pixelation

✅ Front-facing or side-profile shot – Full head and ears visible

✅ No filters or edits – Keep the colors natural

✅ High resolution – At least 1000px wide for best results

🎁 Looking for the perfect pet-inspired gift? Whether you want a portrait, a silhouette, or a paw print design, Toby & Co. makes it easy to wear your pet with pride!

🛍️ Start Designing: Explore Our Custom Pet Apparel Collection

📸 Show Off Your Hoodie! Tag @TobyAndCoShop on Instagram to be featured!