Photo Requirements & Tips Guide

Everything you need to know to ensure your photos print beautifully on your custom blanket

✓ Quick Photo Checklist

Before you upload, make sure your photos have:

📁

File size: 1MB minimum (bigger is better!)

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Clear & focused: Not blurry when you zoom in

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Good lighting: Natural light works best

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Original quality: From camera/phone, not screenshots

↔️

Right orientation: Landscape (horizontal) preferred

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Visible faces: Faces should be clear and well-lit

Technical Requirements

These are the minimum specs your photos need to print beautifully

Minimum File Size 1MB per photo (3-5MB recommended for best results)
Minimum Resolution 1500 x 1500 pixels (2400 x 2400+ ideal)
Print Resolution 300 DPI or higher
File Formats JPG or PNG (most common and work best)
Best Orientation Landscape (horizontal) for most designs
Color Mode RGB (most photos are already in RGB)

💡 Why Size Matters

Larger files have more detail, which means sharper, clearer prints on your blanket. A 5MB photo will always print better than a 1MB photo. When in doubt, bigger is better!

What Works Best & What to Avoid

✓ GREAT PHOTOS

📸 Professional Photos

Wedding portraits, family sessions, newborn photos. High resolution and perfectly focused.

📱 Modern Smartphone Photos

iPhone 8+, Samsung Galaxy S8+, Google Pixel. Recent phones have excellent cameras.

☀️ Natural Light Photos

Golden hour, overcast days, near windows. Soft, flattering illumination.

📷 DSLR Camera Photos

Any dedicated camera photos at full resolution.

⚠️ USE WITH CARE

📲 Social Media Downloads

Often compressed. Try to get the original file instead.

📞 Old Phone Photos

Photos from phones 5+ years old. Check file size carefully.

📸 Flash Photos

Can create harsh shadows. Make sure faces are well-lit.

✂️ Cropped Photos

Reduces resolution. Use originals when possible.

✗ AVOID THESE

📱 Screenshots

Way too low resolution. Will look blurry and pixelated.

🖼️ Photos of Photos

Introduces blur and glare. Scan originals instead.

🎨 Heavy Filters

Can look artificial when printed large. Natural is better.

😵💫 Blurry/Out of Focus

Blur becomes more obvious when enlarged.

How to Check Your Photo Quality

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Method 1: Check File Size

iPhone: Open photo → Share button → "Save to Files" → Check size

Android: Gallery → 3-dot menu → "Details" → File size

500KB-1MB: Minimum
1-3MB: Good
3-5MB: Excellent
5MB+: Perfect

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Method 2: The Zoom Test

1. Open your photo on your phone

2. Zoom in on faces or important details

3. If it looks blurry when zoomed, it won't print well

4. If it stays sharp, you're good to go!

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Method 3: Check Resolution

Computer: Right-click → Properties/Get Info → Check "Dimensions"

iPhone: Swipe up on photo → Check "Size"

Need: 1500 x 1500 minimum
Best: 2400 x 2400 or higher

Lighting Makes All the Difference

☀️ Best Lighting

  • Golden hour (sunrise/sunset) - warm, flattering glow
  • Overcast days - soft, even lighting
  • Near windows (indirect sunlight) - natural and bright
  • Outdoor shade on sunny days - soft without harsh shadows
  • Well-lit indoor spaces with multiple light sources

❌ Lighting to Avoid

  • Harsh direct sunlight - creates dark shadows
  • Strong backlighting - faces become silhouettes
  • Low light without flash - grainy and blurry
  • Mixed lighting - orange indoor + blue daylight
  • Direct flash - harsh shadows and red-eye

Photo Composition Tips

For Single Photo Blankets
  • ✓ Choose horizontal (landscape) orientation for best results
  • ✓ Leave space around edges (we print edge-to-edge)
  • ✓ Make sure main subject is centered or slightly off-center
  • ✓ Faces should be clearly visible and at least 2-3" when printed
For Collage Blankets (2-9 Photos)
  • ✓ Use photos with similar lighting for cohesion
  • ✓ Mix close-ups with wider shots for variety
  • ✓ Include at least one photo with everyone smiling
  • ✓ Don't repeat similar poses or locations
  • ✓ Make sure no one is accidentally cut off
For Photos With People
  • ✓ Eyes should be in focus and clearly visible
  • ✓ Avoid harsh shadows across faces
  • ✓ Everyone in group photos should be visible
  • ✓ Natural expressions work better than forced smiles

Special Situations

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Old or Damaged Photos

Can we use them? Yes! We can work with faded photos, creases, and minor damage.

Best practice: Scan at highest resolution (600 DPI+) or use a professional scanning service.

Note: We can't repair damage, but can work around it in collages.