Photo Requirements & Tips Guide

Photo Guide – ThatBlanket
Photo Guide

Great photos make
beautiful blankets.

Everything you need to know to ensure your photos print beautifully on your custom blanket — from file size to lighting to composition.

Before You Upload

Quick photo checklist

Run through these before uploading and you're set.

📁
File Size 1MB minimum — bigger is always better
🔍
Clear & Focused Not blurry when you zoom in on faces
💡
Good Lighting Natural light works best — avoid heavy shadows
📸
Original Quality From camera or phone — not a screenshot
↔️
Right Orientation Landscape (horizontal) preferred for most designs
👤
Visible Faces Faces should be clear, forward, and well-lit
Technical Requirements

Minimum specs for beautiful prints

These are the numbers your photo needs to hit for a crisp, vivid result.

Minimum File Size 1MB per photo  ·  3–5MB recommended for best results
Minimum Resolution 1500 × 1500 px  ·  2400 × 2400+ ideal
Print Resolution 300 DPI or higher
File Formats JPG or PNG
Best Orientation Landscape (horizontal) for most designs
Color Mode RGB  ·  most photos are already in RGB
💡
Why file size matters

Larger files contain more detail, which means sharper, clearer prints. A 5MB photo will always look better than a 1MB photo printed at the same size. When in doubt — use the biggest file you have.

Photo Quality

What works, what doesn't

Not all photos are created equal. Here's how to tell the difference.

✓   Great Photos
📸 Professional Photos

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

📱 Modern Smartphone Photos

iPhone 8+, Samsung 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 photo at full resolution.

⚠   Use With Care
📲 Social Media Downloads

Often compressed. Try to get the original file from your phone instead.

📞 Older Phone Photos

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

📸 Flash Photos

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

✂️ Cropped Photos

Reduces resolution. Use the original file when possible.

✗   Avoid These
📱 Screenshots

Way too low resolution. Will look blurry and pixelated when printed.

🖼️ Photos of Photos

Introduces blur and glare. Scan originals at high resolution instead.

🎨 Heavy Filters

Can look artificial when printed large. Natural is better.

😵 Blurry / Out of Focus

Blur becomes more obvious when enlarged. Always zoom in to check first.

3 Easy Methods

How to check your photo quality

Not sure if your photo is good enough? Try one of these.

01

Check File Size

  • iPhone: Share → Save to Files → Check size
  • Android: Gallery → 3-dot menu → Details
500KB–1MBMinimum
1–3MBGood
3–5MBExcellent
5MB+Perfect
02

The Zoom Test

  • Open your photo on your phone
  • Zoom in on faces or key details
  • If it looks blurry when zoomed — it won't print well
  • If it stays sharp — you're good to go
03

Check Resolution

  • Mac: Right-click → Get Info → Dimensions
  • PC: Right-click → Properties → Details
  • iPhone: Swipe up on photo → Size
Minimum1500 × 1500 px
Best2400 × 2400+ px
Lighting

Lighting makes all the difference

The right lighting can make an average photo great. The wrong lighting can ruin a great moment.

Best Lighting
  • Golden hour (sunrise/sunset) — warm, flattering glow
  • Overcast days — soft, even light with no harsh shadows
  • Near windows (indirect sunlight) — natural and bright
  • Outdoor shade on sunny days — soft without direct glare
  • Well-lit indoor spaces with multiple light sources
Lighting to Avoid
  • Harsh direct sunlight — creates deep, unflattering shadows
  • Strong backlighting — faces become dark silhouettes
  • Low light without flash — photos come out grainy and blurry
  • Mixed lighting — warm indoor + cool daylight looks off
  • Direct flash — harsh shadows and red-eye
Composition Tips

Getting the most from your layout

A few simple rules that make a big difference in how your blanket looks.

  • Choose horizontal (landscape) orientation for best results
  • Leave space around edges — we print edge-to-edge
  • Make sure the main subject is centered or slightly off-center
  • Faces should be clearly visible and at least 2–3" when printed
  • Use photos with similar lighting for a cohesive look
  • Mix close-ups with wider shots for visual variety
  • Include at least one photo with everyone smiling
  • Don't repeat similar poses or the same location
  • Make sure no one is accidentally cut off at the edges
  • Eyes should be in focus and clearly visible
  • Avoid harsh shadows falling across faces
  • Everyone in group photos should be clearly visible
  • Natural expressions tend to look better than forced smiles
Special Situations

Old or damaged photos

Don't let an imperfect photo stop you from creating something meaningful.

📜

We can work with older photos

Can we use them?Yes — we can work with faded photos, creases, and minor damage.
Best practiceScan at the highest resolution possible (600 DPI+) or use a professional scanning service.
What to knowWe can't repair physical damage, but can often work around it in a collage layout.
Ready when you are

Your photos are ready.
Let's make something.

Upload your photos, choose your size, and we'll handle the rest — shipped in 2–3 days from the USA.

Start Designing Have a Question?