FAQs on Custom Products

Size
Where is my breed? I want something with my breed on it.

All of the art used is original. That means to create a design with a particular breed we need a legal source of an image of that breed. If you have a photograph we can use, problem solved. There is even a discount if you allow us to keep using the photo. We also have a backlog of photographs that have not been processed so we may have something available. Just ask and we will try to accommodate.

Size
My photo looks great on screen. That will be good enough, right?

Maybe but usually photos that are prefect for a web site are too small to look good when printed. Photographs for print need to be 3 to 4 times the size of photos on a computer display. We use pixels, rather than inches to describe image size for technical reasons. But to keep it simple if you have an image that is 5 inches by 7 inches on your computer screen (72 pixels per inch) it will be 360 pixels by 504 pixels. To get the best quality we print at 300 pixels per inch so that image would print 1.2 inches x 1.68 inches (360 divided by 300 is 1.2, 504 divided by 300 is 1.68). An image that would be easy to work with would be over 1000 pixels wide/high. For example, this image is 2700 pixels high. That is excellent.

Size
Well I don't have a bigger picture. Can't you just use it?

Yes, usually we can use it anyway. We can accept a lower image quality. Or we can apply some filters to the image that will make it look like a painting. It won't look like a photograph but if you are looking to capture a feeling or expression usually it works very well.

We can also use almost any size if we are producing silhouettes.

Copyright
The photographer gave me the picture, so you can use it if I give permission, right?

No.We need to get permission from the photographer. When a photographer gives you a photo they are giving that item, not rights to re-use the image. In our experience most photographers will give permission to use a photo for personal use. For example, if we want to create a custom t-shirt for someone of their agility dog usually the photographer will give permission. The same is not true of photos that will be used on products for sale to the general public. If we want to use that same image for sale to the general public about half the time the photographer will require some form of payment in exchange for permission to use the image.

Copyright
Well it's just for me. And it is a picture of my dog (family, cat, bird, house ...). Since I own the subject of the photograph I can give you permission to use it, right?

No. we need to get permission from the photographer. The photographer owns the copyright even if someone else owns the subject matter. We want to keep a reputation for respecting the work of others. We also need permission from the pet owner (or from the people if it is people being shown).

Ordering
When should I order?

The images you see on the product when you order are what you will get. Send us the photos then wait until we provide the address where your custom products will be. And then order only when you see that the products have the images you want.

Ordering
What products can I order?

We use several print on demand resources to create our products. Products include a variety of tee shirts, sweat shirts and tank tops; pin buttons (aka badges) and magnets; a bumper sticker and Euro sticker; tiles, posters and more. Zazzle products include a wider variety of apparel items (including ties), key chains, and photo sculptures.

Products are only created after you order, until then they are just electronic images. That means that we can make all the products available without extra cost. Typically we include a selection of products on the ordering page. We'll start with any specific products requested and then add similar products, and then add other products that feel right for that image.

Ordering
How much does it cost?

Costs vary depending upon the exact product, whether it is printed on one or both sides, and for apparel, whether it is considered to be "darK" or "light." Dark apparel requires extra steps in production and is thus more expensive. T-shirts typically start around $15 for a basic white T-shirt. The best sellers are in apparel are in the $25 to $35 range.

Ordering
Can't I just do it myself?

Sure, you can do it yourself. But unless you already have the right software and skills (or are really lucky) you won't get same quality. It is perfectly possible to just upload your photo and put it on a product with any of those services. It looks better when it is cropped, sized or modified to make the very best fit between image and product.