How to Choose the Best Photos for a Custom Figurine

Start with one clear main photo

Choose a photo where the face is easy to recognize and the intended hairstyle and clothes are visible. A natural expression is fine; you do not need a studio portrait or a complicated pose.

• Face: zoom in and check that the eyes, nose and mouth remain readable. A tiny face in a wide landscape gives less useful detail.
• Light: look for even daylight. A window can work well; strong backlighting or deep shadows may hide features.
• Sharpness: use the original file when possible. Enlarging a small screenshot does not restore missing detail.
• Filters: avoid effects that reshape the face or strongly change skin, hair, and clothing colors.
• Outfit: show the full outfit and shoes where possible. If the main photo is cropped, let a supporting view fill the gap.

Give each extra photo one job

Before adding another photo, ask what it explains. More pictures are useful when their roles are clear, especially if they were taken on different days.

Keep the set consistent. If two photos show different haircuts, outfits or glasses, say which version to follow. Leave out duplicates that add no useful information. Use the upload limits displayed on the product you choose.

• A face close-up clarifies features and hair when the main view is too distant.
• A full-length view explains the outfit and footwear when they are cropped elsewhere.
• A side or back view can show a hairstyle detail that the main reference hides. Add it only if needed.
• A detail photo explains an accessory you want considered. Check the product options before assuming it can be included.

Write a short note that connects the photos

Use the Customization notes field to tell us which picture guides each detail. The single, couple, person-and-pet and family product pages provide this field.

Example note: “Use the close-up for the face and hairstyle. Use the full-length photo for the teal shirt, beige pants, and white shoes.”

Keep the note specific. “Use the round glasses in photo A” is clearer than “make it look right.” If a hat or sunglasses are part of the look, mention them and include an unobstructed face reference when possible.

For couples and groups, make every person easy to match

The couple product accepts reference photos taken together or separately. A shared photo can explain how you like to stand together, while individual photos make each face and outfit easier to see.

When you use left and right, mean left and right as you look at the photo. Keep those labels consistent across your notes. For the family product, also list everyone from tallest to shortest, as its current photo guidance requests.

• Identify which photo guides each person's face, hairstyle and outfit.
• Use names or simple labels consistently rather than switching between “left”, “me” and “person two”.
• Check the selected product's included people and available options before requesting an extra person, pet or accessory.

Give a pet its own clear reference

For a person-and-pet figurine, photograph the pet at eye level in good light. Pick a sharp frame where the face is visible, then add a view that explains markings, ears, tail or a collar you want considered.

Put the breed and colors in your notes. If markings differ on the two sides, identify which side each photo shows. You can take several pictures and select the useful ones; the final reference set does not need every shot.

What if your favorite photo is imperfect?

A meaningful photo may be a little dark, blurry or far away. It can still explain the memory, pose or outfit you have in mind. Pair it with a clearer photo of the same person and explain the role of each.

The finished design is a stylized likeness, not an exact copy of a photograph. Fine patterns and delicate details may be simplified. Focus on the features that make the person recognizable rather than expecting every tiny print or texture to transfer unchanged.

Check your reference set before uploading

Look at the photos and your notes together. Someone seeing the set for the first time should be able to tell which appearance you want.

• The face is readable, with no heavy filters or strong shadows hiding it.
• The chosen outfit and shoes are visible, or their source is named in the notes.
• Each extra photo adds information and any conflicting details are explained.
• You own the photos or have permission to use them.
• Unrelated private documents, addresses and screens are outside the frame.
• Your files follow the current type, size and quantity requirements on the selected product page.
• If you resize or export a copy, zoom in again to check that the face is still clear.

Know what you will review after ordering

After checkout and payment, you review a character concept, followed by a 3D preview. Production begins after approval.

Compare the concept with your reference set, then check the 3D preview against the agreed concept. If a detail needs changing, name it and point to the photo that explains it. Read the selected product's revision terms before ordering.

For a gift with a fixed date, check production and shipping information separately. Ask about your deadline before placing the order; a production estimate alone does not establish an arrival date.

Choose your photos, then choose your figurine

Set aside the main photo, add the supporting views you need and write the note while the choices are fresh. The product links below let you compare a custom portrait, a couple, a person with a pet and a family.

Check the actual size and finish options before ordering. A colored design preview shows a possible appearance; it does not mean that a painted finish is currently available to buy.

• Custom portrait figurines
• Custom couple figurines
• Person and pet figurines
• Family figurines

Frequently asked questions