How your custom pet portrait is made

Ordering a portrait takes a few minutes and you don't need an account. Here's what happens at each stage, from choosing a photo to downloading your finished artwork, and what you can do if the first result isn't quite right.

Create My Pet Portrait Browse Styles

Upload your photo
Start on the create page and upload one or more photos of your pet as JPG, PNG or WebP files. The best photos are sharp, taken in daylight and show your pet's face and eyes clearly. If you have several good shots, add them: different angles help the AI understand markings and face shape. Avoid screenshots, heavy filters and very tight crops. Our guide to taking a good pet photo covers lighting, angles and tricky coats in more detail.
Tell us about your pet
Enter your pet's name and tell us what kind of animal they are. This matters more than you might think. A whippet, a Shetland pony and a leopard gecko need very different handling, and being specific helps the artwork keep the right ears, coat, scales or feathers. A note such as "border terrier" tells us more than "dog". Any animal is welcome, from cats and dogs to hens, ferrets, alpacas and tortoises, so don't worry if yours is unusual.
Choose a style & scene
Browse every portrait style, grouped into collections such as classic fine art, royal and character, watercolour and sketch, and colourful and modern. Pick the one that suits your pet and your home, then choose an orientation. Many styles let you add an optional costume or scene, such as royal robes, a flower meadow or a seasonal setting. If you're torn, choose the style you'd happily hang on your own wall; you can always order another later.
Add names & fonts
Add your pet's name, a date or a short dedication if you'd like one, or leave the artwork without text. Choose from our fonts and watch the live preview update as you type. We never ask the image generator to write words, because AI often gets letters wrong. Instead, our software sets your text onto the finished artwork, so it's spelled exactly as entered. That does mean it's worth reading your text through slowly before you move on.
Review & pay with PayPal
The review page shows everything in one place: your photos, pet details, style, orientation, scene and text. Check it carefully, then pay with PayPal, using your PayPal balance or the card options PayPal offers at checkout. There's no account to create; we email you a secure link to your order page instead. If you ever lose that email, you can request a fresh link through order lookup with your email address and order number.
Download & print
When your artwork is ready, we email you a secure link to download the high-resolution files. The link expires after 30 days, so save your files somewhere safe once you have them. If the likeness isn't right, use Try another version on your order page. You can share the files, print them at home or order an art print, framed print or canvas delivered to a UK or US address, with a proof to approve before you pay.

What affects the likeness

The photo you upload matters more than any other choice. A sharp picture taken in good light at your pet's eye level, with the face filling a good part of the frame, gives the AI the most to work with. Blurry, dark or heavily filtered photos tend to produce a more generic animal. Our photo tips explain what to look for.

We aim to keep species, face shape, markings and eye colour, but AI results vary from one version to the next. Unusual markings, very dark or very pale coats and photos where part of the face is hidden are the hardest to capture, so expect some variation there.

If generation fails

Now and then the image service times out or returns something unusable. When that happens, our system tries again automatically. If it still can't finish, we'll email you and put it right, as set out in our refunds policy.

When your portrait will be ready

Most portraits are ready within an hour of payment. Busy periods or complex scenes can take longer. We email you as soon as the files are ready, so you don't need to keep the page open. Printed products take longer because each one is made to order and posted by our print partner; see shipping and delivery for how that works.

Trying another version

Your order includes 2 extra versions. If a result doesn't feel like your pet, request another from your order page. Each version is generated afresh, so it can differ noticeably from the first, which is often exactly what's needed.

Questions people ask

Do I need to create an account?

No. Checkout works as a guest. We email you a secure link to your order page, and if you lose it you can request a fresh one through order lookup using your email address and order number.

Can I upload more than one photo?

Yes, and it often helps. Several clear photos from slightly different angles give the AI a better sense of your pet's markings and face shape. Choose your sharpest, best-lit pictures rather than every photo you have.

Which file types can I upload?

JPG, PNG and WebP. Upload the original photo from your phone or camera where you can, rather than a copy sent through a messaging app, which is often compressed and loses fine detail.

What if the portrait doesn't look like my pet?

Use Try another version on your order page. Your order includes 2 extra versions, and each one is generated afresh. If the problem is the photo itself, a clearer picture usually makes the biggest difference.

How long does it take?

Most portraits are ready within an hour of payment. Busy periods or complex scenes can take longer. You'll receive an email with your secure download link as soon as the files are ready. Printed products take longer because they're made to order and posted by our print partner.