From Photo to Pillow: A Step-by-Step Guide to Customizing Your Pet Pillow

lookipet Jun 28, 2025
From Photo to Pillow: A Step-by-Step Guide to Customizing Your Pet Pillow

Turning your pet’s photo into a soft, huggable custom pillow is one of the most heartfelt ways to celebrate or remember your furry companion. Whether you’re designing a pillow for yourself or gifting it to a pet-loving friend, the journey from image to plush keepsake is both emotional and artistic.

At Lookipet, we guide pet owners every day through the customization process to create meaningful, lifelike, and comforting pet pillows. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you exactly how to turn a photo into a one-of-a-kind pillow you’ll cherish forever.

Why a Custom Pet Pillow Is So Meaningful

A Daily Reminder of Unconditional Love

Pet pillows are more than cute—they offer an emotional connection, especially after a pet has passed away or is far from home. They become bedside companions, travel buddies, and daily reminders of the love you shared.

A Personalized Gift Like No Other

Forget generic gifts. A custom pillow designed from your pet’s photo shows care, thought, and a deep emotional bond. It’s ideal for birthdays, holidays, memorials, or simply “just because.”

Step 1 – Choose the Perfect Photo

What Makes a Great Pet Photo for a Pillow?

  • High resolution(1MB+ for clear detail)
  • Good lighting(natural light preferred)
  • Centered and full-face view
  • Pet alone in the frame, no distractions

📸 Tip: If your pet is no longer with you, pick a photo that best reflects their personality—even if it’s not technically perfect. Our designers can enhance older or low-light images.

Front vs. Side Profiles

Most pillows look best with a clear front-facing shot. However, side profiles with distinct ear shapes or markings can also be stunning, especially on cutout-style pillows.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Blurry or grainy images
  • Filters that alter true color
  • Group photos with people or other pets
  • Poor contrast or heavy shadows

Selecting the right photo is the most important step, because it becomes the “face” of your pillow.

Step 2 – Select a Pillow Style That Fits

At Lookipet, we offer several customizable styles:

  • Pet-Shaped (Silhouette Cutout)– Our most lifelike option, tracing your pet’s outline
  • Classic Rectangle/Square– Great for including names, quotes, or multiple pets
  • Heart-Shaped or Round– Perfect for gifts and smaller spaces

You can also choose:

  • Single- or double-sided printing
  • Realistic, cartoon, or sketch rendering styles
  • Solid or decorative backgrounds

Matching Your Style or Room Decor

If you're creating a pillow as part of your home decor, think about the space it will live in. Neutral tones work well for modern interiors, while bold prints can add color to a kid’s room or cozy nook.

🎨 Want help deciding? We provide preview mockups so you can visualize it before final production.

Step 3 – Add Personal Touches

Custom Text Options

Include your pet’s:

  • Name
  • Nickname
  • Birth/adoption or memorial dates
  • Quotes like “Best Boy,” “In Loving Memory,” or “My Little Shadow”

Choose from multiple font styles and text placements.

Special Icons

Some customers like to add:

  • Paw prints
  • Hearts or stars
  • Favorite toy icons

These small additions make your pillow even more unique.

Step 4 – Choose the Size and Material

Size Guide

  • Small (12")– Travel-friendly or child-size
  • Medium (18")– Most popular, perfect for couches or beds
  • Large (24–30")– For big hugs or memorial displays

We also accept requests for custom sizes and shapes for special orders.

Material Quality

All Lookipet pillows use:

  • Hypoallergenic, eco-friendly PP cotton stuffing
  • Soft-touch polyester fabric that’s washable and durable
  • High-definition sublimation printing for color precision

🌿 Our products are safe for children and pets.

Durability and Longevity

  • Machine washable (gentle cycle)
  • Fade-resistant prints
  • Tight stitching for long-term use

Our customers report their pillows last for years with daily use and proper care.

Step 5 – Review and Approve Your Design

Once your details are submitted, our designers will:

  • Create a digital proof with color correction and layout
  • Send you a preview for approval
  • Offer 1–2 revision rounds if needed

This collaborative step ensures every detail is just right—from fur tone to eye sparkle.

Step 6 – Production and Shipping

Handcrafted with Care

Every pillow is printed, cut, sewn, and inspected by hand. Our artisan team ensures each order meets our high-quality standards.

Our design and production team has decades of combined experience in plush manufacturing and pet rendering.

Delivery Timeline

  • Production 5-7 business days
  • Shipping  7-14 business days (U.S. & Europe)
  • Rush options are available during holidays

📦 All pillows ship with tracking info and optional gift wrapping.

Where to Get Design Inspiration

Customer Examples

Browse our gallery on Lookipet.com to see thousands of custom pillows made from real customer photos. You’ll find inspiration in different fur textures, shapes, and message options.

Social Media Trends

Platforms like Pinterest and Instagram are full of creative takes on custom pillows—from birthday gift reveals to memorial shelf setups.

Use hashtags like #custompetpillow or #lookipet to explore fresh ideas.

FQA

Can I include multiple pets on one pillow?

Yes! Choose a rectangular shape or double-sided print to include multiple pets.

What if my photo isn’t of great quality?

We can enhance older or low-resolution images. If we need a better one, we’ll contact you.

Are your pillows machine-washable?

Yes. Spot clean or machine wash the cover gently (zippered version) to preserve color.

Can I request a revision after delivery?

We offer preview approval before printing, but post-delivery revisions depend on a case-by-case review.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, we deliver to the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia.

Can I design a pillow as a memorial gift?

Absolutely. Many of our customers create pet pillows in remembrance. We even offer memorial-themed design templates.

Designing a custom pet pillow is more than a creative project—it’s an act of love. At Lookipet, we make the process simple, transparent, and deeply personal. From the moment you upload a photo to the day your pillow arrives at your door, we treat every order as a tribute to the bond between people and pets.

Thousands of customers have hugged, cried over, and smiled with their custom pet pillows—because sometimes, holding onto a memory means holding something real.

Ready to begin? Start customizing your pillow today at www.lookipet.com—because every cuddle deserves to be remembered.