The best reference photo for a custom figurine shows the details you want to preserve clearly. Use even light, sharp focus and a view that suits the piece: a face and shoulders for a bust, the full pose and outfit for a full-body figure, or the important markings for a pet. Additional angles help explain what one photograph cannot show.
You can also work from an older photo, separate photos of a group, a drawing or a written idea. Tell us what each reference controls. Suitability is reviewed for the proposed design; a photo checklist cannot guarantee likeness or printable detail.
Choose references around the figurine you want
| Project | Useful references | Details to explain |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait or bust | A clear face, plus another angle when available. | Expression, hairstyle, glasses, shoulder crop and base. |
| Full-body or chibi figure | The face and the complete outfit or pose; these may be different photos. | Which photo sets the likeness, clothing, proportions and pose. |
| Pet or memorial | Face, body shape and distinctive markings; existing photos are welcome. | Collar, tail, ears, hidden markings and the familiar posture you want. |
| Couple or family | An authorized reference for each subject; separate photos can be used. | Who belongs in the piece, relative heights and the arrangement. |
| Original character | Your drawing or authorized art, with side and rear views if available. | Colours, expression, essential accessories and details missing from the art. |
A practical photo check before sending
- Light: choose an image where important features are visible. Deep shadow or backlight may hide the details you want.
- Focus: use the original image when possible. Avoid repeated screenshots or compressed thumbnails if a clearer version exists.
- Framing: show the parts relevant to the design. A tightly cropped face does not explain footwear or a full-body pose.
- Editing: say when a reference is filtered or retouched. If natural colours or facial features matter, include an unfiltered reference.
- Angles: include another view when it clarifies the back, side, markings or an accessory.
A plain background can make the subject easier to read, but it is not a reason to discard the only photograph of a loved companion. Explain anything hidden, blurred or uncertain so we can review it honestly. A seated pet or group photo is not automatically rejected.
Combine photos without conflicting instructions
Number your references and assign a role to each: “Photo 1 for the face; photo 2 for the jacket; drawing 3 for the pose.” Identify changes explicitly, such as leaving out a leash or replacing a background. Several angles of one person or animal remain one subject, not several designs.
For a couple or family, choose a shared scene or separate pieces. Two people on one base are one design with two subjects. Two individually personalized figures are two designs. Identical repeats are copies. This distinction helps the proposal match what you expect to receive.
A description you can adapt
“Create one shelf-display design with both partners on the same base. Use photos 1 and 2 for their faces and photo 3 for the outfits. Keep their relative heights and remove the background. I would like two identical copies. Please advise on a size that keeps the glasses readable.”
Older photos and memorial references
Send the clearest usable photographs you have. Describe the details they do not show, and say which features must remain recognizable. We may ask for clarification or suggest a simpler pose if the references leave important information uncertain. Do not substitute an invented view and present it as a real photograph.
For an animal portrait or memorial, begin on the custom pet figurine page. For several people, the family figurine page provides the appropriate starting point.
What you approve, and when
The current human-assisted journey begins with an unpaid request. We review feasibility and confirm the concept, scope, price, timing and included revisions before payment. Model preparation follows concept approval and payment. For printed projects, you approve the final model before printing. This route does not promise an instant model before payment.
The finished object interprets the reference in three dimensions. Current filament printing uses a selected palette of solid colours and may show layer lines. The style, size, support needs and fragile features affect which details can be preserved.
Ready to begin? Start your photo figurine request with the references and details that matter. Read the privacy policy and confirm that you have the right to use the images and the permission of people shown.
Frequently asked questions
Do all photos need to be taken at the same time?
No. Separate references can explain different subjects, outfits or details. Identify which image controls each part of the design, and tell us when photos conflict.
Can I use a group photograph?
Yes, as a reference. Identify each intended subject and the arrangement you want. Separate clear views can help where faces or bodies overlap. Suitability is reviewed for the project.
Can a seated or sleeping pet be represented?
You can request that posture. Include views or a description that clarify the body shape and important markings. Hidden details and fragile features need review; the pose is not automatically rejected.
Is there a guaranteed photo resolution for a good likeness?
No single pixel count guarantees likeness or print quality. Use the clearest original image available and show the details relevant to the proposed design. The reference, style, size and printing process all affect the result.
Can I approve the model before it is printed?
Yes. The human-assisted route reviews the concept and quote before payment, then prepares the model after approval and payment. You approve the final model before printing.