Choosing The Best Photo For Your Personalised Mug
A great personalised mug starts with a great photograph.
Don't worry if you're unsure which photo to choose—every order is personally prepared before printing - but following a few simple tips can help produce the very best result.
Not Every Photo Is The Same
Most modern smartphones take excellent photographs that are perfect for printing onto mugs.
However, some images naturally produce better results than others.
The highest quality photos are usually:
- Original photos taken on your phone or camera.
- Images with good natural lighting.
- Photos that are in focus.
- Pictures with a little space around the subject.
If you're unsure, upload your favourite photo anyway. We'll review every order before printing and let you know if we think another image would produce a better result.
Use The Original Photo Whenever Possible
Whenever possible, upload the original image rather than a screenshot or one that's been downloaded from social media.
Original photos usually contain much more detail, allowing us to produce a sharper, clearer print.
Good examples:
✓ Photos straight from your phone
✓ Camera originals
✓ High-quality digital images
Less suitable:
- Screenshots
- Facebook profile pictures
- Cropped social media downloads
- Images sent repeatedly through messaging apps
Portrait vs Landscape Photos
Different photographs suit different mug layouts.
Portrait Photos
Portrait photos are perfect for:
- Individual people
- Couples
- Children
- Pets
These work particularly well on our Same Photo Both Sides layout.
Landscape Photos
Landscape photographs are ideal for:
- Group photos
- Holiday scenery
- Panoramic views
- Family gatherings
These often work best on our Panoramic Wrap layout.
Leave A Little Space Around Your Subject
One of the most common mistakes is choosing a photo that's already tightly cropped.
If someone's face already fills the entire image, there's very little flexibility when preparing the design.
Whenever possible, choose a photo with a little breathing room around the subject.
This gives us more freedom to create a balanced layout.
Bright Photos Usually Print Better
Photographs taken in good natural light generally produce the best printed results.
Very dark photographs can still look beautiful, but they sometimes benefit from careful preparation before printing.
Where appropriate, we'll make sensible adjustments to help achieve the best possible result.
Blurry Photos
Unfortunately, a blurry photograph can't usually be made perfectly sharp.
If we think an image is too low in quality to produce a mug we'd be happy to send, we'll contact you before printing and recommend another photograph where possible.
Can You Improve My Photo?
Yes - to a point.
Before printing we may:
✓ Improve the crop
✓ Reposition the layout
✓ Adjust brightness where appropriate
✓ Optimise the design for the printable area
However, we can't create detail that isn't present in the original photograph.
For example, we can't make an out-of-focus image perfectly sharp or recreate missing parts of a picture.
If another photo would produce a noticeably better mug, we'll always let you know before printing.
Common Questions
Can I use photos from my phone?
Absolutely.
Modern smartphones usually produce excellent-quality images for mug printing.
Can I use old scanned photographs?
Yes.
Many older photographs print beautifully, especially if they've been scanned at a good quality.
Can I use screenshots?
We generally recommend using the original photograph instead whenever possible.
Screenshots often contain less detail than the original image.
Can I crop the photo myself?
You can if you wish, but you don't have to.
We'll prepare every order before printing and send you a proof for approval.
What happens if my photo isn't suitable?
We'll contact you before printing, explain the issue and recommend another photograph if possible.
Nothing is printed until you're happy with the design.
Our Promise
Every photograph tells a story.
Whether it's a favourite family memory, a beloved pet, a wedding photo or a picture of someone special, we'll treat it with the same care we'd want for our own.
That's why every order is personally prepared before printing and includes a free design proof before production begins.
Ready To Create Your Personalised Photo Mug?
Upload your favourite photo today and we'll help turn it into a mug you'll be proud to use or give as a gift.