Getting Started (Buyer's Guide)
BEGINNER'S GUIDE
Getting started is
easier than you think.
PET DOT SHOP is a made-to-order specialist that turns a single smartphone photo into a one-of-a-kind item featuring your pet. Every piece is crafted by hand, one at a time, by our dedicated designers at our own atelier in Tokyo, Japan. Just pick a photo and send it — even first-time customers can order with confidence.
photo is enough
before we make it
orders completed
Quick summary
What’s on this page
01Three things to put your mind at ease
Just send the photo on your phone
No special camera is needed, and you never have to cut out the background yourself.
Work directly with a dedicated designer
Ask us anything — colors, sizing, background color and more. You review the design before production, and minor adjustments are free once (larger changes such as swapping the photo are chargeable).
Browse 1,000+ past orders
We share many past orders in Customer Voices. You can search by product or by type of pet.
02How to choose your photo
Any favorite photo on your phone will usually work. If you are unsure which one to pick, the guide below may help. Once you know what our designers can and cannot fix, choosing gets much easier.
What our designers can fix
- People or objects in the backgroundWe cleanly cut out your pet alone.
- A little too dark to see clearlyWe adjust it to a natural brightness and tone.
- Fur and eye tonesWe fine-tune them so your pet looks their best.
What our designers cannot fix
- Part of your pet is cut off in the frameWe cannot draw in the missing part.
- Resolution is too low or the photo is out of focusWe cannot make a photo sharper than the original.
- A heavy shadow falls across your petShadows stay dark and cannot be brightened further.
If the first photo you send is not workable, we will never push ahead with the design anyway. We will simply ask you for a more suitable photo and start the first design from there — so there is nothing to worry about.
03Browse 1,000+customer orderstoday
Pet owners just like you have turned their photos into these pieces. With over 1,000 examples, you are sure to find the look you want.
04What we can make, and rights
Dogs and cats of course, plus rabbits, birds, reptiles and other small animals, portraits of people, children’s drawings, and multi-pet designs. PET DOT SHOP welcomes every kind of “family member.”
- Any pet is welcomeDogs, cats, rabbits, birds, hamsters, reptiles — we can work from a photo of any animal.
- People and children’s drawings tooWe also work from photos of your children or family, and from drawings they have made.
- Multiple pets welcomeWe can arrange several pets together on a single item (additional fee).
Please note: we cannot accept photos or designs that may infringe copyright, publicity or trademark rights — including anime characters, celebrities, brand logos, or images found online.
05Paid options
Requests beyond the base price are available as paid options (rush delivery, gift wrapping, added text, extra subjects, and more).
See the full options list
| Rush delivery | From $14 / item |
|---|---|
| Gift wrapping | From $4 |
| Added text (names or custom text) | Paid option |
| Additional subjects (extra pets) | $10 / pet Embroidered items only: $20 / pet |
| Special design requests | From $10 |
| Special sizing | From $20 |
How design revisions work
The fee depends on the type of change. Minor adjustments such as background color or text are free once; larger changes such as swapping the photo are chargeable.
See revision types and fees
Minor adjustmentFree once
Background color / photo orientation and size / text content
First time: free From the second time: $7 / item
Larger changeChargeable
Swapping the photo / changing the layout or assignment / changing the crop (full body ↔ head only, etc.)
$10 / item
Please note: even if you leave the design to us, any “larger change” after the first proposal is chargeable.
06From order to delivery
Ordering takes five simple steps: (1) place your order and pay, (2) submit your details and photo via our dedicated form, (3) confirm what you submitted, (4) approve the design, (5) we make it and ship it.
STEP 1 | Order and pay on our site
Choose the item you like and pay by credit card. Apple Pay and Google Wallet make checkout even faster, with nothing to type in. If you do not have a credit card, bank transfer is also available — just get in touch.
STEP 2 | Submit your details and photo via our dedicated form
Right after payment, a dedicated form is sent automatically to your registered email address. Follow the instructions to submit your preferences and your photo. If it has not arrived within an hour, please check your spam folder and then contact us.
STEP 3 | Confirm what you submitted
After you submit, a confirmation email is sent automatically. Please check its contents first. If everything looks right, send us your name and order number by Instagram DM. From this point on, we communicate mainly by DM.
STEP 4 | Approve the design
Within two weeks of your submission, our designer sends you a design proposal by DM. If you have chosen a rush option, we will send it earlier to match. This is the stage to request changes (background color and similar).
STEP 5 | Production and delivery
Once the design is approved, our craftspeople make your item one at a time at our own atelier. We ship it to arrive within the scheduled delivery time.
07Delivery time
Standard delivery is4 weeksfrom the day you reply to the form. Rush options can shorten this to as little as 72 hours for an additional fee.
See full delivery details and rush fees
| 2 weeks faster (ships 2 weeks earlier than standard) | +$14 / item |
|---|---|
| 1 week faster (ships 3 weeks earlier than standard) | +$27 / item |
| 72-hour rush (ships in as little as 72 hours) | +$40 / item |
Please note: the above refers to the shipping date, not the arrival date.
Please note: for multiple items, the rush fee applies to each item.
Please note: any delay in the design approval exchange will push the delivery schedule back accordingly.
08Shipping
A flat international shipping fee of $20 applies. We ship via EMS / International Mail. Delivery times may vary depending on your region. Orders totaling $66 or more ship free.
See shipping details
| International shipping (flat rate) | $20 |
|---|---|
| Free shipping threshold | $66 and above |
| Shipping method | EMS / International Mail |
| Delivery time by region | May vary depending on your region |
Please note: shipping is calculated automatically when you enter your address at checkout.
Please note: for date-specific delivery or other special requests, please contact us through the inquiry form.
09How to save on delivery and shipping
SPECIAL
Delivery on every item is shortened to 2 weeks at no extra charge.
Shipping is free, no matter how many items you order.
You qualify for this offer by meeting the two conditions below.
10Questions before you order
If anything is unclear, please contact us through the inquiry form. The FAQ below may also help.
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Our whole team looks forward to hearing from you.