From Dog Photo to Finished Tee

At For The Dogs Studios, creating a custom dog shirt starts with choosing a design and placing your order. You then submit your pet photos and details through the Custom Order Portal, review a design mock-up, and approve it before printing. We create the designs and print the pieces in our Vancouver studio.

Here is what to expect at each stage, including what to prepare and what to check before you approve the artwork. This walkthrough covers our ordering process for the featured custom tees.

Choose the shirt you want to wear

Start with the custom dog shirts collection and choose the graphic style that feels like you. The dog supplies the personality; you get to choose how loudly the shirt announces your membership in their fan club.

The Good Mood Tee builds the design around the dog who brightens your day. The Fan Club Tee celebrates your status as their most enthusiastic supporter. The OG Custom Tee is another option to explore if you want to compare graphic layouts.

These tees use heavyweight cotton and an oversized, drop-shoulder fit. Compare the size chart with a shirt you already enjoy wearing. Check the options on the product you select instead of assuming every design offers the same colours or layout choices.

Know what happens before and after checkout

Submit the photos after ordering

After checkout, you receive an email with a link to your Custom Order Portal. That is where you upload the photos and information for your piece. For these products, you do not need to build the finished artwork yourself at checkout.

Have a clear original image ready. Look for a recognizable expression, visible facial features, and enough room around the head and ears. If someone else took the photo, ask for the original file rather than a screenshot of their post.

The three featured tees can each include up to four pets. Check the chosen product’s customization details and provide clear references and information for the pets you want included. If your only image is old, blurry, or difficult to assess, contact the studio before ordering.

Review the mock-up while changes can still be discussed

We create the design from your references and upload a mock-up to your portal for approval before printing. Set aside a moment to review it on a screen where you can see the details comfortably.

Look at the dog’s expression and markings, the pets included, and any text that forms part of your design. Read names one letter at a time. If something looks different from what you intended, raise it through the order process before approving.

A mock-up helps you review the design, but a screen is not the same as fabric. Avoid judging tiny colour differences between devices as a promise of an exact printed shade. Ask about anything that matters to your decision.

Plan around approval and production time

The featured product pages currently ask you to allow up to 20 business days after mock-up approval for production, with shipping time in addition. Photo submission and design review happen before that production window.

For a birthday or holiday gift, work backwards from the date and include all of those stages. Check the current product and shipping information when ordering. If the deadline is close, ask about timing before purchasing rather than assuming the checkout date starts a guaranteed delivery countdown.

Custom orders are final sale. Checking size, design details, and timing early helps you choose confidently.

Enjoy a finished shirt that starts with your dog

The finished-product photos here show examples of the designs available. Your piece will use the references and choices for your own order.

When your shirt arrives, follow the care instructions supplied for the garment. Keep the design approval and order information handy if you need to ask the studio a question about your piece.

Questions before your first custom order

There is no photo box at checkout. Have I missed a step?

For the featured For The Dogs Studios custom tees, the photo step comes after checkout. Watch for the email linking to your Custom Order Portal, where you submit the photos and details for the design. If you cannot find the message, check your spam folder and contact the studio.

Can I buy the gift now and choose the photo with her afterwards?

Photo submission happens after checkout, so that sequence fits the described process. Check sizing and any questions with the studio first, because custom orders are final sale. Remember that choosing the photo and approving the mock-up must happen before the production window begins.

What should I inspect first when the mock-up arrives?

Start with the details that identify the pet: expression, markings, and which pets appear. Then check any names or other requested text against your order information. Discuss anything unclear before approving the design for printing.

I noticed a name is wrong while reviewing the mock-up. What should I do?

Raise it through your order portal or contact the studio before approving. Explain which text needs attention and provide the correct spelling. Do not approve a design expecting a separate note to override what you have approved.

Can I assume the graphic from one tee comes in every other tee colour?

No. Choose from the options listed on the specific product you want. A colour or layout shown for another design does not establish that it is available for yours. Ask the studio before ordering if you want a combination that is not listed.

Does the production countdown start when I pay?

The stated production window for the featured products starts after mock-up approval, not at payment. Allow up to 20 business days from approval for production, plus shipping, and check the current product information when you order.

We are ordering for a household with several pets. What should we prepare?

Check the selected product’s customization details, gather clear references for each pet, and keep their names and requested details unambiguous. The featured tees allow up to four pets. During mock-up review, confirm that the intended pets and details are represented before approval.

Can I use a favourite shirt to work out my size?

Yes. Compare its measurements with the selected product’s size chart and consider how you want the new shirt to fit. The featured tees have an oversized, drop-shoulder fit, so automatically sizing up may not give the result you want. Confirm your choice before ordering because custom orders are final sale.

Choose your custom dog shirt

Start with the design you would happily wear on an ordinary day, then make it yours with the dog who makes ordinary days better. Shop custom dog shirts and review the current options before ordering.

For more from our studio, follow For The Dogs Studios on Instagram.