Personalisation Tips: Getting the Best Result for Your Bear

Personalisation Tips: Getting the Best Result for Your Bear

Creating a personalised bear should feel simple and special. Whether you’re adding a favourite photo, a child’s name or a meaningful message, a few small choices can make a big difference to the finished result.

To help you get the best possible print, we’ve put together some simple tips before placing your order with Dotty Moo.

Choosing the Best Photos

Photos often become the heart of a personalised keepsake, so choosing the right image is important.

Use clear, high-quality photos

The clearer the image, the better the print will look. Bright, sharp photos taken in good lighting usually work best.

Try to avoid:

  • Blurry or pixelated photos
  • Screenshots from social media
  • Images downloaded from messaging apps
  • Very dark photos

If a photo looks unclear on your phone or computer, it may also print unclear on fabric.

Avoid Overly Cropped Photos

One of the most common issues with personalised photo gifts is photos being cropped too tightly.

Try to leave a little space around faces, heads and important details. Photos that are zoomed in too closely can sometimes lose parts of the image during printing.

Photos that work best:

  • Head and shoulders with some space around them
  • Full body photos with a simple background
  • Landscape or portrait images with room to crop naturally

Photos that may not work as well:

  • Faces cut off at the edges
  • Extremely zoomed-in selfies
  • Group photos where faces appear very small

If you are unsure, choosing a photo with extra space is usually the safest option.

Keep Text Simple and Easy to Read

Personalised text looks best when it is short, clear and meaningful.

Shorter names and messages work best

Because the print area on bear clothing is relatively small, shorter wording is often easier to read and gives a cleaner finish.

Examples that work well:

  • Olivia
  • Noah
  • Best Teacher
  • Class of 2026
  • Love You Always

Long sentences or large amounts of text may need to be printed smaller to fit the design area.

Double Check Spelling Carefully

Personalised items are printed exactly as entered during checkout.

Before placing your order, it’s always worth checking:

  • Spelling of names
  • Dates
  • School names
  • Capital letters
  • Punctuation

Even small spelling mistakes can easily be missed when ordering quickly.

Think About Capital Letters

Capital letters can completely change the look of a design.

For example:

  • OLIVIA gives a bold, strong look
  • Olivia feels softer and more classic
  • olivia appears more casual

Many customers prefer:

  • Names with a capital first letter
  • Short messages in capitals for emphasis
  • Minimal punctuation for a cleaner finish

Consistency also helps designs look more polished.

Less Is Often More

Simple personalisation often creates the most timeless keepsakes.

A clear photo, a meaningful name and a short message usually produce the best overall result without overcrowding the design.

We’re Always Happy to Help

At Dotty Moo, every personalised bear is created with care. If you are ever unsure whether a photo or message will work well, feel free to get in touch before ordering.

We want every bear to become a keepsake that feels thoughtful, personal and made to be treasured for years to come 💛

Back to blog