A custom blanket keeps you warm and lets you wrap yourself in favorite memories. It can tell a story about your family, honor a good friend, and celebrate love. The options can feel overwhelming, but the process is simple. We'll show you how to turn your best moments into a cozy keepsake for you and your loved ones to enjoy for years.

Unique Artist Blankets | Cozy USA Made Throws – MyArtsyGift

Step 1: Select the Material and Size

First, pick the blanket itself. The material affects how it feels, how warm it is, and how your photos will look. It's the canvas for your memories.

A Quick Look at Blanket Fabrics

For photo blankets, some fabrics display images better than others. Here are the most popular choices.

Fleece and Plush Fleece

Fleece is a top choice for photo blankets. It's a soft polyester fabric with a smooth surface that's perfect for printing. We use a special printing method that bakes the ink right into the fabric. This process makes your photos sharp and prevents fading. Standard fleece is soft and lightweight. Plush fleece is an upgrade that's thicker, heavier, and has a rich, velvety feel.

Flannel

You can print on flannel, but its fuzzy surface creates a softer image. So the result is less sharp than on fleece and gives your blanket a cozy, rustic vibe.

Fleece Blanket Soft Cozy Warm Blanket for Bed, Sofa, Couch, Camping, and Travel 280g

Made in USA 

Custom Fleece Blanket (280g) – MyArtsyGift

Lamb Wool Fleece

If you want pure luxury, lamb wool fleece is a fantastic option. This is a premium, thick fabric made to feel like fluffy sheep's wool. It is incredibly soft and provides a lot of warmth, which makes it perfect for snuggling.

Lamb Wool Fleece Blanket for Bed, Sofa, Couch, Camping, and Travel Made in USA

Custom Lamb Wool Fleece Blanket (Warm & Cozy) – MyArtsyGift

This table helps you compare the options:

All these blankets are made from high-quality polyester, but different weaving techniques create unique textures and feels.

Decide on a Shape and Size

After you pick your material, you need to decide on a size. The size and shape you pick depend on how you plan to use the blanket.

Standard Shapes and Sizes

Most blankets come in a rectangle or square shape. These work for everything from a small lap blanket to a large one for your bed. If you want something different, a round blanket can be a fun throw for a chair or a neat playmat for a child.

Personalized Soft Round Plush Kids Blanket for Boys Girls, Custom Throw Blanket for Nursery

Personalized Soft Plush Kids Blanket for Boys Girls, Custom Throw Blan – MyArtsyGift

Designs for Every Occasion

Custom blankets are great for indoors and out. A plush fleece throw is perfect for the couch and a flannel blanket adds a cozy layer to your bed. But if you head outdoors, a foldable picnic blanket is a great choice. It often has a soft, customizable top and a waterproof bottom to keep you dry on wet ground. Many fold up into a handy tote with a strap, so you can easily take them to the park or the beach.

Personalized Large Picnic Outdoor Blanket,Waterproof Foldable Square Outdoor Mat for Camping Park Travel

Custom Photo Waterproof Foldable Picnic Blanket – MyArtsyGift

Step 2: Pick the Perfect Photos

You've chosen your canvas, so now it's time for the heart of your project: the photos. Pick pictures that bring back happy feelings every time someone uses the blanket.

Two Keys to a Great Blanket

For your photos to look amazing and not blurry, keep these two things in mind:

1. Use High-Resolution Photos: A photo blown up to the size of a blanket needs a lot of detail to stay clear. Pictures saved from social media are usually too small and will look blocky or "pixelated." So always try to use the original, full-size files from your phone or camera.
2. Good Lighting is Your Friend: Photos taken in bright, natural light produce the best colors and look the sharpest. For example, pictures from an overcast day or taken near a window usually print beautifully.

Select Heartfelt Photos

This is the fun part—you get to pick photos that tell a story.

• Look for Genuine Moments: Posed portraits are nice, but candid shots often feel more special. Find photos that show a real laugh, a sweet glance, or a moment of pure joy.
• Think About Who It's For: Who will receive this blanket? For a partner, you might select photos from your favorite trips together. For a grandparent, a collage of the grandkids over the years is a priceless gift.
• Create a Theme: A theme can make your design feel more thoughtful. You could make a "Year in Review" blanket with pictures from the last 12 months or tell "Our Story" with photos in order.

Step 3: Arrange Your Photos in a Collage

You have your photos, so now it's time to arrange them. You don't need to be a graphic designer to make a beautiful layout, but you should follow a few simple tips.

Simple Tips for a Great Layout

• Pick a "Star" Photo: A good collage usually has one main photo that grabs your attention first. So make this picture a little bigger than the others or place it in the center to anchor your design.
• Vary the Sizes: A blanket where every photo is the same size can look a bit repetitive. So mix it up by making some photos bigger and some smaller. This creates a nice visual flow.
• Leave Some Blank Space: The empty space on the blanket is just as important as the photos. It gives the pictures room to breathe and keeps the design from looking too cluttered.

Easy Layouts

A pre-made template can make the collage process much easier.

• Grid Layout: This is a classic look where photos are arranged in a neat grid. It's perfect if you have a lot of photos that are all equally important.
• Freestyle Layout: This style looks more like a scrapbook, with photos of different sizes that overlap. It feels more playful and creative.
• Single Photo Layout: If you have one truly amazing picture, let it shine. A single, powerful photo that covers the whole blanket can make a big impact.

Step 4: Add a Personal Touch with Text

The photos tell the story, and text adds the finishing touch. A few words can turn your blanket from a collection of pictures into a heartfelt message.

What Should You Write?

• Names & Monograms: A family name or a child's initials is a simple, timeless option.
• Important Dates: Mark a special day, like an anniversary ("Est. 2015") or a birthday.
• Favorite Quotes: Add a line from a song or a sweet phrase like "Wrapped in Our Memories."

Select the Right Font

The style of the font helps set the mood.

• Serif Fonts (like Times New Roman): These classic-looking fonts have little "feet" on the letters. They feel traditional and elegant, so they are perfect for an anniversary gift.
• Sans-Serif Fonts (like Helvetica): These fonts are clean and modern with no extra lines. They are very easy to read and work well for any message.
• Script Fonts (like Lucida Calligraphy): These fonts look like handwriting and add a personal, romantic feel.

To place your text, put light text on dark parts of a photo and dark text on light parts so it's easy to read. Also, try not to put words over someone's face or another important part of a picture.

Step 5: Do a Final Check

You're almost done. The preview shows you exactly how your design will look. This is your chance to catch any mistakes so you can place your order with confidence.

The Final Checklist

Check this list right as you are about to hit 'order':

• Check for Typos: Read every word you added, and double-check the spelling of names and the accuracy of dates.
• Review Photo Placement: Look at the edges of the blanket. Is anything important getting cut off?
• Confirm Photo Quality: Most design tools will warn you if a photo's quality is too low for the size you've chosen. If you see a warning, swap it for a better picture.

The MyArtsyGift Promise: What You See is What You Snuggle

At MyArtsyGift, our promise is simple: "What You See is What You Snuggle." We work hard to make sure the beautiful blanket you design on your screen becomes a real, cozy blanket you can hold and hug.

How We Make Sure You Get What You See:

Our design tool gives you an accurate preview. To prevent blurry images, our smart tool automatically checks your photo's quality and warns you if it's too low. This ensures your final product will be clear and sharp.

How We Make Sure Your Blanket is Great to Snuggle:

After you approve your design, we use a special high-quality printing method. It bakes the colors deep into the soft fabric. This makes the picture clear and strong, and it won't fade in the wash. It doesn't matter if you pick a light fleece or a super soft lamb wool fleece. We promise the fabric will feel great and show off all the bright colors and details of your design.

From start to finish, we promise to take care of all the hard technical stuff. This means you can relax and have fun designing a truly special blanket. You focus on the creativity, and we'll handle the rest.

How to Care for Your Custom Blanket

You've made a beautiful keepsake. With a little care, your blanket and its printed memories will stay soft and bright for a long time.

General Tips

• Always use a mild detergent. Harsh chemicals or bleach can make the print fade.
• For the first couple of washes, wash the blanket by itself to make sure no colors bleed.

Instructions by Fabric

• Fleece, Plush Fleece & Lamb Wool Fleece: Machine wash on a gentle cycle with cold water, and then tumble dry on the lowest heat setting. High heat can damage the fibers.
• Flannel Blankets: Machine wash in cool or warm water on a gentle cycle. You can tumble dry on low or hang it up to air dry.
• Waterproof Outdoor Blankets: You can easily wipe the waterproof side clean, but for a deeper clean, check the tag—many are machine washable.

Start Your One-of-a-Kind Blanket Today

And that's it! You picked the fabric and added a personal touch. You have what you need to turn your favorite memories into a warm, cozy work of art. A custom blanket is a story to wrap yourself in and a reminder of the moments that matter most. You have the memories and the know-how—go create something wonderful with MyArtsyGift.

FAQs about Custom Blankets

Here are answers to some common questions about custom blankets.

Q1: What's the real print quality difference between fleece and flannel?

The key difference is the fabric's surface. Fleece is smooth, which allows for extremely sharp and detailed photos with bright colors. Flannel is brushed and a bit fuzzy, so the image printed on it will look softer and more rustic.

Q2: My best photos are from an old, printed album. Can I use them?

Yes, definitely. You can use a scanner or a good photo-scanning app on your phone to turn them into digital files. For the best results, scan them at a high quality; at least 300 DPI is a good rule of thumb. You can also turn old scanned photos into black and white to create a beautiful, timeless look.

Q3: How does MyArtsyGift's AI actually help with the design?

MyArtsyGift supports AI creativity in exciting ways. You can upload AI-generated images (like those from Midjourney) and turn them into custom products—truly bringing your creative prompts to life. Our design tool also checks your uploaded images and warns you if a picture is too low-resolution to print clearly on the blanket size you've chosen, so you can avoid a blurry result.

Q4: I want to create a memorial blanket. What are some tasteful design tips?

A memorial blanket is a lovely way to honor someone. For a design that feels comforting and dignified, simple is often best. A single, high-quality photo that captures their personality can be very powerful, sometimes outshining a collage. You can add their name and dates with a classic font. A soft, premium material like plush fleece is a great choice for this type of blanket.

Q5: Can I wash my photo blanket without the image fading?

Yes. We use a printing process called dye sublimation, where heat permanently fuses the ink deep into the fabric. This process makes the image very durable and fade-resistant. As long as you follow the care instructions (wash cold, gentle cycle, no harsh detergents), your blanket's colors will stay bright for years.