The more accurately we capture your pet's paw, the more faithfully we can recreate it. Follow these simple tips to help us produce the best possible Paw Expression.

What Makes a Great Paw Photo?

Your photo should be:

✓ Straight on

✓ Well lit

✓ In sharp focus

✓ Showing the entire paw

✓ Taken as close to the paw as possible

Avoid angled photos or wide shots where the paw is so small that it loses its detail.

You can clearly see the paws in these and the detail is clear. They are straight on where you can clearly see all the paws distinctly and here is little hair in the way.

Capture Every Detail

The tiny ridges and textures in your pet's paw are what make every Paw Expression unique.

The cleaner and sharper the photo, the more texture we can preserve in your finished keepsake.

If possible:

• Wipe away dirt or mud

• Trim excessively long fur covering the pads (optional)

• Gently spread the toes if needed

• Use natural daylight whenever possible

Include Size Reference (Recommended)

If you'd like your Paw Expression recreated at your pet's actual size, include a size reference in one of your uploaded photos.

For the most accurate sizing, the reference should be on the same plane as your pet's paw—meaning it should be touching the same surface and sitting at the same height as the paw pads. Objects held above or below the paw can distort the scale.

Accepted size references include:

• Our green Textured Memories sizing token (available at local Colorado events)
• A ruler placed beside the paw
• A U.S. quarter

When taking this photo, I made sure

You may upload up to two photos:

Photo 1: Your cleanest, highest-quality paw photo

Photo 2: A second photo showing the size reference - this way you can put it directly on the paw to get it on the same plane and it doesn't matter if the paw itself is partially obscured. 

We'll use the detail from your first image and the measurements from your second to create the most accurate Pactile Expression possible. Remember, our scaling is as good as your reference! Need help? Email us at design@texturedmemories.com and we can work through it together! 

Keep the Camera Parallel

For the most accurate proportions, photograph the paw straight from above.

Avoid taking the picture at an angle or from the side.

Keeping the camera parallel prevents distortion and ensures your finished impression matches your pet's real paw.

Different Pets, Same Process

Pactile isn't just for dogs.

Cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles, birds, and many other companions can all become Pactile Impressions.

For very small animals—or paws that are difficult to photograph—placing them on a clean sheet of glass or acrylic and photographing from below often creates the clearest result. If you have a glass coffee or dining table, you can set a size reference down next to them on the table and grab the photo below - just make sure to focus on the paw before you take the photo!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✕ Blurry photos

✕ Heavy shadows across the pads

✕ Paw hidden by fur

✕ Cropped pads

✕ Camera at an angle

✕ Wet or muddy paws

When you clean your pet's paw, dry it with a cloth towel. Fun fact - our Expressions are so detailed that, if you look closely, you can see a couple flecks of paper towel on Gretta's paw print that stuck on after it was dried with one. Oops.

Too much fur keeps this from being a great photo - try wetting the hair and see if you can hide it between the pads. You can also try shaving or cutting it, but the veterinary professional on our team wants to remind you that scissor work is best left to professional groomers.

The first picture has the paw partially blocked by the photographer's fingers. The second one is cute, but too off angle for a good paw expression.

Special Note for Cat Parents

While Pactile Paw Expressions beautifully preserve your cat's paw pads, many cat owners prefer a Pactile Body Expression instead.

Cats often have long fur surrounding their paws, making the overall shape, toe tufts, and soft silhouette just as recognizable as the pads themselves. A Body Expression preserves the entire paw, capturing the fur, shape, and personality that make it uniquely theirs.

If your favorite part of your cat's paw is the adorable "toe beans," a Paw Expression is the perfect choice. If it's the complete paw—the fluffy toes, soft fur, and unmistakable shape—a Body Expression often creates a more recognizable and artistic keepsake.

Not sure which is right for your cat? Upload your photo and we'd be happy to recommend the option we think will best celebrate your companion. The below photos are great examples of pictures that would be better Body Expressions than Paw Expressions.

We Can Help

Not sure if your photo is good enough? Upload your best images anyway.

Want to work through it together? Email us at design@texturedmemories.com with your photos and questions. We reply within 1 business day, so please check your spam folder if you've not seen a response from us within that time frame.

Our team reviews every submission before production, and if we think another photo would produce a noticeably better result, we'll reach out before creating your keepsake.