How to Choose the Best Photo for a Personalised Slate

A personalised photo slate is a meaningful way to display a favourite memory, celebrate a special occasion or remember someone important.

The quality of the finished slate depends greatly on the photo you provide. Choosing the right image helps make sure faces are clear, colours look their best and important parts of the photograph are not lost during cropping.

Here are some simple tips to help you choose the best photo for your personalised slate.

Use the Original Photo Where Possible

The original photograph taken on your phone or camera will normally give the best printing result.

Try to avoid using:

• Screenshots

• Photos saved from Facebook or Messenger

• Images copied from another website

• Photographs that have been repeatedly sent between phones

These versions are often compressed, which reduces image quality and can make the finished print appear blurry or pixelated.

Choose a Clear, Well-Lit Image

Select a photograph where the main subject is easy to see.

Photos taken in daylight or a bright room generally print better than very dark images. Check that faces are in focus and that the photograph is not affected by excessive shadows, glare or movement.

A slightly dark photo can sometimes be adjusted before printing, but a heavily blurred photograph cannot usually be made completely sharp.

Leave Space Around Faces and Important Details

Your photo may need to be cropped to fit the shape of the slate.

Try to choose an image with some space around:

• Faces

• Heads

• Pets

• Buildings

• Important background details

• Wording already included in the photograph

Photos cropped very closely around a person’s head may be difficult to fit without losing part of the image.

Consider the Shape of the Slate

Different photographs suit different slate shapes.

Square slates

Square slates work well with:

• Close-up portraits

• Pet photographs

• Couples

• Small family groups

• Memorial designs

Rectangle slates

Landscape rectangle slates are ideal for:

• Large family photographs

• Wedding groups

• Holiday pictures

• Houses

• Cars

• Scenic views

Portrait rectangle slates work well with:

• Full-length photographs

• Individual portraits

• Wedding photographs

• Memorial images

Heart-shaped slates

Heart slates are especially popular for:

• Couples

• Weddings

• Anniversaries

• Memorial gifts

• Parents and grandparents

A photo with the main subject positioned near the centre normally works best on a heart-shaped slate.

Round slates

Round slates work well with centred photographs, portraits, pets and simple designs with names or short messages.

Be Careful with Group Photographs

Group photographs can look fantastic on a personalised slate, but everyone needs to fit comfortably inside the printable area.

For larger groups, choose a landscape rectangle slate where possible. Avoid images where people are positioned very close to the outer edges, as parts of the photograph may need to be cropped.

Old Photographs Can Still Work

Older family photographs can make beautiful and meaningful personalised gifts.

Before uploading an old photograph:

• Place it on a flat surface

• Use good natural light

• Avoid reflections

• Hold your phone directly above it

• Make sure the image is in focus

• Crop out the table or background

For the best result, scan the original photograph using a scanner when possible.

Marks, fading and damage may still appear in the finished print unless photo restoration has been arranged separately.

Avoid Photos with Important Details at the Edges

Natural slate has irregular, hand-cut edges. This is part of its character, but it means the extreme outer edge of the design may not print perfectly evenly.

Keep important faces, wording and dates slightly away from the edge of the photograph.

A small amount of the image may also be cropped to make it fit the selected slate shape.

Check the Background

Look carefully at everything behind the main subject before uploading your photo.

Customers sometimes notice unwanted details only after printing, such as:

• People in the background

• Household clutter

• Reflections

• Bins or vehicles

• Fingers covering the camera

• Dates or writing that are no longer wanted

Choose a clean background where possible, or select a photograph where the main subject clearly stands out.

Choose the Highest-Quality File

Upload the largest version of your photograph available.

A photo taken directly from a modern phone camera will usually be large enough. Small profile pictures, thumbnails and heavily compressed images may not be suitable for printing.

Do not enlarge a small image before uploading it. Increasing the dimensions does not restore missing detail.

Think About Any Wording You Want to Add

Personalised slates can include names, dates, messages or short quotes.

When choosing your photo, make sure there is enough clear space for the wording. Busy backgrounds can make text difficult to read.

Popular wording includes:

• Home Sweet Home

• Our First Home

• In Loving Memory

• Forever in Our Hearts

• Thank You for Helping Me Grow

• Happy Anniversary

• Love You Always

• Family Is Everything

Keep the wording reasonably short for the clearest result.

Check Names and Dates Carefully

Always double-check:

• Spelling

• Capital letters

• Dates

• Punctuation

• Names

• Personal messages

Personalised products are created using the details supplied with the order, so it is important that everything is entered correctly.

What Happens After You Upload Your Photo?

When you place an order with Infinity Prints Online, your photograph is checked before printing.

The image may be resized or cropped to suit the selected slate. The layout is arranged to keep the important parts of the photograph visible and to position any requested wording clearly.

When there is an obvious problem with an uploaded image, such as very poor quality or important details being cut off, contact may be made before printing.

Final Checklist

Before submitting your order, check that:

• The photograph is clear and in focus

• You are using the original image

• Faces are not too close to the edge

• The slate shape suits the photograph

• Everyone fits within a group photo

• Names and dates are correct

• Any requested wording is easy to understand

• You have uploaded the correct photograph

Create Your Own Personalised Photo Slate

Personalised photo slates make thoughtful gifts for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, new homes, teachers, pet lovers and memorial occasions.

Each slate is made to order by Infinity Prints Online, a small independent printing business based in Stoke-on-Trent, with delivery available across the UK.

Explore the personalised photo slate collection and turn a favourite photograph into a keepsake that can be treasured for years.