How Long Does a Custom Pet Portrait Take? (Christmas Order Dates)
By Amy, Retro Reverence ·
A custom digital pet portrait from Retro Reverence arrives within 3 business days of receiving your photos. A fine art print or gallery canvas takes about 1 to 2 weeks from photos to your door, because it includes a proof, printing and shipping. For Christmas in the US, order custom prints and canvases by December 5 and custom digital portraits by December 17, or by December 21 with the Rush upgrade.
Why does a custom portrait take a few days?
Because a person makes it. Our own custom-built studio software places your pet into an original scene, then a designer matches the markings from your photos and hand-retouches in Photoshop: the ear that folds, the white sock on one paw, the eyebrow situation. The corrections and the final approval are human.
An app can hand you something in ten seconds. It just won’t know that your cat’s left whisker pad is darker than the right, and your cat will know it doesn’t know.
How long does a digital portrait take?
Within 3 business days of receiving your photos. It arrives as a high-resolution, print-ready file, delivered straight to you.
If you’d like a change, message within 7 days of delivery.
How long do prints and canvases take?
Here’s the full timeline for a custom print or canvas:
| Step | Timing |
|---|---|
| Your proof arrives | Within 3 business days of receiving your photos |
| You approve or request changes | Within 48 hours (up to two rounds of changes) |
| Printing | Typically up to 5 business days |
| Shipping | Up to 5 business days |
| Total | About 1 to 2 weeks |
Two things to know about the proof. First, you have 48 hours to approve it or ask for changes. Second, if you don’t reply in that time, it counts as approved and goes to print, so the gift stays on schedule. Each round of changes moves the finish line back a little, which is worth remembering in December.
Busy seasons can run longer. The delivery page has the details.
What are the Christmas order dates?
For delivery in the US before Christmas:
| What you’re ordering | Order by |
|---|---|
| Custom pet portrait, print or canvas | December 5 |
| Custom pet portrait, digital file | December 17 (arrives by December 22) |
| Custom pet portrait, digital file, with the Rush upgrade | December 21 |
| Ready-made art, print or canvas | December 8 |
| Ready-made art, digital download | Any time (instant) |
The earlier date for custom prints is there because of the proof step. A ready-made print skips it, which buys you three more days.
For Christmas scenes made from your own photo, browse Christmas pet portraits, like The Culprit, for the cat who has already chosen which ornament goes first. For decorating the rest of the house, the ready-made Come Christmas collection lives in vintage style Christmas wall art.
How can I make sure it arrives on time?
A few habits that keep things moving:
- Send your photos the day you order. The clock starts when the photos arrive, not when you check out.
- Send a few photos, not one. Clear, in daylight, at full size. It saves a round of back and forth.
- Watch your inbox for the proof. Check spam too. A quick reply keeps your print in line.
- Know your deadline. If December 5 has come and gone, the digital portrait is still on the table until December 17, or December 21 with the Rush upgrade.
Is a digital file a real gift?
Yes, and a good one. You can print it at home or at a print shop, put it in a frame you choose, or show it on your phone on Christmas morning and let them pick the frame themselves. The file is print-ready from 8" × 10" up to 24" × 30".
It also means the gift can’t get lost in a snowbound delivery truck, which is its own small Christmas miracle.
Read next: what photo to send for a pet portrait, so your order can start the day it arrives.
Questions
- What is the last day to order a custom pet portrait for Christmas?
- In the US, order a custom print or canvas by December 5. Order a custom digital portrait by December 17 (it arrives by December 22), or by December 21 with the Rush upgrade.
- Can I give a digital portrait on Christmas morning?
- Yes. Order the digital file by December 17 (it arrives by December 22), or by December 21 with the Rush upgrade. Print it at home or at a local print shop, or simply show it on a phone or tablet and let them choose a frame.
- Does the clock start when I order or when I send photos?
- When your photos arrive. You upload them at full size right in your order. The sooner they come in, the sooner work begins.
- What if I miss the print deadline?
- Order the digital file instead, by December 17, or by December 21 with the Rush upgrade. Ready-made digital art from Come Christmas is instant, so it works right up to the last minute.