Pet bandanas, pet hoodies, tote bags and personalised gifts: sizing, safety, proofing and washing questions answered.
Questions or a quote? Message us — we reply personally
How do I get a personalised dog bandana?
Decide the design (a name, a message or an image), the colour and your dog's size, then ask for a quote. A name and a short phrase work best, because a bandana is small and long text gets hard to read. Send clean artwork if you have a logo or picture. FabricForge sends a visual proof before printing so you can check the spelling and layout.
How do I measure my dog for a bandana or hoodie?
Use a soft tape measure or a piece of string, then lay it against a ruler. Measure the neck where a collar sits, the widest part of the chest just behind the front legs, and the back from the base of the neck towards the tail. A pet clothing brand, Maxbone, suggests stopping a few inches short of the tail. Compare with the size chart for that garment.
What size pet hoodie does my dog need?
Match your dog's chest and back measurements to the garment's size chart rather than guessing from breed or weight alone, because shape varies a lot. A deep-chested whippet and a barrel-chested bulldog of similar weight can need different sizes. If your dog sits between sizes, choose the one that allows free movement of the legs and neck. Ask for the garment's measurements in your quote.
Is it safe for dogs to wear printed clothing?
Generally, clothing is fine when it fits properly and your dog is comfortable, but use common sense. Supervise your dog while it wears anything, make sure it can move, see and breathe freely, and take the item off if your dog chews it, seems stressed or overheats. Avoid small detachable parts. This is general advice, not veterinary guidance, so ask your vet about any specific concerns.
Can my dog wear a hoodie or bandana all day?
It is better not to leave it on unsupervised or for long stretches. Take it off when you are not around, if the weather turns warm, or if it gets wet or dirty. Check the skin around the neck and chest for rubbing after wearing. Keep the fit loose enough to slide a couple of fingers underneath. If your dog seems uncomfortable, stop using it and ask a vet.
What can I print on a custom tote bag?
Most designs work: a logo, a slogan, a photo-style graphic or a name. Tote bags are a flat, wide canvas, so a bold single graphic usually looks better than lots of tiny details. Think about the bag's colour, since light prints show up best on dark cloth. They suit shops, events, teachers' gifts and wedding favours. Ask for a quote and proof, and mention how many you need.
Can I get a personalised gaming T-shirt?
Yes. People often choose a gamertag, a team name, artwork of their own, or a clan logo. If you use artwork from a game or another brand, you may need permission from the owner, so check before ordering. Send a high-resolution file where possible, and check the gamertag spelling and any capital letters or numbers on the proof, since they are easy to miss.
Can you print custom calendars and wall planners?
Calendars and planners are printed items rather than garments, so ask whether the format and size you want can be made, and request a quote. They suit families, small businesses and clubs. Decide the start month, bank holidays and any photos or dates to include early, as these take time to check. Make sure you read each month in the proof, not only the cover.
Which personalised gifts work well for Christmas?
Printed T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags and calendars are common picks, along with pet bandanas. Choose something the person will actually use, such as their name, a family joke or a pet photo. Order well ahead of the date, because proof checks and any changes take time, and busy periods can stretch things. Ask for a quote, which confirms delivery time and charge.
Can we get matching family outfits, including the dog?
Yes, the usual approach is one shared design across adult, child and pet sizes, adjusted for each garment. Choose a simple graphic, because the print will be scaled differently on a dog bandana and an adult top. Send every size in one list, with the dog's measurements if relevant. A group discount applies at FabricForge when you order 5 or more items, and the proof shows how it looks on each.
How are personalised gifts proofed before printing?
A proof is a preview image showing your design on the product, usually with the layout, text and colours. You read it carefully and either approve it or ask for changes before printing begins. Check spelling, dates, names and positioning, as well as which items are included. Approval usually means the printer will go ahead exactly as shown, so take your time.
What should I check on a proof for a name or photo?
Check every letter of any name, including spacing and capitals, and ask a second person to read it too. For photos or artwork, look for blurriness, jagged edges or crops that cut off heads. Remember that colours on a screen differ a little from printed fabric. If a detail is unclear or too small to read, ask for a closer view or a change before approving.
How should printed pet clothing be washed?
Follow the care label on the garment and any advice that comes with the print. A sensible default is a gentle wash at a low temperature, turned inside out, with no bleach or heavy fabric softener, and air dry instead of tumble drying on a hot setting. Wash it when it picks up dirt, and check for loose threads or peeling print before putting it back on your dog.
Choosing a name or message that suits the item
A bandana gives you a small triangle of space, so short words work best: a name, a nickname, a tiny joke or a single date. A hoodie has more room across the back but the chest area is limited on smaller breeds. Before you write to us, say aloud the text you plan to print and ask whether it still feels right in five years. Puns about birthdays age quickly; a name rarely does.
- Check the spelling of the pet's name, since registered names and everyday names often differ.
- Decide whether the text should read from the owner's side or the viewer's side when your dog is standing.
- Choose a colour of garment that gives clear contrast with your chosen print colours.
Photographing your pet for a print
If you want a likeness of your animal on a gift, the picture matters more than any other choice. Take it in daylight near a window, at the animal's eye level, with the face clear and the background plain. Avoid flash, which turns eyes into bright discs. Send the original file rather than a screenshot from a messaging app, and give us a few options so we can tell you which will print most clearly.
What if my pet will not stay still for measurements?
Use a soft tape or a piece of string, mark it, then lay it flat against a ruler afterwards. Measure when your dog is relaxed, perhaps after a walk, and write the numbers down straight away. Add notes about a deep chest or a thick coat, because those matter as much as length.
Can I give a pet gift as a surprise?
Yes, but you still need accurate measurements and a proof. Ask the other person at home to help with sizing quietly, and keep the proof screen out of sight until the day.
Need a quote? We reply personally
More printing guides
- DTF Printing Explained
- Custom T-Shirt Printing in the UK
- Custom Hoodie Printing in the UK
- How to Wash and Care for Printed Clothing
- Artwork and File Preparation for Printing on Clothing
- How to Order Custom Printed Clothing
- Group Orders
- Workwear, Hi-Vis and Scrubs Printing
- Sports Kit Printing
- Flyers, Business Cards and Stationery Printing
- Flags, Banners and Display Stands
- Funeral and Memorial Printing