How much does a pet portrait cost?

Pet portrait pricing looks random until you know what drives it: how it is made, how big it is, how many animals are in it, and whether framing is included.

We make cards, pin badges and prints in house, printed in the UK. We don't paint pet portraits ourselves, so where we mention a portrait studio it is a recommendation rather than our own product.

The figures below are typical UK prices. Treat anything far below them as a red flag and anything far above as something you should see samples of first.

Typical UK prices by style

1. Digital illustration, file only: £20 to £60. Fast, no postage, you print it yourself.
2. Digital illustration, printed A4: £35 to £80.
3. Watercolour or pastel style, A4: £60 to £150.
4. Coloured pencil or charcoal, hand drawn: £120 to £300.
5. Oil or acrylic on canvas, A3 and up: £200 to £800.
6. Photo canvas from your own picture: £15 to £45, and available same week.

What adds to the price

• Extra pets: normally 30 to 50 per cent each, not a second full fee.
• Larger sizes: the jump from A4 to A3 is often 40 per cent or more.
• Framing: £20 to £60, and a lot more for non-standard sizes.
• Rush turnaround: expect a £15 to £40 surcharge, especially in November.
• Full backgrounds rather than a plain one.
• Costumes, props or a pet that has died and needs reference photos piecing together.

How to spend less without regretting it

• Buy the digital file and print it at a UK print shop, then frame it from a high-street frame.
• Choose head and shoulders rather than full body - less work, lower price, and it reads better small.
• Send one excellent photo instead of six mediocre ones; fewer revisions means fewer surcharges.
• Order in January or February rather than December.
• For two pets, two smaller matching pieces can cost less than one large double portrait.

What a fair price should include

• A draft you can comment on before it is finished.
• At least one round of changes.
• Clear delivery timing in writing.
• UK printing and postage, with tracking on anything framed.

Browse pet cards

How to write it so it lands

• Ask for the price of the file, the print and the framed version separately.
• Standard sizes like A4 and A3 keep framing cheap.
• Screenshot the quoted delivery date - it matters if it is a birthday present.

Where to shop next

• Pet portraits UK: costs and how to choose
• Best photos to send for a pet portrait
• Gifts for dog lovers
• Gifts for cat lovers
• Christmas gifts for pet owners
• Pet loss keepsake ideas
• Pet memorial gift ideas
• New pet gift ideas
• All guides
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Pin badges

Frequently asked questions

How much should I pay for a pet portrait?

For most people £35 to £80 buys a printed digital illustration that looks excellent on a wall. Hand-painted work starts around £200 and is priced by the hour behind the scenes.

Why are some pet portraits so cheap?

Very low prices usually mean an automated filter applied to your photo rather than an artist drawing it. That can still look good, but you should know which you are buying.

Does a second pet double the price?

Rarely. Most UK studios add 30 to 50 per cent for each additional animal in the same picture.

Is framing included in a pet portrait price?

Usually not. Budget another £20 to £60, or buy a standard-size print and use an off-the-shelf frame.