A photo throw blanket is the perfect gift for someone special, or you can have one made for yourself to mark a special occasion. There are options that include woven blankets or you can choose from fleece blankets made with a special process called sublimation.
The Process
Making a custom photo throw blanket takes some time to do. Companies that do make these special keepsakes often require several weeks, or more, to complete the project using commercial machinery and dyes. The type of blanket that you choose will indicate how the blanket is made. For woven blankets made from materials like cotton the process includes using the right colors to create a one-of-a-kind, unique blanket with your favorite photo on it. The photos are not simply stamped on with a transfer, but are actually woven into the fabric of the blanket.
When creating a fleece photo throw blanket through sublimation the process involves heat. In most cases the photo is enlarged and transferred to a special type of paper and then the photo is transferred to the blanket using a press. The entire process is fairly simple but does take some professional equipment such as a press and sublimation inks. Traditionally, you can also use the sublimation process to transfer photos to coffee mugs and any other type of material. The press does reach very high temperatures so if you are thinking of making a photo blanket at home you need to use caution with your press.
Choosing Your Blanket
When creating your photo throw blanket you will have many different options. You can choose from one to ten photos or more. A collage blanket is a great choice when you want a keepsake that reflects many different memories, such as a trip through your child’s first year or your first year of marriage. You can also give the blanket as a gift with photos of all the family members or give to grandparents with a photo of your child. There are many giftable options for these unique blankets.
To begin making your custom photo throw blanket you need to send your photos to the company that will be making your blanket. Most companies allow you to simply upload your digital photos to the website. If you don’t have digital photos you may want to consider taking your hard copy to a photo shop and having them put onto a CD. You can then upload the photos from your CD to the website using your home computer. You will want to include any specifications for the colors, size and materials to be used when you upload the photos and pay for your blanket.
Resolution
For the best photo throw blanket you will want to use a fairly clear, high resolution photo. You may want to even opt for a professional photo when making a gift for someone in your family. With a crisp, clear photo you will have a blanket that you can cherish for some time to come.