Customer reviews are a subjective but useful tool to help you find the perfect custom pet portrait to represent your furry family member.
A pattern of positive reviews is a good indication that the seller is established and trustworthy. Reviews are particularly important if you are purchasing from a seller on Etsy or another online marketplace.
You should not let a few negative reviews completely deter you from choosing a seller. There are many other criteria to consider. However, a 4 or 5-star rating is likely a safe bet.
Look for reviews with photos of their finished products. Is this something you would be happy to receive? If not, you may want to knock this seller off of your prospect list and keep looking.
I grouped these two aspects because portrait accuracy often depends on what the artist uses to create it. Accuracy is arguably the most crucial criterion of a portrait purchase.
There are several different mediums in art. A few popular techniques are oil paints, acrylic paints, watercolor paints, charcoal, and pencil. Some artists digitally print their creations, and others engrave portraits into stone.
The medium by which you want your portrait created is one of the most important criteria. Do you want your pet’s portrait engraved in stone or on a bright canvas display? Do you want a realistic painting or a fun cartoon version of your companion?
I’ve ranked this criterion based on other sellers in their category.
Shipping time correlates with art medium and the level of personalization with your product. High-quality, customized projects will take longer than generic items that you order online. However, some creators are faster than others in their category, and you may want to opt for the quicker artist if you are in a pinch. Choosing faster shipping times does not always mean that you are sacrificing quality.
I’ve ranked this criterion based on other sellers in their category. The higher the ranking, the faster the turnover and shipping rate is.
How involved do you want to be in the creation process of your product? Do you want step-by-step updates or to leave the entire process to the artist’s discretion?
I did not give this criterion a numeric rating, customer involvement is subjective. Some buyers want to be involved in the process while others prefer to leave it all up to the artist.
Custom work can get expensive. However, some artists offer mediums that are a little more budget-friendly than their competitors.
