- Photo ornaments are UV printed directly onto 3 inch round ceramic, so there is no insert or sticker edge to peel.
- Send the original camera roll photo, at least 900 by 900 pixels, rather than a screenshot or social media copy.
- The ornament is a circle, so center the subject, leave space around heads, and choose close-ups over big groups.
- Both sides can be printed, such as a photo on the front and a name and year on the back, with a proof first.
A photo ornament is one of those gifts that comes out of the box every year. That is exactly why it needs to hold up. At Arnold Prints we make personalized photo ornaments by UV printing directly onto 3 inch round ceramic ornaments in our Westlake shop.
This post explains how UV printing works on ceramic, how to choose and prepare your photo, and how to plan an order so it arrives in time for the tree.
What Is UV Printing?
UV printing uses special inks that are cured, or hardened, by ultraviolet light the moment they hit the surface. Instead of soaking into paper, the ink bonds to the ornament and dries almost instantly.
That gives you a few advantages over a paper insert or a printed sticker:
- The image is printed right on the ceramic, so there is no edge to peel.
- Colors are full and sharp, including skin tones and small details.
- The finish handles normal handling and storage in an ornament box.
You can read more about the process on our UV printing page.
The Ornament: 3 Inch Round Ceramic
Our ornaments are 3 inch round ceramic discs. That size is big enough to show a face clearly and small enough to fit in with the rest of your tree. Both sides can be printed.
Pricing
- Front only: from $14.95
- Front and back: from $19.95
- 50 or more: from $8.95 front only, $12.95 front and back
Order on our custom photo ornaments page.
Choosing the Right Photo
The photo you send is the biggest factor in how the ornament turns out. Here is what to look for.
Resolution
Send the original file whenever you can. A photo straight from your phone's camera roll is usually plenty. Screenshots and images saved from social media or text messages are often compressed and can look soft or blocky when printed.
As a rule of thumb, the part of the photo that will show on the ornament should be at least 900 by 900 pixels. More is better. If you are not sure, send it anyway and we will let you know if it looks too small.
Lighting and Focus
Pick a photo where faces are well lit and in focus. Bright daylight photos print better than dim indoor shots. Avoid heavy filters, since they can shift skin tones once printed.
Cropping for a Circle
Most photos are rectangles. The ornament is a circle, so the corners get cut off. Keep this in mind:
- Put the main subject in the center of the frame.
- Leave a little space around heads so nobody gets clipped at the edge.
- Close-up shots usually work better than wide group photos. On a 3 inch circle, a group of ten people means very small faces.
- Pets, babies, couples and single portraits are ideal.
We show you a proof before printing, so you can see exactly how the circle crop looks.
Front and Back Ideas
Printing both sides turns an ornament into a keepsake. Some ideas that work well:
- Photo front, name and year back. The classic setup. "The Smith Family 2026" or "Baby's First Christmas 2026."
- Then and now. An old photo on one side, a recent one on the other.
- Pet memorial. A favorite photo on the front, name and dates on the back.
- New home. A photo of the house on the front, the address or move-in year on the back.
- Team or business. A logo on the front, the season or year on the back.
Bulk Ornaments for Families, Teams and Realtors
At 50 or more, the price drops to $8.95 for one side or $12.95 for two sides. That opens up some good uses:
- Families ordering a matching ornament for every household.
- Sports teams and schools giving each player an ornament with their team photo.
- Realtors sending clients a "First Christmas in Our New Home" ornament.
- Businesses and fire departments with a logo ornament for staff or customers.
For larger or mixed orders, use our business quote form and we will help you organize names and photos.
Ordering Timeline Before Christmas
Custom ornaments need time for a proof, your approval and production. Our advice is to order early in December, or in November if you can. Bulk orders with many different photos take longer to set up, so start those first.
Ask us about timing when you order. We would rather give you a straight answer up front than have an ornament show up after the tree comes down.
Other Personalized Gifts
If you are building a gift set, ornaments pair well with acrylic photo keychains or a UV printed sign with the family name.
FAQ
What size are the ornaments?
They are 3 inch round ceramic ornaments, printable on one or both sides.
How much do photo ornaments cost?
From $14.95 for one side and $19.95 for two sides. At 50 or more, from $8.95 and $12.95.
Can I use a photo from my phone?
Yes. Send the original from your camera roll rather than a screenshot or a social media download for the sharpest result.
Will I see a proof?
Yes. We send a proof so you can check the crop and any text before we print.
When should I order for Christmas?
Early in December at the latest, and earlier for bulk orders. Ask us about timing when you order.
