Which Drawings Embroider Best, and How to Photograph Your Child's Art

You've decided to turn one of your child's drawings into something wearable. Now come the two practical questions: which drawing? And how do I get a good picture of it?

The good news is that most children's drawings embroider well, and a phone camera is all you need. Here's how to choose, and how to photograph it so nothing gets lost.

Part 1: Choosing a drawing that embroiders well

What thread loves

Embroidery is made of thread, and thread has thickness. That means some qualities translate beautifully:

• Bold, confident lines. Marker, crayon, felt-tip and thick pencil lines come through clearly.
• A few distinct colors. Five bright crayons work better than forty subtle shades.
• Clear shapes: a house, a person, a sun, a pet.
• Faces with simple features. Dots for eyes and a curved smile stitch wonderfully.
• White space around the main figures. A drawing with some breathing room reads well at shirt size.

What's harder for thread

These aren't deal-breakers, but they may be simplified:

• Very faint pencil lines, which may need to be strengthened
• Tiny details, like a dozen small letters in a corner
• Fully colored-in backgrounds, like a sky painted edge to edge, which can make the design dense and stiff
• Watercolor washes and soft shading, which thread can't reproduce as gradients
• Lots of small writing, which can become hard to read at embroidery size

Scribbles count

You might think a toddler's scribble is too messy for embroidery. Often it's the opposite. Bold, energetic scribbles can look striking in thread. Our film The Knot is about a child's scribble of first-day nerves, and it's one of our favorites.

Choosing with your heart

Technical fit matters, but the best drawing is the one that makes you stop. The portrait where mom has six arms. The family where the dog is biggest. The one that made grandma cry. Choose that one, then check it against the list above.

If you're staring at an overflowing box, our film Every Parent Has This Box is for you.

Part 2: How to photograph a child's drawing

You don't need a scanner or special equipment. A phone and a window are enough.

1. Use daylight

Natural light near a window gives the truest colors. Avoid direct harsh sunlight, which creates strong shadows and washes out colors, and avoid yellow indoor lamps, which tint everything.

Overcast days are ideal: soft, even light.

2. Lay it flat

Place the drawing on a flat surface, like a table or the floor. If the paper is curled, weigh the corners down with something outside the drawing area, or place a sheet of clean glass on top (watch for reflections).

3. Shoot from directly above

Hold the phone parallel to the drawing, straight overhead. If you shoot at an angle, the drawing becomes a trapezoid and proportions distort. Many phones show a level indicator in the camera to help.

4. Avoid your own shadow

Standing over the drawing often casts a shadow. Move so the light comes from the side, or step back and zoom in slightly.

5. Avoid glare

Shiny crayon, glitter and glossy paper reflect light. If you see bright patches, change the angle of the light rather than the phone, or move to a spot with softer light.

6. Fill the frame, but keep the whole drawing

Get close enough that the drawing fills most of the photo, with a little margin around the edges. Don't crop off anything your child drew, even the scribble in the corner.

7. Keep it sharp

Tap the screen to focus on the drawing. Hold still, or rest your elbows on the table.

8. Skip the filters

No beauty filters, no "vivid" mode, no black-and-white. You want the colors as they are.

Using a scanner

If you have a flatbed scanner, it's a great option: perfectly flat, evenly lit. Scan in color at a good resolution. Scanner apps on phones also work well and can correct perspective automatically.

Part 3: Before you upload

Check your photo:

• Is the whole drawing visible?
• Is it sharp when you zoom in?
• Are the colors close to the original?
• Is there no glare or shadow across any part?

If yes, you're ready. At ANORA, you can upload JPEG, PNG or WebP files. We prepare the drawing for embroidery while preserving its shapes, proportions and character, and you'll see a preview on your chosen hoodie or T-shirt before ordering. Our playful step-by-step guide, Instructions for Use, covers the whole process.

You can upload a drawing here.

Bonus: keep the original safe

Once you've photographed it, store the original drawing flat in a folder or memory box, labeled with your child's name, age and the date. The photo is a backup; the paper is the treasure.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to photograph a child's drawing?

Lay it flat in soft daylight, hold your phone directly above it, avoid shadows and glare, fill the frame without cropping, and skip filters.

Can a pencil drawing be embroidered?

Yes, if the lines are clear enough to see in a photo. Very faint pencil lines may need to be strengthened, and fine shading simplified.

Do I need to scan a drawing for embroidery?

No. A clear phone photo in good light works well. A scanner or scanner app is also a great option.

Should I clean up or edit the drawing before uploading?

No. Upload it as your child drew it. Editing can remove the very details that make it theirs.