Custom Pet Portrait Coaster — Laser-Engraved with Name, Slate or Cork

Their face on something you use every day

Most portraits hang on a wall. They are looked at deliberately, then walked past. A coaster is different — it is picked up, set down, moved to make room, and picked up again. Which is why a pet’s face on a coaster ends up being more present than a framed photo. Not hanging somewhere quietly — right there, in the daily rhythm of the room.

Each coaster is laser-engraved with a portrait made from a photo you send us. We convert your photo into a clean, expressive laser-ready design — the kind that captures your pet’s posture, their expression, the particular way they hold themselves. Your pet’s name sits alongside the portrait in a font you choose, in the position that feels right. Available in natural cork or slate, with a basswood display easel option. Made by hand in Calgary by Michelle and Evan — and named after two cats of their own.

Build your coaster

1. A clear photo of your pet
   Used to create the engraved portrait. See the photo tips below for guidance. If you are unsure whether yours will work, send it to us first before ordering.
2. Your pet’s name — exact spelling
   Up to 13 characters. Engraved alongside the portrait in the font and position you choose. Tell us exactly as you want it to appear.
3. Your font choice
   Five fonts to choose from:
   Sunday · Sedgwick Ave · Cutegirls · Chloe · Solway
   See the font reference image above, or let us know your pet’s name and we will suggest what suits it best.
4. Name position
   Choose from three options:
   • Top — name engraved above the portrait, clean and centred
   • Bottom — name engraved below the portrait
   • Next to portrait — name placed in the open space beside the engraved image

   If you are unsure which works best for your photo, choose designer’s recommendation and we will recommend a position in the proof.

5. If you ordered a cork coaster — your preferred printing side
   Cork has two sides: the flat-edge and the recessed-edge. Both engrave well. Select your preference at checkout.
6. If you ordered a slate coaster — your preferred shape
   Slate has two shapes: the round and the square. Select your preference at checkout.

Photo tips

What works well: A clear photo where your pet is in natural light, their face and body are well-defined, and there is reasonable contrast between them and the background. Most phone photos taken in daylight are excellent. A photo where your pet is relaxed, in a characteristic pose, tends to give the most expressive portrait.

What to avoid: Photos in heavy shadow or against a dark background where your pet blends in. Very tightly cropped photos that cut off part of your pet’s body. Blurry or low-resolution images (under 800 px on either side).

Two pets in one portrait: Yes — this works well. Send a photo where both pets are clearly visible together and we will design the portrait to include them both. The name field can accommodate two names or a shared name.

If your pet has passed and you are choosing between older photos: Send us two or three and we will tell you which will produce the clearest portrait. We handle this with care — we understand.

Materials and making

Your photo is first converted into a laser-ready portrait design — a considered interpretation of your pet’s likeness, adjusted for the scale and contrast of engraving on cork or stone. The portrait is then laser-engraved directly into the surface of the coaster — into the cork or slate itself — so it will not fade, peel, or wash away. Slate coasters are natural stone, sealed for moisture resistance. Cork coasters are made from natural compressed cork, warm to the touch and thick enough to protect surfaces well.

What’s included:

• One laser-engraved coaster with your pet’s portrait and name
• Basswood display easel — add-on option

Size

The round slate and cork coasters are approximately 10 cm (4″) in diameter — standard coaster size, fitting comfortably under a mug, a wine glass, or a small vase. The square slate coasters are approximately 10 × 10 cm. When propped on the basswood easel, the slate coaster stands approximately 11 cm tall — about the height of a standard tea light holder — and faces forward cleanly on a shelf or windowsill.

Giving this as a gift — for a birthday, a new pet, a loss, or simply because you know someone whose pet is their whole world? We include a free handwritten gift note with every order. Leave your message at checkout and we can ship directly to your recipient with no invoice enclosed. A coaster with their pet’s face on it is a gift that gets used every day, without ever being put away.

Slate: wipe with a damp cloth and dry promptly — avoid prolonged soaking or dishwashers. Cork: wipe with a dry or barely damp cloth only, as sustained moisture will warp the cork over time. Both materials and their engraved portraits are sealed and designed for everyday use.

Because every coaster is made to order and engraved from your pet’s photo, we are unable to accept returns or exchanges. If something arrives damaged or does not match what was agreed, please reach out within 7 days with a photo — we will always make it right. Send us a message any time before or after ordering.

Questions about this piece

Can I include two pets in one portrait?
Yes — and it works beautifully. Send a photo where both pets are visible together and we will design a portrait that includes them both. The name can accommodate two names or a combined name. If you only have separate photos of each pet and would prefer a composite, reach out before ordering and we will let you know what is possible.

How do I choose a name position if I am not sure how the portrait will compose?
You do not need to decide definitively before ordering. Tell us your preference in the order and in the proof we send, we will show the portrait and name in position. If a different placement looks better with your pet’s photo, we will flag it and you can adjust before anything is engraved.

What is the difference between the flat-edge and recessed-edge for cork?
Cork has two natural surfaces, both have the same texture. The recessed-edge looks like a holder for medium mug, it may not fit larger mug. Both accept the laser engraving clearly. If you are unsure, tell us and we will recommend the better side for your portrait.

Do you send a proof before engraving?
Yes, always. Before we engrave anything, we send you a preview showing how the portrait and name will look — the composition, the font, the position. You can approve or request changes. Nothing is finalised until you say so.

Can I use this as an actual coaster or is it purely for display?
Both. The slate and cork coasters are fully functional and protect surfaces from everyday use. Coaster with easel can also be propped upright as a display piece. Many customers use it as a coaster on a desk or coffee table so their pet’s portrait stays visible throughout the day.