How to create digital art from start to finish?

All animals are innocent creatures. Their actions are dictated only by instinct, not malicious intent or highly calculated psychological thinking. In other words, if they love you, they truly love you. If they hate you, they truly hate you, which cannot always be said about humans. Animals are the product of their environment, which humans create. As such, we must not only protect them but celebrate them at the same time.

Our solution to alleviate animal suffering around the world is by designing art that instills humor and joy into the soul of every person. Each one of our posters is intricately designed, printed, and shipped all around the globe.

Whether it’s a bear in a suit or a cat in a cosmic adventure, our designs are crafted to bring joy, spark conversation, and add a dash of the unexpected to any space.

With Paw Prints, we’re not just making art; we’re creating quirky masterpieces that reflect the unique charm of the animal kingdom, all while supporting a cause close to our hearts.

2. The Inspiration: Where Ideas Are Born

At Paw Prints, inspiration is found in the everyday moments shared with our furry companions, where imagination takes the lead.

Observing a dog devour his meal sparks images of him dining with a fork and knife, or even whipping up his own breakfast in the kitchen. Watching a cat lazily nap conjures thoughts of him clocking out after a long day at a 9-to-5 job, paying bills, and living a life full of responsibilities.

These playful scenarios, though far from reality, breathe life into our pets, giving them a unique personality that makes us cherish them even more. By imagining them in such human-like roles, we celebrate their existence, viewing them not just as animals, but as beloved members of the family.

Humor plays a pivotal role in our designs, serving as a balm against the harsh realities that many animals face in the world today. The suffering of animals is often a byproduct of human actions, and at Paw Prints, we stand firmly against this. Our art, infused with humor, allows us to "laugh off the pain" while making a real difference.

Each quirky, lighthearted design is not just a source of joy but also a means to contribute to animal welfare, with a portion of every purchase donated to charity. This approach lets us spread happiness while actively working to protect and support the animals we love.

Our work frequently features anthropomorphic animals, depicted in a variety of artistic styles ranging from impressionist and oil painting to Victorian and eclectic/bohemian.

Though the art styles may vary, the heart of Paw Prints remains consistent—celebrating animals in all their quirky, charming glory.

Whether it's a cat in a suit or a dog enjoying a tropical vacation, our digital designs bring these imagined worlds to life, inviting you to see animals in a whole new, endearing light.

3. The Creative Process: From Concept to Canvas

Brainstorming and Sketching

Inspiration sparks immediate action, leading to quick sketches.
Sketching is essential for embracing and correcting mistakes.
This process allows us to "think visually" for all our posters.

Digital Tools

Paw Prints utilizes four main tools for design:

Each tool helps transform ideas into detailed, imaginative art.

Color Palette and Style Choices

Artists follow color theory basics for cohesive designs.
We’re unafraid to deviate from the norm when a unique vision calls for it.
This approach contributes to the bohemian and eclectic vibe of our work.

Refinement and Detailing

The final stage involves adding finishing touches that "sand out" the design.
These small refinements significantly enhance the humor and fine art quality.
Attention to detail can improve the final product by 90%.

4. Humor Meets Fine Art: How Can Fine Art be Funny?

Balancing humor with fine art can be challenging, as traditional art often gravitates toward serious, deep, or emotional themes. However, at Paw Prints, we don’t believe that adding humor makes art any "less fine." Instead, we see it as an opportunity to enrich the artwork, blending wit with visual appeal.

To ensure our art is both amusing and visually captivating, we've honed our design skills across the entire art spectrum, embracing the belief that art should be a free expression, not confined to any particular technique. This approach allows us to create pieces that are not only funny but also maintain the integrity and quality of fine art.

5. How we Tell a Story Through Art

Storytelling is central to our art at Paw Prints. For example, a rubber ducky in a lane pool tells its own story without words. Each stroke, color, and expression reveals the ducky’s speed, distance, and emotions.

Our posters often feature surreal twists, such as a bearded dragon in shades and a Hawaiian shirt. These imaginative elements evoke a range of emotions in viewers, making each piece a unique narrative experience.

6. The Role of Bohemian and Eclectic Elements

At Paw Prints, we believe that combining various art forms represents the truest expression of creativity. Restricting art to specific categories limits its potential, and embracing artistic evolution allows us to progress and innovate.

This philosophy influences our design choices, from patterns to textures. When sketching an idea, we choose the art style that best complements it—whether impressionist, oil painting, Banksy, Art Nouveau, retro, surreal, or a blend of styles.

Our eclectic approach sets us apart from traditional animal art. Unlike many modern prints, which often lack originality, our work embraces diversity and avoids formulaic designs. Paw Prints was created to offer unique prints while supporting a good cause, celebrating art in all its forms.

7. From Digital to Physical: Preparing for Print

At Paw Prints, preparing our digital designs for print involves a meticulous process. We work with manufacturers across multiple countries, printing our artwork at the facility nearest to the shipping address to ensure fast international delivery.

High-quality printing and materials are essential to achieving the desired look and feel of our posters. To protect both animals and the environment, all Paw Prints posters are crafted from FSC Certified Paper, ensuring that the materials are sourced ethically and sustainably.

Our final products are typically offered on matte paper, with some designs using semi-glossy paper. With a weight of 170 gsm/65 lb, the paper provides a sturdy and durable base, enhancing the overall quality and presentation of our prints.

8. The Final Touch: Packaging and Presentation

The packaging and presentation of Paw Prints posters are tailored to ensure they arrive in perfect condition, with variations depending on size and shipping location.

For standard packaging:

Posters up to A4 size are shipped flat.
Posters larger than A4 are shipped in tubes.

There are a few exceptions:

In countries like Denmark, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, France, the UK, Australia, Singapore, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Austria, posters are sent in mailing tubes.
In the US, Canada, and Brazil, we use triangular or rectangular tubes for added protection.

9. Supporting a Good Cause: Giving Back

Paw Prints is committed to donating 5% of all profits to charity, as our mission is to do our part in saving animals. This dedication to giving back aligns with the core values of Paw Prints, emphasizing the importance of supporting ethical and effective charities. We’ve faced the challenge of selecting the right charity, ensuring that donations are used responsibly rather than inflated salaries.

By purchasing our art, you directly contribute to this cause, helping us protect and care for pets and animals in need. So, join us in making a difference—one poster at a time.

10. Customer Feedback and Community Engagement

Have an idea for a design? We’d love to hear it! If we like your suggestion, we’ll create the art and publicly share the credits with you.

11. Conclusion: The Journey Continues

As we reflect on our journey, what started as a passion-driven hobby of designing adorable animal posters has grown into a global brand. We’re proud to see our art reach people worldwide, and we’re committed to using this platform to give back to the animal kingdom through sustainable and ethical practices.

We’re excited about the future, with many more creative ideas waiting to be brought to life. Stay tuned to see what cute and intriguing designs Paw Prints has in store!

We invite you to explore our online store and follow our creative journey. Take a look at our products and join us in celebrating the beauty of animals through art!

Imagine your pet with a human-like personality! How would they spend their day? Share your funniest or most heartwarming ideas with us, and let’s celebrate the joy they bring to our lives!

Give us suggestions! What are features/products we can incorporate in Paw Prints? We answer every email/comment!

Ready to see how imagination meets art? Visit our shop and explore our latest creations today!

Back to blog