How to Take a Fingerprint, Paw Print or Dog Nose Print

How to Take Your Own Fingerprint – An Easy Step-by-Step Guide

You don't need any special equipment or expensive supplies to take your own fingerprint. A soft pencil, a sheet of paper and some clear adhesive tape are all you need.

Step 1 – Prepare the paper

Using a soft pencil (2B–5B), shade a small area on a sheet of paper until it is evenly dark.

Step 2 – Prepare your fingertip

Rub your fingertip over the shaded area several times until enough graphite has transferred onto your skin.

Step 3 – Lift your fingerprint

Press a piece of clear adhesive tape onto your fingertip and gently smooth it down. Carefully peel the tape away.

Step 4 – Make your fingerprint visible

Place the tape onto a clean, white sheet of paper. The fine lines of your fingerprint should now be clearly visible.

Step 5 – Send us your fingerprint

Scan your fingerprint at a resolution of at least 300 dpi and send it to us by email. Please avoid taking a photograph, as reflections on the adhesive tape can obscure or distort the fine lines.

We take care of the image editing and preparation for laser engraving in our own workshop in Austria.

Option 1 – Taking a Paw Print with an INKLESS Kit

An INKLESS print kit is a simple way to capture your dog's paw print or your child's tiny footprint without applying conventional ink directly to the skin.

Depending on the kit, the print is transferred onto special paper using a protective film. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and make sure the kit is suitable for its intended use.

The right amount of pressure is essential: Press the paw or foot down evenly, but not too firmly. Excessive pressure can cause the delicate details to merge into a dark, indistinct shape.

Photograph or scan the finished print, making sure it is sharp, complete and free from distracting shadows.

We then carefully prepare your image for laser engraving in our own workshop.

The clearer the fine lines and individual textures are, the better we can reproduce them on your personalized piece of jewelry.

Option 2 – Using an Existing Plaster Paw Impression

Already have a plaster impression of your dog's paw? Wonderful! We can use it to create a unique design for engraving.

Photograph the impression directly from above, using soft, even lighting. If it is displayed in a picture frame, please remove it first to avoid unwanted reflections from the glass.

Make sure the raised and recessed areas of the impression are clearly visible. The individual shapes of the paw pads and their surface textures are what make the finished design so special.

You can upload your photograph when ordering your chosen piece of personalized jewelry.

We take care of carefully isolating the impression, editing the image and preparing it for laser engraving in our own workshop in Austria.

Option 3 – Photographing Your Dog's Paw

You don't necessarily need an existing paw print to create a personalized engraving. Under the right conditions, a carefully taken photograph of the underside of your dog's paw can also serve as a suitable reference.

What to look for when taking the photograph:

Photograph the underside of the paw as straight on as possible, with the camera facing the paw pads directly. Use soft, even daylight and make sure all the pads are completely visible and in sharp focus.

If longer fur is covering any of the pads, gently move it aside.

The fine surface texture of the paw pads is particularly important. These details must already be visible in the original photograph to create an engraving that captures your dog's unique paw print.

Please note: Not every paw photograph is suitable for laser engraving. Very light-colored or poorly defined paw pads may lack the detail needed for a good result. In such cases, we recommend taking a print using a suitable INKLESS kit instead.

Simply upload your photograph when ordering your chosen piece of jewelry. We will check whether the image is suitable and, if so, carefully prepare it for engraving.

Because the result should never be just another paw design – it should be the truly personal paw print of your dog.

How to Photograph Your Dog's Nose

Take a photograph of your dog's nose as straight on as possible, ideally from a slightly upward angle.

Make sure the lighting is soft and even, and that the fine texture of the nose is clearly visible and in sharp focus.

Please avoid taking photographs from the side, as this can distort the natural shape of your dog's nose.

There's no need to crop or edit the photograph – we'll take care of that for you!

From Photo to Engraving Design

Using your photograph, I carefully isolate your dog's nose from the surrounding image while preserving its individual texture. After all, it's these tiny details that make every dog's nose print truly unique.

I then prepare the design for laser engraving, carefully adjusting the contrast and fine details to ensure they are reproduced as clearly as possible on the finished piece of jewelry.

You don't need any image-editing software or special skills. I personally take care of this process in my workshop in Austria.

From Your Dog's Nose Print to a Personal Keepsake

Through careful image editing, your dog's nose photograph is transformed into an individual engraving design. I pay particular attention to preserving the characteristic lines and delicate textures that make your dog's nose so unique.

The design is then engraved directly into the stainless-steel pendant using a laser. The result is a personal keepsake that permanently captures the unmistakable texture of your dog's nose.

Whether in gold, silver or rose gold, every nose print is as individual as the dog it belongs to.

A small keepsake with a truly special meaning.