You make a photo blanket by picking a style and size, uploading one photo or a collage, adding text or embellishments, previewing the design, and ordering from a photo-printing service.
The printing takes longer, but the designing is quick — and the difference between a blanket that looks intentional and one that looks thrown together comes down to two habits: matching the blanket to how it will be used, and previewing before you pay.
Shutterfly and Walgreens Photo both handle this from a browser on a phone or computer, and neither one requires special software. Here’s the full sequence.
Pick The Blanket Type And Size First
Choose the blanket by its job before you choose a photo, because size and material decide what a picture can actually look like once printed.
A couch throw and a baby blanket are different products with different proportions, and a photo that fills one nicely can look stretched on the other. Shutterfly sells several distinct lines, and each carries its own sizing:
- Fleece Photo Blanket — starting at $39.99, frequently on sale for $29.99
- Quilted Photo Blanket — starting at $159.99, sale price around $79.99
- Woven Photo Blanket — starting at $139.99, sale price around $69.99, offered in 54×70 and 60×80
- Baby Blanket — starting at $43.99, sale price around $32.99
Walgreens Photo runs a similar range: a Fleece Blanket from $34.99, a Plush Fleece Blanket from $39.99, Stadium Blankets at $86.99, a Tapestry Blanket from $99.99, and a Sherpa Fleece Blanket at $99.99.
One sizing detail worth knowing before you commit: Shutterfly’s Fleece photo blanket built for fifteen photos comes in 30×40, 50×60, and 60×80. A 30×40 is a wall-hanging or crib size — not a throw you’d share on a sofa. Sizes vary by product line, so check the specific blanket page rather than assuming every style shares the same options.
Upload Your Photos And Design The Layout
Once the blanket is chosen, upload a single image for a full-bleed look or build a collage from several photos, then personalize it with names, dates, quotes, colors, and custom text.
Walgreens Photo uses the same logic: select the item, upload photos, then add text, embellishments, and themed backgrounds.
A few practical points about the layout stage:
- One photo or many. A single image gives you a large, clean print. A collage lets you include a set — but each panel gets smaller as you add more.
- Watch the photo count on the product page. A collage blanket is built for a set number of images, not unlimited ones. Shutterfly labels one portrait fleece design specifically for fifteen photos.
- Add text deliberately. Names, dates, and short quotes are the usual picks, and they generally sit near the edge of the print.
- Preview the finished mockup. This is the step people skip, and it’s the one that catches a face cropped at the chin or a date half-hidden under a fold.
| Retailer | Starting Prices | Fulfillment |
|---|---|---|
| Shutterfly | Fleece $39.99, Baby $43.99, Woven $139.99, Quilted $159.99 | Shipped; promotional pricing fluctuates |
| Walgreens Photo | Fleece $34.99, Plush Fleece $39.99, Sherpa $99.99 | Same-day pickup, Ship to Store, or delivery |
| Walgreens Stadium | $86.99 each | Pickup at participating locations |
| Walgreens Tapestry | $99.99 | Pickup or shipping |
If you’d rather compare finished options before committing to a design, our roundup of the best custom photo blankets covers how the popular styles stack up on price and material.
Order And Choose Your Delivery Method
Check out through the retailer’s cart, then pick the fulfillment speed that matters for your deadline — this is where the two services differ most.
That same-day option is location-dependent, so confirm your local store carries the product before counting on it. Shutterfly’s prices are shown as “starting at” or promotional figures and can change, so treat any listed sale price as temporary.
Both services follow the same basic path, and you can verify the current product lines directly at the Shutterfly photo blankets page. Knowing the sequence eliminates the main source of reprints: skipped layout checks, undersized blankets, and unrealistic delivery expectations.
Common Questions
How many photos can I put on one blanket?
It depends on the design. Single-image blankets take one photo, while collage styles are built for a set number — Shutterfly labels one portrait fleece design for fifteen photos. Check the individual product page for the photo count, because it varies by blanket type rather than staying consistent across a retailer’s catalog.
How long does a photo blanket take to arrive?
Shutterfly ships its blankets, so the total time depends on the production window listed at checkout plus transit.
What size photo blanket should I get?
A 30×40 works as a crib or wall piece, while 50×60 and 60×80 serve as throws and bed covers. Sizes differ by product line, so a woven blanket and a fleece blanket may not offer the same dimensions. Decide how the blanket will be used before selecting the size.
Sources
- Shutterfly. “Custom Photo Blankets” Source for blanket product lines, sizing, and starting prices.
- Walgreens Photo. “Pillows & Blankets” Source for blanket product list, prices, and delivery timelines.