Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about MODCER's custom ceramic pet sculptures and house replicas, including photo uploads, sizes, previews, production times, and shipping.
We know that ordering a custom pet sculpture is a personal decision, especially when the piece is created to celebrate a pet you love or remember.
Below you’ll find answers to the most common questions about our custom ceramic pet sculptures, ordering process, previews, shipping, and after-sales support.
If you still have questions after reading this page, please feel free to contact us before placing your order.
About Our Custom Pet Sculptures
What is a custom ceramic pet sculpture?
Each MODCER Studio sculpture is individually handcrafted based on photographs of your pet.
Our artists study your pet’s body shape, facial features, ears, markings, posture, and other recognizable characteristics, then sculpt and hand-paint the piece to create a ceramic interpretation of your pet.
Because every sculpture is made by hand, no two pieces are exactly alike.
Is each sculpture really handmade?
Yes.
Each sculpture is individually shaped, refined, painted, and finished by hand by our artists.
We do not simply print a photograph onto a pre-made figurine. Your pet’s sculpture is created specifically for your order using the photos and information you provide.
Minor variations in shape, brushwork, texture, color, and firing are a natural part of handmade ceramic artwork.
Will the sculpture look exactly like my pet?
We aim to capture the most recognizable characteristics of your pet as closely as reasonably possible.
However, a handmade ceramic sculpture is an artistic interpretation rather than a photographic or digitally manufactured replica.
Small differences in facial expression, proportions, color, texture, symmetry, and fine details are normal.
Our goal is not mechanical perfection. It is to create a meaningful handmade piece that feels recognizably yours.
Ordering & Photos
How do I order?
The process is simple:
- Choose your preferred sculpture option and size.
- Upload clear photos of your pet.
- Add any special notes or details you would like our artists to know.
- Complete your order.
- Our artists will review your photos and begin creating your sculpture.
For products that include a preview service, you will receive a sculpture preview before the piece moves into its final production stages.
What photos should I upload?
Clear reference photos help us create a more accurate sculpture.
Whenever possible, please provide:
- A clear front-facing photo
- A clear side-view photo
- A photo showing the full body
- Photos taken in natural lighting
- Close-up photos of important facial features
- Photos clearly showing unique markings, spots, scars, or color patterns
You may also upload additional photos if your pet has distinctive features that are difficult to see from one angle.
Can I use old photos?
Yes.
We frequently work from older photographs, including photos of pets who have passed away.
Please upload the clearest images you have available. Even if the photos are not perfect, our artists will do their best to study the visible features.
If important details cannot be determined from the photos, we may contact you for additional information.
What if I do not have many photos?
You can still place an order.
However, the more clearly we can see your pet from different angles, the more reference information our artists have to work with.
If only one or two photos are available, we may need to make reasonable artistic interpretations for areas that are not visible.
Can I add special instructions?
Yes.
You can tell us about important details such as:
- Unique coat markings
- Ear position
- Body shape
- A distinctive spot or scar
- Preferred pose
- Facial characteristics
- Other features that are especially meaningful to you
We recommend including these details when you place your order.
Sculpture Preview
Will I receive a preview before my sculpture is finished?
If your selected product includes a preview service, yes.
The preview is normally provided during the sculpting stage before final painting and firing.
Please note that this is primarily a shape and form preview, not a preview of the final finished appearance.
Why does the preview look unfinished?
Your preview may show the sculpture before final painting, surface finishing, glazing, and firing have been completed.
At this stage, the sculpture may appear plain or uncolored.
The purpose of the preview is to review important sculptural features such as:
- Body proportions
- Head shape
- Snout length
- Ear shape
- Pose
- Overall silhouette
Final coat colors, markings, painted eyes, and surface details may be completed later.
For this reason, the unfinished preview should not be judged as though it were the final sculpture.
Can I request changes after seeing the preview?
Yes, when your product includes revisions.
We encourage you to carefully review the sculpture’s overall shape and let us know if you notice an important structural detail that should be adjusted.
Reasonable adjustments may include changes to areas such as:
- Head shape
- Body proportions
- Ear position
- Snout length
- Pose
- Other major sculptural features
Some changes may be limited by the material, construction, drying stage, or structural requirements of ceramic production.
What happens if adjustments are not enough?
If we determine that a sculpture cannot be satisfactorily corrected through normal adjustments, we may remake the sculpture when appropriate.
Our goal is to work toward a result that reasonably reflects the reference photographs while remaining structurally suitable for handmade ceramic production.
Can I request changes after approving the preview?
Once the sculpture has been approved and moves into painting, drying, glazing, firing, or another irreversible production stage, structural changes may no longer be possible.
Please review your preview carefully before approving it.
Painting & Final Appearance
When are the eyes and coat details added?
Many of the most recognizable details are added during the painting and finishing stages.
These may include:
- Eye color and expression
- Coat colors
- Spots and markings
- Nose details
- Color transitions
- Surface shading
This is why an unpainted sculpture can look noticeably different from the final finished piece.
Are the eyes made of glass?
No.
The eyes are generally hand-painted as part of the ceramic artwork rather than inserted as realistic glass eyes.
This helps maintain the handmade ceramic character of the sculpture.
Will long fur or whiskers be reproduced exactly?
Ceramic has different physical properties from real fur.
Fine hair, whiskers, and extremely thin protruding details may be simplified or omitted because they can be fragile or unsuitable for firing and shipping.
For long-haired pets, our artists focus on the overall direction, volume, silhouette, and character of the coat rather than reproducing every individual hair.
Size & Materials
What sizes are available?
Available sizes are listed on the relevant product page.
Please review the size information carefully before ordering, as handmade sculptures may have small variations in final dimensions.
The stated measurement generally refers to the approximate finished height of the sculpture.
What material is used?
Our sculptures are made using ceramic materials selected for sculptural work and are finished through a ceramic production process.
Depending on the specific piece and design, the final sculpture may include hand-painted surface details and ceramic finishing techniques.
Because ceramics are naturally rigid and breakable, each sculpture should be handled with care.
Can the sculpture be used outdoors?
We recommend displaying your sculpture indoors.
It is designed primarily as decorative artwork and should be protected from:
- Falls
- Heavy impact
- Prolonged moisture
- Extreme heat
- Freezing temperatures
- Harsh outdoor conditions
Production Time
How long does it take to make my sculpture?
Every sculpture is individually handmade, so production requires multiple stages.
These may include:
- Photo review
- Sculpting
- Drying
- Preview and adjustments
- Final detailing
- Painting
- Firing
- Quality inspection
- Packing
The estimated production time for your order is shown on the relevant product page or provided during the ordering process.
Because ceramic work involves drying and kiln firing, production times may occasionally vary.
We prefer to allow the artwork to progress properly rather than rush a stage that could affect the final piece.
Why does handmade ceramic production take time?
Ceramic sculpture cannot be completed safely in a single step.
The clay must be shaped, dried carefully, finished, painted, and fired under controlled conditions.
Drying or firing too quickly can increase the risk of cracking or structural problems.
The time required is part of the handmade ceramic process.
Shipping
Do you ship within the United States?
Please refer to the shipping information available during checkout for current delivery options and eligible destinations.
Once your sculpture has completed production and final inspection, it will be carefully packaged for shipment.
How is my sculpture packaged?
Because ceramic sculptures are fragile, we use protective packaging designed to reduce movement and impact during transportation.
Packaging may include multiple layers of protective wrapping, cushioning materials, and reinforced outer packaging depending on the size of the sculpture.
Will I receive tracking information?
When tracking is available for your shipment, it will be provided after your order has been dispatched.
Please allow time for the carrier’s tracking system to update after the shipping label is created.
What if my package arrives damaged?
If your sculpture is damaged during shipping, please contact us as soon as possible.
Please keep the sculpture and all original packaging and provide clear photographs showing:
- The damaged sculpture
- The shipping box
- The protective packaging
- The shipping label
- Any visible damage to the package
We will review the issue and determine the appropriate solution.
Depending on the circumstances, this may include repair, replacement, or remaking the sculpture.
Returns, Refunds & Cancellations
Can I return my custom sculpture?
Custom sculptures are made specifically from your photographs and personalization details.
Because the finished product is created exclusively for you and cannot reasonably be resold to another customer, custom-made sculptures are considered final sale and are not eligible for standard returns.
Can I get a refund if I do not like the finished sculpture?
Our custom products are non-refundable once customization or production has begun.
Instead of offering a standard return-and-refund process, we provide applicable preview, revision, adjustment, and remake support as described in our product offering and Returns & Refund Policy.
Because handmade artwork naturally includes artistic and material variations, minor differences from photographs are not considered defects.
Can I cancel my order?
If you need to request a cancellation, please contact us as soon as possible.
Once your order has entered customization or production, cancellation and refund may no longer be available because artist time and materials have already been committed specifically to your sculpture.
Handmade Characteristics
Why are there small differences or imperfections?
Every piece is handmade.
Small variations in texture, symmetry, color, brushwork, glazing, and firing are normal characteristics of handmade ceramic artwork.
These details are part of what makes each sculpture unique rather than mass-produced.
They are not considered defects unless there is a significant structural or production problem.
Can firing change the final sculpture?
Yes.
Ceramic materials naturally change during drying and firing.
Very small variations in dimensions, color tone, texture, or surface appearance may occur.
Our artists account for these characteristics during production, but some natural variation is unavoidable in handmade ceramics.
Memorial Orders
Can you make a sculpture of a pet who has passed away?
Absolutely.
Many of the sculptures we create are made in memory of deeply loved pets.
You can send us the photographs you have available, along with any details you would especially like our artists to preserve.
We understand that these pieces can carry significant emotional meaning, and we approach memorial orders with care and respect.
Can I order a sculpture as a gift?
Yes.
A custom pet sculpture can be ordered as a gift as long as you have suitable reference photographs of the pet.
If possible, we recommend obtaining several clear photos so our artists have enough information to work from.
If the gift is needed for a particular date, please review the current production estimate carefully before ordering.
Still Have Questions?
We want you to feel comfortable before placing a custom order.
If you have a question about your photos, customization options, production process, or an existing order, please contact us and our team will be happy to assist you.
For additional information, please also review our Returns & Refund Policy, Shipping Policy, and Terms of Service.