Adding to the Doll Canvas

Adding images to the doll canvas requires attention to detail and a specific set of instructions to keep doll sizing consistent. You will need to download the sizing chart below, print it, and tape it together.

If you’re unable to crop or edit your photos, I can do it for you. Just upload your images as usual and leave a note in the notes section.

Do NOT use recast dolls. They are not the same size as legitimate dolls and are often smaller with inconsistent measurements!

Download Size Grid ↓

What you will need:

Camera (your phone is fine)
A tripod (to keep photos consistent while rotating the doll)
The printed scale chart (click the button to download)
Tape, glue, or a stapler....paperclips?
A clear workspace/wall
The nude doll (no wigs, clothing, or accessories)

Photos required:

1 photo of the front of the doll
1 photo of the side of the doll (arm raised and bent)
1 photo of the back of the doll

Video Tutorials:

Coming soon!

Printing & Calibration Steps

1. Isolate Page 1 for Testing:

Open the PDF file and select Print. You can use your web browser to open the PDF.
Look for the dialog box in your printer settings that asks what pages you wish to print. By default, it should read something like Pages: 1-5.
Clear that text box out and type 1 so you only print the very first sheet.

2. Verify Printer Settings:

Look for the Page Sizing & Handling section.
Make sure Actual Size or Custom Scale: 100% is checked.
Ensure "Shrink to printable area" or "Fit to page" is completely unchecked.

3. Check the Calibration Square:

Print that single first page.
Take a physical ruler and measure the solid black cube in the bottom-left corner. It should be exactly 1 cm × 1 cm.
If it matches perfectly, go ahead and print the remaining pages (2-5) using those exact same settings!

Bonus Check: Grab a ruler and measure any 5cm block from line to line. Because of printed line thickness, a microscopic 1mm variance is completely fine. However, if you measure a block and find it's off by a whopping 0.5cm or more, your printer definitely sneaked a scaling setting past you. Double-check that the "Shrink to Printable Area" box is UNCHECKED!

Assembling the Grid

Taping a multi-page scale together requires a little precision to keep the measurements accurate. Follow these steps for a perfect alignment:

Once you have all your accurately printed grid pages, we need to put them all together.

Cut the top and bottom off the first pages.
Cut the top off the rest of the pages.
Line up the lines as best you can. The top most measurement is printed on the next page to help you line everything up. The reason for leaving the bottom on the pages is so that you have something to glue or tape the other pages too.

Please note this was quickly typed. A better version with pictures is coming soon!

Camera & Doll Positioning

1. Photography the dolls so that your camera lens is pointed to the middle of the doll. That's the halfway point between the top of the head and bottom of the feet. This midpoint is not necessarily the belly button or anything, as some BJDs have longer or shorter legs.

2. Take a picture of the front of the doll. Try to have them standing as close to the grid as possible and have the doll be as straigh up and down as possible. If you have too, take a picture from the top down if your doll cannot stand on its own. Camera positioning rules still apply.

Do not use a doll stand. Doll stand bases will cause your doll to be too far away from the grid for accurate measurements.

3. Take a picture of the side of the doll. Make sure the arm is bent and raised.

4. Take a picture of the back of the doll.

If you do not know how to use editing software to crop the dolls, feel free to post them anyway and leave a note in the notes section for me to edit. You can also have me put a little watermark on the photo for you. Just leave and email, social media username, or something to give you credit in the image.

Conversly if you know how to edit, you may do this yourself. Just make sure the watermark doesn't obscure the measurements.

Contributers may also leave a hand written note. Again, don't obscure the measurments. :)

Please note this was quickly typed. A better version with pictures is coming soon!

Example Photos (using old measurment backdrop....)

Uploading your Photos

Doffee, the Doll Finders mascot, is not available for use outside of this website. Doffee's character, design, and artwork belong to the owner of this website.

Any unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.