How to Make a Photo for a Locket

Choose a photo. Consider the size and shape of the locket, and keep in mind that the image will be cropped. This means only a portion of the image will fit inside the locket. Avoid blurry images. Make sure that the person, animal or object in your photo stands out from the background. For example, you should avoid trimming a group photo where faces overlap, because on a smaller scale, the subject's face will be less distinct.

Open the digital image in basic photo editing software. Most computers come pre-installed with free photo viewing software that also allows you to scale and crop images, but free photo editing programs can also be found online.

Crop the image to the portion of interest, if necessary. For example, select only a person's face to put in the locket.

Measure the largest dimension of the locket, then scale down the image to fit. You may need to reference the help menu for your particular photo software, but generally there is an option in a drop-down menu to change the image size. To avoid distortion, make sure that the length and width of the image are scaled down in equal proportion.

Print out the image on photo paper using a home printer, in-store kiosk, or other photo printing service.

Create a tracing template to ensure a precise fit inside the locket. With a pencil, draw an outline around the locket on a piece of paper. This shape will be slightly bigger than the actual locket and the size of the photo inside. Most lockets have a small raised rim, like a frame, to accommodate the hinge and clasp. Carefully cut out the shape of the locket you traced on the paper and keep trimming it until it fits inside the locket.

Lay the paper template over the photo. Make sure that what you want seen inside the locket, like the entire face of a person, is covered by the paper. Making sure not to move it, trace around the template with a craft knife. Then, using the lines as guides, carefully cut away the excess portion of the photo. Place the photo inside the locket. If the locket does not have a glass protector to keep the image in place, you may need to use an acid-free adhesive to get the photo to stay in place.