A ‘figure from a photo’ can mean five completely different things: a minifigure made of genuine LEGO® elements with custom printing, a micro-brick kit, a full-colour 3D print, an AI-generated picture, or a figure assembled in a LEGO store. They differ in appearance, durability, waiting time and what you actually get in your hands. Below, we explain the differences so that your gift lives up to expectations.
This article was written by the Kloniko team — we are one of the workshops being compared, so we say so up front. Information about other companies comes from their own websites (as of 3 October 2026), and we link to each one. We deliberately leave out prices — they change often and are best checked at the source. If something has changed, write to us and we will correct the text.
1. A minifigure made of genuine LEGO® elements with printing
A classic minifigure (about 4 cm), assembled from real parts: head, hairpiece, torso, legs and accessories. The likeness comes through the hairstyle and hair colour, skin tone, glasses, beard, clothing and a small item in hand, and a face, clothing or lettering can be printed on. It fits any brick set, and it can stand on a base, go in a frame or hang from your keys.
- Pros: durable, recognisable and ready to give; you can make a couple, a family or a whole team in a single frame.
- Cons: it is a brick style — not a photographic portrait.
This is how we work at Kloniko — find out more on the custom figure from a photo page.
2. A micro-brick figure from a photo
Kits made of small ABS bricks (not LEGO) based on a photo, e.g. from shops such as MyCustomBrickFigures or Prezentify. They usually have a large head and a smaller body, and often arrive for you to assemble yourself.
- Pros: more detail in the shape of the face and hairstyle, plus that ‘I built it myself’ feeling.
- Cons: a different system from LEGO, building takes time, and shipping from abroad usually takes 1–3 weeks.
3. A full-colour 3D print from a photo
A figure 3D-printed in full colour — often in a ‘chibi’ style — based on a photo or a 3D model. It can be very detailed, but it is a single solid piece of resin or powder, not bricks: you cannot change the hairstyle, add accessories or combine it with a LEGO set.
- Pros: the most facial detail.
- Cons: more fragile and not a brick; production time depends on the print shop.
4. A ‘LEGO-style’ AI avatar
Image generators can turn a selfie into a picture in the style of a brick figure in a few seconds. It is a good idea for a profile picture or a card, but it is only a picture — you will not get a figure you can hold. Such an avatar can, however, be useful as inspiration: you can send it to a designer together with a photo to show your idea for an outfit or accessories.
5. LEGO® services: Create a Minifigure and Minifigure Factory
On lego.com, the ‘Create a Minifigure’ service lets you choose parts from the catalogue — without printing or lettering. The parts arrive unassembled within up to 6 working days, with up to 30 figures per order. Some LEGO stores in Europe (including in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, Ireland and the UK) have a LEGO Minifigure Factory machine that prints a torso on the spot from ready-made designs; the head and accessories are chosen from ready-made parts. There is no such machine in Poland — the store in Warsaw has ‘Build a Minifigure’ and ‘Pick & Build’ stations.
- Pros: official LEGO products and a fun attraction when visiting the store.
- Cons: no work from a photo — the figure will not resemble a specific person; when ordering online, you assemble it yourself.
Comparison table
| Option | What you get | Likeness to the person | Compatible with LEGO bricks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minifigure of LEGO® elements with printing | an assembled figure, frame or keyring | the whole look: hairstyle, colours, clothing, accessories, print | yes |
| Micro-bricks from a photo | a kit, often to assemble yourself | shape of the face and hairstyle | no |
| 3D print | a single solid figure | the most facial detail | no |
| AI avatar | only a picture | depends on the generator | — |
| LEGO Create a Minifigure | unassembled parts | none (no photo) | yes |
| LEGO Minifigure Factory | a figure with a printed torso | none (ready-made designs) | yes |
What to choose as a gift
- It should look like a specific person and be ready to give — a minifigure of LEGO® elements based on a photo, ideally with a design for approval before production.
- A couple, a family or a team in one gift — a frame with figures.
- The recipient enjoys building — a micro-brick kit.
- Maximum facial detail is what counts — a 3D print.
- You only need a graphic — an AI avatar.
You will find a comparison of specific workshops in Poland and Europe in the article where to order a brick figure from a photo.
