Photo book services can turn your holiday happy snaps into a professional-looking, coffee table-quality printed book, conveniently mailed to your home.
When we tried out popular services in our photo book service reviews, we found a lot of variation in the features they offer, and in how they describe their offerings – which makes it tricky to compare your options.
On this page:
- Photo book designs
- Web-based layouts vs downloadable programs
- Hardcover vs softcover photo books
- How much do photo books cost?
- Tips for making your own photo book
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Photo book designs
Range of features
Design features can vary quite a bit between services. For example, each photo book service will have a range of sizes and various ways to cover and bind your finished book, including things like a photo cover, see-through cutout cover, fabric finish cover, dust cover, spiral binding and high-definition printing.
Depending on the service, you can make photo books from under 20 pages all the way up to a few hundred pages.
Some services let you easily create your own layouts and arrange photos however you wish, while others make it difficult or restrict you to pre-made templates. But in general, you'll likely end up using default templates more often than not because they tend to be simple to use and well-designed.
Comparing services
Trying to compare book offerings between services can be confusing. There's no standard for selecting book sizes, book types, paper types or covers. Book sizes can be described in inches, in centimetres, in page size (A5, A4, A3), or in words such as mini, small, medium and large, or portrait, landscape, square, and rectangle.
For covers, you may come across terms like imagewrap, coverphoto, debossed and linen, and it's sometimes left to the accompanying pictures to help you figure out what the terms mean.
CHOICE tip: Double-check every option along the way when selecting a book type, book size, cover options and paper quality. When using drop-down menus, make sure the options you've already selected don't change when something else is changed.
Web-based layouts vs downloadable programs
Most photo book services offer a downloadable program to design your book, before uploading the final version to the service for printing and delivery back to you. These programs usually offer better flexibility in terms of layouts and other features.
Many services also provide a web-based layout program, so it doesn't matter what computer you're using. This can be a quick and sometimes easier solution if:
- you want to make a basic book quickly, with less creative control
- you want to source pictures via social media. For example, some services let you input a webpage address (URL) and it'll scan it for pictures to use.
Hardcover vs softcover photo books
Can't decide on a cover style? Here are the pros and cons of each type.
Hardcover books
- Stronger, sturdier and can survive wear and tear better than softcover.
- Heavier, larger and usually cost more.
- A good hardcover should be able to open flat for two-page viewing without tearing or damaging the binding.
Softcover books
- Generally cheaper than hardcovers.
- They use a relatively lightweight cover material that may even be the same type of paper used for the inside pages (this is called a self-cover).
- Often 'saddle-stitched' (stapled and folded), but may also use other types of binding including glue along the spine.
- Usually not as strong as a hardcover book and can be more vulnerable to general wear and tear. The cover can also curl up noticeably after handling.
Creative control
It's important to consider the versatility and flexibility of each program.
Your digital picture files can come from your PC, external storage drive or cloud services such as Dropbox. Some programs also let you select images from image hosting sites such as Flickr or social networks like Facebook or Instagram.
You might change your mind several times while designing, so look for a program that lets you easily rearrange images, move them to different pages, add or reduce the total number of pages or even completely overhaul your template.
Autoflow or auto-fill (the term changes depending on the programs) can automatically lay out pages, add text and arrange your photos.
You can usually change the number of pages without having to delete pictures, but some programs can only insert and delete pages one at a time, while others limit this function to double pages.
Prepare for a bit of work if you decide to overhaul your design, change the book's size or switch its orientation (portrait or landscape) halfway through, as pictures will need to reformat to fit the new layout.
Re-ordering and duplicating
You may want to order more copies later of your completed project. This can be handy if you want duplicates for gifts, for example.
But some services let you go back to your completed photo book project and edit it to make an updated version.
How much do photo books cost?
The cost of your final book will vary, depending on a number of factors such as the size and style of your book, the number of pages and any special options you've added. Not all services give you a softcover option. And while adding pages will increase the cost, reducing pages below a photo book's default allocation probably won't make it cheaper.
In our most recent photo book services review, standard hardcover photo books range from just under $20 up to $78 (including any bank or foreign exchange fees incurred as part of the transaction, but not including shipping costs).
Be wary of delivery costs, as they can add substantially to the overall cost of your book, especially if you use express delivery options.
Tips for making your own photo book
Here's our guide for turning your treasured memories into a top-quality book.
Set a budget
Extra features like gift boxes and dust jackets can add a lot to the final cost and may not be necessary.
Set a photo limit
Most people have a stockpile of images on their hard drive, and it can be tempting to print them all. A limit saves money and helps you pick the best shots from your collection.
Don't rush into it
Gather the photos you plan to print in a folder and then leave them for two to three days before coming back to review your decision. You may find that you've changed your mind.
Plan first
Create a rough plan of your book before importing pictures. This will save time when juggling pictures and page layouts.
Choose the service carefully
Have a look at different services in detail, as each will offer a few unique features which may be the little extra touch you're looking for.
Use templates
Supplied page/spread templates are helpful when starting out. Use the layout and typefaces supplied. They've been designed to look good, so keep alterations to a minimum until you've had some experience.
Expect a learning curve
Spend some time learning to use the software. You may find hidden design features which will make for a better final product.
Review your design in detail
You don't want any mistakes slipping through. As with the photos, let your layout sit for a couple of days just in case you want to make any changes before sending it to the printers.
Be wary of autoflow
In some cases autoflow or auto-fill can be more of a hindrance than a help. Poor autoflow means portrait images might be put in landscape containers or vice versa, or that unwanted extra pages are added to a project automatically.
Preview your book frequently
Scrutinise the preview of your book to make sure all photos align properly and that you don't have spelling mistakes. If possible, preview as you go to make sure your photos line up the way you want them to – look for gaps, alignment, and overlay problems.
Watch for picture 'bleed'
If placing photos manually near the edge of a page, make sure you drag the photo over the edge of the bleed line so that it prints right to the edge of the page.
Don't over-enlarge pictures
Be aware that low-quality photos, or photos that have been heavily cropped or zoomed, may not look sharp when printed. Blowing up pictures can reduce their quality.
Edit pictures separately
For best results, use a separate photo editor to optimise pictures before importing them, rather than relying on editing features in the photo book software. Remember that your pictures will look duller and flatter on paper than on your screen.
Be patient
It can take quite a while to upload your photos (for online editing) or your final project (if using downloaded software).
Track your book
Choose a shipping method with tracking, if available, to help troubleshoot delivery issues.
Photobook services generally don't just limit themselves to photo books. Most offer a range of other products including personalised calendars, stationery, cards and photo prints on many materials such as canvas, metal and even glass.
Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
