best photo book maker best photo book maker

BEST PHOTO BOOK
MAKER

Known as the best photo book maker in its niche, Shutterfly stands out
for its customizable templates, high printing quality, and intuitive UI.
Using its tools, you can select the perfect layout for your family album
depending on the type of photos you want to display.

Thanks to regular discounts, Shutterfly is an excellent choice for those
who want to relieve the most wonderful moments of their lives in the
most mesmerizing way.

It has always been important for me to preserve my family’s memories. I like capturing photos of my children growing up or taking pics during family vacations. This is why I wanted to find the best service for photo books that allows me to save the most beautiful moments of my life.

After testing out the available services, I discovered some great options for those who want to create stunning photo albums. Read on to learn about the best place to make photo books using handy templates. I will share my experience of using these platforms.

Comparison Table: Quick View

They are perfectly suitable for budget-conscious users and allow customizing the available templates. Select the most suitable option for your photo album and create a personalized layout design to find the best way to display your photos.

Shutterfly

From $12.99

5x7, 7x9, 8x8, 8x11, 12x12

Fully customizable templates

Mixbook

From $14.99

8x6, 11x8.5, 14x11, 6x6, 8.5x8.5, 10x10, 12x12, 8.5x11, and more

Cover and paper selection

Snapfish

From $15.99

6x8, 8x8, 11x8, 11x14, 12x12, 7x5, and more

Great print quality

PrestoPhoto

From $14.99

6x6, 8x8, 8.5x11, 10x10, 12x12, and more

Comes with a desktop version

Bookemon

From $0.2/page

7.5x7.5, 5.5x8.5, 9x7, 7x10, and more

Free design tools

VistaPrint

From $13.00

5.5x4, 8x6, 11x8.5, 5.5x5.5, 8x8, 12x12

Budget pricing

1. Shutterfly – My Choice

photo book maker shutterfly

Starting price: from $12.99

Book size options: 5x7, 7x9, 8x8, 8x11, 12x12

Pros
  • Fully customizable templates
  • Large picture and background libraries
  • Convenient search
  • Ideas for ready-made templates
Cons
  • A limited choice of size options compared to competitors
  • Shipping delays for some locations

Shutterfly is a photo book service with over a dozen book templates and sizes, as well as tutorials and ideas. If you need a little inspiration, you can click the “Idea Pages” for some ready-made templates. It will not take long to learn how to navigate this photo book service, even if you are not a pro in digital technology.

You can utilize this site to make photo books using photos from your computer or pictures already uploaded to Shutterfly, Facebook, or Instagram. You can use images from the Shutterfly library too. Any uploaded photo must be in JPEG format.

Shutterfly offers a service where one of the company's designers oversees your photos and develops a book for you. However, you will have the opportunity to add the finishing touches before it is printed.

How to make a photo book in Shutterfy:

STEP 1. Visit Shutterfly's platform, register, or sign in.

STEP 2. Go to the "Photo Books" tab under the "Photo Gifts" menu.

STEP 3. Select a suitable style and size.

STEP 4. Pick a template in a suitable style that meets your needs.

STEP 5. Upload photos from your device, social media, or Shutterfly.

STEP 6. Drag and drop the pics into the template, add text captions, and make other edits to create a custom layout.

STEP 7. Make other edits if necessary and preview the result.

STEP 8. Add the photo book to your cart, pick extra options, go to the checkout stage, and finalize your order.

2. Mixbook – Easiest to Use

photo book maker mixbook

Starting price: from $14.99

Book size options: 8x6, 11x8.5, 14x11, 6x6, 8.5x8.5, 10x10, 12x12, 8.5x11, and more

Pros
  • Extensive background, template, layout and picture libraries
  • Cover and paper selection
  • Upload photos from different resources
  • You can add and edit effects
Cons
  • Limited offline editing support
  • There is no shadow for a text or a picture

For me, Mixbook is the best photo book maker in terms of ease of use. It has many editable templates on various themes: for family, weddings, travel, and templates for everyday photos. You can use this website to make a photo book from scratch or customize any of the available themes.

Mini-soft matte photo books with thick, flat pages will create a feeling of home comfort. Besides, paper with a pearl finish gives your images lightness and brilliance. You can choose the type of cover: soft, genuine leather, gloss or matte. It doesn’t matter what cover you pick as all photo books are durable, flexible and have professional binding.

Being one of the best alternatives to bulky photo album software, this online photo book maker allows you to upload photos from your computer, phone, Facebook, Instagram, and Smugmug. You can also use pics that you have already uploaded to the website. It allows you to add effects, text, backgrounds, and stickers to your photos.

How to make a photo book in Mixbook:

STEP 1. Visit the Mixbook platform, log in or register.

STEP 2. Find the "Photo Books" menu and indicate whether you want to order a hardcover or softcover edition.

STEP 3. Select the most suitable size and theme of your photo book.

STEP 4. Upload images from your device or social media.

STEP 5. Drag and drop pics to the template to create a custom layout. Select the most suitable background.

STEP 6. Add stickers, borders, and captions to make your designs more engaging.

STEP 7. Preview the result and make any additional edits you consider necessary.

STEP 8. Add the design to your cart, select upgrades, and go to checkout.

STEP 9. Select a shipping provider and payment options to complete your order.

3. Snapfish – Editable Templates

photo book maker snapfish

Starting price: from $15.99

Book size options: 6x8, 8x8, 11x8, 11x14, 12x12, 7x5, and more

Pros
  • User-friendly
  • You can choose size and binding
  • Design layouts
  • Good print quality
Cons
  • No convenient search for pictures or backgrounds
  • Occasional shipping delays

Snapfish allows you to upload photos for an album in a very simple way, organizing all your uploads in a file. What makes it the best photo books maker for novices is that it has easy-to-use tools and many tips for creating a photo album.

Even if you choose a template to start with, you can still change the pages for other backgrounds or completely change the theme of the book and create a unique photobook design. Some decor elements with specific patterns have shadows for each photo. As a result, they look more like traditional pieces of an album.

You can choose the cover type of photo books: soft or hard, linen, or leather books. Besides, this GrooveBook alternative allows you to select the type of pages, such as thick or high-quality silky paper.

How to make a photo book in Snapfish:

STEP 1. Open the Snapfish site, sign in or register.

STEP 2. Visit the "Photo Books" tab.

STEP 3. Select the most suitable type and size of your design.

STEP 4. Explore the collection of themes and select the most suitable one.

STEP 5. Upload photos from your device or social media.

STEP 6. Drag and drop pics into templates and customize the layout to your liking.

STEP 7. Add extra elements like stickers, borders, and captions.

STEP 8. Preview the result and make additional edits until you are satisfied with the design.

STEP 9. Add a photo book to the cart, indicate whether you need any upgrades, and proceed to checkout.

STEP 10. Select shipping and payment options before confirming your order.

4. PrestoPhoto - High Quality of Prints

photo book maker prestophoto

Starting price: from $14.99

Book size options: 6x6, 8x8, 8.5x11, 10x10, 12x12, and more

Pros
  • Different sizes available
  • Has a desktop version
  • More affordable than competitors
  • Impressive customization
Cons
  • Interface may be too convoluted for novices
  • International shipping may be pricey

PrestoPhoto is a functional photo book service that has a great variety of photo book types and sizes. Besides, this all-in-one web-based service has a version for mobile devices, which allows users to create photo books using a handy app. Offering the best way to make a photo book using six different styles (that range from “landscape” to “tall portrait”) with twenty-four sizes to choose from, the service can help you create original designs.

Using this photo book software, you can have an album printed on different types of paper, including matte, silk, and velvet. Besides, you can order hardcover or softcover for your photo book. If you prefer pages to lay flat when opened, you should be ready to pay extra.

PrestoPhoto developed a native macOS app providing Mac users with numerous advanced features. No matter whether you store your photos in iCloud, Lightroom, or PC folders, you won’t experience any difficulties when importing them. This photo book maker for Mac has many advantages like the greatest selection of book sizes, paper, and binding types, as well as affordable prices.

How to make a photo book in PrestoPhoto:

STEP 1. Open the PrestoPhoto platform, log in or register.

STEP 2. Open the "Photo Books" tab and select the most suitable option for your needs.

STEP 3. Select a size and paper type.

STEP 4. Upload pics from your PC.

STEP 5. Drag and drop your pics into templates and create a custom layout.

STEP 6. Add other elements, including borders, stickers, and captions.

STEP 7. Preview your photo book and edit it further if necessary.

STEP 8. Add a photo book to the cart, select extra options, and go to the checkout stage.

STEP 9. Enter shipping information and select a payment option.

5. Bookemon - Professional Binding

photo book maker bookemon

Starting price: from $0.2 per page

Book size options: 7.5x7.5, 5.5x8.5, 9x7, 7x10, and more

Pros
  • Free design instruments
  • Impressive collections of frames, backgrounds, and clipart
  • Top-quality printing
  • Quick turnaround
Cons
  • Limited template customization
  • Some templates are dated
  • Occasional production delays

For me, Bookemon is a fantastic, easy-to-use service for creating photo albums and photo books. This online service contains tons of ready-made templates that you can customize to your needs.

You can use this company to make photo books with unique designs starting from a blank template. If you have your own layout, you just need to upload it.

Unlike some other photo book makers, Bookemon includes free collections of incredible frames, backgrounds, and clipart for you to create unique photo books. The quality of its binding, printing, and hardcover book creation services also deserves lots of flattering words. Plus, you get your order in the shortest time.

How to make a photo book in Bookemon:

STEP 1. Go to the Bookemon website, create a new account, or log in if you already have one.

STEP 2. Select the "Start a New Project" option and click "Photo Book."

STEP 3. Pick the most suitable size and format of your photo book.

STEP 4. Upload pictures from your desktop computer, laptop, or phone.

STEP 5. Drag and drop your pictures and customize the template by adding various backgrounds. Experiment with different layouts.

STEP 6. Make your design more engaging by adding captions, stickers, and other elements.

STEP 7. Preview your design to ensure that you won’t need to make any additional edits.

STEP 8. Add a photo book to the cart, opt for additional upgrades, and proceed to checkout.

STEP 9. Indicate shipping details and select the most suitable payment option before submitting your order.

6. VistaPrint - Quick Photo Upload and Organization

photo book maker vistaprint

Starting price: from $13.00

Book size options: 5.5x4, 8x6, 11x8.5, 5.5x5.5, 8x8, 12x12

Pros
  • Budget pricing
  • Intuitive UI
  • Regular discounts and promotions
  • Photo book designs with lay-flat pages
Cons
  • Design tools are not powerful enough
  • Limited advanced customization opportunities
  • No pro-level templates

VistaPrint is a convenient digital photo book maker for those who are looking for a platform with a large choice of customizable templates and design tools. Using this photobook creator, I can quickly create all kinds of photo albums to preserve memories of family events, holiday trips, and other important moments.

I was extremely pleased with the quality of my printed photo book. This book design software stands out among its competitors due to its ability to preserve rich colors. Nevertheless, this photo album book maker has rather limited customization options. If you are on a budget, you will like the fact that you can buy it at a discount price, as the company offers a lot of promotions.

The customer support team is quite helpful, even though some users were displeased with production delays and long shipping times, especially for international orders. However, all in all, this photobook software is a great option for those who are looking for a budget solution for novices that allows them to produce high-quality photo albums.

How to make a photo book in VistaPrint:

STEP 1. Go to the VistaPrint platform and sign in.

STEP 2. Find the "Photo Books" menu and indicate whether you would like to order a hardcover or softcover option.

STEP 3. Select a suitable size for your photo book and find the right template.

STEP 4. Upload pictures from your device.

STEP 5. Customize the template’s layout by selecting the most suitable order for your photos and adding captions.

STEP 6. Review your design, add it to a cart, and finalize your order.

FAQ

  • • Why do I need to design a photo book?

Photo books are perfect for those who want to preserve their memories of important events, family occasions, or trips to foreign countries. Remembering the beautiful moments you spent together with your loved ones is a wonderful experience. Besides, a photo album is the perfect gift for friends and family members.

  • • What criteria should I use when selecting a photo book maker?

When looking for a service that allows users to make a photo book, pay attention to prices, quality of materials, customizable templates, and shipping times. It will enable you to select the most suitable photo book creator for your needs and create a well-designed album to preserve your cherished memories.

  • • What factors should I take into account when creating a photo book?

When working on the design of your photo book, select a suitable theme. A photo book maker allows users to select the best order for photos, add engaging captions, and experiment with different layouts and backgrounds to showcase photos in the best light.

  • • How many photos a photo book should contain?

The number of pictures depends on the size and layout of your design. Using photo book maker software, you can fit 50-100 photos in a 20-page photo book, depending on the number of photos you want to display on one page.

  • • Will it take me long to get a photo book?

If your design is rather complicated, it might take a while to produce your order. Besides, making the final changes in your design might take from a few hours to a few days. While regular shipping within a country may take 5-7 business days, you will have to wait at least 10-14 days for an order shipped internationally.

  • • Is it possible to make additional edits ordering a photo book?

It might be impossible to make any further adjustments once you place an order. This is why it’s important to proofread your photo book and analyze its layout when it’s still in the design stage. When you are sure that your design looks immaculate, you can place your order. However, you may need to find a photobook makerwilling to make minor adjustments when an order has been already placed. Make sure to read their terms of use thoroughly before ordering a photo book.

  • • Are there any discounts or bonuses for those who want to create photo books?

Many apps for creating photo books are available at discount prices. Their creators also often offer to buy them using coupons. Take a look at the official website of an app you like or subscribe to newsletters to ensure that you won’t miss an opportunity to get it at a lower price. Promotions will allow you to save a lot of money, especially when it comes to buying applications with expensive upgrades.

  • • Can I use an app to create a photo book using my smartphone?

Yes, you can choose from a variety of photo book apps for iOS and Android tablets and smartphones. If you are looking for a service supported by iOS tablets, you may need to find a photo book maker for iPad. Such apps enable users to upload pictures from their devices, create stunning designs, and edit their photo albums as they see fit. Mobile applications are extremely intuitive and suitable for many uses, which makes them perfect for creating custom photo books.

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