How to Choose the Right Photo Book
You've decided to make a photo book. Good. The harder part, it turns out, isn't finding the photos, it's figuring out which book to actually make.
Size, paper finish, cover type, print quality. There are more options than most people expect, and the wrong choice isn't a disaster, but the right choice makes a real difference in how the finished book looks and feels.
This is the short version: what each option actually means, and how to pick without overthinking it.
Start with Size
Size is the first decision, and it affects everything else: how your photos look on the page, how the book sits on a shelf, and how it feels to flip through.
Square formats (20×20cm or 30×30cm) are the most versatile. They work well for social-style photos, travel, and everyday moments. The square crop suits the way most people shoot on their phones.
Landscape formats give your wide shots room to breathe. Good for travel photography, group shots, and anything where the scenery is part of the story.
Portrait formats suit milestone books, a baby's first year, a wedding, a graduation. They read more formal, more like a proper keepsake.
If you're not sure, go square. It's the format that works across the most occasions without looking like a choice you had to think about.
Pick Your Paper Finish
Paper finish changes the feel of the whole book more than most people realize. There are three options, each with a different effect.
Freelife Lustre has a slight sheen that makes colours pop without being glossy. It's the most popular finish for a reason: it handles portraits, travel, and everyday photos equally well. If you want one finish that works for almost anything, this is it.
Freelife Matte has no sheen at all. It reads quieter, more editorial, the kind of finish that makes a book feel considered rather than bright. Good for black-and-white photography, lifestyle shots, or any book where mood matters more than colour saturation.
Freelife Satin sits between the two: a soft, low-reflection surface that gives colours depth without the full shine of lustre. It's particularly well-suited for skin tones and warm-light photography.
For photos where colour accuracy really matters, a travel book, a product shoot, a birthday collection with a lot of rich tones, ColorUp! 7-colour printing adds a wider colour range beyond standard CMYK. The difference is visible: deeper reds, richer greens, more accurate skin tones. Worth it when the photos are the point.
Choose Your Cover
The cover is what makes the book feel like a book rather than a report.
Softcover is lighter, more casual, and lower cost. Fine for a personal keepsake or a casual gift, less suitable if you want something that feels like it will last 20 years.
Hardcover is the default choice for anything you plan to keep or give. It holds its shape, it opens flat, and it feels substantial. Available with a printed photo on the cover, or with a fabric-style wrap (linen or leatherette) for a cleaner, gift-ready look.
If you're giving it to someone, go hardcover. It's the difference between something that sits in a drawer and something that goes on a shelf.
Think About the Occasion
The occasion should shape every choice above. Here's a quick way to think about it:
A personal keepsake, a year in photos, a holiday you want to remember properly, can be as casual or as considered as you want. Square or landscape, any finish, softcover or hardcover.
A gift should feel like one. Hardcover, a fabric wrap or photo cover, a finish that suits the photos inside. Add a slipcase (a protective sleeve that slides over the book) if you want it to look finished when it arrives. A presentation box takes it further: a rigid, structured box that makes the whole thing feel like something worth opening slowly.
A milestone book, a baby's first year, a wedding, a graduation, deserves the full treatment. Hardcover, ColorUp! printing if the photos warrant it, and packaging that matches the occasion.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What's the minimum number of photos I need?
It depends on the page count and layout you choose, but most books start from around 20 photos. The Smart Editor will tell you if you need more as you build.
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Can I mix landscape and portrait photos in the same book?
Yes. The editor handles mixed orientations across pages, you don't need to pre-sort your photos.
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Does Photobook ship internationally?
Yes, to all markets. Orders over the free shipping threshold qualify for free delivery, check the current threshold for your market here.
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How long does delivery take?
Delivery times vary by market. You'll see an estimated date at checkout before you confirm your order.
Ready When You Are
The best photo book is the one that actually gets made. Pick a size that fits your photos, a finish that suits the occasion, and a cover that makes it feel real.
Start building your photo book here, the Smart Editor will auto-layout your photos so you're not starting from a blank page.
