Photobook: How to Create It Step by Step

In the digital age, our photos often stay hidden in phone galleries and cloud storage. But there’s something truly special about flipping through printed pages filled with your favourite memories. That’s where a photobook comes in — a modern twist on the traditional photo album. Whether it’s for a wedding, a holiday, a new baby, or just everyday life, a photobook lets you turn moments into lasting keepsakes. If you’re wondering about a photobook: how to create it, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through the process, from idea to print.

What Is a Photobook?

Before we dive into the “how,” let’s clarify the “what.” A photobook is a professionally printed book that showcases your photos in a custom layout. Unlike the old-fashioned albums where you manually slide in pictures, photobooks are fully personalised — you can choose the size, paper quality, cover material, and most importantly, the layout and design of every page. They’re perfect for gifts, family collections, or creative projects.

Photobook: How to Create It in 6 Easy Steps

1. Choose Your Theme or Purpose

Start with a clear idea. Ask yourself:
– What story do I want to tell?
– Is this a gift or a personal keepsake?
Common themes include vacations, weddings, anniversaries, baby’s first year, or a year-in-review. Having a theme helps guide your photo selection and layout choices.

2. Select the Best Photos

Go through your digital photos and pick the ones that best represent your story. Quality matters — choose high-resolution images to avoid pixelation. Don’t be afraid to include candid shots, small details, or even scanned analogue photos for a nostalgic touch.

Pro tip: Organise your selected photos in folders by page or chapter. This saves you a lot of time later when designing the photobook.

3. Choose a Photobook Provider

Many online services offer user-friendly platforms for designing photobooks. Popular options include:

• CEWE

• Photobox

• Mixbook

• Saal Digital

• Shutterfly

Compare their prices, delivery times, paper types, and layout tools. Some even offer mobile apps if you prefer designing from your phone.

4. Pick the Size, Format, and Cover Type

Photobooks come in various sizes and styles.
– Popular sizes: A4, 20x20 cm, or 30x30 cm
– Orientation: Portrait, landscape, or square
– Cover options: Softcover, hardcover, or leather-bound

Also choose your paper finish: matte for a classic look, or glossy for vibrant colours. These choices will define the look and feel of your finished book.

5. Design Your Layout

Most photobook tools let you drag and drop photos into pre-designed templates. You can also customise layouts with:

• Text captions

• Background colours or textures

• Clipart and decorative elements

Make sure each page tells a mini story — don’t overcrowd with too many images. Leave some white space for balance and let key moments stand out.

6. Preview, Edit, and Order

Before ordering, take your time to preview every page. Check for spelling mistakes in captions, blurry photos, or misaligned elements. Most platforms allow you to save drafts, so you can come back later with fresh eyes. Once you’re happy, place the order and wait for your memories to arrive in print!

What to Do With Your Photobook

Once you’ve received your photobook, here are a few ideas:

• Gift it to family or friends

• Display it on a coffee table

• Archive it with other family records

• Digitise it for backup

Some people even create annual photobooks, turning each year into a printed story — a beautiful tradition to start.