Photo book buying guide
There are many photo books out there for you to purchase. Which one is the best photo book? What should you look for? Below we discuss some of the basic features of photo books.
Size
The size of a photo book is a really important feature. You can usually decide the size based on the purpose of the photo book. For example, you would want the largest possible size for a wedding photo book. With large pictures you will be able to see all the wonderful details of you wedding photographs. A medium size (8 x 8) is great for showcasing pictures from your vacation. It's big enough to see all the details and small enough that your friends won't get bored! A small photo book is great gift for grandma and grandpa of their grandkids. It's small enough so they can carry it around with them wherever they go.
Number of Pages
Most publishers will include about 20 pages in their photo books for the advertised price. Additional pages usually can be purchased for around $0.49 to $2.99 per page depending on the publisher and book size. You will find that 20 pages are adequate for most projects as you can fit 2 or 3 pictures on a page comfortably.
Cover Options
The cover is the first thing that people will see and you want something attractive and catchy so that people will be interested in looking inside. Luckily, publishers have covers in many different varieties. You can get leather, velvet, hardcover, soft cover, photo on cover, dust jackets, and many other varieties. SnapFish.com has an in interesting cover option that allows you to use your own custom picture as the cover.
Price
The price of a photo book will depend on its size. Obviously the largest will be the most expensive and the smallest will be the cheapest. Additional charges ranging from $0.49 to $2.99 per page will apply for extra pages. Shipping charges will also add to the cost and will be based on the method of shipment. Once you know which book you want, hunt for free shipping and % off coupons to lower your price.
Paper Quality
Glossy or matte finish? Depends on your taste and project. Be sure to check and make sure that the photo book you are ordering is in the finish you want. Many publishers only offer one finish. For example, shutterfly.com only offers glossy finish.
Design Styles
Look for a publisher that has a wide range of page layouts, background designs, and themed templates for you to choose from. These pre-defined designs will not only make it easier for you to create your photo book, but will also make it look professional.
Holiday Shipping
Due to overwhelming demand for photo books during the holidays, it is very important to place your orders early. It can take up to 2 weeks for a publisher to process and deliver your photo book during this time, so it's best to place an order early.
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