Photo books come in all shapes and sizes and it can be challenging to pinpoint which one to get. Ultimately, it all depends on the type of photo book you want to create and what you want to do with it. For example, a coffee table photo book will probably be larger than one that you want to send to your family and friends. But how do you figure out what size is perfect for your photo book?
Where to start
Before thinking about your photo book’s size, you should first decide on a few important factors. What kind of photo book are you going to create? Is it a wedding photo album, an unforgettable family vacation, or a personal memento of a relationship? Is the finished product going to be displayed in your home, office, or somewhere else?
Understanding the objective, target audience, and where the photo book is going to be showcased is an important first step. You should also have a good idea of how many pages you’re aiming to fill. More comprehensive photo books need to be bigger, so they don’t crease with use. When you plan your photo book this way, the photo book’s overall size and shape should come naturally to you. Then, you just need to work on the details.
Available photo book sizes
From pocket-sized to large formats, there’s a photo book size for everyone. These dimensions vary among three shapes: square, landscape, and portrait. Square-shaped photo books can go from the tiny 5×5 up to the huge 12×12, landscape-shaped from 5×7 up to 11×14, and portrait photo books can go from 7×5 up to 11×8.5. So, there are many options to choose from.
Of course, the bigger the photo book, the more expensive it gets. But companies usually provide a comprehensive pricing table explaining all the cost details for different sizes. Bear in mind that photo book builders typically offer standardized dimensions, as it’s more efficient and cost-effective for them. So, it might be that you can’t get the exact size you want unless you go for a more expensive service.
Size isn’t everything
Size is important – a huge 12×12 photo book in your living room will certainly grab your visitor’s attention. However, it’s not everything. You also need to consider other factors when creating a photo book, such as the finish, type of paper, and cover. These are all characteristics that can change the photo book’s entire aesthetic.
Selecting the best cover
Let’s start with the exterior – that’s what people notice first, after all. Soft and hardcovers are the most popular, and all photo book builders provide these options. Softcovers are more affordable, but they don’t look as nice and crease easily. On the other hand, hardcovers can be a bit more expensive, but make your photo book look sturdier.
When looking for durability, then we recommend a leather cover. This is perfect for photo albums that you want to keep throughout your life. Special themed books like weddings or memorial photo books are great examples of when you should use a leather cover, even if it’s more expensive.
If you want to go for a premium look to showcase a product or display your portfolio as a professional photographer, then a silk cover is the way to go. There are even some other unique covers you can get, such as ivory and cloth.
Picking the best type of paper
You want the photo book’s interior to meet the viewer’s expectations. If you go for a beautiful cover with a premium aesthetic, you don’t want to have your photos displayed on thin and cheap-looking paper. Photo book builders provide various options, where you can change both the paper’s material and thickness.
A good rule of thumb is thinking about how sturdy you want your photo book to be. If you’re going for durability, then we recommend a thick paper. However, if the photo book is going to be 200 pages long, you may want to go for a thinner type of paper, so the photo book doesn’t end up too bulky.
Time to finish
Now that you’ve selected the cover and the type of paper, it’s time to decide on what kind of finish you want. Your photo book’s entire look depends on this, as it will affect your photos’ colors, brightness, and contrast.
The most common finishes are gloss and matte. While the former makes the colors pop and gives a bright magazine look, the latter provides a more neutral yet sharper look. In a nutshell, a glossy finish should be used on a photo book full of colorful pictures, while a matte finish is better suited for less vibrant color schemes or monochrome shots. For a more vintage look, we recommend a silk finish.
Daniel C.
Richard C.
