One of the biggest advantages of modern photo books is that they can be customized in any way the customer would like, whether it’s the material of the cover, the number and layout of the pages or even the book’s size. As a matter of fact, this wide variety of customization has gave birth to a particular a new, very specific type of photo book. Mini photo books are the perfect and cheap way of surprising your loved ones with a very personal gift.
Although there is no general consensus on where the line separating mini photo books and regular ones is, photo printing services usually deem a photo book mini if it’s smaller than 7×7 inches when closed. But books can be even smaller than this, which is in fact the pocket photo book category that comprises of books the sizes of which never exceed six inches in both height and width.
Due to their diminished size these photo books don’t possess the same variety as their bigger counterparts, at least when it comes to physical attributes like cover type, binding, the number of pages and the like. However, the advantages of creating a mini photo book outweigh all their disadvantages: not only are they printed and shipped faster and for more affordable prices – even as part of a bulk order – but they can possess unusual attributes as well, such as opening like an accordion, featuring an insanely high number of pages or even having a layflat binding by default.
Seeing how easily and cheaply they can be created, it’s not surprising that many photo printing services offer mini photo books.
In that regard there are certain services that focus more on speed rather than a wide variety of customization options, such Chatbooks and its flagship product, Photo Book Series. But if you’d prefer something more traditional, then there’s Picaboo, where the 5×5 or 4×5 Premium Mini Book comes with thick, satin-finished, tear-resistant pages and an UV-coated softcover – features that not even the company’s most basic photo books can be upgraded with. These attributes are pretty much the same when choosing Mixbook’s 6×6 mini photo book, too, but the company adds two unique twists to the mix as well: default layflat pages and unlimited customization options.
Last, but not least it’s worth mentioning Blurb, which has two unique offers. The first is its 5×5 Mini book that, despite being exclusive to Blurb’s iPhone/iPad app, comes with a matte cover and premium pages by default. The other is a 7×7 small book that can be built with six paper types – including layflat – and soft, hard or linen covers.
The ability to put together any kind of photo book and customize it to your own taste is the undeniable beauty of a modern photo printing service. Although most of the same customization options are available for mini photo books as well, many people tend to forget that a photo book printed in a regular size may not look as good if it’s recreated in a smaller size.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to avoid disappointment and receive an astonishing final result.
While there are often no restrictions regarding the number of pages to be included in the would-be book – aside from the minimum and maximum amount required by the photo book service – the appearance of the pages has to be designed in such a way it doesn’t look too crowded. In that regard a simple background with one or two photos per page is enough.
As a matter of fact, the mini photo book gives the perfect opportunity to recreate the look and feel of Instagram, especially if actual Instagram photos are used.
Again, remember that long and illegible text on pages littered with too many things could easily distract the reader from the stars of the photo book, the pictures themselves.
So, it’s best to stick to short, effective text written in a large font, while stickers should only be added to those pages where they seem appropriate.
The good thing about mini photo books is that unlike once in a lifetime occasions that demand something even more spectacular – such as a wedding – they are perfect for almost any situation, whether that is Valentine’s Day, Christmas, graduation or just a collection of the kiddies for the grandparents. Speaking of the family, petite photo books make perfect gifts for virtually anyone, including more distant relatives, friends, colleagues or anyone close to you.
Simply put, there is no limit when it comes to choosing a theme.
Pocket-sized photo books can be built in more or less the same way as their bigger counterparts. This means that there are occasions when you have no choice but to accept the book with the default (and only) attributes.
At first this may seem frustrating, but even the cheapest looking photo books are printed in a professional manner, not to mention that ditching some of the popular extras – like a hard cover or special photo paper with a layflat binding – keeps the book light and more portable.
However, if you want to have the book created with the special extras and there is the option to upgrade the product to provide the feeling of a regular photo book that has simply been shrunken down, don’t hesitate to grab the opportunity.
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