Digital photos are one hard drive failure away from being lost forever, and a printed photo book is the most reliable insurance against that. Beyond preservation, the best photo books have become design objects in their own right - something you display on a shelf and pick up again years later. We compared five services that offer genuinely different approaches to the photo book, evaluating print quality, paper and binding options, design software, and total cost for a standard 20-page book.
| Product | Best For | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Chatbooks Custom Photo Book | Automatic simplicity | Auto-fill from phone albums |
| Artifact Uprising Hardcover Book | Premium quality | Museum-grade printing |
| Blurb Custom Photo Book | Professional control | Pro-grade design tools |
| Mixbook Premium Photo Book | Design flexibility | Extensive theme library |
| Shutterfly Photo Book Deluxe | Trusted value | Frequent deep discounts |
Chatbooks Custom Photo Book
Chatbooks is the easiest entry point for anyone who finds photo book software overwhelming. Their app connects to your phone’s camera roll or Instagram and can automatically arrange your photos into a clean, ready-to-order book with minimal manual effort. The print quality is good - not the most vivid on this list, but warm and pleasing - and the price is accessible. An excellent option for parents who want to create annual photo books without spending hours in design software.
Pros: Auto-fill from phone albums, dead-simple interface, subscription options available Cons: Limited design customization, print quality below premium services
Artifact Uprising Hardcover Book
Artifact Uprising is the photo book for people who care deeply about the finished artifact. They print on thick, sustainably sourced paper with rich ink coverage that makes photos look dimensional rather than flat. The hardcover binding is tight and durable, the end-papers are thoughtfully designed, and the whole package feels genuinely archival. It is the most expensive service on this list, but the gap in quality versus the next tier down is real and visible.
Pros: Museum-grade print quality, premium paper stock, archival-quality construction Cons: Significantly higher price, fewer templates for casual users
Blurb Custom Photo Book
Blurb is the professional’s choice, used by photographers, designers, and self-publishers who need full creative control. Their BookWright desktop software (and PDF upload option) allows pixel-level layout precision, CMYK color management, and a range of professional paper stocks including premium layflat and magazine formats. The print quality is excellent across all stock options. Steep learning curve for casual users, but unmatched for anyone who knows what they want.
Pros: Professional design software, layflat and magazine formats, CMYK-accurate printing Cons: Steeper learning curve, less beginner-friendly than app-based services
Mixbook Premium Photo Book
Mixbook strikes the best balance between design flexibility and ease of use on this list. Their browser-based editor has hundreds of themes and layouts, supports drag-and-drop photo placement, and generates a clean live preview as you build. Print quality is strong - colors are accurate and paper weight feels substantial. Mixbook runs frequent 40-50% off promotions that make their premium tier competitive with mid-tier services at full price.
Pros: Excellent design flexibility, strong print quality, frequent major discounts Cons: Browser-based editor can lag with large projects, full price is high
Shutterfly Photo Book Deluxe
Shutterfly’s Photo Book Deluxe is the reliable workhorse of the custom photo book market. Most American households have ordered from Shutterfly at some point, and the service delivers consistent results - solid print quality, decent paper, and a design tool that has been refined over two decades. Their main competitive advantage is the near-constant 40-50% off promotions, which make the Deluxe tier genuinely affordable. Not the most inspiring design experience, but dependably good.
Pros: Proven reliability, frequent deep discounts, large user community for support Cons: Design tool feels dated compared to Mixbook or Blurb, paper weight is standard
What to Look For
Paper quality is the single biggest differentiator in how a photo book feels and lasts. Standard 80lb paper is functional; premium 100lb or thicker stock makes photos look richer and the book feel more substantial. Binding matters for longevity - sewn hardcover binding outlasts glued softcover by years. For books with two-page spreads or panoramas, layflat binding is worth the premium. Finally, assess the design tool before committing: some services let you preview the software before ordering, which can save a lot of frustration mid-project.
Final Thoughts
For the best photo book money can buy, Artifact Uprising is in a class of its own - if budget allows, the quality difference is worth every dollar. For the most flexible, enjoyable design experience at a fair price, Mixbook is the strongest everyday recommendation. Chatbooks wins for anyone who wants beautiful results with minimal effort. Blurb is the specialist choice for photographers and designers who need professional control. All five services here produce a finished book you will be proud to put on a shelf.
Frequently asked questions
What size photo book should I order?+
An 8x8 inch square book is the most popular choice - it is compact, sits well on a coffee table, and is easy to handle. A 10x10 or 12x12 inch book makes more of a visual statement and works better for professional photography or large milestone events like weddings. Smaller 5x7 or 4x6 books work as personal keepsakes or stocking stuffers but show less detail per page.
What is the difference between layflat and standard binding in a photo book?+
Standard (sewn or glued) binding means the book has a gutter in the center that partially obscures photos spread across two pages. Layflat binding allows the book to open completely flat without a visible seam, which is essential for panoramic shots and two-page spreads. Layflat costs more but is strongly recommended for photo-heavy books where images are the main event.
How many photos should I put in a custom photo book?+
For a 20-30 page book, 40-80 photos is a comfortable range - it gives you 2-3 photos per page without feeling cluttered. More is fine if you use collage layouts, but avoid crowding too many small photos onto one page as they lose impact. Leave some pages as single full-bleed images for your best shots - those pages tend to become the most memorable spreads in the finished book.