Making a photo book means choosing a story, setting a page count, laying out images with consistent margins, and proofing every page before you order. Take your time on the plan, and the layout work goes faster.
Plan Before You Design
Write the story in one line and list the sections, such as arrival, days out and last evening for a trip. Decide on the size and shape of the book, then check the page limits in the service’s guide. Sketch rough page counts for each section so the book has a rhythm of slow and busy pages.
Build the Pages
- Select your best images and put them in order in a single folder.
- Import them into the layout tool and let it auto-fill pages if it has that option.
- Adjust each page by hand. Make key images larger and secondary ones smaller.
- Keep margins consistent and keep faces and text away from the page edge and the center fold.
- Add short captions and a title page.
- Use the same fonts and colors across the book.
Check Image Quality
Print needs more detail than screens. Many services suggest about 300 pixels per inch at the printed size, though the recommended number varies, so check the guide. Large prints from small files will look soft. Many tools show a warning icon when an image is too small for the space; heed it by shrinking the picture or choosing a different one.
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Resolution | No low-resolution warnings |
| Text | Spelling, names and dates |
| Edges | Nothing important too close to trim |
| Color | Consistent look; screens are brighter than paper |
| Order | Story flows and no repeats |
Proof Carefully
Read every page aloud, slowly. Look for typos, repeated photos and mismatched captions. View the book in the on-screen page viewer and flip through as if holding it. Ask someone else to look it over, since fresh eyes spot mistakes quickly. Brightness on screens is usually higher than on paper, so a slightly lighter edit can help dark images print well.
Save your project often and keep a backup of the original image files in a separate folder. If the layout tool crashes or the web page closes, you will not lose hours of work. When the book arrives, look through it carefully. Note anything you would change next time, such as margins or caption sizes, and keep that note with your project files so the second book comes together faster.
FAQ
How many pictures should go on a page?
Fewer is better. One to three on most pages, with the occasional full-page image for impact.
Should I use the automatic layout?
It is a good way to get a draft. Adjust by hand afterward so the story gets proper emphasis.
The Short Version
Plan the story, build consistent pages and check image resolution. Proof every page, ideally with a second reader, before ordering. A calm, simple layout makes your best pictures stand out.
