Choosing the Right Book Size, Cover, and Paper Type for Your Photo Book: A Comprehensive Guide

Photos are the gifts of memory returned, but what about their wrapping? You’ve put so much effort into curating the perfect photo collection that it’s easy to overlook other details. Choosing the right photo book size, cover, and paper type can make a world of difference. The best presentation choices elevate your photo book into a treasured memory garden, sharing the love across generations.

Evaluating Your Photo Book Choices

When customizing book features for specific purposes, consider how the size, cover material, and paper type influence the overall look and feel.

Book Sizes

First up is the size. It’s a crucial part of the photo book because it has to fit the occasion and how you display your photos. At Mixbook, we offer multiple sizes to suit your needs.

Square

• 6x6
• 8.5x8.5
• 10x10
• 12x12

Our square photo books work for any occasion but are especially suited for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, adoptions, anniversaries, and baby milestones. These photo books can be intimate celebrations or joyous discoveries with friends and family.

Landscape

• 8x6
• 11x8.5
• 14x11

With their wider covers, landscape photo books can help you display life’s exceptional moments — from weddings to travel to memorable holidays. They have a natural artistic quality that pops on coffee tables, inviting guests to share your journey.

Portrait

• 8.5x11

Mixbookers love our portrait photo books. In a classic 8.5x11, this style displays well on bookshelves, coffee tables, and other settings. These photo books are ideal for collecting memories from seasonal events, everyday moments, and the year in review.

Cover Materials and Styles

Although the best discoveries lie inside a photo book, the cover sets the tone. When you want to give someone a present, don’t you spend time adding stickers and messages before wrapping the item in festive colors or birthday paper? The same care goes into photo books. Only this time, the wrapping is part of the book.

Softcover

Our softcover style features high-quality flexible paper with a glossy finish. Lightweight and durable, these covers give you a budget-friendly solution for displaying your favorite photos — whether you want to share sweet family moments, highlights from your European adventure, or snippets of your escape to Yosemite or the Great Smoky Mountains.

Hardcover

Thinking you’d rather wrap your photos in hardcover binding? Our hardcover binding uses thick cardboard and heavy-weight paper for a gorgeous presentation.

Hardcovers are like the middle sibling: They work hard to appeal to everyone and every occasion. Use them for milestones, engagements, seasonal events, anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, and more. These covers even come in two finishes: glossy and matte.

Layflat

The layflat uses thick cardboard and heavy-weight paper to achieve a stunning piece of art in a matte finish. The binding design sets this option apart, opening fully to reveal full-spread photos on our highest-quality paper. Epic lifetime milestones make the perfect pairing.

Paper Types

The type of paper you choose affects the aesthetics and functionality of your photo book.

• Premium Matte

• Premium Lustre
• Signature Matte
• Signature Lustre
• Everyday Semi-Gloss

Photo book paper should match your goals. If you’re thinking of everyday celebrations, you might like the subtle sheen and vivid saturation of Everyday Semi-Gloss. Milestone moments could show off their best light printed on the smooth texture of uncoated Signature Matte or the lustrous clarity of Signature Lustre. For once-in-a-lifetime events, the luxurious quality and lay-flat abilities of Premium Lustre and Premium Matte help extraordinary moments dance off the page.

When considering durability, compare the paper to your customized specialness scale. The more long-lasting and special the memories, the thicker the paper should be.

What's the Best Photo Book Size for Your Project?

Which book size is best for different occasions? Let’s look at a few real-life scenarios to illustrate the best matches for length and style.

Scenario One- A Dream Holiday Photo Book

You recently returned from a St. Lucia vacation with your partner and young daughter, where you fell in love with the colorful homes, volcanic beaches, and incredible waterfalls. You took hundreds of photos of your family and the local landscape, and you’d like to collect the images in a high-quality photo book. Preferences include rich colors and non-shiny covers.

Your perfect match: Landscape 14x11 hardcover photo book with Signature Matte paper and a Matte cover.

Our Signature Matte paper gives your images rich tonality, while our Matte finish is non glare. The large landscape format sets a casual yet refined tone for the memorable photos inside.

Scenario Two - A Wedding Photo Book

Your two best friends exchanged vows barefoot in a coastal sanctuary along California’s rugged North Coast region. You want to give them a memento of their special day, but you’re worried that a high-end photo book will seem out of touch with their laid-back, earth-loving personalities.

Your perfect match: Square 6x6 softcover photo book with Everyday Semi-Gloss paper and a Glossy cover.

Our Everyday Semi-Gloss paper offers vivid coloration to reveal the beauty of the coastal waters and old-growth redwoods. The extra-small size keeps the book quaint and portable, while the Glossy finish shows you respect their low-key vibe.

Scenario Three - A Portfolio Photo Book

You want a gorgeous photo book for your personal collection but don’t like the oversized proportions of typical coffee table books. You’d like to use it as a photography art portfolio. Most of your photos measure 4x6 and 5x7 and are black and white.

Your perfect match: Portrait 8.5x11 lay-flat photo book with Premium Matte paper and a Matte cover.

Your art prints need enough background space for definition, so the portrait style is the perfect complement. The Premium Matte paper ensures no glare, while the Matte cover keeps fingerprints off your work.

Discover Your Photo Book With Mixbook

Choosing the right book size, cover, and paper type starts with identifying the purpose and design aesthetic you want. Get started today with a book theme, or go all out with a custom design. With Mixbook, you’re in control.

FAQ

How do I go about selecting the appropriate cover for my photo book?

Select your cover according to the purpose. Softcovers are better for less-formal moments, while hardcovers and lay-flat covers add a premium feel.

What paper type is ideal for my photo book project?

Paper types range from everyday to ultra thick. The more formal the purpose, the thicker the pages.

How do I achieve visual harmony and cohesiveness between content, layout, and book features?

Visual harmony matches the exterior with what’s inside. If the photos are from a low-key, romantic vacation, the book should feature to reflect an intimate but down-to-earth tone. For a joyful celebration of life, ensure the book features are inviting and moderately formal.