How to Choose the Best Size, Cover and Paper Types for a Photo Book

Photos are the gifts of memory returned, but what about the gift-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 treasure trove of memories, sharing the love across generations.

Evaluating photo book size, cover, and paper choices

When customizing book features for specific kinds of projects, consider how the size, cover material, and paper type influence the overall look and feel of the finished product. These choices are also linked to budget considerations, as different sizes, papers, and covers come with varied pricing.

Book sizes and formats

Size and format (square, landscape, or portrait) are crucial decisions for photo books because they need to suit the subject and offer the best way to display your photos. Mixbook offers the following sizes and formats to suit your needs:

Square

• 6x6
• 8.5x8.5
• 10x10
• 12x12

A versatile option, square photo books work for almost any occasion, including Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, adoptions, anniversaries, and baby milestones. Smaller sizes offer a less formal feel, while larger square photo books offer a touch of drama.

Landscape

• 8x6
• 11x8.5
• 14x11

With covers wider than they are tall, landscape photo books can help you display life’s exceptional moments – from weddings to travel to memorable holidays. They are especially good choices for beautiful scenery shots and multi-photo collage layouts. Landscape books have a natural artistic quality that pops on coffee tables, inviting others 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 portrait photography showcasing your friends, family, and milestone moments. The portrait format is ideal for graduation portraits, yearbook headshots, and food/recipe photos.

Photo book cover choices

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 pay attention to the presentation of the wrapping, with festive colors, bows, and messages? The same care should go into choosing the cover for your photo books.

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 they’re filled with memories of sweet family moments, travel adventures, or your favorite pet pics, softcover books are great for fun, informal projects and gift books.

Hardcover

Think you’d rather wrap your photos in hardcover format? Our hardcover binding uses thick cardboard and heavy-weight paper for gorgeous presentation and long-lasting durability.

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 come in two finishes: Glossy and Matte.

Lay Flat

The lay flat cover option 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 flat and smooth to reveal full-spread photos on our highest-quality paper.

Choose lay flat covers for the most special photo books of all – those intended to be heirlooms, hold precious memories, showcase epic milestones, or become extra-luxurious gifts. Examples of these types of books include wedding albums, baby books, and remembrance books.

Photo book paper types

The type of paper you choose affects the aesthetics and functionality of your photo book. Available paper types are as follows (available options vary by cover choice):

• 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 type to how special your photo book project is. The more long-lasting and special the memories, the thicker the paper should be. More casual projects might be better suited to everyday paper types.

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. 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’d like a gorgeous photo book for your personal collection but don’t want 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.

Making the best choices for your photo book

Choosing the right book size, cover, and paper type starts with identifying the purpose of your photo book and your own design aesthetic, as well as your budget. Generally, softcovers are better for less-formal moments, while hardcovers and lay-flat covers add a premium feel. Choose thicker papers for more formal books, and everyday papers for low-key projects.

Whatever cover, paper, and size you select for your photo books, we know you’ll be so happy with your finished product. After all, Mixbook is No. 1 rated in photo books.