Mixbook Photo Book Paper & Cover Types

Creating the perfect photo book involves a wide range of decisions. Top among them are choosing the best photos, picking a theme, and writing captions. In addition to these creative design choices, you also need to consider the varied options for cover and paper types. While your photo book will be just as beautiful with any cover and paper types, these choices affect the look and feel of the final printed product, as well as the price point.

The first decision comes when you start a brand-new project: square, portrait, or landscape format. At the end of the project, you get to pick from versatile options under three main categories: Softcover, Hardcover, and Lay Flat. You can also consult a full chart of size, cover, and paper types with pricing information at any time.

Here are more details about Mixbook’s different photo book paper and cover types, plus recommendations to help you make the best choices for your project.

Softcover photo books

Softcover photo books are great for casual, low-key projects such as everyday family albums, travel books from a quick getaway, and gift books for multiple people such as a sports team or bachelorette party crowd. They’re also the most budget-friendly of the photo book covers.

Softcover books are available in six sizes:

• 6x6 square
• 8x6 landscape
• 8.5x8.5 square
• 8.5x11 portrait
• 10x10 square
• 11x8.5 landscape

Softcover books are available with a Glossy cover type. This cover is durable and flexible, but also offers a long-lasting, high-shine finish.

These photo books feature Everyday Semi-Gloss paper, which offers vivid colors, bright details, and a subtle gloss finish.

Hardcover photo books

Hardcover photo books are versatile, hard-wearing, and the ideal choice for almost every photo book project.

Hardcover books are available in eight sizes:

• 6x6 square
• 8x6 landscape
• 8.5x8.5 square
• 8.5x11 portrait
• 10x10 square
• 11x8.5 landscape
• 12x12 square
• 14x11 landscape

Hardcover cover options

Hardcover books are available in Glossy or Matte covers.

Matte hardcover photo books are resistant to smudges, fingerprints, and scuffs. A low-gloss matte finish reduces glare and looks good at any angle and in any light. This is perfect for family albums that get passed around from adults to kids to toddlers.

Glossy hardcover photo books add eye-catching shine to the cover for a luxe look. Glossy covers are popular for special-occasion books like wedding albums and coffee table books.

Hardcover paper options

Hardcover books are available with three paper types: Everyday Semi-Gloss, Signature Matte, and Premium Lustre. Each can be combined with Matte or Glossy cover types.

Everyday Semi-Gloss is our standard photo book paper. Classic, smooth, with a subtle gloss, this paper type is a go-to, dependable paper stock. We use silk, semi-gloss, 100 lb. paper that is both acid-free and lignin-free. It’s perfect for preserving images of precious moments with vivid colors, bright details, and a subtle gloss finish.

When you want a photo book that stands out, choose Signature Matte paper. This high-quality, smooth matte paper offers an elevated, non-glare finish that is perfect for family portraits or a more modern look to your photo book.

Premium Lustre Paper is the finest paper option, perfect for photo books capturing once-in-a-lifetime or milestone events, and unforgettable memories worth preserving in style. This fine paper offers a low-glare, lustrous finish that will last for generations to come.

Lay Flat photo books

Lay Flat photo books are a high-end choice for truly special, heirloom-worthy photo books. Upgrade to Lay Flat covers for your most important photo book projects. The benefits of Lay Flat covers are the elevated experience of flipping through a book while it stays fully open on any surface, and the seamless appearance of two-page spreads thanks to a smooth, flat gutter.

Lay Flat books are available in six sizes:

• 6x6 square
• 8.5x8.5 square
• 8.5x11 portrait
• 10x10 square
• 11x8.5 landscape
• 12x12 square

The Lay Flat photo book category includes Matte covers with four paper options: Signature Matte, Signature Lustre, Premium Matte, and Premium Lustre. The Matte cover is sturdy, fingerprint- and smudge-resistant, and it has an elevated, non-glare finish.

Choose Signature Matte paper for thick pages with a smooth, elevated non-glare finish that feels good to the touch.

If you’re looking for that extra pop to your photos, our Signature Lustre paper is thick and provides superior color clarity for magical moments. It lays flat, with a lustrous, low-glare finish.

Papers don’t get thicker than our Premium Matte option. These ultra-thick pages are perfect for showcasing heirloom-worthy memories. They lay flat with a smooth, fingerprint-proof, non-glare finish.

With the Premium Lustre paper option, your photos will be printed on ultra-thick pages that lay flat with a lustrous, low-glare finish and superior clarity.

Ready to choose the best cover and paper options for your photo book?

Picking the best cover and paper options for your photo book is important. If you need more advice about papers, remember that Mixbook’s Help Center is available 24/7!