One of the best ways to keep vacation memories alive is by transforming them from digital snapshots into a beautifully crafted photobook. While our smartphones are full of photos, they often end up buried in digital storage and rarely viewed. A photobook not only brings these memories into the physical world but also lets you showcase and relive them.
So when we completed our trip to Lisbon last year, we wanted a way to preserve the memories of such an awesome experience and a photobook was a great idea to do that. There are several places to go to create a photobook, but once we became aware of Mixbook, it turns out that it was one of the best options.
Mixbook, an online photo service, specializes in helping users create high-quality photo books, as well as personalized cards, calendars, and prints. Known for its superior print materials and exceptional customer service, Mixbook offers a large variety of customizable templates and design options that allows everyone to create like a professional.
CREATING THE PHOTOBOOK
Starting a new project with Mixbook is a breeze. The service offers a variety of photobook themes, including travel-specific, modern family, school yearbooks, and wedding albums.
You can choose the format that best suits your style—be it landscape, square, or portrait. There are several options to choose from including softcover, hardcover, and premium lay-flat styles.
Sizes range from a compact 6″x6″ to a large 12″x12″, with paper finishes including Everyday Semi-Gloss, Signature Matte, and Premium Lustre. For the cover, you can opt for a glossy or matte finish.
The initial step involves uploading your photos. Typically, the base price includes 20 pages, with the opportunity to add more for an additional cost. I chose to go with 41 pages and uploaded about 100 pictures, a process that was both quick and effortless.
Designing each page was an enjoyable part of the process. Mixbook’s design interface allows for varied page layouts—some pages might feature a single large photo, while others can be arranged with several smaller images.
The flexibility here is fantastic for personalizing the pages. Even after pre-editing my photos, I found Mixbook’s editing features, like text addition for captions or location details, incredibly useful and fun to use.
ORDERING PROCESS
After designing your book, Mixbook guides you to a review screen where you can preview your photobook. This is your chance to make any last-minute adjustments before finalizing your order. The order screen then reconfirms the options you selected initially, ensuring everything is as you want it.
Mixbook offers a range of shipping options, from Express to Budget, catering to how quickly you need the product. I chose Standard shipping and was pleasantly surprised when my photobook arrived sooner than expected.
The only issue that I had with the ordering process is that the previously mentioned cost is a bit confusing. The price that is quoted includes a total of 41 pages; however, that cost includes 20 pages that come with the package plus an additional 21 pages at $1.79 each.
This means that you could create a book with the included 20 pages for less than the quoted price if you knew that up front.
It’s a minor detail since you are made aware of the cost of the 41 pages, but if you’re on a budget, it would be nice to know that option before you select and arrange 41 pages.
THE PHOTOBOOK ITSELF
Unpacking my Mixbook photobook was an experience in itself. As a photographer, I am particular about print quality, and Mixbook did not disappoint. The cover was striking, and as I turned each page, the quality of the paper stood out—it felt robust and luxurious.
The colors of my photos were reproduced faithfully, reflecting the care taken in the printing process. Opting for a hardcover added to the premium feel, making it resemble a professionally bound book.
The other options that I chose were 10″x10″ for size, Everyday Semi-Gloss and a Matte cover finish. It truly felt like a product worth more than what I paid.
Now, the photobook sits proudly on our coffee table in the living room. It’s not just a decoration; it’s a conversation starter and a beautiful reminder of our family trip to Lisbon in June 2023.
The physical experience of flipping through the pages brings back memories more vividly than any digital screen could. And ultimately, I think that’s the best thing about our photobook.
CONCLUSION
The entire process of creating a photo book with Mixbook was not just easy but genuinely enjoyable. The user-friendly interface meant that I could focus more on being creative, ensuring the end product was something my family and I would appreciate. It’s a service I would eagerly use again, not only for personal projects but also as a thoughtful gift for anyone who wants to remember a special occasion. With Mixbook, each photobook you create is not just a collection of photographs; it’s a curated gallery of personal history, a snapshot of time that tells a story in a way that digital media cannot match. If you’re seeking a creative way to preserve and showcase your memories, a Mixbook photobook is one of the best ways to do it!
