Create custom photo books and albums

A photo book is a collection of photos, illustrations, or drawings arranged in different layouts and styles. Most photo books follow a theme or are based on an occasion or life milestone. Think wedding photo books, birthday photo books, vacation photo books, graduation photo books, or even baby photo books. A photo book is often created as a keepsake or given to a loved one as a special gift.

Photo books are made out of high-quality paper and ink in order to render beautiful images that last. Some photo books may also incorporate leather or metal covers. Canva prints on high-quality glossy or soft-touch paper, with either a hard-cover or soft-cover to pull your photo book together.

The difference between a photo book and a photo album is how the end product comes together. A traditional photo album resembles a book. When you make a photo album, you insert pictures or cards into compartments in an album specially made for photo-keeping.

However, a photo book is created digitally with multiple elements. Photos, layouts, scrapbooking elements, and text are added using an app or software and you can then print your photo book design how you’d like it.

The main difference comes down to each book’s binding and cover material. As its name suggests, softbound photo books are bound using adhesives, and the cover page is laminated. In comparison, the pages of a hardbound book are aligned and bound using an adhesive binding machine with the cover being image-wrapped.

Learning how to create a photo book is very easy. First, gather the photos you’d like to include in the book. Choose an online software or app like Canva to put the book together. Select the right size, format, and orientation. Then set the pictures, layout, and design. Design a cover and choose your paper. Once done, you can move on to printing your photo book. You can also download your design as a free online photo album you and your loved ones can access any time.

Some photo book software programs allow up to 1,000 photos per book, but most photo books contain between 50 and 100 images, with around 4 images per page. It will depend on the tools you’re using for the job, and how many photos you wish to include.

To check if photo book printing is available to you, visit What We Print⁠(opens in a new tab or window).

We always aim to partner with professional printers located as close to you as possible. For this reason, our print product catalog may vary depending on the country.

At Canva Print, we strive to deliver your photo book orders as soon as possible. The shipment of your order depends on the selected delivery type chosen upon ordering. 

• Economy delivery: Up to 14 business days
• Standard delivery: Up to 8 business days
• Express delivery: Up to 3 business days

All delivery times include a production time of 1-2 business days, not including weekends and public holidays.

Please note that shipping times vary between regions, and delivery to more rural areas may be slightly longer than to metro areas.

Check your print order status⁠(opens in a new tab or window) to see which one you selected.

Photo books printed and delivered through Canva are covered by our Happiness Guarantee. To see what’s covered by the guarantee, visit Canva Print order issues⁠(opens in a new tab or window).

If you have issues with a recently delivered print order, get in touch within 30 days of receiving it. Contact support about a print delivery issue⁠(opens in a new tab or window).

You can also get in touch with a print order you haven’t received yet. Contact support about an undelivered print order⁠(opens in a new tab or window).

Unfortunately, we don’t offer samples of our products right now.

If you’re looking to make a large order, we suggest ordering a lower quantity first to ensure you’re happy with the results.

No, we don’t offer layflat binding at this time. We do, however, offer PUR binding using a strong bookbinding adhesive. While your photo book may not lay flat initially upon purchase, over time its pages will relax and lay flat.

The One Print, One Tree initiative is just one of the ways we are making our printing solutions more sustainable, as part of doing the most good that we can through our Two-Step Plan⁠(opens in a new tab or window). So, how does it work? Simple: for every print order you make with us, we will plant one tree. For more information visit here⁠(opens in a new tab or window).