How to Choose and Order a Shutterfly Photo Book

Updated

Pick your photo book by first matching size and binding to how the book will be used, then choose a style, build it with Shutterfly's design tools, and check the current promo code before checkout. Shutterfly lists sizes from 8x8 up to 12x12, plus 11x14, and formats ranging from standard hardcover to premium flush mount albums. The right combination depends on whether you want a compact keepsake, a large display book, or a layflat album for full-spread photos.

Start with size: match the book to its purpose

Shutterfly's photo book lineup includes these listed sizes: 8x8, 8x11, 10x10, 11x8, 11x14, and 12x12. Use the intended display and page count to narrow the choice.

Size Best suited for Trade-off
8x8 Small keepsakes, kids' books, gifts Fewer photos per spread; less impact on a shelf
8x11 / 11x8 Everyday family books, year-in-review Portrait or landscape layouts only
10x10 Coffee table books, wedding and milestone books Square layouts need photos that crop well
12x12 Large-format display books, big events Heaviest and largest; takes more shelf space
11x14 Statement display books Least common size; check page-count limits before designing

If the book will sit on a coffee table or be shown to guests, 10x10 or 12x12 gives photos more room. For a child's gift or a small thank-you book, 8x8 keeps the project manageable.

Choose a style that fits the content

Shutterfly organizes photo books by theme, including Travel, Everyday, Family, Wedding, Kids & Baby, Disney, Celebration, Year In Review, and Coffee Table. Style affects layout templates and design accents, not the physical binding, so pick the theme that matches the photos you already have.

  • Year In Review: best when you have photos spread across months and want a chronological structure.
  • Wedding: pairs with the wedding album and guestbook options if you want a matched set.
  • Kids & Baby: smaller sizes and simpler layouts suit fewer, larger photos.
  • Travel and Coffee Table: designed for landscape and full-bleed images.

Decide on binding and format

Binding is the biggest quality and price decision. Shutterfly lists these formats:

  • Standard photo books: the default hardcover or softcover option for everyday projects.
  • Standard Layflat Photo Books: pages lie flat, so a single photo can span two pages.
  • Deluxe Layflat Photo Books: a step up from standard layflat, listed under "Most Loved."
  • Premium Flush Mount Albums: the highest-end option, listed separately under premium albums.
  • Custom Board Books: thick pages built for young children.
  • Guestbooks and Yearbooks: specialized formats for events and schools.

Choose layflat or flush mount if you plan full-spread photos or want a wedding-quality album. For a family yearbook or a gift book, a standard book keeps the project simpler and lighter.

Build the book with the design tools

Shutterfly offers a free 24-hour designer and a "Create Your Own Photo Book" path. The general workflow:

  1. Select size, style, and format from the photo books menu.
  2. Upload photos to the project; group them by event or date to speed up layout.
  3. Apply a template or start blank, then drag photos into spreads. Use full-bleed layouts only if your photos have enough resolution for the print size.
  4. Edit captions and page order, then preview the full book before ordering.
  5. Save the project so you can return via "Continue Your Latest Project."

Check the preview for cropped faces and low-resolution warnings; these are the most common reasons a printed book disappoints.

Check promos and shipping before checkout

Shutterfly's homepage currently shows several time-limited offers, including an extra $10 off a photo book order with code PBDEAL, up to 50% off almost everything with no code, and free shipping on orders of $99+ with code SHIP99. Promo codes and end dates change, so confirm the active offer on the deals page before you order. If your order is near the $99 threshold, adding a small item such as magnets or prints may be cheaper than paying shipping separately.

Common sticking points

  • Low-resolution photos: full-page and layflat spreads magnify image quality problems. Keep large photos to images that look sharp when zoomed in.
  • Size vs. page count: larger books hold more per spread but cost more per page; decide the page count before choosing 12x12.
  • Layflat expectations: standard books still show a center gutter; only layflat and flush mount remove it.
  • Promo stacking: codes like PBDEAL and SHIP99 may not combine, so compare the total with each code applied.

Once size, style, and binding are set, the rest is layout work. Start with the format that matches how the book will be used, then let the promo code decide the timing of your order.