When you’re searching for the best photo book maker, it helps to look at how independent publications evaluate different options. Many review sites test photo books by creating their own projects and comparing quality, design tools, and overall experience.
One recent evaluation from Travel + Leisure® highlighted Shutterfly for its flexibility, quality, and overall ease of creating photo books.
Here’s what their testing found and why Shutterfly stood out.
Travel + Leisure® Named Shutterfly the Best Overall Photo Book Maker
In its review of online photo book services, Travel + Leisure® recognized Shutterfly as the “Best Overall Photo Book Maker by Travel + Leisure,” highlighting its flexible creation options, high-quality materials, and intuitive design process.
Their editors tested the full creation process, from building the photo book to reviewing the final product, to evaluate both ease of use and overall quality.
Flexible Creation Options for Every Type of Project
One of the biggest reasons Travel + Leisure chose Shutterfly is the level of flexibility it offers when creating a photo book.
You can choose how involved you want to be with two different approaches:
- Design your photo book yourself using customizable layouts, editing tools, autofill, and suggested layouts
- Use the free 24-hour photo book designer service, where a designer creates your book for you based on your uploaded photos
High-Quality Materials and Print Results
Travel + Leisure also highlighted Shutterfly’s high-end materials and print quality in its testing:
“Travel + Leisure associate editor Anna Popp has used Shutterfly as her go-to for custom photo gifts for the past few years, praising the company for its high-end materials and excellent print quality.”
From paper types to cover options, you can choose details that match your style, including:
- Glossy or matte finishes
- Softcover, hardcover, or premium leather cover options
- Multiple page styles and thicknesses
These options make it easier to create a photo book that feels like a finished album, not just a collection of printed pages.
Designed for Different Types of Photo Book Projects
In testing, Travel + Leisure highlighted Shutterfly’s travel photo book templates and layouts, along with options for a variety of occasions.
With a range of sizes, layouts, and design styles available, you can create photo books for:
- Travel and vacations
- Weddings and events
- Family yearbooks
- Everyday moments
A Photo Book Maker That Balances Control and Convenience
Creating a photo book doesn’t have to be all or nothing. One of the reasons Shutterfly stood out in Travel + Leisure’s testing is its ability to support both detailed customization and faster, guided creation.
Whether you want to design every page or let tools and designers handle the layout, the process is built to adapt to your timeline and preferences.
Their testing ultimately found that Shutterfly delivers a strong overall experience, combining flexibility, quality, and ease of use in one place.
How to Choose the Best Photo Book Maker
When deciding on the best photo book maker, look for a service that fits how you want to create, whether that means designing every detail yourself or using tools that speed up the process.
A strong photo book service should offer:
- Flexible creation options
- High-quality printing and materials
- A range of templates and customization tools
- An intuitive, easy-to-use design experience
Travel + Leisure’s testing found that Shutterfly delivers on these qualities, combining creative control with a streamlined design process.
Travel + Leisure® is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Holdco, LLC, a subsidiary of Wyndham Destinations, Inc. and is used under limited license. Shutterfly is not affiliated with Wyndham Destination, Inc. or its subsidiaries.
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