When you’ve made photo books before, you have your own rhythm. You know how you like to organize your photos, arrange your pages, and add the details that make each book special. An updated workspace can mean taking a moment to find the tools you’re used to reaching for.
If the Shutterfly photo book builder looks different since your last project, this guide will help you find your way around. Start with the quick reference below, then explore the sections that match how you like to create. You can get back to telling your story with your favorite photos and your own finishing touches.
Find Familiar Tools in the Shutterfly Photo Book Builder
Looking for a particular feature? This quick reference points you toward several tools you may have used in previous projects. Keep it handy beside your photo book as you work.
| What you want to do | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Open Storyboard | Select the Storyboard icon in the header. |
| Move the photo tray | Use its top-right icon to switch between left and bottom placement. |
| Import pages from another project | Open More above your book. |
| Align selected elements | Use the Align and Match menus. |
| Update text styles throughout your book | Open More, then Global text styles. |
| Open photo editing options | Double-click a photo. |
| Use a photo as a background | Open Backgrounds, choose a page or spread, then open Photos and drag in your image. |
Understand Your Photo Book Creation Options
Love designing every page yourself? Prefer a little help getting started? Make It Fast and Make It Manually now come together in one photo book builder, so you can use Autofill to get your photos onto the pages, dive into the details with advanced editing, or enjoy a little of both.
Choose the starting point that works for you and your story. If arranging each photo is part of the fun, start building your spreads yourself. If you’re eager to see your memories come together, let Autofill give you a head start, then spend time adding your personal touches.
Choose Your Photo Book Editing View
Want to look through your book as you create? Scrolling view lets you scroll through the pages to see how your story is coming together. If you prefer working in Storyboard, click the Storyboard icon in the header to open that view.
For those who love fine-tuning every detail, turn on advanced editing mode to keep editing tools within reach at the top of your workspace. Give your photos and captions a little extra attention as you make each spread your own.
Control Automatic Photo Book Layouts
Have your photos ready but aren’t sure how to arrange them? With Auto Layout turned on, your photos fall into a layout as you add them to a page. Once they’re in place, click Shuffle to try different arrangements and find your favorite.
If you already have a look in mind, turn Auto Layout off before arranging your spread. You can place each photo yourself and spend time getting the details just how you like them. It’s your book, so enjoy creating the pages your way.
Organize Photos in Your Photo Book Workspace
A big vacation or a year of family memories can give you plenty of photos to work with. Use the photo tray’s sorting and filtering controls to find the pictures you want, and adjust the thumbnail size for a closer look. You can also hide used photos to see what’s still waiting for a spot in your book or remove unused photos to clear some space in the tray.
Make yourself comfortable while you create, too. If you like having your photos beside your pages, keep the tray on the left. Prefer them underneath? Click the icon at the top right of the photo tray to move it to the bottom of your workspace.
Work With Photo Book Layout Details
Have a few photos or captions you want to adjust together? Hold Shift and click each element to select them as a group. You can then move, resize, align, or distribute them together as you get your spread just right.
When you find a layout you love, you can give it a place on every page. Open Page options and choose Apply this layout to all pages to carry the arrangement throughout your book. It’s a handy starting point for a coordinated look, especially when you want your photos to be the stars of every spread.
Edit Photo Book Text
The photos tell so much of your story, but a few words can bring back the details you never want to forget. Add a favorite quote from your little one, the name of that tucked-away vacation spot, or a caption that captures the moment. Edit text directly on the page or in the left customization bar, whichever feels more comfortable.
Want a consistent look for the text throughout your book? Open More, then select Global text styles to set fonts and type sizes across your pages. You can spend less time repeating formatting changes and more time telling the stories behind your photos.
More Help With Shutterfly Photo Book Creation
Our photo book creation tips and tutorials show you how to use the tools covered here, with video walkthroughs you can follow as you create. Keep your project open to try each step along the way. You can come back whenever you need a little help with a photo, layout, or finishing touch.
Bring your next chapter to life with the vacation highlights, family celebrations, and everyday favorites you’ve been meaning to print. Add the stories behind the photos and the details that make the book feel like you. Then enjoy sharing those memories, turning the pages together, and finding a favorite moment all over again.
Additional Resources:
