Like eating fruit or exercising, I know I should be doing it more often. But still, it’s hard to muster the enthusiasm when gratification is instant and served to you on a plate. Or to be more precise, via a backlit LCD screen.

I’m talking about printing photos. Or, rather, not printing photos.

At one time, whatever was created when the shutter fired had to be printed, made into a slide, scanned or viewed via a lightbox, to be seen. However, for well over a quarter of a century now, for most of us, that’s not been the case.

Digital got us closer to instant photography than instant print film cameras from Polaroid or, latterly, Fujifilm, Lomography or Leica, ever did.

But, because we can see our captures instantly, arguably a lot of the magic of photography has been sacrificed in favour of practicality.

Or, at least, for a long time, I’ve felt I no longer need to make photographic quality prints of everything. Over the past 20 years I’ve printed less… until I’m now at the stage where, bar the occasional spot of home printing, it feels odd to order a professionally produced print of anything.

And when I have, especially if shooting on film and needing to have a roll processed, I’m shocked at what it now costs.

But it’s not really about what it does or doesn’t cost – it’s simply that I’ve fallen out of the habit.

Perhaps it’s partly because we’re all so unrestricted in our photo taking in the digital age that I’m simply overwhelmed by the volume of images accumulated. If I were to start printing in earnest again, I wouldn’t know where to start. Or stop.

As it is, my once regularly produced print wallets stopped around 20 years ago – and even then, production was probably a hangover from my habitual behaviour when it was film, not digital, that was photography’s dominant medium.

I feel like only a massive shock would get me regularly printing photos again.

Something beyond even the erratic behaviour of my aged Apple Mac, which currently has the familiar loading bar stopping mid-screen as the system just ‘hangs’. Now, although I believe I have most of its files – including hundreds, possibly thousands of photographs – backed up, I’m not 100% sure.

And it’s only when I come to look for that one beloved photo and cannot find it, that I’ll wonder if it’s trapped on that dysfunctional drive and be irritated by the fact that I cannot quickly check.

If only I’d made a print of everything that felt valuable to me.

But the habit of printing has now turned into the habit of not printing.

And it’s a hard habit to break.

If you’ve similarly fallen out of love with printing photos, what would it take for you to get started again? Leave a comment below!

Check out the best places to get photo prints online – they probably cost less than you think!

Portable photo printers are trending – and among my favorite types are the printers that use not ink and paper, but real instant film. And Fujifilm has a new printer that levels up prints on film: The Instax Mini Link+.

The Instax Mini Link+, announced on January 13, is an update designed to better handle putting text and designs on instant film. I’ve tried out a handful of Fujifilm’s previous printers, including the Link 2 and Link 3, so I had to test out the new Link+.

Fujifilm Instax Mini Link+: Specifications

Fujifilm Instax Mini Link+ Review: Price

The Instax Mini Link+ retails for $169.99 / £129. That’s about AU$253 / CA$236. Availability is estimated for early February 2026 in the US and from January 28 in the UK. Pre-orders have already opened, including at B&H in the US and London Camera Exchange in the UK.

That makes the Link+ sit a bit higher than the Link 3, which makes sense, as the Link+ is designed to be a more high-end photo printer.

Fujifilm Instax Mini Link+ Review: Design and Handling

The Instax Mini Link+ design omits the curves of the Link 3 and returns to a boxier design with clean lines and a bit of an industrial feel. My first thought when I pulled it out was that the look reminds me a bit of an oversized ink cartridge. A pretty ink cartridge, perhaps.

The sides have raised lines with a bit of an art deco feel, the front has a small Instax logo and screws, and the back a matching logo. The design feels a bit more retro industrial than the bright colors and rounded corners of the Link 3.

One change I really love is that there are two loops that can be used to add a strap to the printer. A nice, thick wrist strap with a metal buckle is included in the box. This makes it easier to carry around.

Like with other Instax printers and cameras, loading the film pack is fairly easy. A door at the back opens the film compartment. The cartridge slots in the space; just match up the yellow on the cartridge with the yellow on the printer. Shut the door, the protective sheet will spit out, and you’re good to go.

The only controls on the side are the on/off button and a second button that checks the battery life by flashing a small light to indicate how much battery remains. On the opposite side, a small door opens to reveal the USB-C charging port.

Fujifilm Instax Mini Link+ Review: Performance

Using the app, the Link+ can spit out photos from your phone. This applies to both photos taken on the smartphone itself, as well as photos taken with a different camera and transferred to the phone, so long as they are JPEG, PNG, HEIF or DNG files. So yes, you can print photos from your Fujifilm mirrorless too (or your Canon, Sony, Nikon, etc., brand doesn’t matter here.) The printer can also pull stills from videos to print as well.

The app houses a few basic edits, as well as options to print with frames or collages. You can rotate, crop, choose from four filters, or add a bit of text. For the most control, you’ll want a dedicated photo editing app, but there are a few basic edits built right into the printer’s app.

An unusual new feature is that the printer can also print directly from Pinterest. This can be a fun way to post those inspirational quotes overlaid with a photo that are so popular on the social platform. The ability to print someone else’s photos may have some photographers irked with copyright concerns, though the small size does feel more like a thumbnail than a true print.

The printer’s most significant update is that it’s a bit better at printing out text than earlier models. Now, Instax Mini film is credit-card-sized, so the text does still have to be a fairly significant size to print. But, headline-sized text is nice and crisp.

The colors on the instant film prints also feel more true to the digital file than older Instax printers. The printer handles colors very well. That’s a great thing – though on the flip side, if you want your photos to look like retro instant film, you may want to add a retro filter first. The printer doesn’t get the same retro look as Instax’s cameras can.

There are some slight color changes due to using real film. One shot, for example, had a magenta tint to the clouds that wasn’t on the digital file. Printed photos also feel a bit warmer than the digital files, favoring a bit more orange tones.

Fujifilm Instax Mini Link+ Review: Verdict

The Instax Mini Link+ has the best print quality out of all the instant film printers that I’ve tried, including the Link 3 and Link 2. While there are a few changes going from digital to instant film, colors feel closer to the digital original, and both subjects and text are a bit sharper.

Of course, the better print quality means the prints don’t feel quite as retro as using one of Instax’s cameras rather than a printer. If it’s a retro look that you’re after, try an Instax camera over a printer.

The upgraded quality comes at a cost, however – the Link+ is priced a bit higher than the Link 3. If you want the sharpest prints or want to print text at all, the Link+ is the best choice. But, as someone who uses the Link 3 often, I don’t feel an overwhelming need that I have to upgrade when my old one is working just fine.

Pre-orders are open in the US with early February availability and in the UK with late January availability.

Fujifilm Instax Mini Link+ Review: Alternatives

You may also like

Browse the best portable photo printers or the best instant film cameras.

Every year, it feels like I always have someone on my gifting list that seems to have everything – and one of my favorite ways to get out of the I-have-no-idea-what-to-buy rut is to brainstorm custom gifts. While I love a good Etsy custom handmade item, my favorite way to create custom gifts is to give photo prints.

Gifting photographs doesn’t necessarily mean just handing over prints in an envelope. I’ve gifted engagement photo wall blocks to my newly-engaged brother, photo books to new moms, photo puzzles to puzzle fans, framed prints to family remodeling, and my parents have more than a new custom photo Christmas ornaments on their tree.

The trick to creating custom photo gifts, however, is that quality can differ from lab to lab. If you print your photos in the same place that you buy groceries or pick up prescriptions, you’re likely to get some unexpected colors, for example. As a pro photographer and self-proclaimed color nerd, however, I’ve found that some labs offer better quality than others. And, as Black Friday deals approach, the deals on photo gifts are steep.

Here are some photo print deals and custom gift ideas from my favorite high-quality photo labs.

Printique

Ships to: US, Canada

Printique is one of my favorite US photo labs because they have excellent colors, a wide selection of papers and the prices are still reasonable.

Gift ideas: I just recently ordered a photo book from Printique, and the quality was fantastic. They also have an excellent selection of wall art and even puzzles.

Mixbook

Ships to: US, UK, Canada, Australia

Out of all the print labs that I've used, Mixbook's app is among my favorites. Designing a photo book was incredibly simple and quick, and the final print quality is impressive. I recommend trying the lay-flat books, which have a lovely soft textured feel to the matte pages.

Mixbook has printing facilities on several continents, which means you don't have to pay for higher international shipping or face longer wait times.

Gift ideas: Mixbook is most known for its photo books and albums, but it also offers wall art, including metal and canvas prints.

Saal Digital

Ships to: UK, US (excludes Alaska, Hawaii, and Virginia)

Every time I've ordered something from Saal, I've been blown away by the final print's colors and detail. Saal Digital is a high-end lab with excellent print quality and a wide range of papers, plus most gifts only take 24 hours to print before shipping.

Gift ideas: I just ordered a wall calendar from Saal, and the quality is excellent. I also highly recommend the Pro-Line photo books. The print lab's custom photo gifts also include ideas from custom cutting boards to Lego-like building bricks featuring your photo.

Cewe

Ships to: UK

Cewe has a good balance between quality and price. I've ordered a photo book and calendar from Cewe, and the quality is quite good for the price point.

Gift ideas: Cewe also has a handful of unique ways to print your photos, including custom advent calendars, photo phone cases, plush and custom notebooks.

Chatbooks

Ships to: US, UK

Chatbooks specializes in photo books, available either as subscriptions or one-time purchases. I just gifted a Chatbook album with photos from my baby nephew's first year – and his mom really loved it.

Gift idea: If you don't already have the photos to put in an album, you can gift a Chatbooks subscription and enable the recipient to create a new photo book every month – which is a great idea for parents of young kids. Year-in-review photo books also make a great gift for grandparents.

Nations Photo Lab

Ships to: US, Canada

Nations Photo Lab is one of my go-tos because they have an excellent balance between quality and price. I order prints and photo books from Nations often.

Gift idea: I love NPL's selection of wall art and recently gifted some myself. They also have Christmas cards, ornaments, and other photo gifts.

You may also like

Browse the best Black Friday compact camera deals or the best Black Friday camera deals.

In an age dominated by Instagram carousels and scrolling feeds, it’s easy to forget the power of holding a photograph in your hands. That’s exactly why I have a passion for photography books, and why I’ve returned to making photography zines.

There’s something irreplaceable about curating a sequence of images, designing pages and creating a tangible object that tells a story on its own terms. Zines force you to finish projects, make editorial decisions and consider pacing, sequencing and scale in a way that no screen can replicate. They’re personal, collectible and deeply satisfying, in addition to expanding what photography can be.

For photographers, both emerging and established, producing a zine isn’t a vanity project; it’s a practice in storytelling, curation and self-expression. Whether exploring street photography, fine art or documentary work, a zine gives your images a home and a life beyond the conveyor belt grid.

I’m sharing five reasons why you should start making photography zines and why they might change the way you see and share your work…

1. Think in Stories, Not Single Images
When you create a zine, you’re no longer thinking about isolated shots. You’re sequencing images, and crafting rhythm, pacing and narrative arcs. Working in a series forces you to consider how one photo relates to the next, how visual tension builds and how the reader experiences your story from page to page. It’s an essential exercise for any photographer looking to elevate their practice beyond snapshots.

2. Share Your Work Authentically
Zines give me a way to present my work without the distractions or influences of social media. I can control the layout, sequence and even the paper quality; everything reflects my idea. There’s a freedom in creating a product meant to be experienced on its own terms, rather than chasing likes or algorithms. It’s raw, personal and genuine.

3. Engage With a Physical, Tangible Medium
Holding a zine in your hands is different from scrolling on a screen. The texture of the paper, the weight of the pages and even the smell of fresh ink all add to the experience. For readers, it’s immersive; for me as a photographer, it’s a reminder that photography isn’t solely digital but a real object.

4. Zines force you to finish something
Digital photography is inherently endless. Hard drives swell with 'maybe' images and folders labeled 'untitled project' grow dustier by the month. Creating a self-published photography zine demands that you commit. Even if your zine is ten pages or twenty, the act of finishing a tangible publication is invaluable.

5. Build Your Portfolio and Visibility
Finally, zines don't just have to be personal; they can be professional tools. They can be sent to galleries, used in portfolio reviews or even collected by other photographers. A well-made zine demonstrates commitment, vision and storytelling skill. It’s tangible proof of what you’re capable of and can open doors in the photography and fine art world.

Creating a photography zine doesn’t require a huge budget or fancy printing. Even a simple ten-page booklet produced at home, or through an online printer, can open new doors in your creative practice. For me, zines have become a place to refine ideas, experiment with storytelling and reconnect with the joy of photography.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, stagnant or overwhelmed by photography, start a zine. Even if just a small one for yourself.

you may also like

Check out our guides to the best photo printers and the best photo books.

What I see: Brooklyn Beckham is a photography book compiled by David and Victoria Beckham’s eldest son. It was launched in 2017 to mixed reviews – that is to say, it received more than its fair share of flak. And I’ve always hated that.

The fact is, anyone can publish a photo book, and everyone has the right to. Photography is a toxic-enough industry at the best of times, but did we really need to publicly lambast a 16-year-old photographer?

The thing that’s always troubled me most about the way the world received Brooklyn Beckham’s photography book is that he swiftly moved on from a potential career in the field. I’ve always wondered, did the reception to What I see put him off? I sincerely hope not.

I’ve never been able to fathom what people were expecting from Brooklyn Beckham’s photography book. It never professed to be a carefully conceived personal project by a veteran shooter; it’s a collection of family photos captured through the lens of a teenage boy. I’m a half-decent photographer, but the photos I took at 16 were utter crap. A lot worse than Brooklyn’s!

I tell you what I see when I look at Brooklyn’s work: a young photographer with a passion for photography who had so much room to grow. But the armchair warriors and internet bullies smelled blood, and they just couldn’t help themselves.

Part of the problem was Brooklyn’s much-talked-about shoot for Burberry. In 2016, the younger Beckham was invited to photograph a campaign for the luxury fashion brand – a move that was labelled as nepotism.

Granted, I find it difficult to argue against this particular situation. But I’ll say it again: what fashion photography-loving teenager would pass up an opportunity to shoot for Burberry? Surely those around Brooklyn should have foreseen the backlash; you can’t blame the then-boy.

I'm always happy to see a celebrity promote their passion for photography. In a world where a dedicated camera is no longer an everyday essential for the large majority of the population, inspiring a few more would-be-togs to pick up a camera is alright by me. Just think how many teens Brooklyn could have inspired, and would be continuing to inspire, if he’d continued his photography journey.

I just hope we – the braying photography public – had nothing to do with his decision not to pursue the art form as a career, for now. There's still time.

You might also like...

If you're into photography books, check out the best books on fashion photography and the best books on portrait photography. And for more of my ramblings: We are becoming desensitized to great photography.

When was the last time you printed your pictures? Whether you want to create a photo book of your summer vacation, a stunning print of your favorite landscape shot to hang on your wall, or if you're looking ahead to creating holiday cards and calendars for the holidays, your pictures deserve to be printed.

And right now, Saal Digital is offering an exclusive 25% discount on all photo products for Digital Camera World readers!

All you have to do is fill in this short form and you will be emailed a 25% voucher that's valid for 30 days. It can be redeemed on Saal's entire range of high-quality photo products.

The company is known for its photo books that are unrivalled in quality – great for your personal portfolio or gifting precious memories to loved ones. Hard or soft cover, with a huge selection of finishes and formats, the layflat binding enables you to lay photographs across double-page spreads for maximum impact without losing any of the image.

If you have a photograph that deserves to be seen, give it pride of place with a piece of stunning wall art. Saal offers all manner of shapes, sizes and finishes. Metal prints are lightweight, durable and boast high resolution; acrylics give great depth with a high gloss effect; GalleryPrint offers the highest resolution and sharpness; and you can't beat a classic canvas stretched across a wooden frame.

Do you want posters or fine art prints of your best or most beloved work? Whether it's for your portfolio or other prestige purposes, Saal Digital is a Hahnemühle Certified Studio – offering posters in an array of standard and custom formats on Hahnemühle Photo Paper and FineArt.

Perhaps you don't need anything fancy – you just want prints of your photographs in great quality for photo albums, scrapbooking, or gifting and sharing with friends. High-quality photo prints are offered in a multitude of formats and color-fast finishes, on Fujifilm and Hahnemühle paper stocks.

When it comes to gifting, Saal Digital has a huge selection of photo products that can make any occasion special.

For holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and occasions, design your own photo cards with your favorite imagery of family and friends – and with Saal's powerful design software (more on that below) there's no shortage of styles and inspiration to create the perfect card.

Photo calendars are also a great way to share and enjoy your imagery, whether it's a family tradition to start each year or you just want to reminisce over your cherished memories on your desk at work.

And there are countless other gifts that can be customized with your prizes photographs, from mugs and keychains to puzzles and photo bricks to coasters and cushions.

Why choose Saal Digital

So what makes Saal so special? Well, not all photo products and printing services are created equal. Trust me, I've used most of the major services – and I've received enough bad prints and cheap-looking gifts to know.

Saal Digital is a company that I've personally used and I've been truly blown away by the results. In particular, the Professional Line Photo Book I ordered – presented in acrylic and high-quality leatherette – takes pride of place on my bookshelf!

The quality of Saal's products is absolutely professional standard. And, unlike many other print companies, none of its products contain the company's logo – so you get a completely clean, unbranded item.

The design and ordering process is an absolute breeze. Using a computer offers the ultimate experience, as you can download Saal's bespoke software for Mac or Windows.

But you can also design your products in a web browser on your computer, tablet or even phone. Either way, creating and editing your designs is quick and easy while giving you plenty of options.

Once you've nailed your design and placed your order, production only takes a few working days so you get your goods in next to no time. No more waiting forever to see your images in print!

Just fill in this short form to receive a 25% voucher on any and all of Saal Digital's photo products, valid for 30 days.

When it comes to creative photography ideas, making a cyanotype print always makes me feel a little like I’m back at school – but in a good way. It’s practical, a bit messy, and you end up with something to take home. It’s also a great entry point into the world of printing and developing.

The cyanotype printing process dates back to the Victorian era where it was discovered by scientist and photography pioneer, Sir John Herschel.

It was adopted as a way to copy technical drawings – hence the term blueprint – but is perhaps most famous as botanist Anna Atkins’ medium of choice, for what would become the world’s first photo-illustrated book.

Today, it’s a simple and cost-effective way to try your hand at contact printing. And with the help of photo editing software, you can quickly convert and print a digital image as a negative on transparency film.

If you can’t print your own negatives at home, try using an online photo printing service or simply place objects (like flowers) onto the coated paper to form perfect silhouettes.

Cyanotypes are made using a UV-sensitive iron solution, and Fotospeed’s Cyanotype Process Kit contains everything you need to get started – including a ready-made bottle of sensitizer.

Make sure that you apply the solution in a dark room; you can use a red light source if you need to. Finally, make sure you wear adequate protective clothing, such as gloves and goggles.

Creative photography ideas: Make a cyanotype print

1. Negative vibes

Whether you’re using an online printer or you’ve decided to print at home, the first step is to convert your digital image into a negative. We loaded our photograph into Photoshop and selected Image > Adjustments > Invert.

The Burn tool was used to darken a few areas to help increase the detail a little bit. Remember, with negatives, darker areas will appear lighter when exposed later on. Once you've made your digital negative, you can either print it onto a sheet of transparency film yourself or send it off to a printing company to do it for you

2. Coat the paper

Set up in a dark room that’s free of UV light. Decant a little sensitizer into a container and use the supplied coating rods (or a paintbrush) to spread the solution over a sheet of Fabriano paper. Place this inside the Process Kit box to dry in the darkness. Repeat when applying the second coat.

3. A place in the sun

Place your negative over the dried Fabriano paper and expose it to natural light. Eight minutes is a good starting point in direct sunlight, but exposure times will vary depending on the intensity of the light. I placed my shot in a frame to ensure that the negative didn’t move, which could soften the image's edges.

4. Acidic solution

While your print sits in the sun, put on a pair of protective goggles and gloves then place 40g of citric acid crystals in a deep tray and cover them with a liter of water. Carefully mix the solution until the crystals have dissolved (this is for the next step). When your print is exposed, place it under running water for around three minutes to begin the development process.

5. Citric acid tray

It's now time to use the citric acid tray you prepared earlier. Gently place your print in the solution – it will need to stay here for about two minutes. We used a plastic implement to constantly disturb the print, ensuring that none of the liquid spilled over the sides of the tray. It’s imperative that you always wear gloves and goggles when working with harmful liquids.

6. Hang it out to dry

The final step is to place your print back under running water, but for six minutes this time. I’d then recommend hanging your print to dry for 24 hours, before placing it under a few heavy books to flatten out any crinkles that might have developed. The shadows and highlights will intensify during the drying process, leaving you with a rich, blue cyanotype print.

Quick tip!

If you’re unable to obtain or print a digital negative, why not take a leaf out of Anna Atkins’ book? The botanist – and arguably first female photographer – is famed for using cyanotypes to document plant life. By following the steps here, but placing a plant onto a coated piece of paper instead of a negative, you’ll make perfect cyanotype silhouettes.

You might also like...

If you're into creative photography ideas, big up background blur in your photo portraits using the Brenizer bokeh-rama effect. Also, here's how to get creative with your old photographs in Photoshop. And if you're looking for the best Photoshop alternatives, check out Affinity Photo 2.

Until a few weeks ago, I thought that the 'photo album' was a thing of the past. The real physical one, anyway. In my day-to-day life I have plenty of shared photo albums on my phone, but it has been a long time since I looked at a truly hand-assembled collection of images, and I’d forgotten – or perhaps never really understood – their power.

What changed my mind? Let me set the scene. It was only minutes after I’d arrived at my family home with my girlfriend. It was her first visit to my childhood home and my parents

Suddenly, things took a turn. My mother shared a meaningful glance with my father, who left the room – weird enough – before returning brandishing a wedge of card pages totaling some four inches thick, bound in chunky hardback. It was a family photo album.

I was already uneasy. This is a rare enough social situation, and I was already feeling phrases like “Tell us about the time you two first met…” take on the tone of interrogation.

The presence of a photo album, however, pushed that discomfort to extreme horror as I anticipated the near-inevitable mortification contained within. Could my relationship survive? Was this their plan?

A few minutes later, though, we were paging through dad’s photos – caught on his Pentax SLR, for the most part – from a single family holiday from the late 1990s. Suddenly my only worries were how infrequently I changed my Weezer t-shirt back then. It started to seem like a nice way for my parents and my girlfriend to bond – and I could feel my cringe gland (science fact: this isn’t a thing) start to relax.

It helped that the photos revealed I wasn’t quite the physical wreck I remember myself being at that age. Rather than running for the door, my girlfriend seemed to delight in the pictures and the stories they triggered.

As we continued, I started to truly admire the amount of effort my dad put into the creation of this album. This single album represented just two weeks of my family’s life (albeit significant ones – the first time I’d been on a plane, and the first time I’d travelled outside Europe). Each page had captions and all the photo prints seemed well preserved given their age.

It was my father who got me interested in photography in the first place, and his care for it had clearly continued into the manual art of assembling the album. I had started to appreciate it was something of a lost art, somewhere between scrapbooking and publishing.

A week or two later and I found myself helping my girlfriend's mother get a photo album from the cupboard at her family home.

This time, though, there were no nerves – at least on my girlfriend's side! Perhaps it's her natural confidence, perhaps the fact she has been writing about herself in major publications for years, or perhaps it was the confidence inspired by seeing photos of me as a youth (it's probably the second one), but in any case we devoured an album of yellowing but charming images from many years before my trip to Boston and New York.

Now I will say that we did have to do a bit of re-assembling. It's impressive that the protective film seemed to have survived, but after a few decades it looked like time to fix things down with the best glue for scrapbooking.

My main takeaway, though, was just how nice the tactile experience of turning the pages of a physical photo album was. Seeing the captions. Talking it through with relatives.

I'd been scared of them and, I realise, I don't make them at all. Unless it's work, I tend to take photos with my phone, and I either just dump photos into albums myself or – more and more – trust the phone's AI to handle that for me.

That's a tragedy. It is, still, relatively joyless, in my view, and without love. Sorry Gen Z, a few emoji don't cut it!

Flicking and swiping on a screen with a narrower viewing angle (whatever the manufacturer claims), leaving finger smears, or grinding through an app on your TV will never be quite the same, or demand the same mix of skills.

Photography should, sometimes, be tactile, and I'd urge you to remember that – if you take photos to document your life – remember to share it. IT's part of the wider experience and, years later, it will be worth it.

You might also like

See how to make the best photo albums, and check out the best glue for scrapbooking. You can, of course, try the best photobook services. (or the best photobooks in the UK).

If you're feeling there is a commercial market, or a charity, why not try something like the Covid Street project – successfully published using Amazon's tools.

When it comes to printing photos, it's so important to support brands that are committed to sustainability and environmental conservation. And it is our responsibility to make sure to work with providers that don't ignore the environmental impact of their products, and how their production process is influencing our planet.

Holding your work in physical form in your hands is always a highlight. It not only gives you a reason to sift through your archive of digital photos, but also enables you to add a creative twist by highlighting specific elements to showcase your photographic skills.

But how can you tell if a brand is sustainable and supports environmental conservation?

One way to identify such brands is by looking for an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certificate. FSC approval means it meets the highest environmental and social standards, and confirms that the paper is made of responsibly sourced wood fiber.

A reputable provider will also be transparent about production methods and printing materials, so check if a Sustainability Report can be found on the brand's website.

As a market leader in Europe, Cewe is a great example when it comes to environmentally friendly printing and product creation. It offers a variety of products for any occasion and budget – making it easy to find high-quality and green options to showcase your photography.

Cewe works with a photographer-approved print process, with over 90% of the digital printing paper being FSC-certified. You can find the company's Sustainability Report here.

Let's take a look at five products that give us the chance to relive our past photo successes in physical form.

Square photo prints

Square prints are a modern way to showcase your images, giving them an Instagram feel in physical form. Cewe prints on FSC-certified 300gsm paper with a textured matte finish, which is perfect for the creative use of your photos.

Jigsaw puzzle

The jigsaw puzzle range is Cewe’s most sustainable product – it is produced with environmentally friendly, water-based printing technology and is FSC-certified. The manufacturer also offsets unavoidable CO₂ emissions that occur during production through certified climate protection projects.

Wood photo prints

You can do more than simply print your photos on standard photo paper. Why not print your subject on sustainably sourced wood, giving it an eye-catching appearance on a sanded and textured surface? This technique is perfect for showcasing black-and-white, monochrome or high-contrast photographs.

Photo wall calendar

Here's the most popular choice of photographers. Cewe’s calendar is made with FSC-certified paper, which comes from sustainable forestry. There are plenty of paper options to choose from, ranging from Fujifilm premium photo paper to matte, high gloss and recycled. The latter has a thickness of 250gsm and a silky, semi-matte surface.

Photo magnets

Turn your favorite photographic moments into beautiful keepsakes with magnets. This little product is also perfect for customers, for example, when you are a wedding photographer and want to create a stand-out piece, like the first kiss of the newlyweds.

You might also like...

Check our articles centered around Earth Day, for example, about how to make money from photography in an eco-friendly way, or look at 5 green website hosts to reduce your environmental impact.

The world of fine art printing has always been a pursuit of depth, tonality, and longevity. For decades, silver gelatin prints have been the gold standard for black and white photography, prized for their rich contrast, deep blacks, and almost ethereal glow in the highlights.

Yet, as digital photography has evolved, so too have the materials we use to produce prints. Enter Hahnemühle's Photo Rag Metallic — a paper that may very well define the next era of fine art printing. With its high-gloss metallic finish and 100% cotton base, it offers a unique fusion of tradition and innovation, delivering an aesthetic that echoes the best qualities of silver gelatin while adding a contemporary twist.

For black and white photography, this paper is nothing short of a revelation. The metallic sheen subtly amplifies tonal transitions, allowing highlights to shimmer without losing detail. Deep blacks retain their richness, standing out against the reflective surface to create a sense of depth that traditional matte fine art papers often struggle to achieve.

Much like a silver gelatin print under a gallery spotlight, Photo Rag Metallic reacts beautifully to lighting conditions, allowing photographers to craft images that feel almost luminous. It is, in many ways, a modern take on a classic process—one that does not seek to replace the past but rather reinterpret it through new technology.

Beyond black and white, the paper’s ability to enhance color photography is equally compelling. The metallic sheen adds an almost three-dimensional quality to vibrant hues, making it particularly effective for images that rely on bold contrast or striking detail. Skin tones remain natural yet luminous, water reflections seem to shimmer, and chrome or metallic surfaces in a scene take on an almost tangible presence. This is a paper that does not simply display an image but interacts with it, elevating photographs from flat reproductions to dynamic, eye-catching works of art.

What sets Photo Rag Metallic apart is its ability to maintain a fine balance between archival quality and contemporary visual appeal. Unlike many glossy or metallic papers, which can sometimes feel synthetic or overly processed, this stock retains the soft, tactile presence of a true fine art print. It remains acid- and lignin-free, ensuring longevity without sacrificing visual impact. This makes it an excellent choice for gallery exhibitions, collectors, and photographers who want to push their work beyond traditional paper stocks without losing the integrity of the printed image.

The question then arises: Could this be the silver gelatin of the digital age? While no paper can truly replicate the chemical magic of darkroom printing, Hahnemühle's Photo Rag Metallic offers something that feels equally transformative. It merges the best of both worlds — the archival qualities of fine art cotton paper with a finish that recalls the depth and luminosity of silver gelatin.

For those who once relied on the magic of film but have since embraced digital processes, this paper provides a bridge between the past and the future, keeping the spirit of classic printing alive in a new and exciting way.

Photography has always been about evolution — of techniques, of tools, and of presentation. Just as silver gelatin revolutionized black and white printing in its time, Hahnemühle’s Photo Rag Metallic has the potential to redefine how photographers approach their final prints.

Whether used for monochrome masterpieces or vivid color compositions, this paper challenges the boundaries of traditional printing, proving that the future of photography does not have to abandon its roots to forge something new.

Check out some of the other best photo papers for inkjet printers, and the best photo printers

Gen Z is bringing back “retro” digicams with single digit megapixel counts – but a recent study suggests that young adults are also more likely to print photos than other generations. 

A recent study commissioned by Haven, a UK-based holiday park brand, suggests that young adults between ages 18 and 27 print two times as many photographs compared to older generations.

The poll, which included 2,000 participants in the UK, revealed that around 43% of Gen Z, or young adults between ages 18 and 27, regularly print images. Only five percent of Boomers, which currently covers those between age 60 and 78, that participated in the study said they regularly print out their digital images.

The Gen Zers participating in the survey, on average, print images around four times a year. But the study looked at more than just printing the images – the numbers suggest that around 19% of people rarely look over their digital photos. 

That means roughly one in five people don’t really browse through those old digital photos. Like with the prints, the generation most likely to ignore the images on their digital devices are those aged over 65.

While Gen Z is the most likely to print photos, on average, Millennials have the most images on their camera roll, with an average of 2,574, according to the survey. About 42% of those surveyed said they have physical prints of the trips they have taken.

Is the trend for retro cameras encouraging more people to print their images? I hope so. The Haven study contrasts with a survey conducted in 2015 by the Professional Photographers of America that suggested that 67% of people stored images exclusively in a digital format.

Those two studies aren’t a direct comparison, with one based in the UK, one based in the US and 10 years between the two. It’s also worth noting that the PPA survey polled photographers and the Haven study the general public.

There’s not enough data to say with any confidence that more people are printing images than a decade ago – but I certainly hope that’s the case. I hope the trend for using a dedicated compact camera rather than a smartphone leads to more physical prints. Photographs deserve to exist beyond digital pixels.

You may also like

Ready to get those digital images off your phone and into real, physical prints? The best photo printers make it easy. Not convinced? Well, you could at least consider getting those images displayed with the best digital picture frames.

In recent years, mobile photography has skyrocketed in popularity, standing confidently alongside traditional DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. What’s driving this development? The compact size, lightweight design, and unmatched practicality of smartphones have made them the go-to choice for many, including a growing number of professional photographers who are embracing mobile photography as their primary medium. Beyond their convenience, these devices have transformed into powerful platforms for AI applications, harnessing their mobility and extensive user base, comprehensive application ecosystem, and powerful processing capabilities. 

Leading the charge in emerging markets is TECNO, a trailblazer in innovative technology recognized globally. With a presence in over 70 countries, TECNO is on a mission to revolutionize the digital landscape with professional-grade features - From smartphones to smart wearables, laptops, tablets, gaming gear, and smart home products. So whether you're a mobile photography enthusiast using smartphones for creative shots, a professional photographer leveraging advanced equipment, or a global consumer capturing everyday moments, TECNO's advanced mobile cameras empower you to capture the world in stunning detail.

This year, TECNO took a giant leap forward by establishing a joint AI Laboratory with  MediaTek, focused on developing technologies that maximize their mobile camera photography and video experiences with AI-powered enhancements. By exploring large models, connectivity, AIGC imaging technologies, and AI voice assistants in various minority languages, TECNO aims to create practical AI that integrates smoothly in emerging markets.

This commitment fuels their drive to push boundaries and pursue excellence. At Future Lens 2024, TECNO made waves by unveiling three revolutionary AI-powered imaging innovations that set their mobile cameras apart: 

1. TECNO Image Matrix (TIM): A fresh approach to imaging that redefines possibilities, blurring the lines between professional photography and mobile imaging
2. EVS Dynamic Shot Technology: For capturing vibrant moments with dynamic precision
3. Tap Any Zoom Dual Prism Telephoto: Experience zooming like never before, bringing distant subjects up close and personal without image quality compromises

What is TECNO Image Matrix—TIM? 

The TECNO Image Matrix (TIM) is an advanced "brain" for AI-powered imaging, designed to enhance photo capturing, processing, and sharing through an innovative "1+N" strategy while fostering personalized creativity. At the heart of TIM lies its groundbreaking TECNO Algorithm Process Stack (TAPS), which serves as a core foundation for advanced imaging capabilities. TAPS facilitates swift and effective algorithm processing, enabling the seamless operation of the four major imaging engines. 

AI RAW: Enhances clarity, sharpness, and color in low-light and backlit conditions by utilizing advanced RAW domain processing. Here TECNO stands out by excelling in multi-skin tone backlit scenarios. The AI RAW computational photography engine is designed to ensure maximum retention of RAW data, while the aid of AI NR boosts dynamic range. It achieves seamless end-to-end HDR output when combined with XDR displays.
AI SNAP: This feature allows customization for local snapshot scenarios, enabling extremely fast captures powered by AI-enhanced computing. The outcome is the ability to capture instant shots of fleeting moments without any delay. To achieve this, TECNO has redesigned pipelines to facilitate improved image processing.
AIGC Studio: The AI Creative engine sparks creativity by expertly breaking down image components and generating a large library of essential materials through advanced machine learning on extensive datasets. It utilizes generative algorithms that rely on robust AI models, which necessitate significant computing power, achieved through the optimization of the software architecture on the imaging platform.
AI UT: This feature automatically optimizes skin tones to capture true-to-life beauty by using the most comprehensive and precise multi-skin tone spectral database available in the industry. It focuses on restoring skin tones while allowing for customized settings tailored to specific scenarios. Additionally, it includes advanced portrait beautification, enhancing the authentic display of the rich diversity of human skin tones.

The synergy of TIM's four engines streamlines the image-processing workflow, enhancing both efficiency and quality in image capture and post-processing. This innovation simplifies the processes of shooting, editing, and sharing content, encouraging personalized creativity and expression. Image processing units, algorithms and AI-driven imaging engines enable new and optimized mobile imaging application functions: AI Shooting Quality, Portrait Master, Video Master, AI Snap and AI Image Studio. These applications, for example, allow for tailored multi-skin tone configurations that cater to local user preferences for hairstyles and makeup. Furthermore, AI-trained models for intelligent removal tasks are expertly designed to align with the unique characteristics of local architectural styles. 

How hardware support enhances TIM and your image quality:

EVS Dynamic Snapshot

This AI-powered imaging technology revolutionizes mobile photography, particularly in action and sports genres. Unlike traditional cameras that capture pixels frame-by-frame, TECNO combines conventional CMOS sensors with DVS high-frequency circuits to capture the entire motion path of a subject. 

This innovative EVS Dynamic Snapshot technology overcomes the limitations of traditional snapshot methods and the light intake constraints of compact cameras, enhancing the ability to capture motion. TECNO employs EVS pixels to record motion data and utilizes high dynamic tracking to intelligently lock onto moving subjects. By leveraging the motion data provided by EVS, the RGB camera effectively manages motion blur, enabling the creation of sharp, full-frame images of fast-moving subjects.

Tap Any Zoom Dual Prism Telephoto

Telephoto photography presents several challenges that need to be mastered, not only when using smart devices. TECNO has addressed issues such as focusing difficulties, frequent blurriness, and limited options for re-framing with their AI-powered imaging technology, which features a Tap Any Zoom Dual Prism Telephoto system. As the name suggests, this technology utilizes a dual prism design with a wide swing angle, intelligent AI algorithms, and lens-shift optical image stabilization. The stabilization is particularly crucial as it supports to balance of external vibrations, making handheld shooting with this telephoto system more convenient and effective in producing crisp and clear images.

By simply double-tapping on the subject of interest in the 1x/0.6x scene mode, the mobile camera instantly zooms to an optimal level of up to 30x. This allows for fast and precise framing, enabling you to follow your visual goals without needing to minimize your distance from the subject. In comparison, TECNO’s technology makes it possible to capture images with up to 14 times the zoom of a standard and often heavy 125mm lens, offering greater flexibility and perspective on the go. Additionally, the long-range scanning function combined with a 400MP pixel auto-assembly ensures high-resolution imagery, while the telephoto sweep function stitches full-frame shots together without causing optical distortion. 

Redefine your mobile photography experience 

The imaging innovations presented at TECNO Future Lens are transforming the way we experience mobile photography - whether you are a mobile photography enthusiast, professional photographer or global mobile imaging consumer. With the TECNO Image Matrix structure, you can now create stunning, high-quality images using a lightweight and flexible mobile camera. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities for capturing diverse genres, subjects, and framing styles, making it easier than ever to blend professional and mobile photography. 

As a result, it contributes to the democratization of photography, delivering fresh perspectives, enhanced creative freedom, and the opportunity to produce professional-grade photographs with a smartphone lens. 

“Stop At Nothing” - TECNO’s vision of becoming a leading AI-driven technology brand 

TECNO is a frontrunner in AI-driven technology with the recent introduction of its AI-powered imaging capabilities. This initiative is part of a broader vision to incorporate AI across multiple areas, ultimately enhancing everyday experiences and empowering users. During the Future Lens event, senior executives highlighted that this is merely the beginning of their journey, aiming to establish TECNO as a benchmark for intelligent technology that enhances daily living. TECNO’s goal is to create an ecosystem where technology, art, and life intersect, providing users with exceptional photography experiences and professional-grade outputs.

TECNO’s cutting-edge technologies are already empowering us to engage with mobile devices like true professionals. With exceptional customization and accuracy, they significantly enhance our imaging experience while expanding the array of photographic genres we can explore.
One of the standout features is the clarity achieved in low-light and backlit conditions through RAW domain processing and AI Noise Reduction (AI NR). Many conventional smartphones struggle with capturing vibrant images in these challenging lighting situations, often resulting in grainy or overexposed photos.
Additionally, the AI SNAP feature facilitates local snapshots for street photography, enabling lightning-fast captures. Standard mobile devices may experience delays, causing users to miss spontaneous moments. In contrast, TECNO's rapid capture technology ensures that every fleeting scene is preserved with minimal lag, making it ideal for dynamic environments.
The multi-skin tone configurations allow for a more inclusive photography experience, as they recognize and enhance various skin tones, something that many mobile photography devices overlook. TECNO's extensive multi-skin tone spectral database, combined with AI-driven models for intelligent removal tasks, elevates portrait photography.

Moreover, motion blur is a common issue in fast-paced photography, and many mobile devices struggle to perform well under these conditions. TECNO addresses this with an enhanced dynamic capture effect enabled by Electronic Video Stabilization (EVS), producing sharp, clear action shots. Finally, when it comes to zoom capabilities, the difference is evident. Many mobile devices exhibit poor zoom performance, resulting in unclear or pixelated images at increased distances. In contrast, TECNO's Tap Any Zoom Dual Prism Telephoto system offers a significantly enhanced zoom effect, allowing for crisp, detailed shots from afar.

It is the curse of being a photographer, that everyone gives you camera-related gifts. The trouble stems from the inevitable truth, that my children and friends are not going to buy me that new fast lens that I have been thinking of getting - or fork out for a new set of studio lights. So, based on years of experience, what I am likely to be given is a novelty mug shaped like a lens.

I quite liked the first one I got given – in fact it is still on my desk at home as a place to put my pens and pencils. But I certainly never needed two, or three, or four…

But yesterday, when browsing the V&A gift shop in London, I found a novelty gift for photographers that I actually would LOVE – and it has gone straight on my list of suggestions to give my kids when the eventually ask me what I'd like for Christmas this year.

The Kikkerland Camera Pencil Sharpener is a retro gift that takes me back to two different periods of my past life. It looks like the twin-lens reflex film cameras that you could still buy from Yashica and Rollei when I first started writing about photography.

But the function of this device also reminds me that of the pencil sharpeners that were in every classroom when I was in school. If the tip of your pencil broke, or went blunt, you'd insert in this meat-grinder-like contraption and turn the handle until it has a point again.

The Kikkerland sharpener (which sells on Amazon for under $15 / £15) behaves in the same way as the ones of my childhood - with a clamping mechanism to hold the pencil, a handle to turn, and a draw to catch the shavings. However, the design has been improved so you decide just how sharp you want your point. Using a grinding mechanism rather than a blade, the device stops sharpening once your chosen point shape is achieved. Back at school, you could keep turning the sharpening until the pencil was sharpened to a mere stump... such childish behavior is not possible here.

If my gift wish comes true, I will have a set of super-sharp pencils in my lens mug come the New Year!

The Pirelli Calendar, now known as The Cal, is infamous as a symbol of elite photography and a platform for commentary on modern culture, and the 51st edition has just been unveiled.

The 2025 edition was shot by renowned fashion and portrait photographer Ethan James Green and features an array of well-known contemporary figures including John Boyega, Hunter Schafer, Padma Lakshmi, and Vincent Cassel. In keeping with previous iconic editions of the calendar, Green plays with nudity and explores what beauty means today.

Above: The behind-the-scenes video of The Cal being made

For only the third time in the calendar's history, the photographer Ethan James Green also places himself as a subject, enhancing the message and this year's core project concept of 'celebrating the body and the self'. Green says, "I put myself in the Calendar because the only person I could tell to be completely nude was myself".

Each Pirelli calendar is shot with a different concept and this year's title is Refresh and Reveal, celebrating both self and body by revisiting the classic beach shoot. The beach shoot is a nod to the origins of The Cal, however, Green revisits the approach 'delivering a collaborative, multi-dimensional meditation on the nature of beauty today'.

Speaking on this year's concept Green says, "We're calling it Refresh and Reveal. It's a refresh because we're going back to the beginnings of the Calendar and updating it, and a reveal because we're returning to this idea of showing skin, which is one way of capturing someone's true self.”

Above: A gallery of official shots from the Pirelli Calendar 2025

Each model is represented by two photographs, one on the beach or in the ocean taken in color, and the second a black and white timeless studio portrait. Green took inspiration from previous Pirelli Calendar photographers Richard Avedon and Herb Ritts and their approach to creating photographs that stand the test of time.

Green says, "They [Avedon and Ritts] really captured the person and created beautiful timeless images. That was a big part of what I wanted to achieve with my Calendar: to create something people can look back on in 20 to 30 years time that isn't going to feel dated and hopefully will be referenced in the future. The world has changed so much since the last time Pirelli had a really sexy Calendar. I was excited to explore how we see beauty now and who is considered beautiful within the classic Pirelli Cal arena – in the studio and on the beach".

You can, however, see more of the project on the official Pirelli Calendar website.Pirelli has launched a 'making of' trailer for the calendar on its Youtube channel which gives a fantastic behind-the-scenes look at how the project was created, and as a photographer, of course, I was focusing on the gear and the lighting setups!

If I'm not mistaken, it appears that the newest Pirelli calendar was shot with a Canon EOS R5, and for at least some of the beach images, an 85mm Zeiss lens. Although the Canon R5 is a fan favorite here at DCW, it's no longer Canon's flagship mirrorless camera, proving once more, that it's not just about the gear!

The calendar is only produced in limited quantities, exclusively presented to celebrities, commercial partners, and clients of Pirelli, therefore getting your hands on one will prove rather difficult. You can however see more of the project on the official Pirelli Calendar website.

Check out our guides to the best Canon cameras and Canon RF lenses.

I've just realized that film photographer, designer and Instagrammer, David Hennen, (AKA @twostopsover) has created a dual-format film camera, from scratch! And honestly, I'm mighty impressed.

Almost a year ago, David revealed he was designing a camera that could switch between medium-format film sizes, 645 and 6x9, without changing the lens or film back and using the same roll of 120 film.

The inspiration for his ingenious idea was the legendary Hasselblad XPan, a 35mm camera that could switch seamlessly between the standard 24x36mm and a panoramic 24x65mm frame size, via the same roll of film.

The plan was to 3D-print the camera body. He even posted some CAD designs to show how it was progressing. This isn’t David's first rodeo, though. He says it’s based on a 6x9 camera he 3D printed a couple of years ago.

It took a whopping 43 hours to 3D print the camera, but David identified some design changes he needed to implement, so he had to print the whole thing again... from scratch. The designer’s Instagram stories shed light on the process, where he states: “I still wanted to assemble it [the failed first attempt] so I can see how it would look in the end. Removing the supports was a pain in the ass though.” And indeed, footage shows David toiling away at the 3D-printed body to ready it for its assembly.

The second attempt proved right on the money. I particularly like the wood veneer he added to the camera, giving it a touch of premium class, à la Leica or Hasselblad. The finished article has two viewfinders to accommodate the dual-format design and the lens is a Komura Super W 47mm f/6.3, which isn’t easy to come by. When shooting in 6x9, the equivalent focal length is 21mm. When shooting in 645, the equivalent focal length is 28mm.

I think the finished camera is rather fetching. It definitely has a unique charm, and most importantly, it works! Make sure you check out the embedded Instagram Reels to see David’s incredible dual-format creation in action.

Do you relish the tactile nature of film photography? You might be interested in the best film for 35mm cameras and the best light meter for photography.

"RapidBlues is a photography and social media project that reflects my passion for both my profession and for photography. Since its inception a few months ago, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the rapid success and support it has garnered, revealing a larger community of ambulance enthusiasts than I had initially imagined. 

My interest in photography began at the age of 14 and it has been a constant in my life ever since. I find photography both relaxing and enjoyable, and I continually challenge myself by learning new techniques and drawing inspiration from other photographers. Over the years, I’ve experimented with various cameras, from film to digital, and I’m particularly impressed with the advancements in digital photography. The capabilities of editing tools such as Photoshop, which have evolved significantly in recent years, continue to amaze me. 

Due to the nature of my work, all my ambulance photos are taken on my iPhone and then edited using both Photoshop and Lightroom. I enjoy pushing the limits of what a smartphone camera can achieve and I’m often impressed by the quality of the results. I have a particular fondness for night photography and working in low-light conditions, as I believe these settings often produce more compelling images.

This particular shot was taken at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, where I aimed to capture the essence of my profession and the atmosphere of the hospital. The Bristol Royal Infirmary provides a striking backdrop for many of my photos, which I like to describe as  ‘organized chaos.’ Find me on social media pages to see more captivating ambulance captures and to follow the progress of the project."

Tech details

Camera: iPhone 15 Pro Max
Aperture: f/2.2
Shutter speed: 1/100 sec

Art photographers now hold the power to publish their own work, and there are good reasons to – even someone previously published and exhibited in Parliament and the Saatchi Gallery can find that they face an uphill struggle when they present something that challenges the art world's sometimes negative assumptions – but there are solutions!

It's hard to imagine why a photographic ode to the simple glory of wild birthing – a series which has won two awards – wouldn't be of interest. It is controversial (there's a nativity setting) and there is no AI going on; this is real photography.

Natalie Lennard – with a number of works under her name, including two books published internationally by major publishing houses, found that her latest project – Birth Undisturbed – was, at the very least, going to suffer a pretty slow process. 

In her opening salvos for her recent projects with major publishers she tells me that it wasn't unusual to hear that publishers are "Busy for the next few years." Add a publishing cycle to that (anything from six to 18 months, in my experience), and an art project might well have moved on, so you can see why Natalie Lennard would look to a self-publishing service like Blurb.

"You get complete control – as fast as you’re willing to work. That’s huge for me because I want to seize the moment to promote my projects when I'm in the heat of passion for them. Years later, my energy will likely be centered on something else."

It's also true that it's possible to start with something physical if you're aiming to reach a wider world.

All of which explains why Natalie has self-published her own book of Birth Undisturbed (indeed many books that start this way are eventually picked up by smart commissioning editors at traditional publishers) showcasing the series with breathtaking close-ups from the 100MP camera she shot them with. Using Blurb has allowed her to list the book on Amazon, which she has found from no other print-on-demand company that also offers its own design software.

Lulu, a more cost-efficient platform that provides a template for users to create their book in InDesign, doesn't currently allow Natalie's 134-page art book Surreal Fashion to be placed on their Global Distribution program – for now, limiting it to Lulu's own bookshop.

Her Birth Undisturbed book made on Blurb is pricier, even more so after adding Amazon's commission, but she's offered two sizes both on Premium Lustre paper and is upfront to her audience about the reality of costs in 2024.

"I won't bullshit – the price of my book on Amazon is eye-watering" she admits, but "This is just what it costs in 2024 for an independent." To be fair, it seems price-competitive with some of the best coffee table photography books, where it's fair to say it's harder to find a "beautiful birth philosophy and the insights of an artist who's long given up being a pretentious prig."

You can see Birth Undisturbed on Amazon.com, or UK readers are better off checking  Blurb.

If your creative interest has been piqued, you can look into building your own book using the Blurb platform; you can keep them for yourself or give them as gifts as well as publish more widely.

Full disclosure – I've worked with Natalie (I was one of those professional publishers, before my time at Digital Camera World), so I can say just how good her books were, and I know just how well they sold – in multiple languages. I can also understand why modern print-on-demand holds so much more appeal for a working artist – who wants a book to come out years after your photo series was taken?

See our guide to the best photo books, if you fancy taking your first steps in self-publishing

Leading photo book brand Mixbook has introduced a new feature called Mixbook Movies, which generates a video of your photo book, enabling creators to share a preview of their books while awaiting the arrival of the physical product. It's ideal for those who tend to leave buying their Christmas gifts to the last minute, allowing them to offer a meaningful gift without the stress of wondering whether it'll turn up in time.

Once a user completes their photo book purchase, Mixbook's AI-driven platform automatically creates a video using the photos from the book, providing customers with an instant way to share their memories.

Mixbook already produces some of the best photo books around, and this innovative new feature will no doubt make its products even more appealing.

The Mixbook Movie can then be further customized with just a few clicks, adding music, text and cinematic transitions. Once the movie is finalized, users will receive a unique link to share with family and friends. For a limited time, Mixbook users can get a free Mixbook Movie with every photo book purchase.

The software used to create the books, Mixbook Studio, will also see a series of upgrades in the run-up to the holiday season. New personalization tools include: Story Maps, ideal for plotting locations alongside images of your travels; Stickers, such as emojis, that can be overlaid onto images; AI-driven photo enhancements to ensure images are as crisp and clear as possible; and AI-generated captions, with a new Rewrite feature that adjusts the tone of captions to better express emotions. Clever stuff indeed.

No portfolio, no experience. No experience, no portfolio. It’s a vicious cycle that can feel impossible to break when you take your first steps into the photography industry. 

Once you’ve decided you’d like to make a career out of your photography, you will soon realize that you need image examples to attract your first clients. However, many of these prospective first customers will want to see a proven track record of your work before commissioning anything significant from you. So how can you break the cycle and create a pathway for yourself that leads to a job in professional image-making?

Working for free is one method many are drawn to in those formative months, the rationale being that clients will jump at the chance to receive images they didn’t pay for, while you get shots to add to a portfolio. It’s certainly a viable option, but it’s important to be aware that you might not always be met with the enthusiasm you expect. You also need to make sure you target brands that will truly benefit the portfolio you hope to create. 

Let’s look at some more precise methods you can put to use today that will not only help bolster your image library but also build meaningful new relationships with a promising client base.

Shoot to a theme 

Decide what kind of professional work you’d like to focus on and try to apply a stylistic approach to all the images you shoot. Define your creative style, from subject matter to post-processing workflow and favoured colour grades. These can then be used to align any images you create, personal and professional, in how they look and the character they convey. This is useful as you can effectively back-date your professional experience when you do come face-to-face with potential clients. Even if you haven’t shot exactly what they may hire you for, you can show them more generic images from your personal portfolio that could reflect how you would approach their brand. A landscape or family portrait you took for yourself five years ago could still be used as evidence of your skills today.

Shoot what matters

If you can’t immediately attract clients, be proactive and work out how you can capture some images to get the attention of prospective customers. If you want to shoot products or commercial imagery, collect some products you can shoot at home in your style, working hard to encapsulate the branding of the target manufacturer or retailer. Pick four or five related brands. You can then send these unsolicited images to the appropriate companies to show how you have approached their items creatively and that you understand their brand identity. By shooting what matters to your clients, you work around the lack of an extensive list of former customers because you have shown that you can work with them.

Partition free content

We all have to shoot for free at some point and there is nothing wrong with doing this if it benefits you in the long-term. However, you can put off prospective clients if you undersell yourself at the outset, as this can suggest you aren’t confident in your abilities. Clients aren’t interested in training you as a photographer, they just want great content. This is why it’s best to pitch any free or reduced-rate work as an introductory offer. Be honest about your intentions, explaining that building a specific image portfolio is currently more valuable to you than a full commission fee and that this is a one-time arrangement that could benefit both parties.

Put the client in charge

Cold-calling or walking up to a potential client can be an intimidating prospect and is often met with limited success. A better way to create opportunities for professional introductions is to ask for a favour – request the use of a space to shoot in, ask to borrow some products to photograph or enquire about using products as props. This is a less direct approach that won’t make it feel as though you are canvassing for business. It allows the client to feel in control of your relationship and helps them to understand your intention of building a professional portfolio. Not only can it supply you with images and opportunities for future work but it also illustrates your style and personality.

Make separate portfolios

Early in your career, you might not know exactly what areas you want to focus on, which can make capturing thematic or subject-specific work challenging. If you are in doubt, keep your images generic or, more effectively, maintain discrete portfolios for each type of image. 

Set up different social media accounts for portraits and products, for example, or avoid mixing editorial-style shots with narrative wedding photography. These varying genres will often require opposing processing styles and compositions so, once you do get some images to show clients, make sure you are only demonstrating the type of work they want to see.

Catch up on our career features

Digital Photographer magazine has regular features on professional photography and navigating the business side. Get your back issues here.

If you're going to shoot professionally, you might be interested in the best professional cameras – along with the best cameras for wedding photography and the best cameras for portraits. 

David LaChapelle's iconic two-book series, Lost + Found and Good News, are back in print after ten years – but you might have to hurry, as these will be the last printed editions!

LaChapelle's psychedelic pop art style of photography has graced the covers of many publications such as Vogue, Rolling Stone and I-D. A modern-day provocateur, his work is often a topic of debate among photographers – but there is no denying his unique artistic talent, and these coffee table books are a prime example.

Lost + Found and Good News are the final two installments from LaChapelle's extensive five-book anthology, which began in 1996 with LaChapelle Land, and continued with Hotel LaChapelle in 1999 and Heaven to Hell in 2006.

The fourth book in the series, first printed in 2017, Lost + Found featured over a decade's worth of unseen work from the photographer's creative revival.

LaChapelle describes the book as offering a bridge into paradise and the sublime, which is done by many famous muses playing roles in meticulously crafted sets.

It includes a who's who of stars including Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian and Miley Cyrus, who you may already associate with this style of imagery. However, Julian Assange, Chris Rock and Ben Affleck may not be, and they also play a part.

Good News, also originally published in 2017, follows in the footsteps of Lost + Found and provides the concluding installment. The style and aesthetic continue in the same kitsch manner, but more religious iconography is included in this installment – alluding to LaChapelle's wider narrative of the anthology.

"Good News follows David LaChapelle’s creative renaissance as he surrenders to contemplations of mortality, moving beyond the material world in a quest for paradise," says publisher Taschen.

"Featuring a monumental curation of images, it is a sublime and arresting new body of work that attempts to photograph that which can’t be photographed."

The books are certainly a pair, exploring an extraordinary 30 years of surrealist kitsch-pop fashion photography. Lost + Found offers a stunning visual comment on our times, while Good News brings LaChapelle’s narrative to a more personal and introspective close.

Lost + Found and Good News by David LaChapelle are published by Taschen and they are both available now for $50 / £40 each (Australian pricing to be confirmed).

Taschen also offers a limited run of 500 Art Editions, which includes both books and three prints each signed by David LaChapelle. This edition is available for $2,500 / £2,000.

You may also be interested in our guides on the best coffee table books, the best books on fashion photography, and the best camera for portraits.

As a photographer running a business, it can be quite a challenge to keep in touch with existing clients while attempting to attract new customers. However, it is crucial to maintain existing relationships, which will help you earn repeat business from previous customers and demonstrate your versatility by showing off the full range of your services.

To run a successful photography business, it is not enough to reach out to the general population; you also need to target specific individuals. This is where personal contact comes in handy. 

One of the best ways to stay in touch with your clients is by sending out a newsletter. This can be a good tool to keep your clients updated on your latest projects and services. They are also a great way to showcase your work and keep your clients engaged.

While digital files could be one way to approach this, printed products can take your work to the next level. In today’s digital world, printed products offer something different, adding a more personal touch to your photography business.

Create a portable mini-portfolio

Capture your creativity and showcase it in a unique way with a Hardcover Mini Leporello. This innovative product allows you to create a mini portfolio and store your best work safely and securely. The smart design and leporello layout (a type of parallel or concertina fold) make it the perfect tool to show potential clients the whole range of your work in one document. 

Websites and Instagram accounts may be run-of-the-mill, but a Hardcover Mini Leporello is a stylish way to showcase your skills and leave a lasting impression. Take some to trade fairs or exhibitions and let your work speak for itself.

Eye-catching presentations

A mini leporello with a soft cover is a great and stylish way to present your services. It is perfect for combining visual work and important information in one place. The mini leporello format lets you present your images alongside written text, giving a refined and sophisticated look without seeming too commercial. 

It’s also lightweight and easy to send to clients who are interested in finding out more about your services and pricing or simply lay them out around your studio for visitors. The mini Leporello layout is suitable for events that require text, such as wedding invitations – the shape and size give it an ornamental and high-quality look.

Expand your service 

If you have a photo shoot scheduled for an engaged couple or a newborn baby, why not ask your clients whether they would like special invitations printed for the forthcoming wedding or the baby’s first birthday? 

Offering customised invitation cards featuring the images you are taking anyway means you can provide something truly unique. With this, you earn more income for minimum effort, while your customers will appreciate the convenience of crossing another task off their to-do list. Not only does this save your clients time, but it also ensures they receive top-notch print and paper products.

Send a ‘thank you’ note

After completing a project or shoot, sending a personal note in the form of a card is a thoughtful way to show your appreciation for the work. However, designing these cards from scratch can be challenging as you want to choose images that will make the card stand out. 

It is important not to overload the card, instead, choose one highlight photo and one or two supporting ones. Many photo finishers offer an online configurator that allows you to effortlessly customize the cards to your taste, including the format, text, images, and type of paper, giving you a preview of the end result.

A thoughtful reminder

Consider sending a postcard to previous clients to remind them of your past collaborations, especially when planning upcoming photography sessions. The classic postcard size is 10x15mm (4x6in), but some providers offer a larger size of 13x18mm (5x7in). 

The beauty of a postcard is that it doesn’t require an envelope and your photography is immediately visible when it enters the recipient’s mailbox. It’s a thoughtful reminder that may eventually end up on a fridge or office noticeboard, where friends and colleagues can see it.

Read more
Best photo calendars
Best photo cards
Best photo printing online  
Best photo albums 
Best wedding albums
Best greeting card software

The preservation of printed images is not only important on a personal level but also for museums worldwide that rely on them to educate society on bygone times. However, time can take a toll on old photographic prints, making it a challenge to see the subject in detail and original colour. 

Generally speaking, black-and-white prints have a longer lifespan than colour ones – this is because most colour processes use dyes on different standards that fade at different rates over time. Often, the blue colour layer fades faster, creating tints after just a few years. For instance, prints from the 1950s tend to have a red tint, while photographs taken in the 1970s will often now feature a yellow tint.

Technology has evolved, including print processes, materials and paper quality. However, the three main enemies of conservation, namely light, moisture and air exposure, can still cause fading. So it’s time to consider both short-term production and long-term display and adopt a future-proof approach to retain the original impact of your photo prints.

Print materials

Select archive paper 

Even the best ink won’t prevent your images from fading if the paper is not up to par. Standard paper, for instance, absorbs ink poorly, which can compromise the quality of your images. However, professional-grade paper such as 100% cotton or acid-free paper is designed specifically for image archiving and helps to maintain the integrity of your prints. Some popular and long-lasting choices in this category include Kodak Professional Endura Premier Photo paper and Fujifilm Fujicolor Crystal Archive Super Type PDN.

Use pigment-based inks 

It’s crucial to choose the right ink to slow down air exposure fading. This oxidation process is inevitable and causes colour reduction over time, but by opting for high-quality pigment-based ink, your prints will last for around 200 years. Pigment-based ink provides sharper details, a wider range of colours, and ink particles suspended in a clear resin that decelerates the fading process. In contrast, dye-based ink is known to fade after a mere 25-30 years.

Handle & Store

Reduce ink degradation 

After printing, let the ink sink first, so that it can settle and firmly bond with the paper. Leave the prints to dry in a low-dust environment first. Here, the drying time will depend on the combination of ink and paper used. Before touching the prints, wash your hands thoroughly or, even better, use cotton gloves. These are affordable and make a big difference in preventing the transfer of degrading solvents onto the printing paper. You can purchase cotton gloves in most art shops or online stores, such as icanFRAME.

Acid-free storage

Simply storing prints in the attic or basement increases the risk of moisture damage and fading. To keep the prints in optimum condition, store them in a climate-controlled and dry area that is neither too hot nor too cold. Protect the prints further by wrapping them in acid-free tissue paper, available in most art stores, and storing them in classic paper boxes. Avoid dyed and recycled boxes, instead, choose acid-free or lignin options for maximum protection.

Prevent light fading

UV light, also known as ultraviolet light, is undoubtedly one of the biggest enemies of photo prints. Over time, it causes washed out colours, reduced saturation and misted shadow areas. UV-protected framing glass can help prevent this issue. When displaying framed photos, it is strongly recommend that you choose a location with no direct sunlight shining on it. This is also the reason why flash photography is typically not allowed in art galleries or museums, as this strong light could damage the often old and delicate artworks.

As much as we love our digital world, we can’t help but feel nostalgia for the days of prints. However, the lifespan of your prints depends on the type of material used, with the external environment often accelerating the ageing process. 

Digitizing photos has many benefits – not only does it save the existence of your photos, but also opens up new perspectives and ways of handling your images. Converted to digital form, post-processing becomes possible. The quality can be optimized, with yellowed or faded colors corrected – new software can even repair physical damage to the originals!

Digitization makes it possible to include old photos in your digital work, with one of the biggest gains being the ability to duplicate your material. Now, your old images can easily be shared on social platforms and made accessible to a wider audience.

Kodak Slide ‘n’ Scan

Equipped with a 14MP sensor, the Kodak Slide ‘n’ Scan film scanner is compatible with 50mm mounted slides (135, 110, 126), color and black and white negative film (135, 110, 126). Continuous loading and user-friendly features make the scanning fast and easy. Check results on the LCD screen and save scans to an SD card or transfer them directly to your computer. With the built-in editing functions, you can optimize the scans by adjusting RGB levels and brightness. See other recommendations for the best film scanner.

PictoScanner

Use a phone or camera to digitise 35mm film. The cardboard box is easy to set up and a built-in LED backlight shows you when the negatives are ready for scanning. Place the phone, open the PictoScanner app and capture the film – the file is saved to your photo library. To create high-res scans, set up your camera on a tripod over the negative. Use a remote shutter release to avoid blurred results.

Epson scanner

With a scanner like the Epson Perfection V600 scanner, you can not only scan prints, 35mm color and mono negatives or 35mm slide positives, but also 120/220 medium format film. In addition to the maximum scan resolution of 12,800dpi, automatic modes, such as multi-framing ensure high-quality scans. Thanks to digital ICE for print and film, scratches, dust or tears are automatically removed. After scanning, photos can then be enhanced with the included ArcSoft PhotoStudio software. See alternative options for the best scanners for documents & photos

Google PhotoScan

Using a smartphone camera, this app achieves glare-free scans of glossy prints.
The ‘automatically remove and reduce’ features make it possible to capture the photo from an ideal angle. The app gives instructions and guides you through the process. A total of four different scans are created, focusing on four individual points. From this data, one final image is automatically generated.

Online service

If you’d prefer someone else to do the work, you can have your material digitized by professional online services, such as UK-based Each Moment; in the US, LegacyBox runs a similar by-post scanning solution. 

These services not only convert photographic material to a digital form but also tapes, cine film and audio media. Before your material is digitized, intensive preparation including dust removal ensures the best quality results. Your media is sent via a tracked collection and, once converted into digital files, the original media will then be securely returned to you.

• The best slide viewers: the easy way to rediscover your old slides

Physical photo printing is on the rise according to Fujifilm who reported an impressive 8% increase in in-store photo printing at the House of Photography shop in London's Convent Garden. One of the reasons for the sudden surge is down to the installation of Photo by Fujifilm Kiosk which boasts Fujifilm’s East Print software. 

Fujifilm is already renowned for producing some of the best instant cameras, but now the Japanese camera manufacturer responsible for the popular Fujifilm X-T5 and Instax Mini 12 is on a mission to make photo printing more accessible. In June 2022, the House of Photography store strategically repositioned four of its self-service print kiosks in one of the world's busiest tourist and leisure sites.

More than 35,000 photos have been printed since, and Fujifilm credits this success to the prime location of the kiosks within the store plus an escalating desire among consumers to transform digital memories into tangible prints for personal use and gifting purposes.

• Not near a Fujifilm store? The best photo printing online services let you print images out online and have them delivered to your home

The Photo by Fujifilm Kiosk combines efficiency and cutting-edge technology, allowing customers to effortlessly print single images directly from their smartphones, eliminating the hassle of ordering photo prints online. With no wait times or delivery fees – and a reduced chance of sending the wrong file – it provides Fujifilm the opportunity to offer instant and affordable prints to their customers, regardless of whether they have a Fujifilm camera. 

Theo Georghiades, General Manager of Imaging Solutions at Fujifilm UK, expressed enthusiasm for the positive response to the new technology: “We have developed some excellent technology in recent years which makes it easier than ever to access printed photos. The latest data from our House of Photography store proves the value of printed photos and their recent renaissance as customers look to print more photos, offering significant opportunities for retailers to enhance their customer offering.” He also highlighted the user-friendly interface and in-store customer service support have made the kiosks such a success. 

Earlier this year, Fujifilm announced plans to transform the stores of its independent retail partners to align with the new Photo by Fujifilm branding. In addition to the success of the kiosks, Fujifilm recently launched the Scribbler Lite kiosk – a wall-mounted display giving retailers access to over 2,000 greeting cards to suit any occasion. 

With 2024 approaching, Fujifilm remains dedicated to enhancing the consumer experience by encouraging more retailers to offer in-store photo services. With the resurgence of interest in printed photos, Fujifilm aims to make these services even more accessible on the high streets.

Already have a Fujifilm camera? We round up the best Fujifilm lenses perfect for shooting everything from bird and wildlife to sports and fashion

In a world of digital media, images can lie forgotten on hard drives or in the cloud. However, a photo book not only gives your images the appreciation they deserve but it can also make your work stand out, especially with clients. 

When creating a photo book, it is important to prepare carefully. The wrong paper, layout or poor-quality images can all have a huge impact on the overall effect of your work. With the right plan and provider, these challenges can be overcome and you can create individual photo books with character that showcase your photographic achievements.

A photo book serves several purposes that will advance your photographic work. Firstly, it is great to be able to offer one to your clients, who will have a physical product in their hands. On top of that, it is an ideal tool to show potential clients your various photographic skills and technical qualities in a way they can easily visualise.

1. Create a plan

Choose a project that you want to bring to life and select images that illustrate the concept. When showcasing an event, it is best to tell the story chronologically. To create the sense of a flowing story, choose a combination of key images showing both the action and detail shots. This will provide the viewer with an overview and also evoke feelings. When making a photo book of an event or celebration, concentrate on photos showing key people or close family and friends to keep your clients happy.

2. Choose a provider

Pay attention to the materials you use. Select the cover and the type and thickness of the paper to maximize the overall look and feel of the book and give it a pro finish. To create a photo book with character, it is important to check how customisable the settings of the layout are, as this is where your work will stand out from the crowd. Providers such as Mixbook or CEWE are ideal, as they offer a selection of basic layouts that can be easily customized to your particular taste. See other options in our guide to the best photo books.

3. Design the layout

Decide on the format of the photo book to maximise the impact of your photos. Sometimes, this decision is obvious as some genres such as landscape photography are dominated by specific formats. Most online providers feature a drag-and-drop system so you can easily adjust the layout and add an individual touch. Be careful not to try and cram too many photos on a page and work with negative white space to keep the spread focused on certain aspects.

4. Highlight hero images

Hero images are the key to emphasising special moments. To make them stand out, place them so that they fill the whole page – the viewer can concentrate on one subject and also have a visual break when leafing through the book. If printed in landscape format, make sure the subject isn’t placed in the centre of the image as the gutter of the book will break it up. If this is the case, consider cropping the original image until it fits.

5. Add some text

Depending on the theme or event of your photo book, consider adding some text to the images. This could be on a professional level with, for example, technical information, or you could add a few words for an extra emotional layer. Wedding photographs, in particular, may benefit from a few sentences to add a personal touch. Classic fonts are timeless, and more creative typography can underline the mood of the book. Make sure to integrate the text in a meaningful way so that it does not distract from the photos.

In photography, capturing the perfect shot on your camera is only half the battle. Post-processing and preparation for print can take lots of time and effort. 

However, many photographers overlook the importance of the printing material used. This is a missed opportunity, as providers such as WhiteWall offer countless varieties of materials that add a unique touch to the final product. Each material has its own effect on the appearance and durability of the photograph, allowing certain factors to stand out.

It’s important to consider which type will enhance the appearance and durability of your photos. Taking the time to choose the right material will impress customers and set you apart from the competition. The best photo printing services often offer configurators, which allow you to test different materials and their effects in real time.

Printing on unusual materials will also add a special touch that benefits your customers, showing attention to detail and commitment to quality. Overall, this will offer your photography business a way to stand out and differentiate itself from competitors, while offering your customers a higher-quality and more personal product.

Metal

Printing photos on metal such as aluminum is a top choice for producing premium photo prints. The metal gives your images a contemporary feel while also ensuring long-lasting durability to prevent any fading or deterioration of colors. For exhibitions, aluminum is a great lightweight option that’s easy to transport and display, making it perfect for showcasing your photo works in any space.

Forex

Forex is the ideal lightweight and durable material. Those aspects make it the perfect choice for showcasing your work in areas that are prone to high levels of moisture, such as bathrooms or kitchens, without any quality damage. The material is scratch-resistant and easy to clean, ensuring that the photo remains intact for years to come. Its matte finish impresses with a contemporary and frameless look.

Acrylic glass

Presenting your photographic work behind acrylic glass provides a high-quality, modern and polished look. This surface brings out the colors in your images particularly well, giving them a 3D-like appearance. These prints are also highly durable and resistant to fading, ensuring that the print quality lasts for a long time. With this method of printing, you will achieve a frameless and elegant display that places all the emphasis on the photo itself.

Wood

Printing your photos on wood is a great way to achieve a distinctive, rustic look that is currently in vogue. The natural grain and texture enhance the photo’s depth and character while showcasing the natural beauty of the wood grain. The intricate patterns of the wood grain seamlessly blend with the image and add a unique and artistic touch to the print.

Canvas

Canvas prints aren’t unique, of course, but they remain a great way to add a classic touch to your photographic art. This material provides a textured and dimensional look that traditional photo paper prints can’t achieve. There are many options to choose from, including matte or glossy canvases, and you can customize your canvas with a made-to-measure floater frame and wraparound or even mirrored edges. See our guide to the best canvas print services.

Mixbook has just announced a significant update to its mobile app, introducing groundbreaking machine learning technology. This innovative feature scans photo metadata, effectively categorizing and grouping photos based on the stories they tell. The update aims to simplify the photo curation and book-making process, enabling customers to spend less time organizing and more time making memories. 

So many of us use camera phones to capture some of our favorite memories, but no matter whether you shoot on a mirrorless camera, a DSLR or even an action camera, it’s a shame to keep those phones hidden away. Creating a photo book is a great way of creating tangible memories or even giving as a thoughtful gift. 

• Check out the best online photo printing services perfect for individual prints you can frame

Mixbook's latest update will automatically curate your recent photos into albums, grouping together photos taken in the same area or over the same weekend. Some of the albums it made for me included 'Trip to Plymouth', 'St Patrick's Day' and 'Animal Friends on Valentine's Day' (still trying to work out if that’s extremely sad or kinda funny). It then enables you to select the specific photos you want to use, or you can opt for the photos the app recommends based on their quality and similarity. 

Once you’re happy with your selection, you can choose which book design you want and the app will automatically fill in the pages. While this does save a lot of time, the chances of it getting things perfect are unlikely. I ended up having to go through the book and edit pictures to make sure they fitted the layout and weren’t cropped in strange places. 

I actually found this step to be a little bit tricky; it’s not that easy to move the images around and, when they are confined to a certain area, you can’t see the entire image. It inputs portrait images into landscape spaces and, on a few occasions, it selected a portrait image for an entire double-page spread, so all you could see was a tiny cross-section of the photo. 

This also meant that the image would’ve been way too zoomed, and it’s highly likely that the print quality would be low (it does pop up with an exclamation mark to warn you of this). When you’re happy with image placement, you can add text, shapes, stickers, and borders to make your photo book really unique. 

David Newhoff, chief product officer at Mixbook, highlighted the company's focus on addressing three key issues: lost memories, disorganized photos, and the effort required to create meaningful stories. 

"The app's incredibly intuitive machine learning tools give consumers their time and memories back," he stated. "This empowering technology enables users to effortlessly create meaningful and nostalgic photo books from the convenience of their mobile devices."

As much as I want to agree, I think if I was going to create a photo book I would still opt to do it on my desktop or laptop rather than on my phone. However, you can switch between the mobile app and the website to create your photo book – which is very helpful for uploading photos from your phone and arranging them exactly as you wish. 

 Of course, if you don’t have access to a computer, then the Mixbook app does make it a lot easier and faster than most photo book creation apps – but you might find yourself getting a little frustrated making it perfect. Photo books start from around $9.99 / £15.99 and increase in cost depending on size and number of pages. But you do get 50% off your first order when you sign up so it's definitely worth it!

If you enjoyed this, also check out the best selfie sticks that will help you take amazing selfies and group photos

When you think of Hugo Boss, you think of traditional high fashion – not a tech-driven company that's looking to use 3D imaging to improve workflow. In actual fact, though, Hugo Boss has the drive to become the biggest tech-driven fashion platform in the world. 

The fashion giant recognizes that 3D imaging and 3D technology will play a big part in its global plan going forward – which is why it is using Adobe's Substance 3D, and has up to 500 staff working in the 3D space. You can see more about its integration of 3D imaging in the video below.

While more traditional brands come up with new season lines with mock-ups in fabric, Hugo Boss is using the 3D design software from Adobe to design the company's next hot season must-haves. 

This has reduced the number of physical samples the company makes by 30%, cutting out costs and helping the environment. And it also enables the design team to come up with new and funky designs that may or may not be chosen, with the only thing at cost being time – not carbon footprint on materials used or transported.

"We started very early on this working with the designers and pattern makers," said Nora Lauffer, team lead at 3D Experience & Immersive Tech at Hugo Boss. "The transition from the traditional design and classic way of doing things to this 3D digital approach has been tremendous, with much more room to think and what we want to do this season."

Because of this new way of designing, the team at Hugo Boss has seen an increase in the workflow of its design team by 80% – and is creating better products because of it.

“Innovation has always been important at Hugo Boss and in the fashion industry as a whole. The most important thing in fashion is how a design makes someone feel," adds Sebastian Berg, VP of Business Operations Excellence. "So, we aim to surprise our customers and tell a unique, interesting story with our brands. Today, this is possible through embracing 3D and immersive technology."

As we go into a more technological age, where 3D imaging becomes a new normal, it is clear that within the fashion industry, even though computing power is needed to generate and work with these 3D models, it's still helping to reduce fashion brands' environmental footprint. It also enables collections to be more interactive for customers, something that was not possible with traditional methods of design. 

If this has been interesting, read more about the best 3D scanners, best 3D printers or discover the best cameras for product photography.

A matt cutter is an essential tool for professional picture framing – creating a card window with a bevelled edge that frames your photo, drawing or painting within a frame. This cardboard mat, also known as passepartout, will give a sophisticated look to your picture, as well as creating a protective buffer between the artwork and the glass. So even if you're selling or gifting it without a frame, it will still look attractive.

So what's the best mat cutter to buy? Well, it partly depends on what you're looking for. The cheaper type of mat cutter is handheld and simple. However, pricier models include extra features such as a work surface, a metal rule, and other tools to help you make more precise and accurate cuts, at a 45° angle for the window of the mount. Some models will also provide a 90° cutting blade for the edges of the mount. With both types, it is wise to use on a cutting mat, so as not to damage your work surface or the blade.

The Quick List

The best mat cutters 

Best pro mat cutter

If you're using a mat cutter as a professional photographer, artist or interior designer, you'll benefit from moving beyond cheap, handheld mat cutters, and investing in a more sophisticated kit that can help you achieve greater precision and accuracy. Our favourite right now is the Elite 450-1 Artist Mat Cutter.

Firstly, it has a 40-inch cutting capacity, making it suitable for large-scale projects. You get both a straight cutter and a pull-style bevel cutter, giving you a lot of flexibility in the types of cuts you can make. And you can ensure your cuts are super-accurate, thanks to a number of handy tools. These include a squaring bar to ensure your mat board is held square, a parallel mat guide which makes it easy to mark your borders, and two production stops to ensure you don't overcut your mat board.

That all might sound complicated, but this mat cutter is surprisingly intuitive and easy to use in practice, so even a beginner can use it. The main downside is the high price, which means that it's best suited for professional use.

• Back to the top ⤴

Best-value mat cutter

If your use of a mat cutter is more semi-pro than pro, you might want to spend a bit less than our number one choice above – in which case, we'd recommend the Logan Graphics 301-1, which you can use to make cuts up to 32 inches in length.

To keep your mat board in place and help you achieve precision cuts, you get a base board, a hinged guide rail, a start-and-stop indicator, and a parallel mat guide. There's also a push-style beveled cutting head as well as straight cutter, with three depth positions to choose from. Overall, this is a great way to achieve pro-level results at a relatively affordable price.

• Back to the top ⤴

Best budget mat cutter

Short on cash? This budget buster is a great choice for making cuts in your mat board. Made in Japan, the simple, easy-to-use device has a non-slip rubber base, to help prevent your ruler being nudged as you cut. The high-quality blade, made from chromium and tungsten added carbon tool steel, is lovely and sharp. It also retracts when not in use.

Beyond that, it doesn't really have any clever features, and you do need to apply a bit of pressure to make successful cuts. But overall, it does the job well and offers excellent value.

• Back to the top ⤴

Best handheld mat cutter

If you want to use a handheld mat cutter, this is our top recommendation. It features a pivot-and-pull blade, which makes for straight and clean cutting, and the handle is ergonomic and comfortable to hold. Plus there's a marker bar system with pencil lead, which makes it quick and easy to mark up your mat board for cutting.

There's also a blade slot to prevent your blade from bending mid-cut. A start-and-stop indicator guards against you going too far with your cuts. And you can adjust the depth of the blade, which means you can also use it to cut photos, craft paper, foam board, and more.

• Back to the top ⤴

Best high-volume mat cutter

This board-mounted cutting system is pretty similar to the Logan 450-1 (above), number 1 on our list; both for example, cut matboard up to 40 inches long. But this one is more expensive... so why buy it?

Well, one advantage is that it has a full 32-inch squaring arm, which makes right-angled cuts on large mats a lot easier. Another is that the alignment guides are more securely attached, so they're more likely to stay in place over time if you do a lot of cutting. A third is that it can cut glass, plexi and other materials – as well as giving 45° and 90° cuts to the mat.

These are pretty subtle differences, though, so for most pros we'd still recommend the 450-1. If, however, you're cutting at high volumes and are finding the accuracy of your 450-1 is wearing out, you just want to the larger squaring arm, or you need to cut other materials, it may be worth the extra spend. A larger 60in version of this cutter, the Logan 760-1 (see at Amazon), is also available if you want to do even bigger mounts.

• Back to the top ⤴

Mat cutter jargon: what you need to know

Mat cutter or bevel cutter A special blade used with a metal ruler that lets you to cut out the central piece of the mount board at a 45˚ angle.

Window mount A frame cut from mount board that has a 45˚ beveled edge.

Mount board Thick card used to create the window mount. This is available from art stores. When selecting a color, it’s usually best to stick to black or white so that it doesn’t clash with the print.

There’s a full tutorial for using a mat cutter later in this guide.

How to make a mount with a mat cutter

1. Cut the mount board to size
Remove the backboard from the glass frame and line it up with the top and side edge of the reverse of the mount board. Mark along the other two sides with a pencil and the carefully cut along these lines using a metal ruler and craft knife.

2. Measure your print
You’ll need to measure your print in order to calculate the width of the window mount. It’s best to leave a 1cm gap between the black border on the print and the edge of the window mount, so allow for this excess when measuring the print.

3. Size up the window mount
Decide how much of a border you want around the window of the mount. In this image the mount board is 50cm by 40cm, compared to the print size of 36cm by 24cm: a difference of 14cm horizontally and 16cm vertically. This equates to a border of 7cm on the sides and 8cm on the top and bottom. Mark lines on the reverse of the mount board as shown and cut out the center piece.

4. Line up the bevel cutter
Make sure the side of the ruler lines up with the edge of a line you have drawn. Next, line up the mark on the bevel cutter with the edge of the adjacent line, as shown in the image above. This ensures that you don’t over-cut the board.

5. Cut out the frame
Now push down hard on the metal blade to score a line along the board, making sure you stop as soon as the mark on the bevel cutter reaches the other adjacent pencil line. Repeat this process about three times to ensure the board has been cut all the way through. Repeat for each of the edges and then pop out the center piece.

6. Assemble your print
Stick a strip of acid-free tape to two corners on the underside of your image. Hover the window mount over the image to line up the print, and then press the frame down to secure it. Turn the board over and add more tape if you need it. You should now have a perfect mount that can be placed back in the frame.

• Back to the top ⤴

How to choose the best mat cutter

• Back to the top ⤴

With the best cutting mats, you have a secure and durable surface to make cuts on all kinds of materials. Photographers who work with physical prints will have need of a good crafting mat to cut and crop their prints, and they're also hugely useful for scrapbooking and collaging.

Which to choose? Ideally you're looking for a self-healing cutting mat – one that won't just protect your surface, but is constructed from layered PVC that can 'self-heal' minor nicks and cuts. Essentially, the highly pressurised material is capable of expanding, smoothing over nicks and cuts to return the surface to a mostly new-like state. It's not perfect, and will benefit from sanding every so often, but a good cutting mat should last for several years of use.

A good cutting mat will also come with grid lines, angles, and measurements to help you make precise cuts. They're available in a range of sizes, meaning you can save money (and space) if you only need a small surface. I've tested a few mats from the biggest names on the market right now – Dahle, OLFA, Alvin and Fiskars – so read on for my recommendations of the best cutting mats to buy right now.

Our top picks

• Back to the top ⤴

The best cutting mat

The best cutting mat overall

The Dahle Vantage Cutting Mat is the best we've tested, earning the full five stars in our review. Its self-healing surface is constructed from 5-ply PVC, and provides all the resilience against nicks and scratches that you'd hope for. I've used it to crop printed photographs and card using an X-acto knife and rolling cutter, and haven't yet managed to damage it.

The mat is available in a range of sizes and colors – including an interesting translucent version. One thing I particularly like is that it offers both metric and imperial grids on the same surface – so many cutting mats make you choose between one or the other. There are also 45° and 60° angle lines for diagonal cuts. It's not the cheapest mat on our list, but it's reasonably priced for what you get, and I can recommend it without hesitation.

See our full Dahle Vantage self-healing cutting mat review

• Back to the top ⤴

The best rotating cutting mat

A rotating cutting mat can be hugely useful if space is limited in your working area. Cutting materials need to be fixed to mat in order to ensure straight lines, so if you need to make multiple cuts, this means either moving yourself around the material (which requires a lot of room), reorienting the entire mat (which requires a very large working surface) or removing and re-affixing the material (which is time-consuming).

The rotating design of the OLFA Rotating Cutting Mat provides a very elegant solution to this problem. If you're confident with your cutting, it can be a very fast way to work – cut, rotate, cut, rotate, done. It also means you can work in much more cramped spaces, which is handy if you live in a small apartment or work in a small studio, where space is at a premium.

Bear in mind that unlike other OLFA mats, the rotating mat's one-sided design means you have to choose between centimetres or inches for the scale grid – you don't get both.

See our Olfa Rotating Cutting Mat review review

• Back to the top ⤴

The best cheap cutting mat

If you're looking for a cutting mat on a budget, the Alvin HM Self-Healing Cutting Mat is one of the most affordable we've seen. Its 3-ply surface isn't as thick as the 5-ply surface you get from the likes of the Dahle Vantage, but it still held up well under our testing. Also, if you only need a small cutting surface, you can save some cash by picking up one of the Alvin's smallest options. This can also be handy for storage purposes – since cutting mats really need to be stored flat, it can be tricky to figure out where to put the big ones when you're not using them. The Alvin mat has another handy feature in this regard: a simple hole for hanging it on a hook.

Once again, it only offers imperial or metric measurements – not both – and it's also worth noting that while the mat is double-sided with blue and grey versions, the blue side on our review unit had very faint lines.

Read our Alvin HM Self-Healing Cutting Mat review

• Back to the top ⤴

The best cutting mat for precision

If you need an extra level of precision in your cutting, the Fiskars Self-Healing Cutting Mat is definitely worth consideration. Not only does it have a standard grid with inches or centimetres, but the squares are further divided up with individual 3x3 dotted grids, enabling an extra level of granular precision.

The cutting surface itself is also excellent – in our testing, I found it to have a pleasing level of 'bite', offering just enough resistance to prevent the knife from slipping. Like the Alvin mat, it also has an eyelet at one edge for vertical hanging, and the version we tested offers 30°, 45° and 60° angular lines, which is handy (many mats only offer 45° and 60°).

Like the Alvin, it is a little thinner than prestige rivals like the Dahle Vantage, which could compromise its durability in the long term.

Read our Fiskars Self-Healing Cutting Mat review

• Back to the top ⤴

FAQs

• Back to the top ⤴

How to choose the best cutting mat

To choose the right cutting mat for your needs, there are a number of factors to take into account. Firstly, think about what size mat will accommodate your project dimensions without overcrowding your workspace. Secondly, think about material: self-healing mat constructed from durable PVC is usually best in terms of longevity and resilience against cuts. Thirdly, consider thickness; a thicker mat provides better protection for your work surface and cutting tools. Fourthly, pay attention to the grid lines and angle markings, and think about whether these will serve your needs. Finally, factor in cost: there's little point for most people in paying over the odds, as most cutting mats serve pretty much the same purpose.

• Back to the top ⤴

How we test the best cutting mats

When we test cutting mats, we essentially put ourselves into the minds of the average user, and carry out the kind of standard tasks a cutting matter is used for – with a photography focus. This means using the mats to cut and crop printed photos, as well as testing them with other common crafting materials such as card and fabric. We also assess the material's quality and thickness, scrutinize the grid lines and angle markings, and pay attention to wear and tear over time.

• Back to the top ⤴

Read more
Best mat cutter
Best scrapbooks
Best scrapbooking glue
Best photo albums

Making a photo calendar for yourself or as a gift for a loved one is not only fun but very quick and easy to do, even if you don't have any experience. Of course, photo calendars aren't just for friends and family – professional photographers might want to make a photo calendar of the year's best images to sell to customers who enjoy their work or to give to clients as a thank-you.

Here at Digital Camera World we've already rounded up the best photo calendars and shared our advice on how to create a photo calendar. There are lots of online photo services that let you create a photo calendar, including Mixbook and Whitewall, but I recently made a CEWE photo calendar and was blown away not only by the results but how good the service was. But why you should create your own photo calendar, especially if, like me, you think the whole idea is heesy.

I'm not the kind of person who likes personalized photo gifts. After all, do people really want their faces on a cushion or mug? Yuk. Despite being skeptical, I went on to create a (very cheesy, I might add) calendar for my partner – featuring our 10-month-old puppy growing up with us in 2023.

I was won over straight away when the calendar arrived. I took most of the shots on my Canon EOS R6, but even the images from my camera phone (an ageing iPhone 12) look punchy. And I can tell you that despite spending lots on shop-bought gifts, this has been my best-received gift all season.

Why gift a photo calendar?

The festive season is nearly here, but even as we roll into the new year of 2023, I think it's well worth thinking about creating and gifting a photo calendar. 

Firstly, it's a unique and personal present – a concept we all love, as it's a sign that the gift giver has really put some effort in rather than buying something off the shelf.

Secondly, despite being personalized and posted, a photo calendar and CEWE isn't very expensive. In fact, it's little more than the costly standard shop calendar. 

Thirdly, it's a gift that can be enjoyed every day, throughout the year. 

And forth(ly?), it's a real chance to delve into the photographs that you've taken through the year, and revisit some favorites or edit some new ones. For me, it was a chance to look back at our puppy growing up over the past 12 months, but for you, it could be a collection of your favorite landscape images, shots of your newborn baby, or even in Instagram giveaway of your favorite content creation.

The CEWE photo calendar service

If you want to create a personalized CEWE photo calendar, you've got plenty of formats to choose from, including desk calendars that stand up, hangable wall calendars and kitchen calendars with more space to write on. Given that we're the kind of couple who write down all our events on the calendar (even if we do forget to check it later), I went for the Appointment Photo Calendar – with each month spread over two pages for more scribble room and big colorful photos to boot.

Creating the calendar online
Once I'd chosen the style of my calendar on the CEWE website, all I had to do was select the design, upload my 12 images (or more if you want to have multiple photos in a month), and then fiddle around with the layout, fonts and color scheme. You can even add stickers (I didn't need this feature, but kids might enjoy it).

While I found it incredibly easy to create a calendar online, and the option I'd go for if I was a beginner, the online creator can be slightly limiting. If you're a professional who's spent years honing your craft, CEWE does also have downloadable CEWE software which allows for more customization.

Delivery and postage
Depending on where you are (I'm based in the UK) CEWE's delivery for calendars starts at £2.99, which I thought was pretty reasonable. They say that the turnaround is 5 - 7 days, but I placed my order on a Friday and got it on Tuesday!

The final result

My CEWE Photo Calendar arrived well-packaged in a cardboard sleeve, to keep it flat during transit. It came with a branded top sheet, but this is mainly just to keep the calendar nice and neat until you come to use it, at which point it can be ripped off to reveal the cover underneath.

As I mentioned earlier, all the photos were crisp, with bright accurate colors. The paper isn't the thickest you'll find, but it's typical of most calendars – and tends to be this way to allow you to write on it properly.

This gift might not last a lifetime, but it will certainly be admired by myself and my partner for the next year – until we make the next one. It's the perfect gift to let us see how far we've come with our fluff ball. If you don't like puppies, then I'm sorry for you, but I'll sure you'll find another beloved subject to make a calendar of.

I'm so impressed by the ease, speed and quality of the CEWE Photo Calendar service (and they're not even paying me to say that). If you still have a gift or two to get for your friends, family members or customers, what are you waiting for?

We know it might be a little early for some to start thinking about the holidays, but they're right around the corner. And if, like us, you're someone who starts prepping ideas for gift-giving in advance, then be sure to save this to your bookmark folder. 

Fujifilm is offering a new and fun way for users to get creative this holiday season, by uploading unique designs and images to wrapping paper – which it prints on premium semi-gloss paper for the ultimate gift-wrapping experience. 

• These are the best canvas and photo print services

Take your gift-wrapping up a notch this year, and replace your usual humdrum paper with a more personal and creative touch. The benefits of using personalized wrapping paper will undoubtedly set you and your gifts apart this holiday season.

While Fujifilm isn't the first to offer this bespoke wrapping paper printing service, the power and quality of the Fujifilm brand does set it apart from the competition. And aside from bringing a smile to the face of your loved ones, you could even get away with a little self-promotion as the family photographer by uploading your portfolio or logo onto the paper. 

Not to mention, this would be great for boosting the packaging aesthetic of smaller businesses that ship out orders for Christmas, with company logos on the gift wrap acting as further cohesive branding, and a keepsake for the customer. 

Ever get confused about whose gift belongs to who when all shuffled in a pile under the tree? This Fujifilm wrapping paper could put an end to all the sibling squabbles, with each recipient's face plastered over the corresponding gift. 

The biggest issue with wrapping paper is that it gets wasted, and while some people do make a conscious effort to collect the paper and save it for next year, not all of it can be recycled or reusable. This wrapping paper from Fujifilm might be a tad more expensive, but can be a gift in itself for the recipient to keep forever if they choose, and trim into the perfect size for framing as a separate picture. 

Available in sizes of either 24"x16" or "36"x"24", this paper should be big enough to wrap up multiple gifts, big or small. Plenty of background patterns can be selected to complement your images. The wrapping paper can be uploaded, designed, and purchased via MyFujifilm in the UK, and Fujifilm Printlife in the US and Canada. 

Take a look at our tutorial for making a unique Christmas photo candle for a quick, affordable, and easy last-minute gift with sentimental value. Also, with the cost of living crisis and rising energy bills making it difficult for many of us to afford luxury gifts for loved ones this year, why not offer your own photography skills and services as a gift in the form of a photoshoot voucher from friends and family? Or arrange a festive pet photo shoot and print a canvas for your close friends to cherish. 

• You may also be interested in the best photo printers, as well as the best photo books in the UK, and not forgetting the best instant cameras and best portable smartphone printers that make excellent gifts for younger photographers. 

Photographs deserve to exist in print – and creating a photo book is the best way to print large collections of images. But, I find designing photo books to be incredibly frustrating. The design process often takes several hours, and, like printing out individual photos, the quality may vary widely from one lab to the next. That’s why I spent weeks designing 17 different albums in order to find the best photo book.

As a photographer, I’ve ordered a number of photo books in the past, from budget albums to high-end leather wedding photo albums. Like with ordering individual prints, factors like color accuracy and clarity matter, but photo books add in cover quality, bindings, and design software to contend with as well.

To find the best photo book, I tried out eleven of the top-ranked US photo labs, from professional labs to popular budget options. Many photo labs have both budget books and high-end professional albums, so in some cases, I ordered two, ending up with 17 different photo books from 11 different labs.

After looking at everything from the app for designing the book to the quality of the final product, these are the best photo books I found from online photo book makers.

The best photo books

Best photo book overall

Printique is the online service of Adorama, a well-known New York photo store. The fantastic design software, excellent colors, and lovely materials made the books that I ordered from Printique stand out.

Online ordering can be done from Printique's web software, as well as iOS and Android apps. The software delivers an excellent mix of lovely pre-made themes and customization options. While I loved the pre-made designs, it's still possible to create your own custom layouts. Full-resolution photos aren't fully uploaded until you are ready to order, which also means you don't have to wait long to start designing.

But the real reason that Printique stood out is what I pulled out of the box. First, even the most affordable page format is thicker and more luxurious than your average photo book. The Linen pages feel more like a thick, glossy cardstock, which prints lovely photos and also feels more durable. Most companies charge extra for layflat pages, but Printique's most affordable page still lies flat and looks fantastic.

The photo cover that I ordered turned out with excellent colors. The photo cover is glossy, but not overly so, and didn't collect fingerprints. I also ordered a linen cutout cover, which has a classic look, and the materials felt nicer than other linen covers that I tried.

Printique isn't the cheapest option, but I thought the prices were fairly well-balanced considering the fantastic quality. There's no upcharge for a flatlay and if you want to remove the Printique logo, it's only an additional US$2.

See our full Printique review

Best photo book app

The Mixbook app is so easy to use, I designed my photo book one-handed while walking on the treadmill. Mixbook has plenty of photobook templates to choose from, and those layouts autopopulate with your photos. A handy layout tool will suggest layouts based on the photos already on the page. While that offers a quick start, the app still has plenty of customization options.

The quality of Mixbook's photo books are impressive considering the prices are more budget-friendly. Printed photos had excellent sharpness and resolution. I found my flat-lay cover photo was too oversaturated with orange skin tones. On the interior page, the blacks in my black-and-white spread weren't as dark as in other photo books.

While the colors on some pages weren't quite perfect, I was willing to overlook it, considering Mixbook's prices also make it an excellent lab to consider for budget photo books. Customer service was also fantastic – when I flagged a page that had a white line on a photo (a common print error), Mixbook sent me a free replacement.

Best professional photo book

The photo book that made the best first impression out of the box was hands-down Saal. The Saal Professional Line Photo Book is bloody epic. I tried the acrylic photo cover, which puts a super-thick clear layer over the cover photo and leaves room for a lovely textured surface around the binding and the back. Talk about a stunning first impression!

The interior pages are just as good, and even Saal's budget books are flatlay with no extra charge. While most photo books require a blank white page to start with, that's not the case here – the book opens right into the first spread. Pages have a lovely thickness, and photos were sharp with colors accurate to the digital file.

While the Saal's professional line gobsmacked me with the first impression, the lab also has some more affordable options. On the more affordable book that I ordered, the interior pages still have great colors and are thick, lay-flat style. While not as cheap as budget labs, the fact that all the books are layflat makes for some lovely books without spending as much.

I found Saal's photo book design software fairly straightforward and quick to use, though not quite as streamlined as Printique's or Mixbook's. An important feature for pros, however, is that you can also create your book with your own design software and upload a PDF instead of using Saal's software.

Best budget photo book

Chatbooks is perhaps best known for its photo book subscriptions, but I found the brand offered the best mix between quality and price, even if you order a single book instead of a subscription. In fact, after I finished testing all the different photo books, I ordered another Chatbook as a gift.

I ordered both a hardcover and softcover photo book for testing, and the print quality nearly rivals some pricier labs. Out of all the budget photo books that I tested, Chatbooks had the best colors with bright, punchy tones without skewing the skin tones.

The Chatbook app is also incredibly simple to use – I actually designed my softcover book in about five minutes (excluding the wait for photos to upload). Chatbooks caters to busy parents, and the app feels perfect for anyone with a busy lifestyle. Photos auto-fill, it's easy to apply the same design to all the pages, and if you want just one photo per page, you'll be done in just a few minutes.

Chatbooks offers an ideal blend between price, quality, and simplicty. But there's a tradeoff: Chatbooks doesn't have the wide range of different cover styles, paper options, and sizes. There are just two cover options, two page options, and three sizes, all of them square. Layouts are similarly limited to only a few one-page designs. While that's great for busy people, if you're looking for more customizations, look elsewhere.

Best coffee table photo book

Whitewall is a professional photo lab, and the company's coffee table book certainly looks the part. Whitewall's books are a classic style coffee table book, with large, glossy covers and an interior designed to mix photographs and text.

Whitewall's reputation for print quality extends to the coffee table book's interior pages, which can be printed on a selection of six different pro-grade photo papers. Despite choosing one of the more affordable page materials, photographs were sharp and colors were highly accurate to the digital file. (Note, however, 50MP images aren't supported and need to be downsized).

The cover is equally crisp and color accurate. The glossy cover looks like a showpiece. The only thing I didn't like is that the cover tends to retain fingerprint smudges, so expect to wipe it clean when you dust your coffee table.

Whitewall has online, desktop and mobile software, and the coffee table books also supports PDF uploads, so you can also choose to use your own design software instead.

What else we tested

How we test photo books

To find the best photo books, I focused on two key elements – design software and final book quality – and how those elements compared to other photo labs at a similar price point.

I ordered 17 photo books from 11 different labs. Six of those labs are companies with availability across multiple continents, and four labs focused on serving either US / Canada or the UK. I also considered how many different options each lab offered and, in labs with a wide range of options, I ordered two, which is how I ended up with 17 books from 11 different labs.

While a number of photo labs offer samples so photographers can get a sense of the final quality and materials, the materials and final quality is only one piece of what makes a photo book good (or not good). To get a true sense of each lab, I designed the photo books myself using each lab’s software. I largely used the online version of the software, but tried out the mobile apps from labs that are well-known for their apps and desktop apps where necessary. I did try out free design services and automation tools where applicable – but in those cases, I also designed a second photo book myself.

In order to get the best comparison between different labs, I used the same set of images. While testing out the design software meant each photo book did not have identical designs nor identical covers, a majority of the images used were also printed in the other books. I also used photos from a range of different cameras, including a 12MP consumer drone, an iPhone 15 Pro, a 26.1MP mirrorless camera, and a 60MP mirrorless camera, in order to see how each lab does with both small and large files. I also used photos from a variety of genres, including portraits, weddings, landscapes and wildlife, and included both color and black and white images in each book.

Once all the photo books arrived, I compared the quality of each book. On the inside pages, I looked at aspects like color accuracy, clarity, and dynamic range on each photo. I also looked at the page’s thickness and finish.

On the cover, I looked at the color, clarity, and photo quality of the cover image. I also looked at the cover materials and looked for aspects like whether or not the cover scratched or fingerprinted easily. I also looked at the book’s binding.

Finally, I put the data I had gathered on the design process and the overall book quality with the lab’s price range as well as its variety of sizes and materials to try.

You may also like

Best digital photo frames
Best photo calendars
The best photo printing online
Best photo albums

If you enjoyed this article, you might also want to check out the best photo printers, the best digital instant hybrid cameras and the best wireless printers.

If you’re sick of screens, the best portable printers can be an ideal way to give your images some physical presence. A real photo print is a whole different experience to a digital file, becoming a snippet of history that can be shared with family and friends and enjoyed for generations to come. With the printers on this list, you can quickly and easily take images out of the cloud and make them something tangible that can be held in a hand.

There’s a reason that the best instant cameras remain popular – I myself own several. They give you a permanent physical keepsake to a loved one or friend of a moment you shared together. Mini prints are a great way to do this, and if you bring out a mini printer for a wedding or other big event, I can attest it’s a great way to make yourself popular.

The best portable printers, and even the best iPhone printers, do involve some expense, but I’ve picked a lot of printers here that are pretty cheap to run, with different options for different budgets. Unlike the best photo printers and all-in-one printers these can be taken pretty much everywhere, and can easily connect to your smart device or laptop for instant printing.

The Quick List

• Back to the top ⇪

The best portable printers

Best for square prints

Instagram has brought the square photo back into fashion, and the Canon Selphy Square QX20 is the best portable printer for this format. It produces 2.7 x 2.7-inch (6.8cm x 6.8cm) prints that are claimed to last more than 100 years if stored responsibly. Unlike its predecessor, the Selphy Square QX10, this model can also produce more rectangular 2.1 x 3.4-inch images – so you get a choice of aspect ratios to suit your shots.

It boasts enviable dye-sub printing, whereby the cyan, magenta, and yellow dyes are embedded on a ribbon that’s contained in a cartridge and laid on the paper in three successive passes before a final protective overcoat is applied that's smudge-proof and water-protected. Not bad for something that's produced in as little as 43 seconds!

The QX20 is small enough to squeeze into the top of a camera bag, or even my partner's handbag, making it perfect for travel and parties. "I’m impressed with the detail, contrast and color rendition of prints from the QX20… Color quality and vibrancy look a bit better than I’m used to seeing in dye-sub prints, although still lag behind that of high-end inkjet photo printers.," says our reviewer Matthew Richards.

Read our full Canon Selphy QX20 review for more details

• Back to the top ⇪

Best retro photo printer

I've had a version of Fujifilm's Instax portable printer tucked in my camera bag for years – and the Instax Mini Link+, new in 2026, is the best one yet. I love Instax's line of portable printers because they use real instant film, the same kind that slots inside Instax's instant cameras. That gives the final photo a timeless feel.

Instant film traditionally won't print out colors perfectly, but the Link+ has the best quality coming from an instant film printer that I've seen so far. Colors are close to the digital file, and sharp enough to even add larger text to the prints. The classic white instant film border still gives it a classic look.

The Instax Mini Link+ is easy to use. The film cartridges are simple to load, and the app is fairly straightforward. You can print any photos from your phone, whether you took them on your phone or from a dedicated camera.

My only complaint? Sometimes I wish the photos were larger than credit-card-sized, and the film packs can be pricey. The Link+ also sits at a little higher price point than earlier versions – if you're on a tight budget, the Instax Mini Link 3 is still a good budget alternative that uses the same film.

Read the Instax Mini Link+ review

• Back to the top ⇪

Most compact

The Polaroid Hi·Print 2x3 is only about an inch thick and weighs a mere 255g, complete with a built-in rechargeable battery. When paired to your smartphone via Bluetooth, it has a companion app that enables you to create 2x3-inch photo prints of your smartphone snaps, and outputs them with speed and style, delivering impressive image quality from its dye-sublimation technology.

All in all, this portable printer is quick, convenient, and compact. Competing with other mobile photo printers like the Canon Selphy Square QX10, the Polaroid Hi–Print 2x3 Pocket Photo Printer uses tried and trusted dye-sublimation or ‘dye-sub’ technology that predates inkjet printing.

"For small-format photo prints, the Polaroid does a good job of creating high-quality output in a simple and fairly speedy fashion," said Matthew Richards in our review. "The tear-off strip along one edge enables borderless printing and the peel-able back makes for stick-on versatility."

Read our full Polaroid Hi–Print 2x3 review for more details

Best budget portable printer

The Kodak name has associations of retro cool, and the firm has shown little compunction about trading off that, releasing plenty of nostalgia-baiting products like the Mini 2 Retro printer. Design-wise, it's got a bit more style to it than many comparable portable printers – though one bit of retro tech I could have done without is the port that's micro USB rather than USB-C!

Otherwise, the Mini 2 Retro feels bang up to date in lots of ways. It uses the superior dye-sub process rather than ZINK, and you refill by loading Kodak's bespoke 4PASS cartridges that roll both paper and ink into one. Working out at about 30¢ / 30p per print, it's good ongoing value, and allows you to play fast and loose with your printing without worrying about wasting money. The print quality itself isn't bad – you can use Kodak's companion app to tweak images and add filters. It isn't the fastest, but quality is solid for the price; in our review, Matthew said, "Outright print quality is very convincing with plenty of depth, good sharpness and nice color rendition."

Read our full Kodak Mini 2 Retro review for more

• Back to the top ⇪

Best Zink printer

Known as the Ivy 2 in North America and as the Zoemini 2 in Europe, this Canon printer uses the Zink system (where the paper is impregnated with ink), which is used by a number of other portable printer manufacturers, including Polaroid, Kodak, and HP. It is relatively cheap, compared to run, particularly compared to Canon's dye-sub portable printer. However, the image quality is not up to the same standard.

The Canon printer has a rechargeable battery. However, it’s worth noting that the battery runs down quickly – only lasting for 20 prints, so when going out with it, you need to remember to take the cable in case it needs a top-up.

The 2x3-inch prints are smaller than a credit card and a quarter of the size of a standard 4x6-inch photo print. Packs of 1.3-inch circular stickers are also available. Both options come with a peelable back, making them great for scrapbooking. 20-print packs of paper cost around $12 and stickers about $9 – that's around 60¢ or 45¢ each. However, you can substantially reduce this by buying the paper in packs of 100.

See our full Canon Ivy 2 / Zoemini 2 review

• Back to the top ⇪

Best hybrid

The Instax Mini Evo is not marketed specifically as a portable printer, so this one may be easy to miss. Instead, it's one of a new breed of hybrid digital instant cameras that offer the functionality of an instant camera, a digital camera, and a portable printer in the same device.

Unlike standard instant cameras, you therefore have the choice of which pictures you actually print out – as you can look at them on the screen first. But just as useful, this can be used to print pictures from your smartphone (just like other pocket printers).

The camera has a modest 4.9-megapixel sensor, but it comes with tons of special effects, including light leaks and double exposures. The retro design is fantastic, and it doesn't cost much more than one of Instax's printers that doesn't double as a camera.

If the Evo is out of your budget, there's the Instax Mini LiPlay+ (which lacks the retro look and special effects). Or, if you want to shoot video, there's the new Instax Mini Evo Cinema.

Read our full Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo review for more details

• Back to the top ⇪

Best portable A4 printer

Most of the printers on this list are designed to put out tiny prints – as you'd expect from a printer that's built around the idea of portability. However, if you're willing to spend a bit more and carry a bit more, it is possible to get a reasonably portable printer that can handle full-sized A4, and the best on the market right now is the Canon Pixma TR160 (or MAXIFY BX110 in certain territories).

Weighing 2.1kg, this printer is simultaneously much heavier than anything else on this list and much lighter than your average A4 printer. Measuring 322 x 185 x 66mm, it can fit inside a day bag, though if you're going to take advantage of its portability it makes sense to get the version with the rechargeable Li-Ion battery pack. Sacrifices have been made to get this kind of portability – for instance, there's no internal paper cassette, meaning you'll have to carry your paper separately.

You can use the Pixma TR160 for simple document printing, or for more demanding color prints on photo paper. Matthew put it through both tests in his review, and found himself impressed by both the speed and quality – "I was pleasantly surprised by the richness and detail in dark shadowy areas of glossy photo prints, and by the lifelike color rendition," he said.

Read our full Canon Pixma TR160 / MAXIFY BX110 review

• Back to the top ⇪

How we test the best portable printers

How we test the best portable printers is a little different to the way we test regular printers. Print quality remains of key importance but, given their nature, these devices are as much about their size, handling, portability (and even pocketability), print / paper format, battery life, and connectivity.

As such, the bulk of our testing is based on real-world use. What kind of batteries are used? Are they easily rechargeable or replaceable once depleted? Does it use instant film or printer paper, and what are the cost-quality implications? How good is the connection to your phone or other smart device? Is the printer simply portable, or is it actually practical to use while on the go?

How to choose the best portable printers

Think about why you want to print pictures on the move. Do you want the absolute best image quality? Choose a dye-sublimation printer. Do you want the cheapest prints, regardless of quality? Go for a Zink printer. Do you want the coolest prints? You'll probably want an Instax-based printer.

The three different-sized Instax Link printers have become hugely popular at events like weddings and graduations, as you can snap a picture on your phone (or a "proper" camera) and beam it to the printer, and produce an authentic instant print – just like you can take on an Instax camera. Except instead of it being a one-off, you can print as many as you like, so you can share magic moments with guests. These retro-style instant prints also look great in scrapbooks, wallets, or stuck to the refrigerator.

For youngsters who aren't as invested in quality, but who need something a bit more hardwearing, Zink printers are a great option. Not only is Zink paper waterproof, tear-resistant and smudge-resistant, it also comes with an adhesive back – so your prints can double as kid-friendly stickers, too.

And for ultimate quality, dye-sub printers offer premium print performance on paper that's water-resistant and in some cases said to last for 100 years – perfect for preserving your memories for generations to come.

• Back to the top ⇪

FAQs

• Back to the top ⇪

Photo calendars show off a fresh photo every month – but the quality from different print labs can vary widely. That's why I didn't just order one photo calendar for the new year but nine to find which one shows off my images the best.

As a professional photographer and self-proclaimed color nerd, I'm picky about print quality. The colors from one lab often varies to the next, and details like sharpness and contrast can vary between labs too.

After scrutinizing nine different labs, from photo quality to design software for price, these are the labs that I wouldn't hesitate to order from again. Here are the best photo calendars that I've found.

The best photo calendars

The best photo calendar overall

Out of all the calendars that I ordered, Nations Photo Lab impressed me with thick pages, sharp images, and excellent colors at a reasonable price point.

Nation's Photo Lab doesn't have the hundreds of templates that some other labs offer for calendars, but the templates they do have are excellent. The online software is intuitive and easy to use, and the preview tool creates an accurate 3D rendering before you order. My only complaint about the design software is that I couldn't change the color of the calendar grid, so I couldn't use darker backgrounds on the bottom pages without choosing a different template.

When I pulled the finish calendar out of the box, I was immediately enamored with the thicker, matte pages. Colors render nicely, in part because color corrections are free, and I didn't experience the oversaturated skin tones that I did with budget labs. Subjects are sharp, and there's lots of contrast without losing detail in the darkest parts of the image.

The biggest downside is that NPL is US-based and, while they offer international shipping, it is expensive. If you're reading this from Canada, Australia, or another region, labs that print on multiple continents, such as MixBook, are the better option.

Browse Nation Photo Lab calendars

Best photo calendar with worldwide shipping

Creating a photo calendar shouldn't be complicated – and the Mixbook app delivers a highly customizable yet simple-to-use app along with solid print quality.

Designing a calendar with the Mixbook app or online ordering starts with choosing one from hundreds of different design templates. While the software is template-based, Mixbook also makes it simple to start a design from scratch or customize a template when many other platforms don't allow you to rearrange the template layout.

The app made a good first impression, but the final calendar solidified Mixbook as one of the best photo labs for custom calendars. The calendar has thick pages with a lovely, subtle texture. The pages are matte, another plus for those that don't love the traditional glossy photo page. The colors in the final calendar weren't quite as good as accurate as high-end photo labs, but far surpassed budget labs.

Mixbook works with local labs on several continents, so odds are that no matter where you are reading from, you can order without high international shipping costs.

Order a calendar from Mixbook

Best app for photo calendars

The Popsa app is so simple that I designed my entire calendar in ten minutes. The app autofilled the pages from the images that I selected. Then, I selected a layout, dragged and dropped photos to the correct month, and I was finished.

Popsa uses AI to aid the calendar design process, which includes pulling the colors from the photos to suggest inside the designs. That, plus the ability to drag photos to different pages, made the app simple and quick.

There are a lot of different designs for each calendar page, though one minor annoyance is that I didn't see a way to pick the same design for every page. I wish the app's AI could do even more. For example, I think it would be great if it could analyze the metadata and guess the right month to put the photo in, but it still only took a few seconds to drag and drop to rearrange the images to the desired page.

I ordered the glossy photo upgrade, and that really helped the colors in the image pop. Colors felt true to the scene without skewing skin tones. While the photo side is glossy, the calendar grid was not, which should help with writing on the different dates. The pages were also quite thick, though there was an occasional and minor stray crease from printing.

Browse Popsa Photo Calendars

Best wall calendar

Saal prints photo calendars on real photo paper, and there's a dramatic difference in the calendar I received from Saal compared to budget labs. Colors are vibrant yet true to what I expected from the digital file, without skewing skin tones. Subjects are nice and sharp, and even the photos that I had captured on cheap cameras and an iPhone looked fantastic.

Designing the calendar was also straightforward. I picked one of the dozen or so designs, and the images I selected auto-populated into the different pages. I adjusted which photo fell on which month, added custom dates, and was ready to order without a long or overly complicated process.

While Saal has a few different types of calendars, they don't currently offer the classic two-page calendar with a photo on the top, binding in the center, and dates on the bottom. Instead, Sall's wall calendars are one-page affairs, which does make the date boxes a bit smaller. Still, the design and quality make the calendar feel like functional wall art.

The other thing to note is that printing on photo paper means the pages aren't as thick as some of the other options that I tested. If your calendar gets heavy use and is likely to crinkle, Saal's real photo paper may not be the best choice.

Order a wall calendar from Saal

Best budget photo calendar

Vistraprint is more of a print shop for marketing materials than a photo lab, but it's a highly affordable way to get a custom photo calendar, particularly if you want to order several with its bulk discount option.

The Vistaprint design program is a simple drag-and-drop, aided by more than 100 different designs to choose from. I found it only took me a few minutes to design a calendar with the templates, and it was easy to customize with my own photos, colors, backgrounds, text, and dates.

The final calendar is printed on thick, glossy pages. The print quality is quite good for the price, with nice contrast and vibrance. A few portraits had skin tones that were a bit oversaturated. But the calendars that beat out Vistaprint in quality all tended to sit at a higher price, making it a solid option for getting a calendar on a budget.

Design a photo calendar at Vistaprint

Best designs

Shutterfly has a hundred different designs to choose from for wall calendars – with such a wide selection, you're more likely to find a design that matches your decor, whether that's minimalist, modern, or even Disney.

The Shutterfly platform is fairly easy to use – once you've narrowed down to your favorite design template, you can autofill each page or drag and drop. using the online editor. The template determines the style of your calendar grid, however, so customizations may be a bit limited.

As a more affordable print shop, the print quality on Shutterfly's calendar is surprisingly good. Some photos had colors that were a bit off compared to pricier labs, but I preferred the print quality over Snapfish. The pages are also a thicker, cardstock-like matte material, so the calendar is easy to write on.

Browse Shutterfly calendars

What else I tested

How I tested photo calendars

To find the best photo calendar, I tried options from nine different print labs across a range of different price points. I tested traditional wall calendars with a center binding where available and focused on the design software, the overall quality, and the price.

In order to compare image quality, I used a selection of the same photos across each calendar. Those photographs included high-resolution images, photos from mid-tier mirrorless cameras, and photos from budget cameras and an iPhone. I included color photos and black and white, as well as a few different scenarios, including low light and portraits.

Once all the calendars arrived, I analyzed each one, looking at factors like the color, sharpness and detail in the final print. I also looked at factors like how thick the pages are and how sturdy the bindings are.

FAQs

You may also like

Browse the best photo books or the best cameras for beginners.

For printing photos at home, you need the best photo paper you can buy. No matter whether you're intending to exhibit your images, want to display them in a portfolio, or just want to store them to look back on in the future, the best photo paper will provide you with the essential media on which to do so.

When teamed with best photo printer, you'll be giving your photographs the quality look that they deserve, often at a cost that's not much more than using cheap papers. If you've ever tried printing photos on standard paper stocks, you probably already know that it doesn't exactly produce winning results. With proper, dedicated photo paper and the best printer ink, it's a different story.

Below, I've brought together the best photo paper from my favorite manufacturers. I've included paper of all types, including glossy, matte and lustre. If you're not sure on the terminology, scroll to the bottom where I've included a section on how to choose photo paper, as well as answers to common FAQs.

The Quick List

Best photo paper for inkjet printers 

Canon photo papers

Though best known for its class-leading mirrorless and DSLR cameras, Canon also produces excellent photo paper in a variety of configurations. If you already have a Canon-made printer, buying Canon photo paper can be a good idea — here is a selection of my favorite Canon photo papers.

For those printing with a typical 5-ink PIXMA multi-function document/photo printer, Canon’s Photo Paper Plus Glossy II PP-201 is the most sensible choice for performance and value for money. It’s a reasonably weighty 265gsm glossy photo paper with an attractive high-gloss finish.

For the best results, however, especially if you’re using a more exotic printer, Pro Platinum is the better option. It’s a fair bit pricier but is superior in quality and weight, at 300gsm. As Canon’s range-topping glossy paper, it has excellent brightness, enables sumptuous color rendition and is very resistant to fading.

The debate over whether glossy or luster finish is best has been going on since the days when we used to have our rolls of 35mm film processed on the high street. Luster isn’t as full-on shiny as glossy paper but it has advantages in reducing glare from strong light sources bouncing off the surface, and is preferable for handling if you’re passing prints around, as it’s more resistant to fingerprints.

Canon’s Photo Paper Pro Luster is an upmarket paper with an attractive look and feel, that delivers excellent results. Like other Canon ‘Pro’ papers, it’s priced accordingly and, if you’re happy to settle for a little less, check out Canon’s Photo Paper Plus Semi-gloss SG-201, which has a pleasant satin finish.

Available in a wide range of sizes up to A2/17x22-inch, this is Canon’s best matte photo paper. Unlike glossy, semi-gloss and lustre, there’s no reflection from the surface. Deep colors and rich blacks can look really dramatic. It works just fine with Canon’s dye-based printers up to and including the PIXMA PRO-200, and is even better with pigment-based printers like the imagePROGRAF PRO-300 and PRO-1000, which feature matte black inks.

For use on more mainstream PIXMA multi-function document/photo printers, MP-101 Matte Photo Paper works well and is much cheaper to buy. It’s also lighter in weight, making it easier to use for creative projects and creating greetings cards. With this in mind, there’s also a double-sided MP-101D version.

Epson photo papers

Epson offers a huge range of photo papers, to the point where all the options can be a little overwhelming at times. Still, the name has become synonymous with reliable quality in photo printing, and you're unlikely to wrong with Epson photo paper. Here are some stocks that we particularly rate.

Like Canon, Epson offers a wide range of glossy papers to suit different needs and budgets. Going up through the price range, there’s Epson Value Glossy, Epson Photo Paper Glossy, Epson Premium Photo Paper Glossy and Epson Ultra Photo Paper Glossy. For performance and price, the Premium Glossy paper gives the best mix of standout performance, with Epson’s six-ink dye-based photo inkjet printers, without spending over the odds.

Color rendition is excellent and the high-gloss surface is superb. It’s only really worth trading up to the range-topping Ultra Glossy paper if you want the heavier 300gsm paper weight, compared with the Premium paper’s 265gsm. Another advantage of the Premium paper is that it’s available in a number of roll options, ideal for use with Epson’s larger-format printers that have built-in or optional roll feeders.

Fully glossy paper can hang awkwardly on the wall, diminishing the image if strong light sources are bouncing back off its surface. Luster papers are often preferred but not everyone likes a textured finish.

This semi-gloss premium photo paper strikes a good balance with a glare-resistant but ‘cockle-free’ finish that makes it highly suitable for exhibition-grade printing. It enables excellent resolution for retention of ultra-fine detail, along with rich color saturation and deep blacks.

The paper performs equally well with Epson’s dye-based printers and its more pro-grade pigment-based photo printers like the SureColor P700 and P900, although slight bronzing can be apparent with pigment inks. A variety of cut-sheet sizes is available, as well as various roll options.

Hahnemühle papers

Hahnemühle is a name with rich heritage in photo paper and indeed all other types of paper, dating back centuries. There are plenty of professional photographers out there who insist on printing on nothing but Hahnemühle paper, and once again there is an enormous amount of choice available.

Hahnemühle has a history of top-quality papermaking that goes back to 1584, based at the same site in Germany throughout, to make use of its top-quality and entirely consistent natural water supply. Photo Rag Baryta is one of the company’s best-selling photo papers, from its Digital FineArt Glossy line-up.

There’s a truly vast range of Hahnemühle FineArt media to choose from and the Glossy section itself is very extensive, including metallic, pearl and satin options. The Photo Rag Baryta is based purely on cotton fibres and has a lovely natural whiteness. The smooth, glossy inkjet coating enables very vibrant color rendition along with superb sharpness and really deep blacks, ideal for really punchy results.

Hahnemühle’s Digital FineArt media is split into various categories that include matte smooth, matte textured, glossy and canvas. German Etching is a great all-rounder from the matte textured range. It’s genuine mould-made paper, based on a traditional and now very rare process, giving it a lovely tactile feel, along with a unique surface texture with a felt structure that generates a truly three-dimensional effect for photo prints.

Its 310gsm density also gives it a really substantial, top-quality look and feel. Vivid color and really deep blacks are assured by the premium matte inkjet coating.

Canson papers

Another name that carries a lot of weight and heritage in the photo paper world, Canson is practically synonymous with high-end printing media. Its matte papers are particularly highly desired, with excellent archival qualities that should see them stand the test of time. If you want a long-lasting print, Canson is a great choice.

Canson has long been renowned as a maker of top-quality fine art papers. More recently, it’s gained added prestige with the acquisition of ARCHES, a master papermaker since 1492 and the only paper mill in France using a traditional cylinder mould process for all of its papers.

Current choices in the Canson Infinity ARCHES line-up include 88, BFK Rives Pure White, BFK Rives White and Aquarelle Rag. The 88 is made entirely from cotton fibres and has an ultra-smooth matte finish.

As with all of the other fine art papers in our guide, it’s completely free of any optical brighteners and has excellent archival qualities. Photo print quality is similarly top-drawer, with natural whites, rich blacks and superb tonal range.

Many photographers favor matte paper for printing and Rag Photographique from the Canson Infinity line-up is one of the best. It’s available in two different densities, in both cut sheet and roll options, and there’s also a double-sided ‘Duo’ version.

It’s created from cotton fibers but includes additional natural minerals to enable an exceptionally smooth white tone. It’s also particularly long-lasting, having been developed to satisfy museum requirements as well as catering to the digital fine art market in general. The paper is wonderfully smooth to the touch and delivers superb photo print quality with particularly deep blacks.

The base material for this lustre photo paper is made purely from cotton fibers, but it also has a microporous top layer coating to give it a lustre finish. As such, it’s based on a paper that was a favourite for many years in the original Platinum/Platine traditional photographic market for conventional darkroom printing.

The ‘digital darkroom’ Platine Fibre Rag has the same look and feel as its conventional forebear, the F-Type Baryta Fibre paper. Excellent for both color and black and white photo printing, it has a superb tonal range from really deep blacks to bright whites.

How to choose the best photo paper

Photo papers fall into two main categories. The first includes glossy, semi-gloss and lustre (or luster) papers, which have a protective, shiny top layer. These are most ideal for use with photo printers like the Canon PIXMA PRO-200 and even general home printers, which use dye-based inks to generate photo output. The water-based ink is fully absorbed beneath the top layer, enabling excellent uniformity with an entirely smooth finish.

The second category is matte photo papers.With matte photo papers, the ink is laid on the top-layer inkjet coating, rather than being absorbed beneath it. These are better suited to printers such as the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 and Epson SureColor P700 and SureColor P900, which use pigment-based inks.

Unlike dye-based inks, the pigments in these inks is suspended in the liquid rather than being dissolved. The larger molecules of the pigments are more robust and better suited to matte paper.

They’re also suitable for printing on glossy, semi-gloss and lustre photo papers but less ideal than dye-based inks. That’s because the pigments generally won’t be fully absorbed beneath the outer layer, which can give rise to ‘bronzing’, where the print looks blank and lifeless when viewed from certain angles. Gloss differential can also be a problem, where areas of the print with a denser covering of ink look less glossy than areas with a relatively light covering.

Glossy papers work well with photographs with deep, rich colors, while matte paper is usually more suitable for black and white photos. However, note that glossy papers attract fingerprints more easily, and suffer more from glare in direct sunlight or bright lighting.

How we test photo paper

At Digital Camera World, we have assembled an experienced team of photography journalists, testers and photographers who have been writing about digital imaging right from its very inception. Some of us were film camera journalists before that, and so we have plenty of experience with the more hands-on aspects of photography such as photo printing. Read more about how we test and review at Digital Camera World.

Not sure what you're looking for when it comes to finding the best photo paper? To give you a better steer, here are some answers to common questions about buying the right photo papers and inks for your photography projects.

A photo book is the perfect visual tool for the enthusiast and professional photographer. In an age where more photographers are turning to cloud storage and social media platforms to archive and present images, many of us rarely, if ever, print our work. While a website is a convenient way of creating a portfolio, nothing can beat a physical print for impact and emotional connection with the viewer. Being able to pick up and hold an image is an immersive experience, better communicating the story the photographer wanted to tell.  

Having a physical product to show to customers also opens up new revenue streams, through both direct sales as a standalone items, but also as a shop front for our wider portfolios. With a book of images we can arrange a collection of our best works into a unique journey for the reader – unlike our audience having to navigate between web galleries without direction. As a photographers, we have thought deeply about how each image fits within a larger database, so it can feel unsettling to have no control over how people move between each gallery. A photo book has a much more personal touch. 

 What’s more, it’s easier than ever to create your perfect photo book, using Saal Digital’s advanced design software. Featuring an expansive range of functions, this free downloadable software enables quick image resizing, bespoke design options and offline editing. High-end users also have the option to design their book to taste using an external application. This is made a breeze thanks to Saal Digital’s ICC profiles, for easy softproofing and Adobe templates for book creation in software like InDesign. 

And as one of the leading suppliers of photo products, Saal Digital is the best choice for helping you to quickly and easily connect with your audience. Saal’s wide range of photo books and print products offers something for artists of every level, from advanced enthusiasts to working pros. 

Whatever option you choose to design your photobook, Saal Digital will print it at industry-leading quality, in an exciting variety of materials and finishes. Why not try the full range of wall art, prints, cards, FineArt, calendars and photo gifts? 

Design the perfect photo book for your clients

1. Select your book type

There is an option for every taste, budget and function. A hardcover book is great for a coffee table, reception room, or bedside bookshelf, but some clients or friends and family might find a softcover option more portable. The Saal Digital Professional line is the best option for high-end enthusiasts and pros, creating for a customer. 

2. Customise the cover and materials

Once you’ve chosen your favourite size and type, it’s time to select from Saal Digital’s huge variety of print materials for your photobook. The cover and paper finish will not only control the look of your images, but the tactile experience for your viewers. Glossy papers are perfect for bright, colourful photos so choose this for weddings and fun family portrait shoots. Choose a gift box for a personal touch. 

3. Choose a design option

here are many page themes to choose from so, whatever the subject of your images, there is something for you and your clients. Here our shoot was a wedding so we picked a page theme which was minimalist and classy. This complements the detail-heavy images and allows our viewers to focus on what matters most - the beautiful bride and her beaming groom.

4. Layout your pages

ICC profiles are available for each of Saal Digital’s finishes and materials. Downloading these from the website is quick and easy and once installed in image editing software, like Adobe Photoshop, will ensure perfect colour. Choose an instant photo layout option from the Layouts panel on the right of the window. 

5. Add text and page elements

Arrange your images through the book to tell a story, from start to finish, guiding the viewer with text. Don’t use too much - let the images speak for themselves. Consider colour interactions to avoid clashes. Importantly, place your images so that critical areas are outside the gutter (the middle of the spread) although the layflat option makes sure detail isn’t obscured.

6. Finalise and order!

Mix things up by occasionally inverting the page colour for a bespoke feel. Here we changed the background to black, grey or a gradient, to complement the featured images. Once you’re happy with your layout it’s time to hit Add to Cart and let Saal Digital’s expert printers craft your hand-made photobook with a quick turnaround.

Understand ICC profiles

ICC profiles are critical for the softproofing process – the procedure by which we can compare the image on our computer screen with how it will apear when printed on specific media. You can find the correct ICC profile for your choice of photo book and media from the Saal Digital website. Navigate to the correct profile for your chosen book and download the zip file. Unzip this and find the Profile within. On a Windows PC simply Right-click and choose Install Profile. On Mac you’ll have to move or copy the profile to Library/Colorsync/Profiles.  

Once the profile is installed you can Softproof your image in Photoshop. From the View menu choose Proof Setup and Custom. Here you can select the downloaded profile from the Device to Simulate dropdown and uncheck Simulate Paper Color. This will give a preview of how the image will look when printed on the selected media. Check relevant paramters from the profile settings on the Saal Digital website.  

Try these fantastic photo books

Classic photo book

For your everyday photobook needs, this firm favourite choice amongst enthusiast photographers offers superb image quality at a perfect price. The glossy cover option makes images pop. If you’d like to print images for yourself, or as a keepsake for friends and family, this is the option for you. Use the One Minute Photo Book design mode to instantly select and populate your book with photos. 

Top reasons to choose

• Quick and easy designing 
• Great for a first photobook 
• Perfect quality/price balance 

Photo book with linen cover

If you want your photobook to have a little something extra, why not select an alternative cover and page finish? Here we selected a linen cover, which gave our book a wonderful texture, which feels great to hold. We also tried the matte photo paper option this time. This has a luxurious, artistic feel to it and reduces reflections on your photobook pages.

Top reasons to choose

• Extra texture 
• Unique product concept 
• Competitive pricing 

Professional line photo book with leatherette and gift box

For the ultimate photo quality and versatility, choose a Professional line Saal Digital photobook, to bring your images to life. There are no logos  - as is the case for all of Saal Digital’s products - so your book is personalised for your brand, while the handmade premium gift box is the icing on the cake. We selected the XT (extra thickness) paper option for an opulent high quality feel - excellent for a special gift or corporate clients of your photo business. All of Saal Digital’s high-end photobooks are passionately handmade, for a custom experience.

Top reasons to choose

• Acrylic cover 
• XT pages offer luxurious feel 
• Handmade quality 

Get your first photo book with 50% off today!

There’s never been a better time to explore how a photobook can expand your brand and wow your customers and loved ones. Saal Digital are on-hand with 50% off your first photo book order. This special offer is valid for all photo book types including the Professional Line, with no minimum order value. But don’t wait - offer ends 12/31/2022.

Make your photo book now

Start creating (US)

Start Creating (UK)

Start Creating (EU)

Delivery costs not included. Not to be combined with any other special offers or coupons. Redeemable only once per household. 

See more from Saal Digital on Facebook (UK/ US) and on Instagram @saal_digital 

Ever wanted to be a Ghostbuster? Or maybe even Spider-Man? Thanks to the Hasbro Selfie Series project, anyone can now be a hero with the help of impressive 3D printing technology, combined with your own photography and selfies. 

"Make room for yourself on your shelf" is the slogan that accompanies this latest customization project, but it will only be available in the US for the time being.  

The Hasbro Selfie Series project is described as the latest groundbreaking endeavor in 3D printed technology, using advanced 3D printing methods combined with real images in an attempt to create personalized action figures that can be customized to suit a range of popular culture brands, manufactured at scale.

As part of a collaboration with the Formlabs Factory Solutions team, this project will bring mass customization to sci-fi fandoms, allowing comic book and Star Wars fans to become part of their favorite stories, with their own immortalized action figure. 

OC (original characters) are becoming extremely popular in the areas of online fandom communities and social groups, cosplay, and even fan-fiction writing. The idea of a fan creating a role for themselves among their favorite fictional worlds and franchises is a potential new market that Hasbro has seemingly pounced on. 

The characters and franchises offered by the Hasbro Selfe Series, that can be customized with your own face, include the potential to become a Mandalorian Warrior, a Stormtrooper, X-wing Pilot, Rebel Princess (classic white Leia suit), The Black Panther, Black Widow, Spider-Man, Iron-Man, Male or Female Ghostbuster Rookie, Snake Eyes, Scarlett (G.I.Joe), a Red Power Ranger, and Pink Power Ranger.

This one-of-a-kind experience will be launching in Fall 2022 (this Friday) after launching the product at San Diego Comic-Con, as reported by DP Review. Though, the downside is that this Selfie Series project is exclusively available only via the Hasbro Pulse mobile app, and in the US only. It's unclear as to whether the app and the customizable figures will be available worldwide at a later date. 

You must be aged 16 or over and based in the US to order a custom figure, and there are specific criteria that your minimum of five selfie headshots must meet in order to be accepted via the Hasbro Pulse app. To add salt to the wound, there's rumored to be a 45-day delay in the creation and shipping of the custom figures.

There are of course some amazing and slightly concerning potential uses for this printing technology, there's no doubt that it would be great for kids to see themselves as their favorite superhero - but what if someone used your face without your consent? What would happen if someone decided to use a celebrity, TV personality or maybe a Political figure as the subject of one of these figures? 

On a more positive note, imagine the potential if these figures are created with removable heads! If you don't fancy being a Stormtrooper one day, just swap heads with a Jedi figure instead! To register your interest and be notified when the figures are available for order visit the Hasbro Selfie Series website. 

• You may want to take a look at these tutorials on Superhero super shots using a DIY green screen, as well as how to bring your toys to life with forced perspective photography. Don't forget our guide to the best macro lenses, and while you're here check out: This Star Wars toy photography is a Force to be reckoned with!

The best photo albums ensure that those special images you want to treasure forever will always be with you rather than disappearing down a digital rabbit hole. Moreover, photo albums allow memories of a wedding, anniversary, or holiday to be displayed and shared in a beautiful way. They also make excellent gifts for friends and family.

In short, don't leave things to chance. Turn your images into prints using either the best photo printers or best photo printing online services, then store them in a photo album, and you'll be able to sleep better at night.

To help you out, I've picked out the best photo albums in a variety of styles. Alternatively, see our guides to the best photo books for an all-print option, the best digital photo frames, or if you're feeling crafty, the best scrapbooks.

Best photo albums

The best traditional photo album

Want an air of sophistication and quality? This stylish Pioneer photo album, with a stylish leather cover, provides just that. There’s room for up to 300 photos in this album, with an easy-to-use slip-in format and space next to the photos for captions. I love the way that these line up in my bookshelf like old ledgers, with their ribbed leather spines. These albums are acid, lignin, and PVC-free, too, so you can rest assured that your photos will stand the test of time.

Choose from three cover colors; black is a classic option, while red and brown versions also look great. You could pick up a few in different colors for different years or occasions, building up to a distinctive-looking library on your shelf.

The best scrapbook-style photo album

If you like to get creative, a scrapbook-style photo album, like this spiral-bound Hama book, is the best idea. You can stick in photos in a variety of different sizes, as well as include ephemera such as tickets, postcards, and other mementos if you wish. You can also use embellishments for a further touch of creativity.

Since there are no adhesion or slip-in pockets, you’ll need to remember to also purchase mounting squares or photo corners, which, although completely flexible, can be a little fiddly to use. This is a great photo album choice for those who get a lot of enjoyment out of the creation of a photobook and have lots of patience.

The best album for travel photos

The stylish leather travelogue design of this ZeeYuan photo album makes it an ideal choice for gathering together all your best holiday and travel shots. With a scrapbook-style design, you’ll find space for up to 120 photos, but you can experiment with the layout to create a book that matches your own preference with ease. There's a range of embossed leather covers to choose from – I chose one with a family feel, but there are other designs that more obviously suggest globe-trotting adventures.

You’ll also have space for all your travel memorabilia, such as tickets and postcards. One nice touch is that it comes with a set of photo corners to get you started. Finally, the ring binder design means you can add extra pages should you fill it up quickly.

The best self-adhesive album

A self-adhesive album like this one from Pioneer is great for both flexibility and ease of use. You can create your own layouts and templates without the hassle of photo corners or photo mounts. However, note that captions can’t be written directly onto the pages, so you’ll need to create caption cards or inserts for those.

With no restrictions on layout, you can also include tickets, postcards, menus, and other keepsakes. The traditional (faux) leather cover looks great on your bookshelf, and with several different colors to choose from, you should be able to find one to match your taste or the occasion.

The best album for storing lots of photos

This Kiera Grace photo album is a great choice if you have lots of photos to store and want to get them sorted as quickly and as easily as possible. With space for 400 6x4-inch prints, you can cram lots of memories into this book, and for a very reasonable price, too.

There’s even a slot for a CD, where you can store your digital images for re-printing in the future. The downside of a book like this is the inflexibility of layout – you don’t get to choose how many images you include per page, plus there’s no space for nostalgic ephemera either.

The best album for baby photos

A great choice for new parents, this sweet Pearhead Baby Photo Album has space for up to 200 photos – which should be enough to get you through at least the first few months.

The album is super easy to use, which is great for busy mums and dads, and there's space next to each slot for a caption, note, or memory. You can also choose a favorite photo to slot into the front of the album to really set off the overall look.

Best album for wedding or anniversary photos

When it comes to displaying your photos in multiple albums, you'll want a design that allows you to see one album from the others. This neat and affordable design has a window cover, allowing you to customize each volume with a different picture that can help you tell which album is which.

It's a scrapbook-style album, so remember to pick up something to attach your photos to each page – such as photo corners or photo mounts. These can be a little bit fiddly, but a scrapbook does give you scope to include lots of different photo sizes, as well as other items, such as wedding menus, tickets, and so on.

Read more:
The best scrapbooks
The best scrapbooking glue
The best Instax photo albums
The best photo printing online
The best digital photo frames
The best picture frames
The best photo books
The best photo gifts

The best scrapbook allows you to display prints of family and friends in a way that immediately elevates them. Rather than just chucking everything online, a physical journal encourages you to curate your photos and narrow them down to the absolute best, as well as getting creative with layout and decoration.

Whether you're a seasoned scrapbooker or just starting out in journaling, the right scrapbook can make all the difference. There are a range of innovative and stylish products on the market, and we've carefully curated the best of them here.

Seeking other ways to put your memories on display? Then check out our guides to the best photo books and the best digital photo frames. Finally, while some scrapbooks are self-adhesive by design, many aren't, so check our roundup of the best scrapbooking glues.

• Back to the top ⤴

The best scrapbooks

Best scrapbook overall

If money is no object, and you'd like to buy the very best leather scrapbook you can, look no further than this one from Leatherkind.

It's handmade in Italy using top-grain leather called Spazzolato – a material which is usually reserved for high-end designer handbags. The leather is lustrously smooth thanks to advanced tanning techniques. And the album has a contemporary design featuring hand stitched, subtly contrasting leather edging. It is, quite simply, beautiful.

Inside, the high-quality, acid-free pages are separated by transparent sheets, which stops your photos from potentially rubbing on each other and helps to prevent a build up of moisture within your album. As the album is 6 x 22 x 26cm, it’s one of the largest hand-crafted albums you can buy, so there’s lots of room to personalize it. And talking of personalizing, there's the option to have it engraved too.

In short, if you're looking to create a gift or an heirloom that will wow people, this scrapbook, with its luxurious leather and contemporary appeal, is a winner.

• Back to the top ⤴

Best scrapbook for value

Want some a little more reasonably priced than the first entry on our list? This large-size scrapbook is glossy, bright and cheerful with embossed lettering on the front saying “Live, Laugh, Love”. It’s a top-loading scrapbook that has 10 pages of acid-free cardstock inserts, which means you can relax knowing that your memories and photos will be kept safe from dust and fading over time.

The neat elastic band ensures your scrapbook closes nicely and safely. The scrapbook has a screw-in post spine which makes it easy to move the pages around, and means that the scrapbook can be easily expanded.

• Back to the top ⤴

Best leather scrapbook for value

This is a quality leather scrapbook from Kolo that's a bit more affordable than our first option. If you like your scrapbook to have protective clear sheets to keep your photos safe, then look elsewhere. But if you like to create your own pages without the sheen of plastic interrupting your viewing, this is a good buy.

This scrapbook comes with 20 pages and these are plain paper, but you can easily pop in any other paper that you'd like by using a hole punch. It measures 8.5 x 11.0 inches, with approximately 1.5 inch for the binding edge, so only 8.5 x 9.5 inches is available for layout design, which may or may not be handy depending on the size of your photos.

• Back to the top ⤴

Best ring-binder scrapbook

With its sleek design, this large album from Pioneer is perfect for any scrapbooking or paper-crafting project. It is made using a deep black, vinyl material, that makes this scrapbook look and feel like a quality product.

The D-ring design enables you the creative freedom to choose what you want each page to look like – you can choose any paper type and simply punch a holes in them to place them into the scrapbook, knowing that your photos will be safe and your memories will look great for years to come.

The D-ring is especially useful if you’re not certain on the size of your project when you first begin scrapbooking. And as it's a large album, it will accommodate most photos, no matter the size.

• Back to the top ⤴

Best scrapbook with customizable cover

The heavyweight chipboard cover of this American Crafts Modern Album might not be to everyone’s taste and you have to store it carefully as the chipboard can easily get scratched or damaged. However, if you’re after a cover that you can easily customize, then this scrapbook is worth a look, as you can decorate it with your own paper and embellishments.

The secure interlocking D-ring binding system enables you to turn the pages with ease and gives you the creative freedom to move the pages around once assembled. The scrapbook is great for archiving your special memories and it includes 10 top-loading page protectors.

• Back to the top ⤴

Best scrapbook with black pages

This scrapbook from AIOR has a quality linen cover which is elegant and stylish in appearance. It comes in gray, beige, blue stripes or white, and has a linen ribbon closure, plus the metal ring binder itself is easy to pop open and closed. The scrapbook is a decent size of 28 x 21cm, with the inner pages measuring 26 x 18cm, so it can fit two 6x4 photos per page.

The scrapbook comes with 30 sheets / 60 pages of photo paper, and this is durable enough to stick your photos down on, should you want to use glue to do so. However, as this package comes with photo corners, you don't have to! We'd recommend you create your design using photo corners, to keep your photos safe and archival, and the vintage black pages inside allow you to do just that.

The refillable ring-binder design and black pages are well suited for creating a beautiful scrapbook, giving you the freedom to move interior pages around while enabling you to lay the pages of the scrapbook out flat, so you can view your photos with ease.

• Back to the top ⤴

Best rustic scrapbook

This leather scrapbook by Rustic Ridge Leather is the perfect way to store and present your photos and memories with style and class. The rustic leather cover is made from high-quality leather that not only looks great, but will last for years to come. The scrapbook holds one hundred 4x6" or 5x7" photos, and is the perfect size to bring along with you to gatherings with family and friends.

This Rustic Leather scrapbook has a uniquely classic look, style, and feel that you won’t find in a modern-style scrapbooks. This would make a great gift for someone or for yourself, and the natural variations in the leather make each album one of a kind. The cream-colored pages are traditional acid-free cardstock with a semi-transparent sheet between each page, allowing you to attach photos to both sides of the pages.

• Back to the top ⤴

Best scrapbook for travel

Been on your travels, and want to collect your best photos together in a keepsake collection? This themed cardboard scrapbook has a suitable cover, leather-style binding, thick Kraft paper pages, and can hold more than 100 prints. Best of all, you can untie and re-tie the binding, so if you want to add extra pages, that's perfectly possible too. This scrapbook would also work for wedding/honeymoon photos, baby showers or a 'baby's first book'. It could also make a good gift for others embarking on a similar 'adventure'.

• Back to the top ⤴

Best scrapbook for crafts

This large, well-made memory book is a nice choice for crafty projects. Its 60 pages of 200gsm high quality thick Kraft paper are encased in spiral-bound spine, along with a sturdy, hard cover, ornate metal corner protectors and a ribbon to tie the notebook as you fill it up. The pages are a good fit for 6 x 4 inch photos and can be written on or decorated as you see fit.

• Back to the top ⤴

Best small scrapbook

This multi-purpose scrapbook is excellent for storing your inspirations, memories and ideas safely and attractively. It comes with a spiral bound spine and high-quality Kraft paper that will stand up to the heavy use of adhesives and paints, and a satin ribbon to tie it all together. It's not the largest at 12 x 12cm but on the plus side that does make it super-cute and easy to store. Also, the binding rings are nice and large, so you can fit quite a lot in.

• Back to the top ⤴

FAQs

• Back to the top ⤴

How to choose the best scrapbook

How do you choose the right one for you? Firstly, consider size. Remember that not all scrapbooks are expandable and so you'll need to have a good idea of how many photos you'll be presenting in order to make the right choice.

In other words, before you choose a scrapbook, you first need to think about selecting all the photos you want to use and how many you'd like to display per page. You may already have some printed and so you'll need to ensure that you choose the correct size scrapbook to accommodate them. To make a coherent collection, we'd also recommend looking at the chronology of your photos so that you can create the best story from your favorite memories.

Next, think about format. Scrapbooks generally have white, off-white or black inner pages, so you have to decide which one would showcase your snaps in the best light. Plain cardstock or patterned scrapbook paper are the essential materials to have to hand. You can usually buy these in sheets or pads at 12 x 12-inches size, and then you have to cut the pages down to the specific size needed for your scrapbook.

Finally, think about adhesives. There are a range of specialist scrapbooking glues and photo corners available, but if you don't want to mess around with things like that, there are also scrapbooks that are self-adhesive by design.

• Back to the top ⤴

How we test the best scrapbooks

When we test scrapbooks, we examine the quality and durability of materials, ensuring adhesives don't damage photos, and verifying ease of use for adding and rearranging elements. Evaluating scrapbooks also entails assessing design elements such as layout options, embellishment compatibility, and overall aesthetic appeal. Functional tests involve checking closure mechanisms like rings or bindings for security.

• Back to the top ⤴

Read more

The best glue for scrapbooking
Best label printer
Best photo frames: hang your images in style
Best cutting mats
Best digital photo frames
Best gifts for photographers
Best photo calendars
The best photo printing online Best photo albums

The best scrapbooking glue must be strong enough to hold stuff in place, yet gentle enough to avoid damaging the delicate paper and decorative elements in the journal, scrapbook or photo albums.

However, with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to find the perfect adhesive. In this guide, I'll explore the top scrapbooking glues on the market, considering factors such as drying time, adhesive strength, and versatility. I'll also highlight their strengths and weaknesses so you can choose between them.

Whether you're a seasoned scrapbooker or a beginner, I'll help you find the ideal glue to bring your creative visions to life. If you need extra guidance, jump ahead to the section on How to choose.

The best scrapbooking glue

Best glue for scrapbooking overall

This spray adhesive has been formulated for mounting items to a wide variety of surfaces and is ideal for sticking lightweight materials like photos, paper, and card into scrapbooks and photo albums. The spray canister has been designed to spray at a wide angle to cover large areas, so it's great for bigger photos and art projects.

You don't need to use a lot of spray to adhere photos to a scrapbook page; in fact, I recommend that you use it very sparingly. One light spray is enough to mount pictures or drawings in a scrapbook or photo book, but you can also reposition a photo, should you need to: you can simply peel it off and stick it down again up to 12 hours later (two hours when two surfaces are sprayed).

When the adhesive dries, it forms a secure bond that doesn't go brittle over time. As is usual with art sprays, you should only use this spray in a well-ventilated area, but it's worth noting that this isn't as noxious as other sprays I've tested in the past.

Most flexible glue for scrapbooking

Elmer’s Rubber Cement is a strong adhesive that's acid-free and great for sticking prints to scrapbooks and photo albums. At the same time, it's very flexible because if you only apply it to one surface, it can easily be peeled off and reapplied. Once you've decided to make it permanent, you just have to apply it to both pieces of paper. This makes it ideal for projects that require accurate placement. It also doesn't wrinkle paper and is nice and affordable too.

Best value glue for scrapbooking

These white, repositionable mounting squares measure 1/2-inch and are double sided. When applying them be sure to fix two edges first, and then add in the other two once the photo is in place to avoid crimping your snaps. What's handy about these mounting squares is that they can be easily repositioned in first five minutes of application, so if you make a mistake you can easily fix it.

Best adhesive dots for scrapbooking

These dots from Glue Dots International are acid- and lignin-free and non-toxic. They bond easily once you apply some pressure and can attach to almost any surface; they even work on glitter card!

There are three dispensers, and each one holds 200 adhesives that are 3/8 inch in diameter (9.53mm). Make sure you use the correct one for your scrapbooking project, as the included dispensers contain permanent, removable, and poster adhesives (you can buy individual dispensers too).

Best photo stickers

With each piece measuring 12mm x 17mm, these adhesive double-sided photo stickers by German manufacturer Herma are a nice size. The stickers are fairly easy to peel off, but could be fiddly depending on your dexterity. The adhesive is double-sided, so you can first apply the sticker to the photo and then stick it onto the surface. The stickers are solvent-free, so they are safe to use on your precious photos, and they have lots of other uses, too.

What's great is that one side is ready for use, the other covered by backing paper with a pull tab. You want to be sure of the positioning of your photos before you stick them down, though, as these are for permanent mounting of photos, receipts, cuttings, and so on.

Best photo corners

Measuring just 0.07 x 0.07 x 0.02 cm, these self-adhesive, transparent photo corners can be easily removed from the dispenser. I really like that they are almost invisible and have very good adhesion.

I found them a little fiddly to use at first, but once you get the hang of things, they're really nice. A top tip is to place them on the top corners of your photo first, and then stick them on the album page. If you've got a slightly thicker photo, like a Polaroid, then stick them onto the opposite corners first – it just makes them a little easier to manage. They are acid- and lignin-free, making them archive-safe, so you can be sure your memories will last forever.

Best staying power

These superior-quality self-adhesive photo corners are made from acrylic and measure 12mm, and they are ideal for sticking in larger photos into your scrapbook or photo book. Being slightly larger in size than some other photo corners in this guide might suit you if you find using the smaller versions fiddly.

Conveniently packaged in a sheet containing a total of 108 corners. The photo corners I tried are silver, which helps give a professional finish to projects. They're also available in cream/ivory, white, black, and gold & buff variations.

Best clear photo corners

Pioneer Photo Ltd is a respected name in the photo album industry. It uses only quality, archival materials in manufacturing, ensuring its products are photo-safe. These photo corners are acid-, lignin-, and PVC-emission free.

The pack contains 250 clear adhesive photo corners. They come in an easy-to-use dispenser box and are pressure sensitive. So, as long as you haven't pressed down too hard, it's easy to reposition these photo corners.

Best value photo corners

These black, plastic, self-adhesive, acid-free photo corners from Pioneer are great for scrapbooks and all sorts of art projects. This pack contains 250 self-adhesive corners.

To apply them, simply peel the photo corner from the sheet and pop it directly onto the album page. Alternatively, you can slip these over the corner of a photo and position them onto an album page. As the corners are pressure-sensitive, you can reposition your snaps until you press down hard, which will fix them in place permanently.

Best value foam squares

These white 3D foam squares from 3L Scrapbook Adhesives are made with high-density foam, allowing you to create depth and dimension. It's simple to remove from the sheet, and the top liners are incredibly easy to peel. The foam squares are available in black and white, regular and small sizes.

I recommend that you use them carefully on any photos you choose to pop into your scrapbook, as they're not acid-free and so you might see a deterioration in your snaps over time. However, they're great for adding height and interest to your scrapbooks, as the foam can be stacked so that different levels can be attained.

How to choose the right scrapbooking glue

When choosing the right glue or adhesive for your scrapbook or photo book, note that acids and photographs don't mix. Photographs have chemicals in them from processing, and when those acids are combined with acidic paper, adhesives, memorabilia, and page protectors, a chemical reaction can occur. Over time, the acid can start to seep into the photos, leaving you with snaps and layouts that are discolored, or in some cases ruined.

To avoid this mishap, you should look for these words on product labels: Acid-free, pH neutral, and Archival Safe. All the adhesives featured in this guide are safe to use on photos.

Also, consider whether you want your scrapbook to be archival. If you do, I'd recommend using photo corners so that you can easily take out any photos as needed. If you don't mind your photos being stuck to your layouts, then you might like to consider photo dots and double-sided adhesive rolls.

Finally, will you need to reposition your photos? If so, check whether your chosen adhesive enables you to do so, or whether it’s permanent. This is really important if you’re not quite sure of your layout when you start your scrapbook/photo book, because many adhesives are permanent.

Don't worry, though: all is not lost if you do get it wrong. There are tricks you can use to remove photos carefully from a page after it's stuck down, such as slipping dental floss in behind the photo and carefully teasing it loose.

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have resurrected a 19th-century color photography technique but with a modern twist. For the first time, it is now possible to print large-scale, color-changing images onto elastic materials all thanks to Nobel prize winner Gabriel Lippmann and some clever MIT researchers. 

Between 1891 and 1894, Lippman was inventing a new method of color photography known as the Lippman process. Using a mirror, and a thin layer of panchromatic gelatin emulsion with ultra-fine grains silver, it was then sealed with mercury and photographed through the back of the plate. It was a lengthy process and today very few photographers practice it. One of the few is Nick Brandeth. In an interview with Pop Photo, he describes Lippmann's process as  “the bridge between holography and photography”. 

• Read more: The art of tintype photography with Guy Bellingham

Taking inspiration from this dying method of photography, Benjamin Miller, a graduate student at MIT's department of mechanical engineering, wanted to find out if it could be used in combination with modern holographic materials to produce large-scale, structurally colored materials but quickly. 

Miller explains, “Scaling these materials is not trivial, because you need to control these structures at the nanoscale. Now that we've cleared this scaling hurdle, we can explore questions like: Can we use this material to make robotic skin that has a human-like sense of touch? And can we create touch-sensing devices for things like virtual augmented reality or medical training? It's a big space we're looking at now.”

Structurally colored material uses structural coloration to create a material that changes color when it moves. Structural coloration occurs naturally and is "the evolutionary process involving microscopic structures that reflect and refract light in unique ways.”  An example of structural coloration is found in chameleons. It’s what allows them to change their color in order to communicate, regulate heat and become camouflaged. Butterflies, poison dart frogs and peacocks also have structural coloration and can be seen in the metallic colorings on their bodies. 

Combining Lippmann’s method of photography with modern-day holographic materials, Miller and his team were able to create a detailed image in a matter of minutes. Back in the 1890s, it was a process that took days, but this reduction in time has made it possible on a bigger scale.  

While this material will be incredibly valuable to the textile and fashion industry, scientists hope it has more serious applications in the medical world using its color-changing abilities to monitor things like blood pressure. The Lippmann process may have dyed out as a method of photography but at least the science behind it has had its own reimagining.

Google Photos  has now made its photo printing service available in Canada and 28 other European countries, including the UK. The photo and canvas printing service was previously only available within the US, and with prices starting at 13p per print, it’s reasonably competitive compared to other well-known services such as Snapfish or Photobox.

Some of the best photo printing online services and best canvas printing services make it really easy to upload your photos, select what size you want them printed and some will even reduce the cost per print if you order over a certain amount. Google Photo prints offer a variety of different sizes from square 10cm x 10cm prints starting at 13p all the way up to larger 60x90cm prints but these aren’t cheap at £17.99/€21.20 and that’s before delivery.

• Read more: Best photo calendars

As well as photo prints, you can also use Google Photos print service for high-quality canvases, as well as photo books which make perfect keepsakes or presents for people. Photo books start at £15.99 but they get expensive pretty quickly. A 36-page book with a photo on each page is going to cost in the realms of £25/€30 to £38/€45 depending on whether you want a 7x7-inch softcover version or a 9x9 inch hardcover version.

Likewise, the canvas printing service is also not the cheapest, starting at £23.99/€28 for a 20x20cm print which is £10 more than Snapfish charges for the same size print. In terms of quality, we can’t honestly comment on whether the Google service is worth the extra charge as we can’t do a fair comparison without seeing prints from each company in real life.

Does google photos have unlimited storage?

Another thing to bear in mind if choosing to use Google Photos is that you no longer get unlimited free storage. As of the June 1 2021, Google changed its policy, meaning you now have to pay a monthly subscription fee if you want to upload more than 15GB. Compared to iCloud, it’s pretty much the same price only your storage options are different: choose from 100GB at £1.59 a month, 200GB at £2.49 a month or if you’re a professional photographer who is always uploading high-resolution images, the 2TB plan will set you back £7.99 a month.

Reasons to use the Google Photos printing service

One of the biggest advantages of the Google Photos printing service, especially for those using Android phones, is that you can really quickly select photos from your library to be printed as either a print, a photo book or canvas. However, delivery is not cheap and the turnaround time is pretty slow compared to other printing services at 7 - 10 working days.

One of the main differences between the service available in the UK and Europe compared to the US is that currently there is nowhere you can collect your prints in-store. In the US, Walmart, CVS and Walgreens offer a same-day collection that is perfect for last-minute gifts but this is something we could see happen in the UK and Europe eventually.

Is the Google Photos print quality good?

We’re keen to test the Google printing service so we can find out for ourselves how good it is, whether it’s worth the extra money and whether it really does take the full 7-10 days to arrive. 

Print quality is incredibly important, and the last thing you want is to waste money on a product that doesn’t live up to your standards – especially when you’ve paid a premium. Knowing Google and the expectations they need to live up to, we’re sure they’d pay attention to detail and ensure high-quality prints. For now, we'll stick to the best photo book services

Ordering images from the best photo printing online services can sometimes feel a bit risky, as you can't check the quality first. After all, the last thing you want is to spend money on getting your cherished memories printed only for them not to look as you expected. To help make your life easier, I've put together a list of our favorite online photo printing services that offer high-quality prints and a fast turnaround at affordable prices.

Printing pictures is a great way to display photos you've taken with your camera or phone. Whether you prefer to have them on show in a picture frame or create a beautiful photo album, having tangible memories is so much more special than viewing them on a screen.

If you want to print a lot, you could invest in one of the best photo printers, but they are expensive, take up a lot of room, and good-quality ink and paper don't come cheap.

That's why the best photo printing services are the perfect solution – you can get great quality photo prints in a range of sizes and finishes without having to invest in a printer. Often, unit costs are cheaper when you get larger quantities printed, so if you know there are a few events on the horizon you might want prints of, it would be a good idea to wait and have them done at the same time.

While some of these services have brick-and-mortar stores and collection points, some exist purely online, and prints are delivered straight to your door (although this is a service all the companies below offer).

Navigating the best photo printing online can sometimes be a bit of a minefield when you don't know which companies will provide the best quality prints or the fastest shipping times. However, I've done all of the hard work for you to discover which of the best photo printing online services will be the right one for you.

The best photo printing online

Best quality

If it's quality prints you're after, you'll be hard pushed to find better than that of Printique. The online service of Adorama, a pro photography shop in NYC, the website alone speaks volumes in the company's expertise. Combine that with the variety of photographic and fine art paper, printing techniques, and creative options on offer here, and you're guaranteed to walk away with the highest quality prints.

Silver halide prints set Printique apart from other services, boasting a larger color gamut for stronger, brighter, more vibrant colors than prints produced by most mass production labs.

Printique's photo editor offers an express order mode, with which you order the same print size, paper type, and quantities of all your photos. But there's also a detailed order mode, where users can handpick different print sizes, paper types and quantities for each individual photo. Images can be uploaded directly from your computer or imported from Google Photos, Flickr, Facebook, Instagram, Dropbox or Lightroom.

You won't be surprised to note it's not the cheapest option (but also not the most expensive either), especially when you add a rather hefty shipping cost on, but for the quality of finish, the cost per print still equates to good value for money.

Best value

Walmart might not be the first place you think of going for photo prints, but if you're on a budget, it's one of the best online photo printing services around. It's significantly cheaper than many others on the list. Not only that, but if you spend more than $35, you'll also get free shipping.

If you live close to a Walmart, there is also the advantage of being able to collect prints in person. There is an express service, which means your prints could be ready in just an hour, but you will incur slightly higher fees for this. If you're making a gallery wall or giving prints as presents and have lots of frames to fill, it's worth considering Walmart, as the print quality is still pretty good and you'll save yourself a lot of money.

Best for Amazon Prime users

When I say you can get pretty much anything on Amazon these days, I really mean it. Now you can order reasonable-quality, affordable prints from just 0.58¢ per photo. The catch is that you need to be an Amazon Prime member to use the service.

You can choose for your prints to either have a matte or glossy finish, and as an Amazon Prime member, delivery is free. If it weren't for the fact that you had to be a Prime member, Amazon's printing service would've undoubtedly taken the number one spot on this list due to quality and price. But the fact that you can walk into a Walmart and pick up your prints in less than an hour wins the vote of convenience for me.

Best for fast turnaround

At first, the Shutterfly uploader looks quite complicated to use, but it's actually very intuitive. You can select all images to be printed the same size, and it will automatically crop them for you, but if you want certain images to be a different size, you can just change the print size on those specific images.

Choose from 4x6, 7x5, 8x10, 4x4, 8x8, 12x12, 11x14, 16x20, and many more sizes. You can also decide whether you want a glossy, matte, or pearl finish. When you click add to card, it will even offer to turn your photos into a photobook for you, which will obviously cost extra but not as much as you might expect. It would be a lovely added extra to give as a present if you went to a wedding or on holiday with friends.

Standard shipping costs just under $9 and takes 3-4 business days; however, if you're in a rush, you can pay more for express delivery. Shutterfly does ship worldwide, but you're better off looking for a printing service in your own country since the shipping and handling fees outside the USA are expensive.

Tips for choosing the right printing service

Choose the right size: Make sure you choose the right print size. This will depend on the aspect ratio your photo has been cropped to. If your photo is in a 3:2 or 4:3 ratio, a 7x5-inch print will ensure minimal cropping.

Discover extra ratios: Some printing services might offer less common photo printing sizes, such as 7.5x5, 6.5x5, and 5x5in. This is perfect for tailoring your prints to perfectly match the aspect ratio you shot in.

Select your finish: Usually, your only two finish options are gloss or matte. However, if you've paid for a premium service, you could have your images printed onto a luxury, heavyweight paper.

Get them delivered: As you'd expect, most online printing services will ship your images directly to you, usually for a small fee. Turnaround is normally no more than 2-5 business days, but this could be a bit longer during busy times.

Upload your shots: The best online photo printing services will have simple-to-use print preview software that will enable you to accurately make any necessary adjustments. Be wary of print previews where you can't quite tell how your final image will be cropped.

Read more:

Best photo books
Best picture frames
Best digital photo frames
Best photo albums
Best photo gifts
Best self-healing cutting mats

PosterArtist is a poster creation program designed by Canon, which enables users to create professional-looking advertisement posters, banners and signage. Moving online as a free tool, it boasts a new user interface and user experience. 

The free application has both business and personal users catered for, and can be run on either Windows or Mac platforms, supporting compatible models of Canon devices and printers too.

• Looking for the best Canon printers?

Canon announced earlier this month that it was launching a free online version of its template-driven PosterArtist application program, giving users the chance to play around with designs and create professional-looking content in promotion of their business, displaying notices around the office or for personal uses. 

With the software you can create unique designs from a browser, using a vast array of basic templates and more creative offerings – then simply change the text and other features to customize your design. The application provides users with the option to import their own photos, making PosterArtist a great way to show off your images in a new format that can be sent or displayed anywhere you choose.

There is also the option to pick from a wide selection of royalty-free images from third-party photo service providers, including Pexels, Pixabay and Unsplash. With millions of photos to choose from, users are spoiled for choice on curating the most visually appealing and professional-looking content for their needs. 

There's a new ability to add the look of gold or silver texture to text, graphics and backgrounds in the online version. Canon’s unique technology enables it to express four different textured looks in gold or silver to enhance design output.

Designed for a wide range of markets and opportunities, the tool can be used by even the most beginner artists to easily create appealing posters, flyers, calendars, restaurant menus, internal office notices, retail promotional posters, educational school pamphlets… the potential is limitless. The program's auto design feature can also be used to automatically generate design suggestions based on your image input and current format. 

The user interface and experience have been updated to help meet the printing demands of all skill levels, ensuring quality output. To view the full list of compatible printers, visit Canon USA. 

Read more:

Best Canon camera
Best Canon lenses
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 review
Best large format printer for photographers

This year will be a big one for Magnum, as the iconic photo agency celebrates its 75th anniversary. To help mark the occasion, Magnum is staging three Square Print Sales in 2022 – and the first, ’Precedents’ is open now. 

For anyone unfamiliar, Magnum Square Print Sales are red letter days in the photo calendar – for a limited time, you can buy a print from some of the agency’s highest-profile photographers. 

This means that a work from the likes of Eve Arnold, Stuart Franklin, David Hurn, Peter Marlow, Hannah Price – and many more – can be yours for just $100/£100/ €110. 

These sales run for just one week, so you’ll need to act quickly to own a museum-quality print. 

Magnum Square Prints are printed on 6 x 6in (15.24 x 15.24cm) archival paper; the image size is 5.5in (14cm) on the longest side. The images will not be cropped but will have white borders. 

‘Precedents’ is open now until Sunday 20 March at 00.00 PST (03.00 EST/07.00 GMT Monday 21 March). 

• Read more: Best cameras for street photography

Magnum Photos was founded in Paris in 1947 and holds regular Square Print Sales every year. The images in each sale are always different, and are not available outside the sale window. 

“For ’Precedents’, participating photographers and estates have searched their personal archives in search of images that signal the start of something new,” says Magnum. 

“The beginning can be literal – an origin – or the moment that everything changed. 

“The chosen images might bring the early career of the photographer to light, or it could be a photo that commenced a project, prompted an obsession, or started a journey.” 

Click here to browse the full selection of the prints available in the ‘Precedents’ sale. 

Own a limited edition Magnum Square Print for $100

Featuring work by over 70 Magnum photographers, the photos on sale in ’Precedents’ span six decades and, together, create a compelling survey of the agency, history, and photojournalism. 

The sale sees  images from famous events in history such as Stuart Franklin’s photo of a defiant young protester at  Tiananmen Square in 1989 appear alongside Peter Marlow’s image of seemingly carefree children eating ice cream while surrounding a soldier in Londonderry/ Derry in 1979. 

Elsewhere, we see  famous faces such as The Beatles captured by David Hurn as they dash along a train platform while filming ’A Hard Day’s Night’ and Marlene Dietrich photographed mid-song by Eve Arnold  at the Columbia Records studio in 1952. 

Other photographers introduce less familiar landscapes  and places. 

Alec Soth’s image of a cemetery looming above a gas station in Wisconsin and Hannah Price’s photo of huge presidential busts provide a perspective of the quotidian or the uncanny. 

The sale is on for only six days – so be quick!

This is just a flavor of the prints on offer in the ‘Precedents’ Square Print sale. To browse the full selection, and make a purchase, go to: www.magnumphotos.com/shop

Magnum Square Prints are printed on 6 x 6in (15.24 x 15.24cm) archival paper; image size is 5.5in (14cm) on the longest side. The images will not be cropped but will have white borders instead. 

The ‘Precedents’ Square Print Sale is open now until Sunday 20 March at 00.00 PST (03.00 EST/07.00 GMT Monday 21 March).

Read more

The best lens for street photography  

The ultimate guide to street photography  

The best coffee-table books on photography

Popsa photo book review

Bob Books photo book review 

Photobox photo book review

The best canvas print services are a great way of transforming photos you took into works of art for your house. While some of the best photo prints are great for sticking in photo albums, those really special photos are nice to have printed in large format. Whether it's your favorite snap from a holiday, a wedding or a stunning weekend away, a canvas print makes an excellent thoughtful gift.

Canvas printing has become much more affordable in recent years and is now very popular. Whether you're buying for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, it's a sure fire way to add some art to your walls that no one else will have. After all, what's better than having one-of-a-kind works of art in your house? The fabric finish of canvas prints give them a really professional look and can even help bring your photos to life.

If you're excited to invest in a canvas print, but you're not sure where to start, then don't worry. We've examined the best canvas print services below to help you decide which will be the best service for you.

Best canvas print services

Starting at $39.99 for an 8x8in canvas, Printique's service is definitely not the cheapest you can find but the quality is good and you can choose from a range of edges, sizes, and finishes. If you want to go big, and really make a statement you can have canvases made at up to 30x40in. If you have a very specific size in mind which isn't listed you can also get custom sizes printed up to 30x30 inches. Because these big sizes, Printique (which is part of Adorama) will only deliver to North America. You can also pick up your canvas in person from its Brooklyn and Manhattan outlets.

While a close-up inspection reveals a coarser material texture that might initially seem lacking in quality, these canvas prints truly shine once they are up on the wall. From a normal viewing distance, they beautifully elevate your personal photos and inject genuine character into any room. Furthermore, if you are looking to transform a large, blank wall with a multi-print gallery layout, you can take advantage of the built-in canvas wall designer tool to preview exactly how the entire arrangement will look before you finalize your order.

CanvasPop are one of the best names in the canvas printing business. Offering an easy-to-use uploader, fast turnaround, high-quality prints and free digital proofs, the whole process is hassle-free. Choose between uploading a photo from your computer or importing via Facebook or Instagram - any images that are too low res will pop up with a warning.

Each order must be reviewed before the order can be completed which ensures a perfect print every time. This can however delay shipping as it can take up to three business days but that's a lot better than having a canvas arrive you're not happy with.

Each and every canvas print is hand-stretched, with the name of the craftsman included on a removable sticker inside the frame.

CanvasPop may initially seem quite expensive, but the company offers regular deals of up to 50 percent off, making for a significantly good cost-to-quality ratio.

Online photo service Mixbook offers a variety of shapes and sizes when it comes to canvas prints. Using a simple drag-and-drop photo editor, creating your design is a cinch, with an in-built image resolution checker to make sure the quality is up to scratch for the size you choose.

The service isn't the cheapest around, but Mixbook canvas print quality is top notch. Using gallery-quality textured canvas on a solid front construction, prints wont stretch or sag, plus gallery-style frames in espresso, black and white will finish your prints off perfectly. Turn around times are also a little longer than other companies, depending on where you live.

Mixbook often runs very healthy discounts, so it's always worth checking out their website every so often to scoop up a great deal.

Great Big Canvas specializes in ready-made canvas prints, including everything from sunsets and beaches to architecture and education. But there's also the option to order custom canvas prints too, ranging from 8 x 10" right up to 36 x 36". Using artist's grade canvas and archival inks, all Great Big Canvas prints have UVB protection built in to protect against fading and moisture.

Prices aren't the cheapest around, but you get what you pay for, and you're guaranteed quality with Great Big Canvas or your money back. The company regularly offers impressive discounts of up to 50 per cent, which makes for excellent value for money. Great Big Canvas also offers an alternative floating frame option, which adds a really unique, modern feel to canvas photos.

If you thought you couldn't get cheaper than Walmart, think again. If you're after a cheap but quality option, Easy Canvas Prints are, by far, the lowest priced printing service listed here. At time of writing, the company currently has up to 97% off various products, meaning right now you could walk away with a 30 x 40" canvas print for just over $30 (opposed to the regular $300).

Now, obviously with budget services you are going to have to compromise on quality slightly, starting with the canvases being printed on polyester, with a semi-gloss surface, so you'll want to think carefully about lighting and reflection, as well as keeping it out of direct sunlight to avoid fading. That said, Easy Canvas still offers a very professional service, with prints that only pro photographers might notice are lacking slightly when it comes to quality.

The company also prides itself on support, noting on its website how its 'dedicated "Customer Love Team" works hard to ensure 100% satisfaction on each and every order'. And that is something you want to take advantage of when ordering as there is no warning system in place to let you know if your image is too small to be printed at the size you require. This is hardly surprising given the price you're paying for a print, however be sure to use the online assistant or email the team to check the image you want to print is good enough quality for your canvas size ahead of ordering.

Easy Canvas Prints also offers an enhancement service for an added cost, which includes everything from red eye removal and teeth whitening to oil painting effects and restoring old photographs.

Having been in the business of printing photos for almost a decade, the team at Social Print Studio has a wealth of knowledge and expertise when it comes to canvas printing. A lesser-known company, but one seriously worth considering if you're after quality, professional-looking prints.

Making life easy for users all around the globe, the company offers one museum-quality canvas finish using archival inks (permanent, non-fading and resistant to light, heat and water, and contains no impurities - can't get better than that, right?) and a glossy finish. Available in four sizes at one canvas depth, the print is finished wall ready, with a classic black backing and installed with a sawtooth hanger.

In order to maintain photo clarity, the company details minimum size requirements for each size canvas print as:

• 8x8" canvas – 800 x 800 pixels 
• 8x10" canvas – 800 x 1000 pixels 
• 11x14" canvas – 1100 x 1400 pixels 
• 16x20" canvas– 1600 x 2000 pixels 

Social Print Studios in-built photo editing software is super-easy to use, operating a simple upload service, with wrap clearly highlighted at every stage. And if you get stuck at any point the customer service is both reliable and friendly.

You can get pretty much anything at Walmart these days, even canvas prints. And while you might be thinking they're probably not the best quality, you'd be wrong. Ok, sure, they're not quite in the same league at Social Print Studio or CanvasPop, but if you're on a bit of a budget and want a few prints to brighten up your home or studio, Walmart is one of the best canvas print services around.

There's a somewhat unbelievable range of sizes and themes to choose from, plus no frame, floating, contemporary and traditional frame options for each. Walmart's photo editing software is simple to use, even for beginners, and there's an in-built warning system to notify you when images are poor quality. Canvas types differ depending on the style of print you are after, full details of which you can find via the Walmart website. You'll also find regular, very decent discounts on Walmart's canvas print services, so worth keeping an eye out if you want to save a bit of extra cash.

Creating a personalized canvas print with Snapfish is really easy and it'll add a touch of personality to your home. Whether you want a traditional canvas with just one image or you want to create a collage with lots of images, Snapfish's design tools enable you to have full creativity.

You don't even need to get a photo printed, you could get your favourite quote or even lyrics printed. You can choose the font, text colour and background colour so you can be sure it fits in with your aesthetic. There are also several different finishing options to choose from including framed canvas prints, wrapped canvas prints and plain white-sided canvas prints. We think wrapped canvas prints look particularly good as your photo extends over the edge.

As well as the standard size, singular canvases, Snapfish also sells panoramic canvases, split canvases and tiled canvases. Panoramic canvases are perfect for wide-angle landscape shots, split canvases allow you to split up a single image over more than one canvas for a modern twist while tiles canvases are a great way of showing off a series of images, perhaps from a wedding or a trip away. If you want your canvas to be extra special, you can also get it framed in either a black, gold or chocolate brown frame. Turnaround time is roughly a week and delivery is calculated based on where you live.

What is a canvas print?

To create a canvas print, photo finishing manufacturers will take your image and print it onto canvas material using an inkjet printer. Once this has fully dried, the canvas will then be stretched over a wooden frame and secured in place (usually with the help of some heavy duty staples).

One of the benefits of canvas prints is that they tend to be larger than typical photo prints. However, you can also get smaller sizes as well, if that's what you're looking for.

Each of the canvas print services listed above are designed to be as simple as possible, with a clear step-by-step process to help you upload your shot and optimize it for a beautiful canvas print. Some canvas print services will even include photo editing software. This helps make sure that the image you've selected will work with the canvas size you've chosen.

The best canvas prints: tips for choosing

• Image quality – Like with any print, image quality is the most important thing to consider when it comes to canvas prints. These larger scale images will require higher resolution files in order to avoid your print looking pixelated, so choosing a canvas print service that fully understands the importance of image resolution is vital. Professional services will have systems in place to highlight when an image provided is not of a high enough resolution and therefore avoid a bad print. A fail-safe way to avoid mistakes is to the email the company ahead of ordering and ask them outright if the quality is good enough for the size of canvas you're after. 
  
• Print styles – canvas prints come in various sizes and formats, including single image and collage format and square, portrait, landscape and panoramic orientation. The key to deciding which to go for is the image you're printing. A collage, for example, are great for wedding and holiday photos, whereas a single portrait image would probably be better suited to a square canvas. Again, if you're unsure, email the canvas print company ahead of ordering to ask for advice. 
  
• Canvas quality – What canvas are the printing service you have chosen using? Is it matte canvas or gloss canvas? Gloss canvas under light may have an added shine and distorted color, so it's a question worth asking before you proceed. 
  
• Finishing details – When you've got a beautiful printed canvas, the last thing you want is lumpy corners that have been folded badly. Folds should not be visible on your print, and if they are, send it back.
  
• Delivery times – Bear in mind that due to the nature of the printing process, canvas delivery times will almost certainly take longer than regular prints. That said, many of the bigger companies are still able to turn these around within three days, however that may differ in busier periods so always aim to order at least a week in advance of when you need your canvas to be delivered. 

Read more:

Best photo books
Best online photo printing services
Best digital photo frames

The latest Square Print Sale from Magnum Photos is a collection of images that “explore the edges of photographic practice, push the boundaries of what we know and see, and embrace the unknown.”

A partnership with Aperture, the non-profit arts organization and preeminent photography publisher, ‘On the Horizon’ is open now until Sunday October 24, at 11:59 PM PST/7.59 PM BST. 

The sale offers more than 100 images from some of Magnum’s highest-profile photographers – including Eve Arnold, Harry Gruyaert, Cristina De Middel, David Hurn, Carolyn Drake, Steve McCurry, Susan Meiselas, W Eugene Smith, Martin Parr, Alec Soth – while the roster of Aperture photographers in the sale includes Nan Goldin, Don McCullin, Bob Gruen, Stephen Shore, Joel Meyerowitz and more. 

Magnum Square Prints are printed on 6 x 6in (15.24 x 15.24cm) archival paper; the image size is 5.5in (14cm) on the longest side. The images will not be cropped but will have white borders. 

As the sale runs for just six days, you will need to act quickly to own a museum-quality print from some of the biggest names in photography for just $100. 

Magnum Photos was founded in Paris in 1947 and holds regular Square Print Sales every year. The images in each sale are always different, and are not be available outside the sale window. 

“These photographs explore opportunity, aspiration and creativity in response to the unseen and unclear,” says Magnum. 

“At a time when so much of the future is uncertain, and horizons broaden and narrow daily, these perspectives reflect the values and importance of shared experience and looking forward.” 

Click here to browse the full selection of the prints available in the ‘On the Horizon’ sale. 

• Read more: Best cameras for street photography

Own a limited edition Magnum Square Print for $100

Read on for some highlights of the prints offered in the ‘On the Horizon’ Square Print Sale… 

In spring 2013, Alex Webb was trying to finish photographing images for Memory City, a collaborative book with Rebecca Norris Webb about time, film and the city of Rochester, NY – the longtime home of Kodak. 

“When Rebecca, however, said that she needed one last visit to Rochester to complete the book, I only half-heartedly accompanied her,” recalls Alex. 

“So, when I stepped into that Lake Ontario dancehall late one afternoon, it was a revelation. 

“It was as if those golden shafts of light – seemingly spotlighting these four dancers awaiting their turn – were showing me another ending, one that I’d not expected or imagined, thanks to this 11th hour encounter with serendipity.”

This photo by Spanish photographer Cristina Garcia Rodero is available in the ‘On the Horizon’ sale. 

“On an infinite horizon, under the Caribbean sky, a girl flies, enjoying and playing with the warm water,” is how she describes it. 

When Thomas Hoepker first met Muhammad Ali, in Chicago in 1966, Hoepker was a young photo reporter working for Germany’s Stern magazine. 

“He was 24, had recently converted to Islam, and had just changed his name to Muhammad Ali,” Hoepker recalls.

“I was interested in observing and photographing him as a person, not so much as a boxer. But this proved to be a difficult task. The Champ was elusive and erratic. 

“Ali could be delightful, talking without end, in long cascading sentences, often laced with rhymes. But, suddenly, he would clam up and become inaccessible. 

“Then, in the next moment, he would cooperate fully with me, clowning around, taking off his shirt, climbing on a bridge railing above the Chicago River and jumping towards my Leica. No horizon seemed too far away for his ambitions.”

This image by renowned American photographer Carolyn Drake was taken in 2007 and documents a subject that’s still in the news today. 

“Despite the Chinese government’s efforts to suppress information about the millions of Uighurs whose lives and rights have been violated by a campaign against them in the last decade, enough of their stories have been shared to create a consensus that what's happening is genocide,” Drake notes. 

“We need to hear more of these stories. Proceeds from this sale will be donated to the Xinjiang Victims Database, a community funded platform that collects testimonies from family and friends of those detained in internment camps in Xinjiang, that is seeking transparency and creating foundations for future reparations.”

The celebrated street shooter Bruce Gilden needs little introduction; alongside his work shot in the US, he has found Japan a fruitful location for photographic subjects, spending significant time there during the late 2000s. 

“It was in a coffee shop in Ginza, Tokyo,” says Gilden of this photo. 

“I saw a yakuza lighting his partner's cigarette and after I took one photo of them, I asked if they could do it again to make sure that I didn't miss it.”

Nan Goldin is well known for her portraiture of LGBT bodies, moments of intimacy, and the HIV crisis. 

She has also turned her lens to cover the opioid epidemic in the US, and the notes accompanying this image read as follows:

“Proceeds from the sale of this print will benefit PAIN [Prescription Addiction Intervention Now], Aperture and Magnum. 

“PAIN has dedicated half its share to organizations raising bail and commissary funds for queer and trans incarcerated people. 

“PAIN addresses the crisis of the ongoing Drug War by targeting the pharmaceutical companies that have profited off the addictions and deaths of over half a million Americans. 

“Funds from this print sale will go towards future actions to hold Big Pharma accountable, advocate for harm reduction, and pressure our government to decriminalize drugs and provide lifesaving treatments for drug users.“

One of the world’s foremost war photographers, Don McCullin is also well known for his landscape and documentary photography. 

“When I came back from [photographing] wars, I would immediately throw myself into my own personal journeys, like going to Bradford or Liverpool, or I’d head up to Scotland to do landscape photography,” says McCullin. 

“So I never had time to think about post-traumatic stress. This image strikes me for its alien lunar landscape; an environmental disaster which is so uncomfortably at odds with the presentation of this young mother pushing her shiny pram.” 

This striking image by German photographer Sabine Hornig is easy to get lost in. 

Describing it, she says: “An image of the skyline is descending from above as inverted, golden forms in morning light. 

“A second image of an upright urban cityscape rises from below, filling the interspaces and merging with the golden skyline in a darker night atmosphere, together creating a simultaneous perception of the city, where inside and outside and day and night interchange, the golden foreground becoming a sunrise sky in the background, and the blue background becoming a nighttime foreground in the image.”

Joel Meyerowitz also has an image in the ‘On the Horizon’ Square Print Sale. 

“This photograph gave me the double good fortune of the blimp and the belly appearing on the scene at the very moment I stepped out onto the rooftop of this hotel in Miami Beach,” he notes, “not to mention the extra delight of seeing the ring-toss post and its place in the man’s shadow. 

“But what really makes this a color photograph for me is the streak of aqua that has bounced up from the water’s surface and adds its subtle glaze to the bottom of the blimp.”

The sale is on for only six days – so be quick!

This is just a flavor of the prints on offer in the ‘On the Horizon’ sale. To browse the full selection, and make a purchase, go to: www.magnumphotos.com/shop

Magnum Square Prints are printed on 6 x 6in (15.24 x 15.24cm) archival paper; image size is 5.5in (14cm) on the longest side. The images will not be cropped but will have white borders instead. 

Read more

The best lens for street photography  

The ultimate guide to street photography  

The best coffee-table books on photography

Popsa photo book review

Bob Books photo book review 

Photobox photo book review

If you’re a film photographer you’ve no doubt heard of Analogue Wonderland. It’s an online mecca for all kinds of film and now it is opening up its own, cleverly named processing lab – Analogue WonderLab.

The women-led lab based in High Wycombe, UK, will offer an online and walk-in service – so no matter where you live, you can get your best 35mm film rolls developed. Set up by film photographer and processing guru Marina Llopis, Analogue WonderLab will be one of few female-headed processing labs in Europe. 

• Read more: Best film cameras

Analogue Wonderland has been in operation for three years, and it hopes that Marina's experience in labs across the world will help Analogue WonderLab to excel in three main areas: sustainability, organization and community. 

By using chemicals with the lowest toxicity levels, encouraging customers to send film to the lab in recycled boxes, and creating a system where film pots, 120 spools and disposable cameras can be returned to the production line, it hopes it will be able to offer a more planet-friendly service.

"What excites me most about the WonderLab isn’t just that we’ll be providing a great service for local film shooters from the start, but that this is just the beginning of a project to improve film photography’s environmental footprint forever," said Llopis.

More ways that Llopis hopes that the lab can be more sustainable is by switching from using ammonium sulphate as a fixer to using sodium thiosulfate. She also wants to extend the life of the fixer by silver recovery, which means more than 100 films could be fixed without needed to discard the fixer and use recycled / biodegradable packaging wherever possible (with the exception of negative film sleeves).

Focusing on organization, in order to make WonderLab the most efficient minilab in the world, Marina and her team are working on a system that will eradicate process and logistical mistakes. In order to ensure all customers have a smooth experience from start to finish, Marina wants to make it easy to find the right service, purchase and process film at the same time, access tracking information and receive films and scans quickly. This involves building a new website, rearranging the warehouse, coming up with paperwork systems and finding a way to make it all link together.

Creating a lab space has always been a goal for co-founder Paul McKay but finding the right person to lead the project wasn’t easy. "We needed someone with the right experience and network to help, and now we can focus on helping push the lab industry forwards – sharing the challenges openly with our community and investing in research to make things better for future generations of film shooters." 

Finally, the WonderLab team wants to be involved with the Analogue Wonderland community by being available for advice or a chat as well as running competitions, giveaways and exhibitions. By sharing pictures and videos of behind-the-scenes in the lead up to the lab opening, they hope it will give customers an idea of how film will be handled and processed in the coming years. 

The Analogue WonderLab is now open for business and is able to process 35mm in color and black and white, 110mm and 120mm film in color and disposable cameras. For more information on pricing and turnaround times, head to the Analogue WonderLab tab on the Analogue Wonderland webpage. 

Read more:

Best film scanners
Best instant film cameras
Best Lomography cameras
Best darkroom equipment

The Kickstarter-funded Intrepid Compact Enlarger has now gone on general sale - offering a highly-versatile and affordable way of printing your own negatives. Whilst film photography has a new new cult following, traditional equipment for processing your rolls of film is not so easy to find - and can often be expensive. Intrepid Camera - who are behind the Intrepid 4x5 large-format camera - has produced their own modern twist on the enlarger to meet the needs who want to experience the joy of printing under a red safelight. The enlarger can be seen at The Photography Show, which runs at the National Exhibition Centre, UK, until 21 September.

The Intrepid Compact Enlarger keeps things simple by not being supplied with either a baseboard or stand or a lens. You instead use your tripod (or copy stand) to support the enlarger head, and source your own screw-fit M39 lens to attach to the supplied lens board. 

But what you do get is an ultra-modern LED light source with an electronic timer control panel. This allows you to print color negatives - and to print onto standard or variable-contrast black-and-white paper. The combination allows you to adjust contrast, color balance and exposure length at the click of a button and without the need for separate filters. There is even a safelight setting - so you can use the enlarger when developing your prints (so no need to buy a separate safelight).

An additional mode allows you to use the enlarger head for scanning - allowing you to copy negatives and slides onto a digital camera without the need for a film scanner.

The enlarger not only prints 35mm negatives - but can also handle medium-format roll film up to a size of 6x9cm. Negative carriers are suppled for 135, 6x6, 6x4.5, 6x7, and 6x9 formats - and you produce prints up to 11x14in.

The Intrepid Compact Enlarger was originally sold through Kickstarter, but can now be bought direct from Intrepid for £280 (approximately $383).

Read more
Best darkroom equipment
Best film - 35mm, roll and sheet
Best film camera