Ordering a photo book... question

[Libby Pritchett]

So, I've never actually ordered a photo book before. Crazy, huh? I have always just printed my pages individually and put them into an album like when I paper scrapped.

I have a groupon for Mixbook that I need to use, so I think I'm going to do my wedding album. Is there anything special I need to know about designing the pages or the specs for having a book printed? I realize I don't need to put anything critical on the border that might get cut off, but do you have any tips or tricks to share?

Not sure what size I want to do. I'm debating between 8.5x8.5 square or the landscape 11x8.5.

[Andrea G]

How fun for you to do your wedding book, Libby!

I would just make sure you carefully view their specs before you design your pages. I haven't done the company you've mentioned, I'm sure they're a good company, I mostly have done Shutterfly, and they have a few weird specs. It's helpful to have them pulled up in a different browser nearby for quick reference. The wierdest part of the specs were for the cover (front, back and the spine). Other than that, I don't have any other tips to offer.

I bet your wedding album will be so cute! I'm exctied for you!

[julifish]

I agree. They should have specs for the inside pages and the cover/back on their website. Just follow those specs and keep everything you want inside those print dimensions. It helps to set up a template and then adjust your layout and making sure you either have background in the bleed area or keep the bleed area white.