A great new way to show off your pictures

by Elizabeth Singer

Looking for an impressive way to show off your photos? Need to create a portfolio or wedding album? Perhaps you’re looking for a more unique way to showcase your digital scrapbooking. If you are, we think we’ve come across the perfect solution. SmileBooks.

SmileBooks are affordable, professionally bound and beautiful creations. They’re also simple to make. All you need to do is set up an account (free) and download the SmileBooks software (also free). You can use the software to create your book in one of three ways. You can let the software create your book for you as a completely automated process, you can import your pictures and layout your book yourself using their included page templates or you can layout your pages in your own software of choice and import them into your book. While the fully automated process is the quickest, the results aren’t truly satisfactory. The best way I’ve found is to copy all of the pictures you want to include in your SmileBook into one folder, import them, and then use the included page templates to place the pictures you want, where you want and with other pictures you want. It’s all drag and drop and really couldn’t be simpler or quicker. To really dress up your book, you can add any embellishments in your editor of choice, such as digital “photo corners” etc., before bringing them into the SmileBooks software. You can also add text to your SmileBooks.

SmileBooks start at only $9.95 for a 26 page “booklet” that’s 5.5”x5” and go up from there. Even a 12”x12” is extremely affordable starting at only $68.95 for a 26 pager with hard covers and only $39.95 for a 26 page 8”x11” with hard cover. Book sizes available are 5.5”x5”, 8”x8”, 8”x11” and 12”x12”. There are also different cover options depending upon the type of book you order – booklet, soft cover, linen cover, hard cover, premium linen and faux leather.

The website states to expect up to 15 working days for shipping. While the ordering process will tell you this time is because the books are created overseas and that the shipping time is the about the same as shipping across the US from coast to coast – that’s not entirely accurate. Shipping coast to coast across the USA takes only about 3 days, maybe 4. It took 10 days for our book to arrive. Still, considering it was created and had to be shipped overseas, which meant clearing customs – it wasn’t a long wait. Just allow for this shipping time if you intend to order a SmileBook as a holiday gift.

SmileBook isn’t just a name – it’s an effect, because you’re sure to smile when you receive your finished book. They’re incredibly well made and everyone we showed our book to has simply been blown away by the quality. So, what are you waiting for? Go to SmileBooks ( www.smilebooks.com ) and download your free software and start making your own great creation!

Oh, and when you register (free), you’ll also get periodic emails offering discount codes of up to 30% off. That’ll also make you smile.

The SmileBooks interface

Design your own hard cover

Layout with multi images per page

or even full page spreads