How to Design Your Perfect Pixum Photo Book in 5 Steps

Pixum Photo Book Review — Quality, Options, and TipsCreating a physical photo book from digital memories remains one of the most satisfying ways to preserve and share life’s moments. Pixum is a well-known European photo‑printing service that offers a broad range of photo books, from budget-friendly softcover options to premium layflat and hardcover albums. This review covers Pixum’s print and material quality, available customization options, ordering and delivery experience, software and design tools, price/value, and practical tips to get the best results.

Quick verdict

Pixum delivers very good print quality and a wide range of formats and materials, making it a strong choice for both casual users and people looking for premium photo books. The online design tools are flexible but can be slightly overwhelming for beginners; ordering and delivery are generally reliable in Europe, with variable shipping times outside the main markets.

1. Print and material quality

• Photos: Pixum uses high-resolution printing with good color fidelity and detail. Images come out vibrant and sharp when uploaded at recommended resolutions.
• Paper options: Typical choices include standard matte, premium glossy, and thicker premium papers for a more luxurious feel. The premium paper options reduce show-through and provide better color saturation.
• Covers: Options range from softcover and hardcover jackets to premium linen and photo covers. Photo covers with glossy coating show images well; linen offers a tactile, elegant finish.
• Binding: Pixum offers standard binding and a layflat option. Layflat binding is excellent for panoramic spreads — images align across the gutter without losing parts to curvature.
• Durability: With good-quality hardcover and thicker pages, Pixum photo books hold up well over time if handled properly.

Strengths: accurate colors, multiple paper grades, and good layflat execution. Weaknesses: some mid-range options can feel thinner compared to top-tier fine‑art albums.

2. Available formats and customization

Pixum’s catalog is extensive. Common choices include:

• Sizes: Square (e.g., 20×20 cm), portrait, and landscape sizes in various dimensions — small (pocket), medium, large, and extra-large.
• Page counts: Starter templates often include 26 pages; most formats allow adding pages (with per-page pricing).
• Cover types: Softcover, hardcover with photo print, hardcover with dust jacket, linen or leatherette covers, and premium options.
• Paper types: Standard matte, glossy, premium matte, premium glossy (higher gsm), and sometimes photo paper for highest sheen.
• Layouts & templates: Many predesigned templates for weddings, travel, baby albums, etc. Also, fully customizable blank layouts.
• Extras: Custom text, cliparts, background designs, themed packages, and the option to add personalized endpapers or embossed text on covers (availability depends on format).

This level of variety makes it easy to choose a product for casual albums, professional portfolios, or special occasions.

3. Design tools & software

• Web editor: Pixum’s browser-based editor is robust and feature-rich. It includes drag-and-drop photo placement, automatic photo placement, and many templates. It supports basic image editing (crop, rotate, brightness/contrast).
• Desktop app: Pixum offers a downloadable software alternative that may be faster and work offline; useful for large projects or where internet connectivity is limited.
• Mobile app: There is a mobile app for creating books directly from your phone — convenient for quick projects, though the app’s layout control is more constrained than the desktop/web tools.
• Automation: Auto-fill and smart layout features speed up creation by distributing photos across pages automatically. These are handy for large albums, but manual adjustment is often necessary for the best composition.
• File handling: The editor accepts common image formats (JPEG, PNG). For best results, upload high-resolution JPEGs with minimal compression.

Usability notes: The range of features is a plus, but the interface can overwhelm first-time users. Autosave and preview modes help, and the proofing process flags low-resolution images before ordering.

4. Ordering, delivery, and customer service

• Order process: Straightforward — choose format, design, add pages/extras, and place order. Prices update in real time as you change options.
• Delivery: Fast within primary European markets (Germany, Netherlands, etc.), often 3–7 business days depending on shipping option. International shipping is available but slower and costlier.
• Packaging: Books generally arrive well-packaged and protected from bending or moisture.
• Customer service: Support options typically include email and phone. Response quality is generally good; Pixum often replaces or reprints damaged items within their warranty/guarantee terms.
• Returns & reprints: If the product has a manufacturing defect or printing error, Pixum usually offers a reprint or refund after photo proof is provided.

5. Price and value

• Pricing structure: Base price depends on size and cover; additional pages add per-page cost; premium papers and extras raise the price. Discounts and occasional promotions make mid-range purchases more affordable.
• Value: For everyday photo books, Pixum offers competitive value. For premium albums (layflat, heavy stock, linen covers), prices climb to match quality — still reasonable compared to specialist fine‑art printers.
• Comparison: Pixum is generally less expensive than luxury fine‑art labs but more feature-rich and higher quality than many budget online services.

(If you want specific price examples, tell me your country and preferred format and I’ll fetch current prices.)

6. Tips to get the best results

• Use high-resolution images: Aim for at least 300 DPI at the printed dimensions. Pixum’s editor flags low-resolution images, but start with large photos to avoid surprises.
• Calibrate expectations by format: Small pocket books are cute and cheap but use thinner paper; choose larger formats and premium paper for keepsakes.
• Consider layflat for panoramas: If you plan wide spreads or wedding albums, pay extra for layflat binding to avoid lost image detail in the gutter.
• Mind the safe zone: Keep important subjects at least 5–10 mm from the trim edge to avoid accidental cropping.
• Upload JPEGs in sRGB color space: That matches most consumer printing pipelines. If you work in Adobe RGB or ProPhoto, convert to sRGB to reduce color shifts unless you manage color precisely.
• Proof carefully: Use Pixum’s preview and order a single test copy if color fidelity is critical.
• Use templates as starting points: They save time, but manually adjust layouts for stronger composition and to avoid awkward cropping.
• Watch file sizes and compression: Avoid excessive compression artifacts—export JPEGs at high quality (quality 80–100).
• Add captions sparingly: Brief captions and dates can add context without cluttering layouts.
• Check cover options: Photo covers are vivid; linen or leatherette looks more premium and photographs less prone to fingerprints.

7. Use cases and recommendations

• Travel albums: Mid-size landscape or square formats with glossy/premium paper are ideal.
• Wedding albums: Choose layflat binding, premium paper, and a hardcover (linen or photo) for a durable keepsake.
• Family/baby albums: Softcover or standard hardcover works; order multiple copies for relatives as gifts.
• Professional portfolios: Large formats, premium paper, and a neutral cover (linen) look more professional.
• Gifts: Smaller formats and quick-turnaround options fit well for affordable, personalized gifts.

8. Pros & Cons

9. Final thoughts

Pixum is a solid, versatile option for anyone wanting to turn digital photos into attractive printed books. It balances quality, customization, and price. Choose your format and paper to match the intended use: lightweight softcovers for casual projects, premium papers and layflat binding for weddings and professional albums. Spend a little time on layout and proofing and Pixum will usually produce a durable, visually pleasing result.

If you tell me the book size, purpose (e.g., wedding, travel, portfolio), and budget, I can recommend a specific Pixum configuration and give layout tips tailored to that choice.