Best Website to Make a Photo Album in 2025

If you’ve ever scrolled through old photos on your phone and thought, “I wish I could hold these in my hands”, you’re not alone. Digital photos fade from memory. But a printed photo album? That stays on the coffee table, gets flipped through at family dinners, and becomes something future generations will treasure. The real question isn’t whether to make one - it’s which website to use.

What Makes a Good Photo Album Website?

Not all photo album services are built the same. Some feel like cluttered templates. Others charge extra for basic features like hard covers or thick pages. The best ones let you focus on your photos, not the software.

Here’s what actually matters when you’re choosing:

• Photo quality - Can it print at 300 dpi without blurring?
• Paper thickness - 100gsm is standard. 150gsm feels luxurious.
• Binding - Lay-flat pages? That’s a must for wedding or travel albums.
• Customization - Can you move photos freely? Add text? Change fonts without jumping through hoops?
• Price transparency - No surprise fees at checkout.

These aren’t nice-to-haves. They’re the difference between a decent album and one that feels like a keepsake.

Top 5 Websites for Making Photo Albums in 2025

1. Mixbook

Mixbook has been around since 2008, and it still leads in ease of use. Their drag-and-drop editor works smoothly on both desktop and mobile. You can upload hundreds of photos at once, and their AI suggests layouts based on your image dates and locations - no need to manually arrange each one.

They use 100% cotton paper, which gives photos a soft, matte finish that doesn’t glare under lights. The hardcover options come in linen, leather-look, and even fabric. Their 20x20cm album with 40 pages costs £49.99, and shipping to the UK is free.

One downside? Their free template library is limited. You’ll need to pay for premium designs if you want something more unique.

2. Shutterfly

Shutterfly is the giant everyone knows. It’s the service your mum used for holiday cards. But in 2025, it’s better than ever. Their photo book builder now includes AI-powered auto-enhance - it adjusts exposure, colour balance, and even removes red-eye without you lifting a finger.

They offer a wide range of sizes, from pocket-sized (10x15cm) to oversized (30x30cm). The thick, coated pages feel like a high-end magazine. Their 20-page album starts at £24.99, but you’ll pay extra for upgraded paper or binding.

Shutterfly runs frequent sales - especially around holidays. If you wait for a 50% off promo, you can get a 40-page premium album for under £30.

3. Artifact Uprising

If you want your album to look like it came from a design studio, Artifact Uprising is your pick. They don’t do flashy templates. Instead, they focus on clean layouts, minimalist fonts, and thick, uncoated paper that lets your photos breathe.

They use 100% recycled paper and soy-based inks. Their signature “lay-flat” binding means no photos disappear into the spine. The 20x20cm album with 40 pages costs £75. It’s not cheap, but it’s built to last decades. Many couples use it for wedding albums because it looks like a high-end art book.

They don’t have auto-layout tools. You’ll need to arrange photos manually. That’s a pro for some, a con for others.

4. Snapfish

Snapfish is the budget-friendly option that still delivers solid quality. Their interface is simple, and their mobile app lets you build an album while waiting in line at the supermarket.

They offer a “photo book starter pack” - 20 pages, soft cover, standard paper - for just £12.99. Upgrade to hardcover and thick paper? Add £10. Shipping is £3.99, but free over £30.

Their biggest strength? They sync with Google Photos and iCloud. If you’ve got thousands of photos stored online, Snapfish pulls them in automatically. No downloading, no uploading.

The catch? The default templates look dated. You’ll need to tweak them heavily to avoid that “2010s photo book” vibe.

5. Mpix

Most people don’t know Mpix, but photographers who care about colour accuracy swear by it. Based in the US but shipping to the UK, Mpix uses professional-grade printers and calibrated colour profiles. If your photos are edited in Adobe Lightroom, this is the only place that will print them exactly as you see them on screen.

They offer custom sizing - you’re not stuck with 15x15cm or 20x20cm. Want a 12x18cm album? Done. Paper options include glossy, matte, and even metallic. Their 40-page album with premium paper and hardcover costs £64.99.

Shipping takes 5-7 business days to the UK. It’s slower than others, but the print quality is gallery-level.

Comparison Table: Best Photo Album Websites

Comparison of top photo album printing services in 2025

Service	Best For	Starting Price (20 pages)	Paper Quality	Lay-Flat Binding	Auto Layout	UK Shipping
Mixbook	Easy, fast albums	£34.99	100% cotton, matte	Yes	Yes (AI)	Free
Shutterfly	Budget deals & sales	£24.99	Coated, glossy	Yes	Yes (AI)	Free over £30
Artifact Uprising	Artistic, premium look	£59.99	Recycled, uncoated	Yes	No	£7.99
Snapfish	Cloud sync & low cost	£12.99	Standard coated	No	Yes	Free over £30
Mpix	Professional colour accuracy	£49.99	Professional grade	Yes	No	£9.99, 5-7 days

Which One Should You Choose?

Here’s how to pick based on your needs:

• Want it fast and easy? Go with Mixbook or Shutterfly. Their AI tools cut hours off editing.
• On a tight budget? Snapfish is your best bet - especially during Black Friday or Christmas sales.
• Want something that looks like a designer made it? Artifact Uprising. It’s the only one that feels like a museum exhibit.
• Are you a photographer who edits in Lightroom? Mpix is the only one that won’t mess up your colours.

Don’t overthink it. The best album is the one you actually finish. A simple 20-page book with 50 photos you love is better than a 100-page masterpiece you never start.

Pro Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes

• Don’t use low-res photos. If a photo looks blurry on your phone, it’ll look worse printed. Stick to images taken in good light with a resolution over 2MP.
• Leave space. Don’t cram every photo edge-to-edge. White space makes your album feel calm, not chaotic.
• Print a test page. Most services let you order a single page for £2-£3. Check the colour before committing to the whole book.
• Save your project. Don’t close the browser mid-edit. Some sites auto-save, but others don’t. Use the “Save Draft” button religiously.
• Order early. If you need it for a birthday or anniversary, order at least 3 weeks ahead. Delivery delays happen - especially around holidays.

What About Mobile Apps?

You can make photo albums on your phone - apps like Canva, Google Photos, or Apple Photos let you create books. But they’re limited. You can’t control paper type, binding, or colour accuracy. And most charge more than desktop sites for the same product.

Use your phone to upload and select photos. Do the final layout on a computer. You’ll thank yourself later.

Final Thoughts

There’s no single “best” website. It depends on what you value: speed, price, design, or print quality. But if you want one that balances all four - and ships reliably to the UK - Mixbook is the safest bet. It’s not the cheapest, but it’s the most reliable.

Start small. Make a 20-page album of your last trip. Or your child’s first year. You’ll be surprised how much joy a physical book brings - more than any digital gallery ever could.