You can make a personalised photo book on the Picsme website: choose your book and starting page count, open the editor, add your photographs, then preview the design before ordering. Your finished book is printed and bound in our own UK facility.
This walkthrough follows the Picsme editor. If you are still comparing sizes, covers or paper, use our photo book buying and design guide first.
1. Choose your book and starting pages
Start with all photo books. Choose A5, A4 or Square, then your cover and inner paper. A4 and A5 are available in portrait and landscape. The standard range has 170gsm gloss inner pages; choose a Recycled product for 170gsm 100% recycled silk inner paper.
On the product page, select Starting pages and the quantity, then click Create your photo book. The price beside your chosen page count is the starting price for one book.
Start with 20 pages if you are unsure. You can add pages in pairs while designing, up to 200 pages. You cannot reduce the book below the starting page count you selected. For example, a 36-page project can start at 20 pages with eight extra spreads; starting at 40 would leave you with a minimum of 40 pages.
2. Pick a theme or a blank design
The editor opens with Select a theme. Choose a ready-made theme for a starting layout, or Blank Theme (Design your own!) to arrange the pages yourself.
For a first book, a simple theme can make it easier to keep the pages consistent. Give your favourite photographs more room and use smaller groups for supporting moments. You do not need to fill every page with the same number of pictures.
3. Upload your photographs
Open the Photo panel and use Upload photos to select your images. Prepare original JPG or PNG files wherever possible. A screenshot or a compressed copy from a message may contain less detail than the original photograph.
Before uploading a large set, gather the photographs you want in one place and remove near-duplicates. For a holiday album, try grouping them by day or destination. For a wedding, start with the preparation, ceremony and celebrations, then finish with a photograph that closes the story.
If an image looks soft when enlarged, use it in a smaller layout or choose a sharper original. The editor cannot restore detail that is missing from the file.
4. Personalise the cover and arrange the pages
Use the page navigation to move between the front cover, inside pages and back cover. The editor provides Photo, Text, Layout and Background panels, alongside other design controls.
- Cover: choose a clear photograph and a short title. Check names and dates carefully.
- Pages: alternate standout images with smaller groups so the book has a natural rhythm.
- Captions: add the names, places or details you will want to remember, while keeping text easy to read.
- Cropping: check what each photo box includes. Keep faces and important details away from trim edges and the centre fold.
For a simple starting plan, think of each pair of facing pages as one scene or chapter. A quiet page with one strong photograph can work well after a busier spread.
5. Add pages when your story needs them
Navigate to an inside page using the page navigation. The editor includes Add 2 pages and Reorganize controls for managing your book. Extra pages are added as two-page spreads. One extra spread takes a 20-page book to 22 pages.
- A5: 28p per extra two-page spread.
- A4 and Square: 35p per extra two-page spread.
Adding ten pages means adding five spreads: £1.40 for A5 or £1.75 for A4 and Square, on top of the selected starting book price. Extra spreads are excluded from Picsme Forever discounts. Check your total before ordering.
6. Save, preview and order
Use Save and follow any prompts shown by the editor. Before ordering, open Preview and review the whole book, including both covers.
- Are the photographs and pages in the right order?
- Are names, dates and captions correct?
- Are any photo boxes empty or important details cropped?
- Does each enlarged photograph still look suitable for its layout?
- Are text and faces clear of the edges and centre fold?
When you are happy with the design, select Add to cart. Check the book, quantity, any extra-page charges and the delivery address before paying. Keep your original photographs separately from the project.
How long will my photo book take to arrive?
For mainland UK photo books, standard delivery is £3.50 with an estimated 3–5 working days from order; express is £4.00 with an estimated 2–4 working days. Both estimates include production and tracked delivery. Free standard mainland UK delivery is available on orders of £30 or more.
See delivery information for other destinations and current terms. If you need a book for a particular date, contact Picsme before ordering.
Want to know what happens next? Read how your design becomes a UK-printed photo book.
