Why our prices are lower
Our prices reflect how we manufacture and sell. Picsme is part of ESP Colour's UK print operation, so customers can order personalised products directly from the business that prints and finishes them.
In-house production reduces extra manufacturing margins
Outsourcing adds another supplier relationship between a retail brand and the factory. Picsme prints and finishes in its own UK facility, giving us control over the work and the cost of producing it. We also manufacture photo gifting products for other brands using our production equipment and finishing processes.
This does not mean every product or brand has identical specifications. It means you can assess Picsme by the materials and construction we actually offer.
Technology supports efficient production
Our production environment includes Canon varioPRINT iX3200 and Ricoh presses for digital print, plus Canon Colorado technology for large-format work. Kodak Prinergy and colour-management workflows support file preparation and consistent handling of print jobs.
Cutting, laminating, binding, case making and casing in are carried out in-house. Keeping these stages connected helps us plan production around the finished product, rather than treating printing and finishing as unrelated purchases.
The equipment is one part of the result. An appropriate image file, the right paper and accurate finishing still matter. Our photo book production page explains those stages.
What the product specification includes
| Product | Materials and construction | Explore |
|---|---|---|
| Photo books | 170gsm gloss or 170gsm 100% recycled silk inner pages. Gloss-laminated softcovers or rigid hardcovers. | Photo book guide |
| Wall calendars | 200gsm silk; selected single-page calendars also offer 300gsm silk. Wire binding and a hanging hole. | Calendar guide |
| Posters | 200gsm silk or 200gsm uncoated paper, with portrait and landscape options. | Poster guide |
| Framed prints | 200gsm silk print, solid pine frame and clear Perspex front. Slim 12 × 22mm or wider 22 × 22mm frame profiles. | Frame guide |
| Cards | 260gsm card with a silk-coated outside, writable inside pages and a white envelope. | Photo card guide |
Hardcover construction is worth looking at closely
Our hardcover photo books use 200gsm silk cover paper wrapped around rigid 2.25mm board and finished with gloss lamination. The cover case contains the boards and spine component, separately from the printed book block.
Traditional folded endpapers connect the book block to the inside of the cover boards. Gauze reinforcement supports the spine. These structural components help support the hinge and the connection between the pages and cover through repeated handling.
These are conventionally bound books, not layflat photo books. Keep faces and small text away from the centre gutter, and let the book open naturally. See how the binding is made.
Compare complete specifications and totals
When comparing photo books, check the size, the pages included, inner paper, cover construction and cost of extra pages. A starting price alone will not show the cost of the book you intend to make.
For framed prints, compare the frame material and profile as well as the print size. For posters, check the actual measurements and paper finish. Our guides link to current product prices so you can review your chosen options.
Clear delivery and repeat-order value
Mainland UK delivery for photo books, calendars, posters and framed prints is £3.50 Standard in 3 to 5 working days or £4.00 Express in 2 to 4 working days, including production. Mainland UK delivery is free on orders of £30 or more. Check our delivery information for other destinations and contact us before ordering for a specific deadline.
Picsme Forever: create an account and spend £50 once to unlock a total 50% discount on eligible future purchases for life. Extra photo book spreads and shipping charges are excluded.