Review: Smilebooks

This month it was our 10 year anniversary and as a gift for Bob I'd decided to create a scrapbook of our lives together so far. I used a photobook printing site called Smilebooks, and never one to turn down a blogging opportunity I thought it was a great time to add a review of a scrapbook printing service. I will be honest and say I hadn't heard of Smilebooks, they must be flying under my printing radar, but no longer!

As with all scrapbook printing sites you start by downloading their software to create the book. This is a quick and easy process, and I have to say of all the printing sites I've used their software was the easiest to use! If you are a beginner and looking for easy to learn software for creating your photo books then Smilebooks is GREAT! They had lots of size and binding options but I'd already decided on an 8x8 book

After the initial play with the software to get my bearings, I simply imported all the pages I'd created for my book. All 26 pages! (Yeah that took some time creating those!) In Smilebooks you have the option for the photo to cover the whole page or both pages, so once I discovered that I created 2 page spreads and just imported to cover both pages, such a time saver!!!

I had hoped to finish the book sooner but actually didn't end up ordering the book until 30th August. Again ordering was a simple process. One click from their software and the book is uploading to the Smilebooks site, and once completed takes you right to the ordering/payment pages. No fuss! My order confirmation came through almost immediately and I received a shipping notice that weekend!

Now bearing in mind I uploaded and confirmed the order on the 30th which was Labor day holiday weekend, the book was delivered on Saturday 6th September! That's just 5 working days later! I thought that was pretty impressive personally! There was time when I was doubting I'd get it for our anniversary but their speedy shipping pulled me through!

I personally am VERY happy with the quality of the books printing, binding and thankfully Bob loved the book too, as does everyone who has viewed it so far!

I'm not going to share ALL the pages but here are a few:











As you can see I chose the hardback version (this is for our coffee table so needed to be sturdy) and believe me it's awesome! The whole of the album is browns, kraft colored and very scrapbook/notebook style. The focus is all on the story and the photo's. Not gonna do a whole lot of supply lists for these pages but the digi kits used were: My Feeling Krafty kit, Kit by Holly McCaig, Kim Hill, and Rina Kroes.

All in all I am REALLY impressed and actually said that I'd consider doing these for family at the holidays. So if you're looking to get some digital photo's printed, or scrapbook layouts book bound look into Smilebooks, I was really happy with my book!

Di