Guide: Hardcover vs softcover photo book
Short answer: choose a hardcover for a book you want to keep on the shelf for years or give as a gift. Choose a softcover for a lighter, lower-priced book, such as a holiday or year-in-review keepsake.
| Softcover Photo Book | Hardcover Photo Book | |
|---|---|---|
| Cover | Matte soft cover | Rigid matte-laminated hard cover |
| Pages | 150gsm gloss | 200gsm gloss |
| Binding | Softcover | PUR-bound hardcover |
| Size | 11.7 × 8.3 in (A4) | 11.7 × 8.3 in (A4) |
| Price (CA · US) | $27.99 CAD · $20.79 USD | $47.99 CAD · $43.99 USD |
Prices include up to 24 pages. Shipping and any tax are shown at checkout.
When a softcover fits best
A softcover is light and easy to pass around. It suits a trip, a season or a family year in review, and it is the lower-priced way to get your photos off your phone and into a book.
When a hardcover fits best
A hardcover has a rigid cover and heavier pages, so it holds up to being read again and again. It suits milestones, gifts for grandparents and books meant to last.
Both books share
The same wide A4 landscape pages and the same design. Your photos arrive already arranged; you can swap photos, adjust crops and edit the words, and nothing is printed until you approve it.