How many photos should I put in a photo book?

There is no fixed number. For a day-by-day diary pick a few photos per day; for a highlights book choose one or two strong images per stop. Focus on narrative and pacing rather than filling every page.

What resolution do my images need for print?

Export your images aimed at 300 DPI for print quality. That preserves sharpness on typical photo-book pages; reduce file compression and keep master files in a lossless format when possible.

How to make a vacation photo book

A practical, step-by-step guide to turn your vacation photos into a physical book you will actually use and enjoy.

Quick facts

Print quality: 300 DPI for print quality
Size: Standard photo book: 20 by 20 cm

Plan your book

Decide the purpose and scope before you start: a daily diary-style record, a compact scrapbook, or a highlights album for the whole trip. Choose one organizing principle — chronological by day, by location, or by theme — and make a simple log of the places visited and the maps or notes you want to include. A tight plan keeps the work manageable and makes layout choices faster.

Choose and cull photos

Go through your vacation photos and pick the images that best tell the story. Aim for a mix of wide shots for location context, portraits, and detail shots. Delete or archive duplicates and blurry frames. If you want a daily record, select a few photos per day for a consistent flow; if you prefer a blog-style highlights book, pick one or two standout shots per stop.

Edit and prepare images

Crop and color-correct the selected images. Keep edits consistent so the book looks coherent; apply the same tone and contrast adjustments across similar scenes. Save final files at high resolution suitable for print. Use lossless formats for master files and export copies for layout.

Design the layout

Decide on page templates: single-photo spreads, paired photos, or collages that mix maps and captions. Treat the book like a physical diary: include short captions, a daily log line, or small notes about where you visited. Use negative space to avoid clutter and keep text legible. Consider using a few recurring elements — a page header with the day, a small map thumbnail, or a consistent font — to tie the book together.

Export and print settings

For reliable print results, export images at sufficient resolution. 300 DPI for print quality is a suitable target for most photo books — export at that resolution when preparing files. If you are creating a standard size, arrange your layout for Standard photo book: 20 by 20 cm so margins and bleeds line up with the printer's template. Include a 3–5 mm bleed where needed and check soft-proof previews before final export.

Finalize, share, and preserve

Order a proof copy if possible, check colors and alignment, then finalize the print run. Keep a digital backup of the final layouts and a set of original images. If you want to share the story earlier, publish a short online blog or a digital album version alongside the printed book. After you have the printed copy, store it flat or upright on a shelf away from direct sunlight and consider keeping a small log of any future updates or additions. Travelbook can help simplify the layout and ordering process.

Common questions

How many photos should I put in a photo book?: There is no fixed number. For a day-by-day diary pick a few photos per day; for a highlights book choose one or two strong images per stop. Focus on narrative and pacing rather than filling every page.
What resolution do my images need for print?: Export your images aimed at 300 DPI for print quality. That preserves sharpness on typical photo-book pages; reduce file compression and keep master files in a lossless format when possible.

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