Hey there! If you‘re anything like me, you probably take a million photos but rarely get around to actually printing them out or creating photo albums. That‘s why I‘m excited to share with you my experience with two of the most popular online photo book services: Mixbook and Shutterfly.
I‘ve used both companies to create custom photo books, cards, and calendars over the years. While they offer similar products and services, there are some key differences that will help you decide which one is the best fit for your needs. In this ultimate comparison guide, we‘ll take an in-depth look at Mixbook vs Shutterfly, from their product offerings and print quality to pricing and customer reviews.
By the end, you‘ll have all the info you need to choose the ideal service for preserving your precious memories. Let‘s jump in!
Overview of Mixbook vs Shutterfly
Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, let‘s start with a high-level overview of how Mixbook and Shutterfly stack up:
| Mixbook | Shutterfly | |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Creative control and premium quality | Affordable gifts and decor |
| Products | Photo books, cards, calendars, wall art, prints | Photo books, cards, calendars, gifts, decor, prints |
| Quality | Archival-quality paper, lay-flat binding, fabric covers | Standard to premium paper, lay-flat available |
| Ease of Use | Highly intuitive, fully customizable | Simple templates, fewer customization options |
| Shipping | 4 speeds, express available | 5 speeds, restrictions on some products |
| Pricing | Mid-range, frequent sales | Budget-friendly, regular promotions |
As you can see, both Mixbook and Shutterfly deliver when it comes to creating custom photo products online. However, Mixbook is geared more towards those who want total creative freedom and luxury finishing options, while Shutterfly has a wider array of products at affordable prices.
Now, I‘ll walk you through how I‘ve used these brands and share some more details that will help you determine which one deserves your business.
Product Variety: What Can You Create?
Part of the fun of using Mixbook or Shutterfly is exploring all the ways you can showcase your photos. Here‘s a breakdown of their main product categories:
Mixbook‘s Offerings
| Product | Options |
|---|---|
| Photo Books | Hardcover, softcover, leather, and linen covers; square, landscape, and portrait layouts |
| Cards & Stationery | Birthday, wedding, graduation, baby, holiday; postcards and stationery too |
| Calendars | Wall and desktop sizes, multiple layouts, start with any month |
| Wall Art | Mounted prints, canvas, metal, wood, and framed prints in various sizes |
| Photo Prints | Standard glossy and matte prints, plus specialty shapes and finishes |
Shutterfly‘s Offerings
| Product | Options |
|---|---|
| Photo Books | Hardcover, softcover, leather, linen, and die-cut covers; square, landscape, and portrait |
| Cards & Stationery | Announcements, invitations, holiday cards, stationery, and notepad sets |
| Calendars | Wall and desktop sizes, multiple layouts, start with any month |
| Gifts & Decor | Mugs, pillows, blankets, ornaments, jewelry, and more |
| Wedding | Save the dates, invitations, guest books, and bridal party gifts |
| Wall Art & Prints | Canvas, metal, wood, acrylic, standard prints in many sizes |
So while the core products are pretty similar between Mixbook and Shutterfly, the latter definitely has the edge when it comes to sheer variety. I mean, how fun is it that you can put your pet‘s picture on a mug or your family photo on a pillow?!
Personally, I tend to stick with classic photo books to organize my travel pictures and annual family albums. I‘ve created beautiful lay-flat hardcover books with both Mixbook and Shutterfly that look stunning on my coffee table:
[Image: Side-by-side photos of a Mixbook lay-flat photo book and a Shutterfly lay-flat photo book]The Mixbook book has a super professional look and feel with its thick, matte pages and fabric cover. The Shutterfly book is also great quality, though the paper isn‘t quite as substantial. It‘s hard to go wrong with either one!
Ease of Creation: How Intuitive Is the Software?
As someone who is not super tech-savvy, I really value an intuitive platform for creating my photo projects. Luckily, both Mixbook and Shutterfly make it fairly simple!
With Mixbook, you can choose from a library of designer templates for every occasion or start with a blank canvas for 100% creative control. I love that I can easily drag and drop my photos, add text and embellishments, and even edit the layouts to get everything just right.
One awesome thing about Mixbook is that you can be as hands-on or hands-off as you‘d like. If you want a completely custom design, go for it! If you‘d rather let the software auto-fill your photos into a template, that works too. The choice is yours.
In contrast, Shutterfly has a more basic editor with templated designs that are simple to customize and make your own. While you don‘t quite have the same unlimited creative freedom as with Mixbook, the process is super quick and foolproof.
[GIF: Screen recording of dragging and dropping photos into a Mixbook photo book template]I‘ve found Shutterfly to be the most user-friendly when I need to throw together a last-minute gift, like this cute calendar I made for my mom‘s birthday:
[Image: Customized Shutterfly wall calendar featuring family photos and events]The bottom line is that both platforms are intuitive, though Mixbook is ideal if you want to flex your creative muscles and Shutterfly is perfect for whipping up a simple, polished project in a snap.
Print Production: What‘s the Quality Like?
Now, let‘s talk about everyone‘s biggest question: how do Mixbook and Shutterfly stack up in terms of print quality? I can confidently say that both companies deliver beautiful, vivid prints that will last for years to come.
Mixbook is known for its premium quality and unique finishing options:
- Ultra-thick, lay-flat lustre paper
- Genuine leather, linen, and fabric covers
- Archival-quality pages that are acid-free and lignin-free
- Protective glossy or matte coating
I used Mixbook to create a special wedding album for my best friend, and it truly looks like a professional coffee table book you‘d buy in a store. The photos are crisp, the colors are true to life, and the lay-flat pages make a gorgeous seamless spread. Well worth the price!
[Image: Mixbook wedding album with a fabric cover and lay-flat pages featuring the wedding party]Shutterfly also produces high-quality photo books, though the paper and binding options are a bit more standard:
- Semi-gloss and matte paper in standard or thick weights
- Optional lay-flat pages for a professional look
- Genuine leather, linen, or photo-wrap covers
- Deluxe matte or glossy dust jacket
I‘ve been impressed with the print quality of every Shutterfly product I‘ve ordered over the years, from photo books to Christmas cards. Are they the most luxurious on the market? No, but they absolutely get the job done (on a budget)!
[Image: Shutterfly softcover photo book featuring family vacation photos]Here‘s a quick glance at how Mixbook and Shutterfly‘s main print options compare:
| Feature | Mixbook | Shutterfly |
|---|---|---|
| Paper Types | Archival matte, lustre, pearl, and pebble | Matte, semi-gloss, pearl, and premium cardstock |
| Cover Options | Hardcover, softcover, leather, fabric | Hardcover, softcover, leather, linen, die-cut |
| Binding | Lay-flat, semi-gloss, and premium lustre | Lay-flat, premium flush mount, and standard |
| Protective Finish | Glossy or matte UV coating | Glossy or matte dust jacket |
When it comes to print quality, I have to give the slight edge to Mixbook for its thicker paper stock and higher-end finishes. But again, both companies produce professional-grade products you‘ll be excited to show off and share. All that matters is choosing the right specs for your project!
Pricing: How Much Will It Cost?
Of course, we can‘t forget to talk about everyone‘s favorite topic: pricing! I know I‘m always looking for the best deal, so I‘ve done the research to help you understand what you can expect to pay with Mixbook vs Shutterfly.
First, I have to mention that both companies run sales and promotions constantly, so you should never pay full price! I‘m talking 40-50% off plus free shipping. If there isn‘t a coupon code advertised on the homepage, Google around or check back in a day or two. It‘s so worth it!
That said, Mixbook is generally a bit pricier than Shutterfly when you compare apples to apples. You‘re paying for those premium features and the ability to customize every little detail. Here‘s a quick price comparison of their most popular products:
| Product | Mixbook Starting Price | Shutterfly Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hardcover Photo Book (20 pages) | $36.29 | $19.99 |
| Softcover Photo Book (20 pages) | $17.59 | $15.99 |
| Deluxe Wall Calendar (8×11) | $34.99 | $24.99 |
| Flat Photo Cards (set of 25) | $30 | $18 |
| Mounted Wall Print (8×10) | $30 | $20 |
As you can see, Shutterfly comes out cheaper across the board. And that‘s before factoring in their near-constant promotions and freebies for new customers. If you‘re on a tight budget, Shutterfly is definitely the way to go.
That said, I believe the added customization and quality of Mixbook can be worth the extra cost, especially for commemorating special occasions. I mean, you only get one wedding album, right? May as well make it amazing!
At the end of the day, both companies provide excellent value for the price. It just depends on your priorities and how much you‘re comfortable spending.
Shipping: How Fast Will It Arrive?
The last piece of the puzzle is shipping. When you‘re excited to see your creations come to life, you don‘t want to wait forever! Luckily, both Mixbook and Shutterfly offer a range of shipping speeds to get your goodies to your doorstep ASAP.
Mixbook Shipping Options
| Speed | Delivery Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 6-10 business days | $3.99 and up |
| Standard | 4-5 business days | $8.99 and up |
| Expedited | 3-4 business days | $12.99 and up |
| Express | 1-2 business days | $29.99 and up |
Shutterfly Shipping Options
| Speed | Delivery Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 6-10 business days | $4.99 and up |
| Standard | 4-5 business days | $7.99 and up |
| Expedited | 3-4 business days | $14.99 and up |
| Rush | 2-3 business days | $19.99 and up |
| Super Rush | 1-2 business days | $27.99 and up |
In my experience, both companies are pretty reliable when it comes to hitting their promised delivery dates. I especially appreciate that Mixbook offers a true express option for those times when I‘m in a pinch (like when I forgot my anniversary – oops!).
One thing to note is that some Shutterfly products, like certain photo gifts and decor items, aren‘t eligible for the fastest shipping speeds due to their production time. Mixbook ships most products express, so they‘re a bit more flexible.
Another factor to consider is the free shipping minimum. Mixbook offers free economy shipping on orders over $59, while Shutterfly‘s minimum is $39. So if you‘re placing a larger order, you may be able to save on the shipping cost.
My Overall Recommendation
Phew, that was a lot of information! I hope this in-depth comparison of Mixbook vs Shutterfly has given you a better sense of which company is right for you. In my opinion, you really can‘t go wrong with either one. It just depends on your specific needs and preferences.
If I had to sum it up, I‘d say Mixbook is the best choice for those who:
- Want total creative control and customization
- Appreciate premium quality paper, printing, and binding
- Don‘t mind spending a bit more for a luxury look and feel
- Need ultra-fast or reliable shipping
I recommend Shutterfly for anyone who:
- Wants a wide variety of products, including photo gifts and decor
- Values the ease of pre-made templates and simple customization
- Is looking for budget-friendly options and frequent sales
- Doesn‘t need the fastest shipping speeds
If you‘re still not sure where to start, I suggest picking one company and trying it out with a small project, like a photo book or calendar. See how you like the process and the final product, then go from there!
To give you a sense of how popular these companies are, check out these stats:
- Mixbook has over 10,000 5-star reviews on Trustpilot
- Shutterfly has 3.3 million monthly visitors to its website
- Over 50% of consumers have purchased a personalized photo gift
- The photo merchandising market is expected to reach $25.8 billion by 2023
Crazy, right? It just goes to show how many people are discovering the joy of creating custom photo products. I hope you‘ll join in on the fun!
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, Mixbook and Shutterfly are both fantastic companies that make it easy and affordable to preserve your memories. You can‘t put a price tag on the feeling of flipping through a beautiful book filled with your most treasured moments or seeing your best photos come to life on your walls. It‘s truly priceless!
So what are you waiting for? Grab your favorite snapshots and start creating! And if you found this guide helpful, I‘d love to hear about your experience. Feel free to leave a comment or shoot me a message with any other questions.
Happy photo booking!
FAQs
-
Can I import photos from social media?
Yes, both Mixbook and Shutterfly allow you to import photos directly from Facebook, Instagram, Google Photos, and more. -
What if I don‘t like my final product?
Both companies offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you‘re not happy with your order for any reason, they‘ll either replace it or give you a full refund. -
Can I collaborate with friends and family on a project?
Absolutely! Mixbook and Shutterfly both offer easy collaboration features so you can invite others to contribute photos or help design. -
What if I need help with my order?
Both companies have excellent customer support available by phone, email, or live chat. They also offer extensive online resources and FAQs to help you along the way. -
Do the products make good gifts?
100% yes! Custom photo books, calendars, and other personalized items make thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts for any occasion. You can even have them shipped directly to the recipient. -
How do Mixbook and Shutterfly compare to other photo book companies?
While there are dozens of photo book services out there, Mixbook and Shutterfly consistently rank at the top for their quality, value, and customer service. However, some other popular options to check out include Snapfish, Chatbooks, and Artifact Uprising.
