Making Books of Kids Art and Schoolwork

[ny96]

Does anyone have any reviews or suggestions for a service that can turn kids art into books. I would rather take photos and upload than use a service like Artkive where I have to mail in the art. I’m thinking about Shutterfly, but it looks like that could get pricey. I also saw Scribble, but I don’t see any reviews.

I was looking for some paperwork from the last school year and realized we have 4 unsorted large bins of school artwork. I would love to divide it by year for each kid and slowly make books.

[nicolewi]

I would love to do this someday but haven't even gotten close to actually executing this project.

I would do Shutterfly, probably. There are always deals and discounts, it seems like.

[thoseareradishes]

I just used Shutterfly. They always have deals and free page promotions.

[luckystar2]

Agree with Shutterfly. I have made multiple photo books from them and have always just done them when they have good promo codes going on.

[meanie]

How many pages are you thinking? On Shutterfly the 8x11 book has 20 pages and goes on sale a few times a year. I do a "thank you" book for teacher gifts with art from each student, it is the easiest project ever. One year I timed it right and only paid shipping, last year there was a sale and it was $13.

[ny96]

Oct 12, 2023 15:34:57 GMT -5 meanie said:

How many pages are you thinking? On Shutterfly the 8x11 book has 20 pages and goes on sale a few times a year. I do a "thank you" book for teacher gifts with art from each student, it is the easiest project ever. One year I timed it right and only paid shipping, last year there was a sale and it was $13.

I’m thinking about 30 pages per book. I started the process by using their app which is kind of clunky and kept cropping my images so I gave for now.

[meanie]

Oct 12, 2023 19:54:48 GMT -5 ny96 said:

Oct 12, 2023 15:34:57 GMT -5 meanie said:

How many pages are you thinking? On Shutterfly the 8x11 book has 20 pages and goes on sale a few times a year. I do a "thank you" book for teacher gifts with art from each student, it is the easiest project ever. One year I timed it right and only paid shipping, last year there was a sale and it was $13.

I’m thinking about 30 pages per book. I started the process by using their app which is kind of clunky and kept cropping my images so I gave for now.

I do it on my PC, some pictures need some adjusting and cropping but I just do the same full page 1 picture template for every page. They often have promos to add extra pages for free, too.

[gt7301b]

I used Artkive.  I thought it was easier than trying to scan things.  I just sent them all the art and I got back a nice book for the school year.  Worth every penny.  I am waiting on a sale to do another one. 

[ny96]

I just wanted to update. I tried Shutterfly again and the 2nd time around was so easy. I just thought took photos on my phone, edited them as needed and removed the background, then I uploaded to Shutterfly, made the book using their basic template and used the coupons that you all suggested (I hadn’t thought to look for coupons). My 27 page soft sided book should be delivered next week and I’m so excited to do this with the rest of the schoolwork. Now I have to decide whether after kindergarten I make a book for each year or group years together. I also have to work up the courage to throw away some of the art and schoolwork that’s included in the books.