Is help available if I need it while I'm designing my softcover photo albums?

Yes. [Just give us a call](https://www.vistaprint.com.au/customer-care/help-centre/) – we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have along the way.

Softcover Layflat Photo Books

()

Capture the little joys and big adventures of daily life in softcover, layflat photo albums. You can even use them to showcase your work portfolio, design publications and more. Available in portrait and landscape styles, with customisable options.

Looking for a photo album with pre-designed templates? Check out our hardcover photobooks.
See details

Loading options

Format

Number of Pages

Upload design

Have a design? Upload and edit it

Upload design

Have a design? Upload and edit it

Flip through your favourite memories with softcover layflat photo books.

NEW: 21 x 21 cm size available
2 size options
Portrait or landscape (28 x 21 cm size)
Two cover options: 300 gsm matte or glossy finish
135 gsm inner pages in lustre photo paper
24-52 inner pages
Min page count: 24 individual pages (12 double page spreads)
Max page count: 52 individual pages (26 double page spreads)
Layflat binding for double page shots
Fully editable cover

Looking for a way to capture special moments? From everyday snapshots and pet photos to get-togethers and travel adventures, our softcover layflat photo books preserve the moments that matter most. They can also be used to showcase the work of designers, architects and creatives of all kinds – such as portfolios, publications and so much more. The softcover design and layflat book binding make them durable yet easy to handle – so you can bring out these keepsakes whenever nostalgia hits.

Our softcover photo albums come in two sizes and feature layflat binding, allowing your photos to spread seamlessly across double pages. When opened, these photo books lay flat without any visible gutter or bind – creating an optimal viewing experience. Choose between two photo cover options – glossy for a vibrant finish or matte for a contemporary feel. Looking for a more budget-friendly option? Opt for our 21 x 21 cm size. Whether you're shopping on a budget or need larger quantities without compromising on quality, our softcover albums have you covered.

Ready to start creating your custom layflat photo book? Start by choosing and organising your best images in high resolution, and then upload them. You’ll be able to adjust the size of each photo based on how you want it to print in your photo book. It’s important to note that once you begin designing, you won’t be able to change the number of pages included within your photo book. Make sure you’re happy with your choice to avoid rework. Once you’ve finalised your designs, we'll take care of the rest. We'll print, bind and package your photo book professionally, so it arrives looking great and ready to impress. Softcover photo book printing has never been so easy!

FAQs

Reviews

()

Write a Review

Reviewed by 20 customers

Very happy

2 Jan 2026 | Kim B. |

Verified Buyer

I made up 2 photo books for my grandsons, and plan on doing one each year for them. I was really happy with the quality of the books I received, and also its great to have them on file to reorder if ever these are damaged, it's a record of each year of their lives. I found the designing page mostly easy to work with, and was able to make an interesting book with lots of little fun graphics, pretty backgrounds etc. So yes, definitely happy as a whole and will order again

Good results but took a long time getting there

29 Dec 2025 | Steve F. |

Verified Buyer

I was impressed by the way the softcover lay flat photo books presented my panorama shots across two landscape pages. The software for creating the lay flat photo books however is sadly klutzy and inflexible. There’s no easy way to swap pages or extend the number of pages necessary for a comprehensive album. To do an album justice, one has to pre-plan the spread of photos and number of pages required which meant doing the entire album first on Word then getting on to the Vista Print program. This doubles the time to create an album and is frustrating and tedious. The images also appear darker than expected and it would be helpful to get tips on how to brighten the results - the editing function is limited and out of date. Time to upgrade your lay flat photo books program, Vista Print!

Response from Vistaprint Customer Care Team:

We are glad to hear that you were pleased with the overall presentation of your softcover lay-flat photo book, particularly how it displayed your panorama shots across the two landscape pages. Furthermore, we checked and noted that your parcel arrived at the expected delivery date. In addition, we greatly appreciate your detailed feedback regarding the album creation software. Your comments regarding the software’s flexibility, usability, and overall functionality are valuable, and we will ensure they are shared with our internal teams for review and consideration in future improvements. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.

Bad cover paper

7 Dec 2025 | Simon W. |

Verified Buyer

The quality of the back and front cover pages is poor. The front cover of my books have all warped/bent and therefore are not flush with the pages.

Response from Vistaprint Customer Care Team:

Thank you for sharing your feedback on the Softcover Layflat Photo Books you recently received. We regret hearing that the front and backside cover were not as expected. We would love the opportunity to make this right, and ask that you please reply to this email with photos that highlight the issue. If your request is urgent, and you need an immediate solution, please reach out to our Customer Support team via www.vistaprint.com.au/customer-care/help-center/. We look forward to working with you.

Amazing Book!

1 Dec 2025 | H R. |

Verified Buyer

Thank you vistaprint. I wanted a small book of pictures to take on a travel trip. This is an amazing result.

Love it!

18 Nov 2025 | Jasmine P. |

Verified Buyer

Just what I needed!

No more guesswork. We take care of the entire design process, from brainstorming ideas to delivering the files to your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

We only offer standard delivery for our photo books. So, depending on your address, this could take between 5-14 business days. We’ll always show you your estimated delivery date at checkout, but you can take a look at our delivery page for a full breakdown of shipping timeframes, based on where you live.

Unfortunately, once you begin designing, you cannot change the number of pages in your softcover photo book. Please make sure that you are certain of your choices before starting.

Our studio offers many customisable design features, helping you to design and personalise your photo book. However, please note that you will need to place all your images into the book yourself.

Our hardcover and softcover photo books are set up differently and therefore offer a different design experience. We always strive to provide the best design experience for our customers. If you have any questions while designing your photo book, please contact our customer care team for assistance.

Yes. Just give us a call – we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have along the way.

4Mb is the maximum size we recommend for an individual photo. Anything larger than this may cause problems as you upload your album. That said, there are no limits to the file size of the album itself. The minimum size for images is at least 300 dpi to ensure your photo book has beautiful, clear images. If you upload any images that are too low-quality, you'll receive a warning.

You can use jpg, .jpeg, .jfif, .bmp, .png, .gif, .heic, .svg, .pdf, .psd, .ai, .eps, .ait, .ppt, .pptx, .tif and .tiff files.

This comes down to a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer the classic look of black and white photography – especially for formal events like weddings and graduations. Colour photographs are a great way to showcase vivid landscapes in travel albums or capture the fun of birthday parties and family get-togethers. Or, you can get the best of both worlds and use different approaches within different album spreads. The choice is yours.

Unfortunately, once you begin designing, you cannot change the size or orientation of your softcover photo book. Please make sure that you are certain of your choices before starting.

Yes, you can design your photo book using your mobile device, but we recommend using a desktop computer for the best design experience.

Yes, you can. The red line indicates the fold in the middle of the book. You can run a photo across both pages. The spine and/or fold will not impact the way this image is displayed when printed. The book is designed to layflat and showcase your best images across both pages.

The left hand page of the first spread is the inner front cover. The right hand page of the final page spread is the inner back cover. The inside of the covers can be fully customised.