Photo books are one of the most popular ways to immortalise our special memories. It’s a delightful visual journey that evokes nostalgic, yet, pleasant feelings. Whether you decide to hand it as a gift or create a personalised photo book for yourself, it’s a perfect keepsake for your most cherished moments.
Once you’ve decided to create a photo book, now you’re left with facing the dilemma - should you choose a personalised soft cover photo book or a hard cover photo book? Each type of cover has its own benefits and it’s understandable that making the decision might be challenging for you. Therefore, it’s a good idea to weigh the pros and cons of both beroe making a final decision.
Soft Cover or Hard Cover for Your Personalised Book? Weighing the Pros and Cons
Soft Cover: Pros
Lightweight and Portable
If you prefer something lightweight that is easy to handle, that’s a strong reason to choose a personalised soft cover photo book. Soft covers are significantly lighter than hard covers and much easier to carry around. They make an excellent choice for occasions where portability is key such as traveling, attending events or just simply sharing memories with friends and family when you visit them. Plus, flipping through each page of your photo book feels like a breeze.
Cost-Effective
Another good reason to choose a soft cover for your personalised photo book is the price. Soft covers are cheaper than hard covers because the material used for the cover and the binding are also less expensive.
Therefore, anyone who wants to create a thoughtful gift for their loved ones but doesn’t have a big budget can definitely benefit from choosing a soft cover for their photo book. I
Flexible Desing Options
Soft cover books offer greater flexibility in design. The flexibility of the cover material leaves more space for creativity. You can be creative with various designs and experiment with collage-style layouts or full-bleed images, which allows you to enhance the visual appeal of the cover.
Plus, the covers can also be customised with various finishes, including glossy or matte options. Overall, soft covers allow more versatility when it comes to playing with styles and creating your preferred design.
Convenient Option for Those with Limited Time
If you’re in a rush or have an expected date when you need to have the photobook ready and the time is ticking, you’ll get your soft cover photo book way quicker than you would if it was a hard cover. The production of soft covers takes less time because the manufacturing process is less complex, resulting in shorter turnaround times.
Therefore, soft covers are a convenient solution for those with a limited time, without compromising on the quality of the photo book.
Soft Cover: Cons
Limited protection
While soft covers offer great advantages, there are also certain limitations that you may want to consider. One of those limitations is that a soft cover offers less protection to the pages compared to hard covers. A soft cover photo book does not provide strong shielding against external elements such as moisture, dust or accidental spills. As such, they are more prone to wear and tear over time, which can potentially compromise the quality and integrity of the pages.
One of the things you can do to prevent the covers from wear and tear is to handle them carefully and gently and store them in a clean and dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture. You can even use transparent protective sleeves for soft covers which will offer higher protection, while still allowing you to view the book’s design.
Less Durable
Again, because of the soft material, soft cover photo books are more susceptible to bending, creasing and tearing. To prolong the lifespan of your book, cover them in protective sleeves and make sure to be gentle when flipping through the pages.
Hard Cover: Pros
Prestigious Appearance
The polished look of hard covers exudes a touch of elegance and sophistication. The sturdy cover adds a touch of luxury to the overall presentation and design of the book. Because of their prestigious appearance, hard covers are a popular choice for special occasions or for showcasing milestones.
Suitable Gift for Formal Occasions
Whenever we need to attend some formal or special occasion, we usually go for a gift that has a more luxurious look. Because hard cover photo books have an upscale appearance and durability, they make excellent gifts for weddings, graduations, anniversaries or corporate events.
Higher Protection
The sturdy cover definitely offers higher protection to the pages and the content inside than a photo book with a soft cover. Hard covers provide shielding from the outside elements, making them less susceptible to wear and tear. Plus, hard covers are very easy to clean and all you need is a soft cloth or slightly damp cloth to wipe the covers.
Durable
This is where hard covers excel. Their sturdy construction makes them more resilient to wear and tear and ensures that the book stays in optimal condition for a longer time. Despite being strong and durable, they are not completely immune to cracks. Using excessive force when handling the photo book can cause the cover to crack, especially along the spine or the corners of the book.
Hard Cover: Cons
Pricier
If you prefer hard covers, then be ready to spend a bit more money. Because the manufacturing involves the use of premium materials, hard covers are generally more expensive to produce, thus, sold out at a higher price.
Heavier to Handle and Carry
Hard covers are bulkier and sturdier, which makes them less convenient for carrying around or handling them. As such, they might be more challenging for individuals with limited mobility or strength.
If you’re still left with the question “Is hardcover or soft cover photo books better?” there is not a simple yes or no answer. You must take into consideration your budget, the occasion for which you plan to create a personalised photo book, the design, how frequently it will be used, and ultimately, what are your personal preferences.
