1. Do I need photoshop in order to use your templates?
No. I offer JPG formatted templates that can be uploaded to printing companies like Shutterfly.
2. What formats do you offer your templates in?
JPG and Photoshop
3. What is the difference between the 2 formats? How do I know which one I should order?
Read about each format below to see what each comes with and what you can do with each format.
COLOR JPG FORMAT - Created for those who do NOT own photoshop. You receive pre-designed weekly pages (the solid colored pages you see in my book) in JPG format that you will upload to a photo book company similar to Shutterfly. From there you will add your own text onto the pages using their online editing program. You will receive information about the company after purchase. Please note that most of the options listed below are only available for those who print with my recommended company.
Included:
- Pre-designed pages for “Weeks 6-42” with the weekly titles on them
- 33 different color options for each week’s page (see colors below)
- Video tutorial showing basic instructions on how to create a book like mine using my recommended photo book company’s online design program
- 4 complimentary photos
COLOR PSD FORMAT – Created for those who want full editing capabilities. You add your text onto the page template in photoshop, edit the color & width of the weekly page, add your photo and print it with any company offering the option to span images across the binding and pages that lay flat.
Included:
- ONE fully layered 12×24 PSD formatted template – layers and page are adjustable in size and color
- Information about which free fonts to download
- Basic instructions for how to create your text
- Video tutorial showing basic instructions on how to create a book like mine using my recommended photo book company’s online design program
- 4 complimentary photos
**Please note that the PSD template only comes with ONE template page that you will save over as a JPG for every week’s design. It does not come with 42 template pages.
CHALKBOARD PSD FORMAT - Created for those who want full editing capabilities. You add your text onto the page template in photoshop, edit the color & width of the weekly page, add your photo and print it with any company offering the option to span images across the binding and pages that lay flat.
Included:
- ONE fully layered 12×24 PSD formatted template – layers and chalkboard background page are adjustable in size
- Information about which free fonts to download
- Basic instructions for how to create your text
- Video tutorial showing basic instructions on how to create a book like mine using my recommended photo book company’s online design program
- 4 complimentary photos
**Please note that the PSD template only comes with ONE template page that you will save over as a JPG for every week’s design. It does not come with 42 template pages.
4. What are the advantages of printing with the photo book company you recommend?
- The book pages lay flat, which is important to have if you want photos and text that run across the binding of your book.
- Your photo and text will not get lost in the binding.
- Excellent quality, especially their leather covered books
- The pages are as thick as cardstock paper.
- 2 different cover options – leather or hard cover.
- Leather Covers: 9 different color options, engraving available
- Hard Covers: photo wrap or any solid color
- Reasonable prices – comparable to all other photo book companies (like Shutterfly)
5. Do I HAVE to print my book with the company you recommend?
No, but after extensive research I have found that no other companies offer all of the editing options needed in order to work with my templates. Most of my page templates are made to span across the binding of a book and require a company that allows for two photos/images to be inserted on to a two-paged spread layout. However, my square shaped template does not span across the binding a a book so it can be used with ANY company offering square books. Upon purchase you acknowledge that you might only be able to use the square shaped template if you print with a company other than the one I recommend. I am not responsible for any problems you come across with my template when designing your book with a company other than the one I recommend, nor am I responsible for any issues regarding the photo book itself.
6. What do the covers look like from the company you recommend?
See examples here.
7. What size photo books do your templates fit?
JPG formatted templates can fit 12×12 sized books and smaller. I recommend using square shaped books vs wider books like 10×12. The reason is because the titles on each page are designed to fit the proportions of square shaped books. My PSD templates can be used for any sized book because you can adjust the title size on each page.
8. If I order the PSD format will I have the capability of designing my photos & text to span across the binding?
Yes. You have the ability of designing them that way. However, the ONLY way you can print your spanning text/photos is by printing your book through a photo book company that prints images across the binding of their books and offers “lay flat” pages.
9. Why are there two folders in my purchase named “square/skinny” and “wide”?
The folder named “wide” has the wide shaped page templates in it. These are to be used with vertical photos. The “square/skinny” folder has the square/skinny shaped page templates in it that are to be used with landscape/horizontal photos. This template can be adjusted to be square in size or smaller. I made the square/skinny template for multi-use in order to save space and upload time. The video tutorial further explains how to use each template.
10. What are the prices like when printing with the company you recommend?
Prices range from approximately $34 to $315 without shipping. Below are example prices. I recommend ordering a 8×8 leather cover book.
6×6 hard cover book using only 1/2 of the weekly page templates (meaning you only document every other week of your pregnancy) costs approximately $34 without shipping.
8×8 leather cover book with 72 pages (using weeks 6-42) costs approximately $162 without shipping. If you only use 1/2 of the weekly pages, the cost would be between $70 and $80.
*These prices do not include the cost of my template.
11. How do I reduce the size of the files after downloading?
For JPG format: After you have chosen a page template you want for a page of your book, delete a lot of the remaining template pages in that week’s folder. I suggest keeping a few pages you think you might want to use and delete the ones you know you don’t want to use. This will help save room on your computer. WARNING: If you delete a page that you later decide you want to use, I cannot send you another one.
12. I ordered the JPG format. Why are there so many links to download?
I separated the templates into groups for the following reasons:
- To save space for those not needing every weekly template offered. For instance, for those who don’t plan on documenting week’s 6-11, there is no need to download those file templates and take up room on your computer. Same goes for those who deliver early and do not need weeks 40-41.
- To decrease download time. If all pages were combined into one zip file, it would take too long to download.
13. Q: Are your products royalty free?
Yes.
14. Q: What does royalty free mean?
Royalty free generally means that you pay a one-time fee in exchange for the right to use a photograph (or some other work protected by copyright, patent, or trademark) according to agreed upon terms, with no ongoing license fees due for further use. It does NOT mean that the work is copyright free. That’s a misconception.
15. Q: Are your products copyrighted?
YES.
16. Q: Do you offer refunds?
No.
17. I downloaded the files, but I cannot open them. My computer says “Cannot complete the extraction. The destination file cannot be created”. What does that mean?
Typically, this message occurs when a ZIP file is in a protected area. To resolve the problem, move the ZIP file from its current location on your computer into one of your user profile sub folders, like Downloads, Documents, Pictures, etc. You can also try moving it to the desktop. Then try to open the files again.
18. When I buy a product from your shop will I get something physical in the mail?
No. All products in my shop are digital downloads only. You will not be receiving a physical product.
19. Does the template come with photos?
Yes. It comes with 4 complimentary photos. You can view which ones come with it on the main purchase page.
Can I get the book starting from week 4? That’s when we found out!
Thanks!
Great new things in templates.. I like it and these all information will help full. Thanks.
No sorry. Those images were taken with my iphone. They are web size files and only used for display.
One more Q…
If you also purchase the Polaroid Frames, can you use the image (of the 9 frames)as a picture in your book template?
Skye,
Yes you will get the exact font info with instructions on how and where to download.
You can purchase additional photos at any time.
I have a question regarding the COLOR PSD FORMAT:
With the information about the free fonts to download, will this include details of the exact fonts used in your book?
Also, if I want to buy additional photos later can I? Or do you have to purchase the template and photos in the single transaction?
Thanks
What is the name of the printing company you recommend? Thanks!
Rachel. Due to copyright issues I have experienced in the past, I can’t give that information out until a product has been purchased. You can read more about pricing in #10. It will give you an idea of average cost.
Sorry.
What is the name of the photo book company that you recommend using? I would like to look at it and its pricing before purchasing.
thanks!
Hi Eva. The company I recommend using does ship worldwide so you should be able to print it and have it mailed to you. You will receive info about that company upon purchase.
I really love your maternity book. I’m from Holland and I want to order your templates. Is it possible to print the book here?? Did you have more buyers from other countries?
I just purchased your chevron book template what company do you recommend printing with? Thank you!