Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Portfolio Style Album
Purchase an artist's portfolio that holds 8x10-inch prints in a clear sleeve. Be sure to select one with plastic sleeves designed to hold photographs, as other plastic sleeves may damage your prints over time.
Select your favorite images in a digital format and edit them for color, size and exposure. Be sure the images are not too dark or light and that they are the appropriate size for your desired print. Digital images should be approximately 4x6 inches and have a resolution of 150 to 300 dots per inch. DPI, or the image resolution, refers to the amount of visible data present in your digital image file, represented by pixels. If the resolution is too low your images will be distorted and jagged. (see reference 1)
Import the images into a desktop publishing program to work on layouts for each page. Diversify your layouts by placing several smaller images on one page and a full 8x10-inch image on the adjacent page. Be creative with your publishing program and place unique "picture frames" around the edges of the photographs. You can add graphics that match the content of the images and add descriptive text or quotes to the pages.
Print each page on a color printer designed to print photographs on a glossy photographic paper made for your printer type. If you do not have a high-quality photo printer, have your pages printed at a local photo lab or use an online printing service. Most online printing services have affordable prices on 8x10 prints, so be sure to research your printer before ordering your prints.
Slip each page into your portfolio and your album is ready for display.
Print on Demand Photo Book
Upload your digital images to an online print-on-demand service that offers special books for photographs.
Follow the instructions that accompany the printing service and lay out your images in an appealing manner, grouping the images by content, date, people or events.
Most services will require you to purchase your album once the layout is complete and you simply follow the specific instructions for purchasing. Your finished photo album will be delivered to your door and the layout will remain in the company's database for future printing.