PhotoBookGirl.com

A Guide to Photo Book Reviews, Deals and Tips

Facebook   Twitter   Pinterest   RSS

Mixbook Lay Flat Photo Book Review Plus a GIVEAWAY! $300 in prizes (ENDED)

Mixbook lay flat giveaway
Skip directly to enter Giveaway

I’ve been wanting to try Mixbook’s lay flat book for a while now and it’s been long overdue. Lay flat pages are one of my favorite options when I make photo books. It’s more convenient and more enjoyable when looking at a book, especially a larger one, to have the pages lie flat without having to hold down the book. Lay flat pages also lend a more “upscale” feel to the book, especially when a company’s lay flat pages also mean an automatic upgrade in paper type.

Mixbook lay flat reviewMixbook’s lay flat book has very thick pages, much thicker than the pages in an average photo book.

Mixbook provided me with a complimentary book for purposes of review. Because it was a nicer book from the norm, I wanted to use it for something special. Photo Book Baby’s Pirate party fit the bill and having recently gotten the photos back from our fabulous photographer Gretchen of Moonhouse Productions, I was excited to make my book!

Mixbook is also giving Photo Book Girl readers the chance to win one of three gift vouchers for $100.00 each! That’s a total of $300.00 in prizes! More details below.

Here’s the stats:

Book Type
 Mixbook Premium Lay Flat Classic Landscape
Size 11 x 8.5″; 99 pages (max)
Price $89.99 (20 pgs) + $1.00/pg x 79 extra pgs = $168.99 (complimentary for review). Click here for the latest Mixbook coupons and deals!
Ordered/Shipped/Delivered: Oct 15 / Oct 21 / Oct 22 (standard shipping – $6.99; overnight – $24.99)

Software

Mixbook has always had one of the most flexible photo book software programs out there. It resides online so there’s no need to download software and is Mac and PC compatible. It is easy to use, pretty intuitive and has a lot of fun features.

Mixbook photo book workspace
Mixbook photo book workspace

Here’s the basic info on Mixbook’s products and software:

Mixbook review

My take on Mixbook’s features:

DSC_6533

1) Design across the spread, which means you can carry over borders, trim, embellishments and photos without interruption. You can plop a photo, text, sticker etc. right in the middle of the spread. This is not a common feature with most photo book companies;

2) Lots of free scrapbooking type clip art, backgrounds and stickers – for digital scrapbooking enthusiasts you can also easily upload your own clip art in jpeg and png formats). In fact this chalkboard background you see above is one I created myself. (Aren’t I fancy?) I have it on my site for a FREE download, just click on the link above. I’ve used it so much in several of my recent books. I tend to like neutral backgrounds, so it works for me.

3) I like that when you click on an object, Mixbook’s program highlights the object in yellow, so it’s easy to tell if you’ve selected the object you want to move or alter. It’s especially helpful if you’ve layered a lot of elements. Screen Shot 2013-10-11 at 1.51.47 PM

4) This is a basic one, but thank goodness Mixbook has a “duplicate” or “copy” function. It makes creating your layouts so much easier. When I make my layouts, I almost always copy the prior item cause chances are, I’m going to want the same default settings for all my photo boxes and text boxes. To me, it is absolutely essential. Not every photo book company has this necessary tool which stumps me why they don’t. It makes the process a whole lot faster;

5) Easily add shadows, reflections and control opacity of every element. I’m a fan of shadows in particular as it can help bring some dimension to the page. What’s cool is you can use these tools on everything, photos, stickers, even text (including the elements you upload yourself, so it’s very digi-scrap friendly);

6) Mixbook has about 50+ fonts and many of them are very nice and very useable. I’m really glad they have one of my favorites, Century Gothic, but it would be nicer if you could use your own fonts;

7) For those who prefer a quick way to make a nice looking book, Mixbook has many book themes ready to go. Just drag and drop in your photos. With my Mixbook books, I’ve often picked a pre-made theme and then tweak it to my liking. It’s much easier when you have a template and you don’t have a blank page staring at you.

6) Making a photo book with friends, family or a club? Everyone can upload their photos and collaborate on the same book. The software is online so you can invite others to work on a project with you, which is a lot of fun. I chose Mixbook for a group cookbook project with my friends. I like that we could all upload our recipes and photos on our own (no having to meet up to exchange discs or flash drives of photos). They could actually work on their own pages, but I could also lend and hand if they needed help, all from the comforts of home. Click on the link to see my Mixbook cookbook and learn how to make one with your friends and family.

Print Quality and Construction

Mixbook lay flat presentation box

When I first received my book, I was surprised at how heavy it was. I suppose I did max out the pages. I always have lots of photos I like to use in my books and it’s always hard to narrow it down! I didn’t realize it would come in a presentation box, so that was a nice bonus that’s included in the price.

I remember thinking “wow” when I opened the box. I really like the look and feel of the cover. The best way I can describe it is velvety. It’s quite unique to this product as I went through my other photo books and I couldn’t find anything comparable. The images on the cover reproduced very well – clear and accurate color.

Mixbook lay flat review

The images in the inside were also very good and clear and the color was true to the originals. Mixbook does not apply any correction to your photos, so you should do any necessary editing in outside photo editing software if necessary.

Mixbook lay flat photo book review

Each two-page spread is printed on a continuous sheet so there is no gutter and you can design across the spread. This sheet is then fused to thick cardstock giving the page a very thick and rigid feel. Each page is so thick, my 99 page book measured about 2 inches thick! Definitely the thickest book I’ve ever made. For comparison I took a photo of a typical 100 page book compared to the Mixbook lay flat. See the difference!

Mixbook lay flat photo book review
Mixbook 99-page lay flat book on top, typical 100-page photo book just below.

Most books of this type (extra thick cardstock pages) would have a page limit of a lot less than 99 pages – maybe more like 30 pages max, so if you have a lot of photos, this could work better for you.

Mixbook lay flat reviewThe book is quite impressive because of its size and paper thickness, but I did have one slight issue with my book. There were some small areas on the page surface where a white crinkle like mark was visible. My mom actually didn’t see them until I pointed them out to her since they were pretty small. I contacted Mixbook and they promptly sent out a reprint. It’s important that a company stand by their product and Mixbook certainly did that. I don’t have the reprint back yet as of this post, but I will update.

SUMMARY

Overall, the book is very unique product, and priced at a pretty decent price point for the quality and number of pages you can get. If you compare them to flush mount books which have a similar type of sandwiched cardboard pages (albeit on photo paper) you can get a lot more pages in the Mixbook lay flat. This is also more economical than the flush mounts printed on photo paper, so it’s an option if you want a flush mount type look, but are on a tighter budget. Mixbook’s software is feature-packed and easy to use. For those who want an easy drag and drop interface, you can opt for a pre-designed theme, while those who prefer customization will not feel limited by the software.

Here’s some more shots of my book!

Mixbook lay flat review

Mixbook lay flat book

Mixbook Lay Flat

Mixbook lay flat review

Mixbook lay flat
I added the Jake and the Never Land Pirates theme song lyrics. It was fun to intersperse the verses through the book. Sing-a-long!

Mixbook logo lay flatHow To Get the Best Deal on This Book

Mixbook does offer sales on it premium lay flat books – typically about 15%. Be sure to check my photo deals page for any current promos. Of course the best deal would be to win one! See the details below.
___________________________________


HOW TO ENTER THE MIXBOOK GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win 1 of 3 gift vouchers worth $100.00 each!

You can use them on a lay flat book or anything on Mixbook’s site!

You have 6 possible ways to enter, but you must do the REQUIRED ENTRY for the others to count. For EACH entry, you have to COMMENT ON THIS POST below with a separate comment for EACH entry, telling me what type of entry you did.

REQUIRED ENTRY:

OPTIONAL ENTRIES:

  • Subscribe to my newsletter (look for light blue box at top right) AND tell me in the comment below that you subscribed and the name you subscribed under (first name is fine). If you already subscribe to my newsletter, tell me in your comment and give me your name. (Please remember for it to count, you must confirm the subscription. Sorry RSS doesn’t count);
  • Give your review of any photo book/canvas company you’ve tried on the company’s main reviews page. (Click here to give a canvas print review). Click on the “Read Review” button. Scroll down towards the middle of the page after the Quick Specs Chart and you’ll see a place to add your review for that company. Let me know which company you commented on by telling me in a comment in this post below. (Limit to two (2) entries using this method. Reviews given prior to the start of this Giveaway don’t count – they must be new ones please!);
  • Blog about this giveaway on your blog. Be sure to comment on this post with a link to your blog post (Counts as 3 entries!)

Make sure to do the REQUIRED ENTRY!

This giveaway is open to anyone 18 or older. No country restrictions (so it’s international but please check if Mixbook ships to your country if you have any doubts). Void where prohibited. Void in Quebec. Entries must be received by Sunday, November 3, 2013 at 11:59pm CT and any entries not in accordance with the rules will be disqualified at our sole discretion and at the discretion of the sponsor. Winning entries will be chosen using Random.org. After compiling the results, I will announce the winners thereafter and will email the winners. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or I will redraw another entry. Canadian winners may be asked to answer a skill question to be eligible, to comply with Canadian laws. Winners will be issued a gift voucher. Gift voucher does not expire. Shipping varies by location – see Mixbook’s site for details. Winners may apply voucher value towards a higher priced item, and pay for any additional charges. You can even apply any applicable promo that’s running for extra savings. Disclosure: I am an affiliate of the company. The links on these pages go to the company’s sites. If you click on a link to Mixbook’s site and make a purchase, I may receive a referral fee from the company. This giveaway is sponsored by Mixbook. Regardless of affiliation my opinions are always my own and I always give my honest opinion.

Mixbook Coupon Codes 2013 (Click on graphic to go to the Deals Page)

Screen Shot 2013-10-27 at 1.08.09 AM
____________________________
BEST OF LUCK TO EVERYONE!

Comments

  1. Checked out the mixbook range – wow 40% off via PBG very good

    I actually hadnt giving them much thought beforehand when looking at books but the additional effects & controls sound very appealing

    If I were to win the contest I do a year in review photobook

    • I would make a photo book for my Mom with pictures of my Dad and all of their 12 grandchildren over the years. My Dad passed away in June of 2012, and this would be a special book for my Mom to remember him with.

  2. I’ve been eyeing their “Our Story” photobook that I want to make for my first wedding anniversary coming up in two months. If I win, I sure will use it for the same!

  3. I’m making a Mixbook flat-binding book of 240 pages to commemorate a big thru hike I did with my kids this year on the John Muir Trail! Thanks for your great website. Christina

  4. I’ve been a fan of your FB page for qute awhile & I’ve used your tool to narrow done which photobook company suits my requirements best a zillion times before deciding on one finally! FB name – Divya Samuel

  5. I just visited the Mixbook site and was impressed with the different books they offer. I really like the idea of making a Mosaic book for Christmas presents! If I were to win the contest, I would make a lay flat book for my granddaughter for 2013. I would also order a Mosaic book for my sisters birthday of her recent visit

  9. I’ve just liked Mixbook on FB & also added myself to their email list & as a result got an intro offer from them as a welcome surprise! (FB name – Divya Samuel)

  10. Mixbook is my favourite of the photobook websites! If I won I would use the credit to make my parents and my in-laws photo albums of our wedding. Liked you and Mixbook on FB!

  11. I would do my Holiday Cards! The ‘Whimsy Chalk’ design is gorgeous!

    Thanks for the Mixbook review! Your son’s birthday book looks amazing!

  14. OMG, Mixbook! They have the most intuitive software, a real joy to work with. I would love to make a baby book for my nephew if I won. Thank you.

  15. I would use this prize to finally create the wedding photo album I’ve always wanted! I love the themes offered here, so I’m excited to try this company!

  16. Required Entry:
    I would make a photo book of the trips we took to Disneyland and Disney World this year! Yup, it was a good year!

  24. I have been thinking about doing a MixBook photo book for some time now, but after reading your review and seeing your beautiful pictures, I signed up! I am creating a book of our honeymoon in Abu Dhabi, but would love to create a book of our wedding photos.

  28. The only trial I’ve given Mixbook so far is making cards. They arrived packaged nicely and I love them! Definitely sold me there. I’m finishing up photobooks I started with Picaboo & MyPublisher, but next will try a book with Mixbook — especially if I win! I take lots of photos & my family (plus ME) love to receive the pictures in the form of books! They make great gifts!

  29. I made a 12×12 family history book a few years ago with Mixbook, and it’s still one of my favorites! I would love to print a full year review album in a mixbook 11 x 14 format!

  32. I’ve already liked PhotoBookGirl’s facebook page. Thanks for all your tips! You’ve saved me $$ as I’ve participated in making the free Christmas cards from Mixbook plus just ordered a 100-page photo book using your coupon from MyPublisher.

  34. I would make a lay flat photo book of my daughter’s wedding. I am a fan of yours on facebook. Rivka Deutsch

  37. I left a positive review (& dropped your name) with MyPublisher. Your directions for writing a review didn’t work on their website. When you click on “Reviews” it only lets you read those made by others. I had to “contact” them with an email & click “review” for the heading of my comment.

    • Sorry if my instructions were a little confusing. These reviews are wholly within my site. When you go to the page I linked: https://www.photobookgirl.com/reviews/ click on the “READ REVIEW” button that’s below the company’s logo. Then if you scroll down towards the middle of the page, under the Quick Specs chart you’ll see “Leave a comment with your own review of MyPublisher”. There’s a box that you can leave a comment. I hope that helps. Maybe I can revise to make it more clear. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

  38. I would make a book of the “journey to our wedding day”, including engagement, showers, teas, wedding, and even honeymoon pictures. I’ve wanted to do this but haven’t started because I was looking for a site that would allow more than 100 pages… Mixbook looks like it might just be that site. Maybe I will get it done before our first anniversary!

  43. I just left feedback with Shutterfly (& dropped your name in my thank you). Again, it is difficult to find where to find a place to leave feedback. I ended up going to their “contact us by email” & as I completed the boxes, one of the pull-downs was “feedback.”

    Hope I win!!!

    Thank you for your hard work in getting us the best deals to create our photo projects! 🙂

    • Thanks for doing that Cindy – please see my earlier comment regarding where the review goes! 🙂

      • Thanks for the clarification! I went back and went to your reviews for Picaboo and MyPublisher and left my reviews on each of those pages. So I really reviewed — both ways!!! 🙂

  46. Required entry: We’re going to Disney World next year, and I’d make a Mixbook photobook for that trip. I’d LOOOOOOVE to be able to do a lay flat book for that trip. It’d be the nicest one I’d ever made, for sure.

  59. I checked out Mixbook’s website. I made a book with them about a year ago, and I would love to order copies for my kids and their grandmother with the gift certificate.

  64. I just joined your blog. Think I’ll be coming back regularly. I want to make a photo book with my family history.

  65. If I win this prize, I’d make a memory book of my friends life, and present it to his mom on the first anniversary of his death.
    I wish the companies would have an ‘in memory of’ type theme to choose from, as I haven’t found one yet. I’ve been scanning and saving photos for this project, just looking for the perfect book to use when I’m ready to go with it. I really like the 99 layflat page capacity and the quality of the Mixbook. I really want this one to be perfect, it’s very special to me.

  80. I just liked mixbook on Facebook. I’ve never ordered a photobook and really looking forward to making one!

  83. I checked out Mixbook. I would make a family photo album for my mother in law…she has 6 grandkids and would love one of all of them!

  85. I checked out mixbook and would make a book for my mother in law. She has 6 young grandkids and would love one of all of them!

  93. Hi – checked out Mixbook- I love all their products – their books are very easy to make.

  95. Checked out mixbook-if I won this prize I’d make a birth-one year album for my youngest son.

  96. my wedding photobook pages have recently started to stick together 🙁 so I would remake my wedding photobook (lay flat, of course!) with mixbook.

  109. I would make photo books for my three kids. I’m two years behind and they keep asking when their 2012 books will be ready since I went all out for 2011. I used mixbook for each one… love them!

  110. I would like to try a lay flat book. I always pass it up and order a normal book because I know the regular books are good.

  120. I love this lay flat book. My next project book for myself is my son’s 3rd year of life. That will be after I get all the photo calendars done as Christmas gifts.

  123. I love Mixbook. I used them to make both parents wedding albums. They were gorgeous 12×12 books. Didn’t have lay flat option 2 years ago but still was great quality binding. I would make a baby book for my mom of her 4 kids’ baby years from birth to toddlerhood.

  124. I am subscribed to your newsletter, Nadiege Joyal. I like your page in the book with the food, can’t forget the food right!

  133. If I won, I would make a book of our photos from the Winter Olympics (2010) in Vancouver, BC!

  140. If I won this prize, I would use it for one (or more!) of the following:

    Finish my 27 month old’s 2013 book
    Start my monthly photobooks for my NEW baby (eta early December!)
    Document our huge new move 14 hours away – moving for hubby’s job, and it’ll be a whirlwind with a toddler & a newborn! Money is tight with buying/selling houses & impending birth, and I spend a lot more on photobooks than I should, haha! This would be a HUGE HUGE help! (plus, Mixbook is my FAVORITE!)

  141. I reviewed Canvas on Demand’s canvas prints on your page (might show up as Marina Rhianne).

  142. I would create a photo book of mine and my son’s trip to Europe. He is in veterinary school and this was the last trip we could take together for many years to come.

  143. I would use Mixbook to create a photobook from my daughter’s wedding. Out of 1000+ professional photos, we had to choose 40 to go in the album from the photographer. There are so many wonderful photos that we could not include, not to mention the funny/crazy photos that friends and family took. I want to capture these precious memories in a special photobook.

  144. I already subscribe to your newsletter. Linda Brownlee. One of the few newsletters that I actually read. It includes so many good tips and opportunities.

    • I’d like to make an 11×14 book of the photographs which I’ve photoshopped into new creations. I’m a fan of PhotoBookGirl on facebook.(Alex Sk)

  157. I would use the mixbook to create book on my first year of marriage. I love that you can do up to 99pgs – I have a lot of photos and moments I want to include so it would be fun to make a big book out of it!

  161. I would make a book of our anniversary trip to downtown chicago 🙂

    I (Julie Hogan) already “liked” you and I’ve just “liked” Mixbook!

  163. If I won the voucher, I would make a Mixbook Lay Flat book for our anniversary trip to Italy! 🙂

  167. I would use the mixbook photobook to make a photobook for my baby. He is currently 7 months old and I have not started any of his baby books yet, Although I do have tons of pictures to use. I have been to their site and I am eager to try their new lay flat option.

  169. If I won this giveaway I would create my newborns first year baby book of everything that will happen in her first year of life! She is my first baby & I can’t wait to start creating a book of all our memories that I can give her each year as a special gift! I’d love to WIN! Please choose me!

  170. I took over 900 pictures on a 3 week educational trip to Japan with other educators. How wonderful it would be to have a beautiful lay flat format on quality paper to showcase my experience!

  175. I would love to try a Mixbook lay flat book and there were such fun ideas on their website. It would be difficult to decide what to make it of, I have so many thoughts. Perhaps my daughter’s recent graduation.

  180. I really want to make an ABC or family faces photo book for my toddler! I was really happy with the Mixbook I ordered previously and would LOVE to make one of the new lay-flat books. Yours looks great!

  183. I would make 3 8*11 photobooks for my parents, in-laws and ourselves. Our family met for the first time after 7 year a this summer, lots of great memories to immortalize in a Nice photobook

  185. If I won this fabulous Mixbook voucher, I would make my Family Tree through the generations… something I’ve always wanted to do, raid my Mom’s old, wonderful pictures and reminisce with my Grandma… thank you!!

  186. I already subscribe to your wonderful newsletter — FANTASTIC tips! Keep them coming!! 😉

  188. I already LIKE Mixbook — my absolute favorite photo book site, there’s just no comparison, and I’ve tried quite a few!

  190. I have always dreamed of making my own cookbook and would definitely create one if I won! 🙂

  191. If I won, I would finish a long overdue book for a very special group of people I know – and orphange in Kenya. They are very special children and would love to have pictures of themselves. I have gathered pictures from the past 5 yrs.

  195. I would make a book that included all the tea partys we have had so far. Its a tradition and whenever grandma comes to visit we have a party It would be a great Christmas book for her. She is 76

  196. IFFFF I won this awesome prize, I would love to make a Lay Flat Landscape size photobook for my parents 27th wedding anniversary with compilation of photos from their childhood with my late grandparents and their siblings until recent family trip to NZ for my graduation!! It will be a great gift to showcase their wonderful journey all these years.. The photobook + the international shipping (plus the currency conversion…sigh)would burn a hole in my pocket if I have to purchase one =(.. Nonetheless, I am so eager to try photobooks from international companies (tried Shutterfly from deals in your blog)and MIXBOOK is definitely on top of the list!!=D

  205. I would make a book of my children’s photos to send to their grandparents, who all live on the other side of the world.

  210. I would love to make my baby’s first year book! He’s turning one Dec 22nd. A full year of firsts, from visiting his grandparents abroad, first halloween, his first tooth, steps etc….
    facebook like – Sandhya
    subscribed

  211. I would make this year’s family yearbook documenting our first full year as a family of 6! My oldest and middle child were adopted this year and we have a lot of memories of firsts together as a family to document.

  215. I’m planning to make a photobook of my baby’s first year. Lay-flat style, of course. 🙂

  218. I would love to make a travel photobook after scanning some old photos from India and Nepal, it would be like revisiting a special time in my life. Thank you for the opportunity.

  225. I would make photo book with pictures from my trip to Moscow, so I could always remember what a great time I had there 🙂

  234. IF I WON THIS PRIZE I WOULD CHOOSE…

    To create a “Rustic Wedding” photo book to finally have our wedding photos in print!

  236. If I win the mixbook giveaway, I would create a photo book as a gift for my mother’s birthday of all of the trips and memories we have had in life. I would especially use the lay flat pages!

  238. Hello, I subscribed to your newsletter under the name Nuvia and I confirmed the subscription. Thank you!

  240. I would make a book of our one month long vacation in Southeast Asia – Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, and South Korea!

  244. If I won this prize, I would create a kids photo book for my 5 year old daughter. They don’t stay that way very long…

  245. My family has participated in the Labor Day Mackinaw Bridge Walk since I was a child. I would like to create a book for the last few years that we have gone and begin to make a yearly book with detailed information and pictures all of the events and fun we have!!! 🙂

    Starting this project, I have 3 books that I will need to create for the past 3 years… Then I can start doing it each year!

  260. If I won this prize, I think I would make our family’s 2012 yearbook. I like the Mixbook’s “Everyday Chalkboard” style for photobooks especially, so I think I would try that.

  267. We just returned from a family trip to Disney World and I would use this to make my first photobook ever!

  268. WOW! Your book looks awesome. Love the pirates theme, all the party details, layout, sharp colors, thick pages. That’s amazing how you made a 99 page book (it took me forever to make my australia book of 50 pages). I’m a newbie and have made a few books with mypublisher only. I would like the chance to use MIXBOOK (just subscribed to your newsletter). Your stuffed mushroom photo inspire me to make a recipe book for my dad. That purple cake looks really unique too. Taro? 🙂

  274. I checked out Mixbooks site. I would love to make a Wedding Album from my daughter’s wedding that was last June. I just got all of the discs from the photographer and I can’t wait to get started!

  276. I would use this prize to make a annual photo book for my toddler (I’m very far behind…) and include some of her awesome quotes. I love the Mixbook themes and would probably use one of them.

  277. I would make a 8.5″ x 8.5″ book of family photos using the “Natural Textures” theme.

  278. My daughter in law drives a school bus; the drivers are very sad and hurt that they are not in their schools’ yearbooks
    It would be a joy for me to create a yearbook special for them

  279. Liked mix book on FB as Nyna Anderson. I would make books for my children for Christmas.

  290. If I won this prize, I would make a 8.5×8.5 hardcover mosaic photobook that would highlight my family’s big events throughout this past year!

  292. I don’t have a blog to be able to “post on my blog about this giveaway”! I wish I did but I wouldn’t know what to blog about! SO I decided to share this giveaway link on my Facebook! 😉
    Alex

  293. I’ve used Mixbook in the past and was very happy with the photobook and process. If I won this prize I’d make my son’s first Disney trip, layflat!

All content is © by PhotoBookGirl.com. All rights reserved. Disclosure.