Montage is a new product with a new interface brought to you from the folks at Mixbook. Both Montage and Mixbook photo books are created via online software, but the interfaces are completely different. Montage will appeal most to those who want to make a modern streamlined photo book with minimal effort as it automatically places your photos into one of several preset layouts. It’s a great product to get your feet wet if you’re new to photo books and don’t want to make a lot of design decisions. I was provided with a complimentary book for purposes of this review and Montage is sponsoring this giveaway post for a chance to win a Montage of your own!
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Photo Book Offerings
(UPDATE 12/2015: Montage’s price structure has changed since the time of this review. Currently there are 4 book sizes priced at a minimum 20 pages. Additional pages start at $1.00 per page and vary according to book size and paper choice. Silver halide photo paper is another available option. Please see Montage’s site for current pricing.) As Montage’s goal is to make photo book creation easier, the pricing structure is simplified as well with only 3 sizes and 3 fixed prices no matter how many pages (up to 70) are in your book. You can have a maximum of 180 photos. Only square format books are offered.
Here’s the stats on my Montage Book:
| Book size: | 8.5 x 8.5″ square (width x height) |
| Cover: | Eco-Friendly Leather with collage |
| Paper Type: | Silk, semi-gloss 120 lb. paper, acid and lignin free, fused to stiff cardboard core |
| Pages: | 60 (double-sided) |
| Binding: | lay-flat, folded, seamless |
| Price: | $59.00 + $7.00 (standard shipping to US) = $66.00 (complimentary credit for purposes of review) |
The Software
Here’s an overview of how the process works:
1) Select your photos from your computer;
2) Click on the button “Create my Montage”;
The process to upload your photos runs pretty fast although it depends on your Internet speed.
3) Choose a theme for your book (currently there are 13 different background themes);
4) The software automatically lays out all the photos you’ve uploaded into various preset templates;
5) Preview your book.
At this point you could be done with your book if you don’t have any changes or don’t want to add any captions. Options for changing the layouts allow you to replace photos, delete photos, add photos or rearrange them. A single “Change Layout” button toggles you through about a dozen variations. It’s convenient to be able to click one button and have it scroll through all the variations efficiently. All the photo boxes feature very slightly rounded corners. I’m a fan of rounded corners myself and will often add them if I have the option, so this is a welcome design enhancement for me. Additionally as always, I’m glad to see an “undo” and “redo” button!
Regarding captions, there is a 120 word per text box limit and only one text box per spread. The font choice, size and alignment are predetermined and the software does not allow for a page with just text.
Here’s some additional information on Montage books:
Book Construction & Print Quality
Montage books are pretty different from the standard photo books you may be used to. It features an eco-friendly leather cover, which I assume to mean it’s not real leather, but it still feels nice. It’s also padded with high-density foam which gives the outside of the book a soft cushy feel. The inside cover pages are fused to the book, and feature a grey tone collage of the photos you’ve included in the book which is a nice feature.
The pages are much thicker than the average photo book which is typically 100 lb. paper. It’s hard to compare apples to apples here since the pages are fused onto a thick lay flat core. The pages do flex but would be hard to bend unless done intentionally. There is a hard cardboard core in between the pages so they feel somewhere in between a standard photo book with regular pages and a flush mount which has an unbendable thicker core than the Montage book. In addition to being a lay flat book, there is no gutter in the center of the spread as the spread consists of a single folded sheet, so your design can extend across both pages without losing any of the image in the middle. Many of the pre-designed layouts have images that cross over the center.
The interior pages of the Montage book appear to be the same as Mixbook’s lay flat photo books. The process of making your book however is completely different as described above.
Overall the print quality was good. The color was true to the originals and I like that the finish is not matte, nor is it glossy. It’s in between which I prefer.
Branding
The book comes in a white presentation box with Montage’s logo on the cover. The only other branding I see on the book itself is an embossed logo on the back leather cover. I’m glad there’s no bar code on the book which is always distracting. There is a bar code sticker on the presentation box which looks to be easy to remove. Overall the branding is fairly subtle.
Summary
Montage seeks to make the photo book making process more painless. With that however comes some limitations on placement and text, but that’s to be expected in exchange for the streamlined process. If you’re the type that wants to have control over every aspect of the design process, you will find it a bit restrictive, but if you’re either new to the photo book making process, or are seeking an easier way to get those photos off your hard drive, this product may be just right for you. The choices you are required to make are very few and auto placement of the photos does make it a much quicker process than placing each photo one-by-one. Alternatively, if you want a more options for layouts and text and want to be in full control, I’d recommend Montage’s older sibling – Mixbook. Mixbook has some of the most flexible software available and their lay flat photo book may be more for you.
In terms of cost, the Montage book is very reasonably priced. Most companies charge a premium for lay flat pages which comes standard with Montage and to get a 70-page lay flat book with other photo book companies is almost double the cost. To get the most for your money, try to get as close to 70 pages as you can since it will cost the same whether you have 20 pages or 70 pages. If you don’t have a lot of photos, stretch it out by opting for more one-photo spreads.
This type of book with auto-placement of photos works best for single-event content like a birthday party, graduation, a vacation, or a single topic (like a tribute to a family member) rather than a year in review type book which may have photos from many different events throughout the year. The layouts just lend itself more to a single topic or event in my opinion – that’s why I chose Photo Book Baby’s 30-day birthday party (a Chinese tradition) as the topic for this book. Doesn’t he look cute in his traditional garb?
HOW TO ENTER THE MONTAGE PHOTO BOOK GIRL GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win one (1) Medium 8.5 x 8.5″ or one (1) Small 6 x 6″ Montage photo book with up to 70 pages and presentation box! Three (3) Medium prizes and two (2) Small prizes available for a total of approximately $260.00 in prizes!
You have 5 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:
- Check out Montage’s photo books and come back here to comment below – IF YOU WON THIS PRIZE, WHAT WOULD BE THE TOPIC OF YOUR BOOK? Wedding, baby, travel etc…
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);
- “Like” me on Facebook (if you are already a fan, or become a new fan, tell me your Facebook name in the comment form);
- “Like” Montage on Facebook (if you are already a fan, or become a fan, tell me your Facebook name in the comment form);
- 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!).
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 Montage ships to your country if you have any doubts). Void where prohibited. Void in Quebec. Entries must be received by Monday, December 1, 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 entry or entries will be chosen using Random.org. After compiling the results, I will announce the winner(s) thereafter and will email the winner(s) and post the name(s) on my site. The winner(s) will have 48 hours to respond or I will redraw another entry. A Canadian winner(s) may be asked to answer a skill question to be eligible, to comply with Canadian laws. Winner(s) will be issued a gift code or voucher. Shipping varies by location and taxes may apply – see Montage’s site for details. Disclosure: I am an affiliate of the company. The links on these pages go to the company’s site. If you click on a link to Montage’s site and make a purchase, I may receive a referral fee from the company. This giveaway is sponsored by Montage. Regardless of affiliation my opinions are always my own and I always give my honest opinion.
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BEST OF LUCK TO EVERYONE!
If I was lucky enough to win, I would definitely make a wedding photo book. I’ve been wanting to make one for the past year.
I subscribe to the newsletter as Jovita and use my registration email
I’m a fan on of yours on Facebook too 🙂 -Jovita Vytasek
Liked Montage on Facebook 🙂 -Jovita Vytasek
Hi
I’m subscribed to newsletter under Miranda. If I won this Montage photobook I would use it to do ‘3 decades of birthday cake’ book. I’m not quite sure what category that would fall into, anniversary perhaps?
Cheers
It’s such a cool way to put together pages…enjoyed their site! I would put together a history of one of my kids or maybe all 3! Thanks for the give-away!
I already am a subscriber to your emails! Thank you!
Capturing every day life would be the topic of my next photobook.
I’m already a fan: your page and Montage page fan
My Facebook name is Leigh Everson.
I became a montage fan today and my Facebook name is Leigh Everson.
I do subscribe to tour newsletter. My name is Leigh Everson.
Did a review on: MyPublisher and Mixbook!
These look very nice and afordable. I would love to win one to see for myself. I would try a family album first.
I liked montages fb page.
I like album girl fb page
I subscribe to your newsletter misszj2000@msn.com, I am also like your Facebook page name Zee Julian. If I win I will make a wedding album of some type.
Even though you advise against it, I would make a year in review book for my kids’ grandparents. I’m such a rebel. 🙂
Subscribed to newsletter. -Jennie
Liked you on FB
Liked Montage on fb. -Jennie Hopper
Required entry: Montage photo books look amazing! So excited when you have these competitions 😀 If I were lucky enough to win, the topic would definitely be TRAVEL! Love looking at photos from previous trips around the world when I feel depressed about the dark and cold winter here in Denmark, and just dream about the sun and magic in other countries 🙂
Optional entry: Have already subscribed to your newsletter for the past six months, I think. Love it!
Optional entry: Have liked your fb page a long time ago. My name is Dana Cotong 🙂
Optional entry: I’ve just liked Montage on FB. My name is Dana Cotong 🙂
I would make a book about 2014!
i would create a book highlighting my experiences in motherhood.
I already subscribe to your emails. Brooke is my name.
If I won the Montage photo book I would make a book of my grandkids
I am already your Facebook fan. My name is Brooke R. Check my email for the rest of my last name. I do not want to post it publicly.
I am already a subscriber to your emails. Love them Thanks
I like Montage on Facebook. My name is Brooke R. The rest of my name is in my email address. I do not want to post it publicly.
I “liked” Montage on Facebook
If I won, I would make my wedding album. It has only been 5 years.
My Facebook make is Sarah Resko Lim.
I subscribe to your newsletter – Jill
I “like” you on FB – Jill Kaufmann-Miller
I “like” Montage on FB – Jill Kaufmann-Miller
I would do a Christmas Book. Looks fun.
I am already subscribed to your newsletter as Laura.
I am already a fan of yours on Facebook. Facebook name: Laura Huang
I have just liked Montage on Facebook. Facebook name: Laura Huang
I would make a photo book about my friend’s baby girl as a gift for her.
I am already subscribed to your newsletter.
I am already your fb fan. Danijela Aleksov
I liked Montage on Facebook. Danijela Aleksov
If I won i would like to do a photo book of a recent concert I went to. I have some great memories from that day that I would like to see in a book
I follow you on facebook.. name Morgana P.
I receive your newsletter with the same email i use for these posts. gmail
I liked Montage on Facebook
I liked Montage on Facebook – FB name: Celine Chan
liked Montage on facebook, name: Morgana P.
Reviewed Montage on your review of Montage books. As celine chan
I left a review for Snapfish
I left a review for MyPublisher
I would make a book with pictures of my one-year old grandson.
Liked Photo Book Girl on FB
Tamarah Prince
I liked Montage on FB.
if i won, i would make a baby book as a christmas present to grandparents
i’m already your newsletter subscriber – Olja
i already “like” you on facebook – olinkas
i already “like” montage on facebook – olinkas
Visited montage site, I would love to make a book for our wedding!
Chanukah is coming up and I always take lots of pictures at our big family party, so I will be needing a photo book. I am already subscribed to your newsletter. Rivka
I reviewed Montage, Looks so easy! Can’t wait to create a book.
My Montage book would focus on our family reunion.
I subscribe to your newsletter.
I would make a Photobook of my 50th elementary class reunion. I graduated with Bruce Springsteen.
I am making a book of photographs of buildings my great-grandfather built in my Mother’s hometown to give to Mom for Christmas. It’s got a bit of family history in it, as well as lots of pictures of the beautiful buildings he constructed.
I subscribe to the newsletter.
I am a Facebook fan of PhotoBookGirl.
I am a Facebook fan of Montage.
I’m 1) recommending Montage to a friend to make a parent’s wedding book and 2) I would do a day-in-the-life book for myself.
I would make a photobook of my baby’s first year.
I subscribe to your newsletter, name Kristen
I like Photo Book Girl on Facebook.
I like Montage on Facebook (name Kristen).
I checked out Montage and it looks great! I would definitely make a wedding book, as I’m getting married next month!
I am subscribed to your newsletters, under Katie Van Doren
I am already subscribed to your new letter
I have “liked” Photo Book Girl on facebook! Katie Van Doren
I just “liked” Montage on Facebook! Katie Van Doren
I already like PhotoGirl on facebook
I liked Montage on facebook.
If I won a free Montage book, I would use it as my portfolio
I liked Montage — FB name Karen Winter Holcomb
I already subscribe to your newsletter.
I am already a FB fan. My FB name: Karen Winter Holcomb
I’d make a travel book of our trip to Germany highlighting the places my mom grew up in in Mainz.
The topic of my photobook would be my baby girl, and her first Thanksgivng and Christmas.
I’m already a subscriber to your newsletter as Laura H.
If I won this prize my topic would be on travel (photos taken on an overseas holiday in Feb 2014) FB name Christine Dutton-Kemp
The books look much better than I am used to. thank you for the giveaway.
Hi! I would love to make a grandparents brag book of baby’s first year with a free Montage book.
Liked Photobook Girl on FB. Meaghan Kahlo and Ephemera Photo Organizing on FB.
Liked Montage on FB. Meaghan Kahlo and Ephemera Photo Organizing on FB.
I think a Christmas book would be my first
If I won, I would make a book documenting my IVF journey
I’m already subscribed to your newsletter as Karla.
I’m already following you on Facebook under Karla Vitovitch Fedorak
I am now following montage books on Facebook under Karla Vitovitch Fedorak
I already liked your page on facebook.
If I won the topic of my photobook would be a travelbook on Florida with photos from our trip.
Required Entry Comment: I like the leather cover with photo option. I’ve only made photobooks with Shutterfly, and that’s not an option. The Auto-Magic Layout sounds interesting and easy…but I wonder if the pictures are arranged by date taken, or date modified, or name??? Do you know? Either way, it’ll definitely be a company I keep in mind for my next photobook project!Oops, forgot to say what I’d use it for…I’d love to create an album of pictures of my fur-babies! I’ve been meaning to do so, but just haven’t gotten around to it yet…but I want to create one soon because two of them are getting pretty old – and I want to have a memory lane to look over. I know you said it’s better for a specific event, but maybe if I save them all by the number I want them in the book, then they’ll be laid out in a timeline 🙂
I’m subscribed to your newsletter! Name: Shannon Maechling
Liked your FB page! Shannon (Maechling) Wooten
Liked Montage’s FB page! Shannon (Maechling) Wooten
Gave a photobook review of Shutterfly under Shannon Maechling.
Posted a canvas printing review of Shutterfly under Shannon Maechling
Thanks for the review! If I win, I’d make a photobook of pictures of my son from the past year.
I subscribe to your newsletter.
I like you on facebook! Thanks for all the great tips, information and giveaways, it’s very much appreciated!
Like your page on facebook and subscribe to your newsletter. If I won the book the subject would be my son. The best gift God ever gave me.
I’m very interested in their layflat design! I’ve been disappointed by other company’s version of lay flat in the past. If I won, the subject of my book would be our recent family vacation!!! I always make a book for each big vacation and a yearly photo album, but I haven’t decided which company I’m going to use
I subscribed under the name Jen W
I’m already a facebook fan, Jen Wilson
If I win I would make a book on our year at disenyland
I followed your link to the montage website and perused. Personally, if they are a mix book brand, they have to be good. Love the look and automatic upgrades! If I win the giveaway I would make a tribute book of photos of my dad. He passed away in May and I would gift the book to my mom on the anniversary of their 72 years of marriage.
I have liked Montages Facebook page under the name Keetha Schaeffer.
I have ready “liked” Photobook Girl on Facebook, under the name of Keetha Schaeffer.
I subscribe to Photobook Girl’s newsletter already, under the name of Keetha Schaeffer.
Just to be on the safe side, I hit the sign up button on the newsletter link…it’s been awhile, memory issues here!
I’d like to review a canvas print company, but the one I have experience with is not in your list of choices. Is there a place on your website to add a new company?
My book would be full of my and my friends’ photos from our study abroad experience in Sevilla, Spain. Luckily enough for me, all my friends are shutterbugs so I have tons of beautiful landscapes, candids and even instagram pics to use. I’m compiling all the very best photos (from the Plaza de España to tall pitchers of sangria) and can’t wait to get them printed in a photo book.
Required Entry- I would love to have a medium sized book to finally make a wedding album!
I’m already a facebook fan- Judy Lee Datoc
I just liked Montage on facebook- Judy Lee Datoc
If I won I would do a photo book on our Disney vacation!!
Also I ready subscribe to your newsletter, Sarah Anthony
I would create a fun photo book for my son of his favorite vacations in Manistee, MI. I would use the Geometric theme as he loves shapes and bright colors.
Required Entry: I would create a fun photo book for my son of his favorite vacations in Manistee, MI. I would use the Geometric theme as he loves shapes and bright colors.
I subscribed to your newsletter (and am excited to read it) under the name Joan. Thank you.
I have liked your Facebook page under the name Joan Jaconette.
I have liked Montage on Facebook under the name Joan Jaconette.
I have reviewed Picaboo which is my go to photo book site.
Hi, I have subscribed to your newsletter under Joy.
It does look like a simple and attractive option. The drawback would be if you really like customizing the layout based on your photos, doesn’t seem like there are many options for that. However, their software seems like it does a pretty good job on choosing an attractive layout. I would use it for a book from our epic summer road trip!
I have already “liked” you on facebook, as Kirsten Leong. That’s how I found out about this!
if I won, I’ll make a travel book! =)
I would make a book of this past summer. Or maybe of the upcoming holiday season. There are always a ton of pictures of these wonderful times on my computer, and they just stay there ;(
I’m not on Facebook, but I subscribed to your newsletter or at least tried to. I’d probably make a wedding book; three years after our wedding (a wedding I waited for more than 40 years), my photos sit ready to be made into a scrapbook, but I haven’t gotten very far.
I’ve made a lot of photobooks with several different companies (Picaboo, Shutterfly, MyPublisher, and several more), but this one looks pretty simple, and something my friends who are scared to try it could do.
I would make a photo book of my nieces and nephews devyjackson at gmail.com Deb Jackson
fblike montage as Deb Jackson
Deb Jackson devyjackson at gmail.com
fblike photobook girl as
Deb Jackson devyjackson at gmail.com
I have subscribed to your newsletter under my name Kuha
Liked Photobook Girl in Facebook. FB name: Kuhaneswari Ezhumalai
Liked Montage in Facebook. FB name: Kuhaneswari Ezhumalai
If I won this book, I would like to make a year in review book for 2014. It would be a perfect collection of memories for this year.
I would love to make a photo book of my daughter’s first two years before we adopted her!!
I am already a FB fan of Photobook Girl!!
I am already subscribed to the newsletter!
I like you on facebook: Maureen Allman Krieger
I would make an album of photos from Maui
Trip to Cabo!!!
I just found you and WOW! Fantastic job, what a well designed site for deals and explanations for all your memory and mailing needs <3
I haven't made a book with my newest darling yet and really need to make one for her. I have lovely books from Shutterfly and Kodak for the other two and would LOVE to have one like this, what a gorgeous memento(and who says the youngest has the least pictures taken of them??) Thank you!
I liked you on Facebook, MamaKGaia! Thanks!
I liked Montage on Facebook under MamaKGaia! Thanks 🙂
I am a fan on facebook as Alma Blalock. If I win, I will make a book for the new Mom of the new baby in our family. The lay flat design is great!
I am so glad to see that Printerpix is not listed on your website. I was going to give them the WORST review. They have AWFUL customer service & delivery times. It was 1 of the worst experiences I have ever had w/ any company. They are THE reason for the term “customer NO service”!!
I have subscribed to your newsletter. Thanks for the freebies!
I have liked Montage on facebook. I’m not sure about the lack of control of the layout, but I’m interested in trying it.
I subscribed and want to enter the giveaway!
Subscribed to your newsletter under Tam.
Already a fan of your FB page. Tam.
The topic of my book would be a Newborn Baby book for newest addition to our family.
Liked Montage FB page. Tam
If I won this prize, I would use this to create a wonderful photo album from the trip to Slovenia, Paris and Italy I took with my sister and mother to celebrate our mother’s 60th birthday! I would give mom this as a gift so she can revisit the trip at any time.
I also liked your facebook page, Montage’s facebook page (both under Emily Rathbone) and I am now subscribed to your newsletter as Emily R.
Required Entry: I love the flat rate option; I find that when I start a photobook option, it always seems to go “over budget” with what I intended! I will make my 1st year book for my son, who just turned 1 yesterday! I took so many pictures and made so many photobooks of his big sister…I feel bad that I haven’t completed his yet! THe auto-magic layout sounds PERFECT for this busy mom!
I “like” Montage on facebook (Marina Rhianne)
I “like” Photobook Girl on facebook (Marina Rhianne)
I subscribe to your newsletter (Marina Rhianne)
New Shutterfly (ThisLife) photobook review posted!
I would make an album of my new adventure here in Massachusetts after I moved – between meeting my girlfriend and having our families visit for our first Thanksgiving together it’s been an amazing year! I liked you on facebook, liked montage on Facebook and I subscribed to your newsletter (Samantha).
My photo book would be of my recent wedding! I also need to make parent wedding albums!
I like photobookgirl on facebook – Jessica Lab
I like Montage on facebook – Jessica Lab
I would love to finally complete my wedding album!
I like both you and Montage on Facebook. (Cary Olson)
Required entry. I like the lay flat option and how large these books can get.I would do a photo book of my grandkids
I like the quality….lay flat pages. I need to actually TEST DRIVE on my laptop.
Doggit I click Published by accident…..so for the remainder of my entires: already a fan on Facebook (PETRINA FENNELL) for Photo Girl and now Montage, already a subscriber to newsletter.
Question I won a drawing for a Mosaic book…last April or May. I had just got a new phone and didn’t have pics on it yet so is my free one still available?
Jeez…what a dope..I would make a football book with all my older boys years playing the game.