Custom Kid Art Book vs. Custom Photo Book: Which Preserves Memories Better?

Quick Answer

Choose a custom kid art book if you want to preserve the physical pieces—artwork, report cards, clay figures—along with photos. Choose a custom photo book if you prefer a streamlined, image-focused keepsake. Both preserve memories, but they serve different needs.

When your child creates art, you want to keep it forever. But with piles of paper, macaroni masterpieces, and digital photos, how do you choose the right keepsake? Two popular options are custom kid art books and custom photo books. Each has strengths and trade-offs.

This comparison will help you decide which better preserves your memories based on what you want to keep and how you want to display it.

What a Custom Kid Art Book Offers

A custom kid art book is designed to hold more than just photos. It can include your child's original artwork, report cards, clay figures, and other flat or even three-dimensional items. Plum Print's Art Book Deposit is a starting point for creating a coffee-table book that captures the full scope of your child's creative output.

The process typically involves sending your materials to the service, where they are professionally photographed and designed into a book. This means you don't have to worry about damaging originals—they are returned to you. The result is a durable keepsake that tells a richer story than photos alone.

• Preserves physical artwork and school papers alongside photos.
• Includes a free digital image portfolio with every order, giving you a backup.

What a Custom Photo Book Offers

A custom photo book focuses on photographs. You select your favorite images and arrange them in a layout, often using an online editor. This is ideal if you have a large collection of digital photos and want a clean, image-centric memory book.

Photo books are often quicker to create because you don't need to mail physical items. They are also more flexible if you want to include multiple children or family events. However, they typically don't include the texture and charm of original artwork.

• Great for large photo collections and quick creation.
• No need to mail physical materials—just upload digital files.

Key Trade-offs to Consider

The main trade-off is depth versus simplicity. A custom kid art book preserves the actual artwork, including the crayon strokes and glue drips, which a photo book cannot replicate. But it requires more effort: you must gather and send physical items, and the cost may be higher depending on the number of pieces.

A custom photo book is easier and often faster, but it only captures the visual appearance of the art, not the physical object. If you value the tactile memory, an art book is worth the extra effort. If you just want a beautiful summary of your child's growth, a photo book may suffice.

• Consider the number of physical items you want to preserve.
• Think about how much time you want to spend on the project.

Trade-offs: Art Book vs. Photo Book

• Preservation Scope: Art books preserve physical items (artwork, report cards, clay figures) while photo books only capture images. Choose an art book if you want to keep the actual pieces.
• Effort and Convenience: Art books require mailing physical materials; photo books can be made entirely online. Choose a photo book if you prefer a quicker, simpler process.
• Cost and Value: Art books may cost more due to handling and digitizing, but they include digital files and often return originals. Consider the long-term value of having both physical and digital copies.

Product Facts at a Glance

• Art Book Deposit: Bound to last a lifetime, your Plum Print custom coffee table book is the ultimate keepsake for children's art preservation. Fill it with your child’s artwork, photos, report cards, clay figures, and more! As a BONUS, FREE Hi-Res Digital Images are included with every order, giving you a complete digital art portfolio. This shows that a kid art book can handle a wide variety of items, not just flat paper, and includes digital copies for backup.
• Express Book: Send anything! Artwork, photos, sculptures, trophies, you name it. Your materials can be returned upon request. No hidden fees—your digital files are always free. If you want to include three-dimensional keepsakes like trophies, this option makes it possible, and you get your originals back.

Which Should You Choose?

Best for

• Parents who want to preserve a large volume of physical artwork and school papers.
• Families who value the texture and authenticity of original child art and want a coffee-table keepsake.

Not for

• Those who prefer a quick, digital-only project and don't want to mail physical items.
• Anyone who only has digital photos and no physical artwork to preserve.

Both custom kid art books and custom photo books preserve precious memories, but they serve different purposes. If you want to keep the actual creations—the crayon drawings, the clay sculptures, the report cards—a custom kid art book is the way to go. If you want a convenient, photo-focused keepsake, a custom photo book will meet your needs. Consider your priorities, and you'll choose the right one.