Four-photo scrapbook layout ideas
Use a two-by-two grid for four photos of equal importance, a row for an action sequence or a two-page spread when each picture needs to stay large. Include gaps in the fit calculation.
A two-by-two grid gives four photographs equal space. Use it for four portraits or for stages of an activity that you want the reader to see in order.
Plan positions with the equal-cell sketch. The measured square and portrait grids are other options; check each crop before choosing a box shape.
Try this in your own scrapbook
Arrange your photos on the pages of a digital scrapbook in your browser.
Choose squares only when the crop works
Four 4-inch squares with a 0.5-inch centre gap make an 8.5-inch block. Check that each square crop keeps the people and details you need.
For rectangular images, four 3 by 4-inch portraits form a 6.5-inch-wide, 8.5-inch-high grid with the same gaps.
Keep a grid easy to follow
Start an action sequence at the upper left, then read across and down. Use the same identification position for all four photographs.
- Use equal boxes for matching portraits.
- Put place names below a grid of four locations.
- Order task stages across the top row and then the bottom row.
- Make a scene photo larger if the other three show details from it.
Keep full-size prints on a spread
Four full 4 by 6-inch prints do not fit a regular two-by-two grid on a 12-inch page once gaps are added. Put two portraits on each facing page instead.
Measure extra mounts separately. A 0.25-inch border on every side adds 0.5 inches to each photograph's width and height.
Place the photos
Square grid
Place four 4-inch squares with 0.5-inch gaps. Centre the 8.5-inch block at left and top positions of 1.75 inches.
Portrait grid
Use four 3 by 4-inch portraits in two rows. Centre the 6.5-inch width at 2.75 inches from the left; start the 8.5-inch height 1.75 inches down.
Four-image row
Use four 2 by 3-inch portraits with three 0.5-inch gaps. The 9.5-inch-wide strip leaves 1.25 inches at each side on a 12-inch page.
Full prints across two pages
Put two 4 by 6-inch portraits on each page, separated by 0.5 inches. Keep the two pairs at the same height across the spread.
Questions
Will four 4-inch square photos fit a 12-inch page?
Yes. With a 0.5-inch central gap in each direction, the block is 8.5 inches square. Centring it leaves 1.75 inches around it before mounts.
How can I use four rectangular photos without square crops?
Try smaller 3 by 4-inch portraits in a two-by-two grid, or keep larger prints across a two-page spread.
How should I order four photos showing a process?
Read from upper left to upper right, then lower left to lower right. Put dates or stages in the same relative position for each image.