Blurb photo books: formats, paper and file preparation
Choose a Blurb book by format, paper, cover and the way you will prepare the files. Match the final specification before comparing prices, then use the product's own template and proof checks.
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Blurb's public pages describe several book-making routes and product combinations. A book prepared for one size or binding is not automatically ready for another.
This guide uses published information checked on 5 November 2026. It is not a print-quality review, and we have not measured a Blurb sample for this comparison.
Make a photo book
Arrange your photos on the pages, check the proof and order a printed copy.
| Decision | Record | Recheck if changed |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Exact size and binding | Page and cover dimensions |
| Paper | Selected stock | Spine and supported options |
| Cover | Softcover, wrap or dust-jacket choice | The matching cover template |
| Workflow | BookWright, InDesign or PDF route | Current export instructions |
| Final file | Version and page count | Proof and upload preview |
Choose the making route
Blurb describes BookWright, an InDesign plug-in and a PDF-to-book workflow. Use the route that matches how much of the page layout you already have.
A PDF is not automatically a compliant print file. Use the specification for the exact product, including its cover, page size and bleed.
Keep size, paper and cover together
The checked photo-book page lists several sizes, cover constructions and paper options. Availability is a combination, not a promise that every paper works with every format.
Record the selected combination in the project notes. Changing the cover or paper late can alter the spine or other file requirements.
Compare paper descriptions with the intended images
Weight, coating and surface are different properties. A paper name alone cannot tell you how dark photographs, skin tones or scanned pencil marks will look.
Inspect an appropriate sample if those differences matter. This page does not rank Blurb against other printers from untested product descriptions.
Check an external file before uploading
Confirm page order, embedded fonts, image resolution and safe areas against the current Blurb instructions. Check the cover separately from the interior.
Keep the editable source and a copy of the submitted file. If a correction is needed, a new export should have a distinct version name.
Steps
Choose the product first
Fix the size, paper and cover before preparing a final file.
Use the matching specification
Get the current template for that exact combination.
Check interior and cover
Review them separately for order, resolution and safe areas.
Keep the submitted version
Retain editable sources and the exact export used for the order.
Questions
Can I print an existing PDF with Blurb?
Blurb describes a PDF-to-book workflow. The file still has to meet the current specification for the exact product; not every PDF is ready to print.
Which Blurb paper is best?
Choose by the intended images and inspect a sample where possible. This guide has not tested the papers and does not declare a universal winner.
Can I send a tbf PDF directly to Blurb?
Check it against Blurb's current size, bleed, font and cover requirements first. A readable PDF export is not a guarantee of compatibility with another printer.