Artkive Reviews: What Parents Say About the Artkive Box and Memory Books
Updated: Oct 7
You're about to mail a box of your child's artwork to a company you haven't used before. Of course you want to hear from other parents first. Every Artkive review below comes from a real parent, and together they cover what families say about the books, what the process is like, and the tips they'd pass along before you order.
Artkive is a done-for-you service. You fill an Artkive Box with your kids' artwork and keepsakes, ship it back, and Artkive's team professionally photographs every piece, designs the layout, and delivers a hardcover memory book you'll want on your shelf. There's no scanning and no DIY layout work.
What Parents Say in Their Artkive Reviews
We let our customers do the talking. Parents write to us about the weight that lifts when the box goes in the mail and the pride on their kids' faces when the finished book arrives.
Premium Quality Keepsakes
The hardcover book Artkive produces is built to last. Every piece of artwork is photographed by a professional photographer in a studio with proper lighting, so the texture and color come through in a way a phone photo rarely matches. One dad shared his reaction when the book arrived:
"I seriously couldn't believe how good the final book looked. Every piece of art was photographed so well, and the whole thing just felt really polished. It's such a cool way to hold on to those moments - I'm genuinely obsessed with it." ~ Benjamin
Another mom was worried about her older son's paper artwork, which had started to fade:
"Beautiful work done with care. I was nervous about losing my older son's art work, now 25 years old, when digital was not as common back then, so all I had was paper art that started fading. The Artkive team took care of it, and now my memories are lasting longer." ~ Nadiuska I.
Professional Photography Makes the Difference
Several parents tried to photograph the artwork themselves before turning to Artkive. Most say there's no comparison. One mom explains why she gave up on DIY:
"...I tried taking pictures of their artwork, but I don't have a photo studio, and trying to invent one was a challenge... it just wasn't very good... the photos were on my laptop, and they weren't very easy to share. I wanted to look at my kids' artwork in a book, sitting with them and talking about it." ~ Sarah A. / MOMS LA
A longtime customer says the photography holds up across every kind of art:
"I have been using Artkive for years now. The quality of photos that they take of my children's artwork, whether that be a 2-D drawing a three-dimensional piece of clay or a painting, they are able to capture all the details of the art piece." ~ Mandie Rudd-Sherman
Keeping the Memories Without the Mom Guilt
Every piece of kids artwork carries a memory, which is exactly what makes it hard to let go. Artkive doesn't ask you to choose between keeping the memories and having your space back. You get both.
"For many years I kept my son's art in a box. I always felt guilty having it put away. Whenever I did want to look back at his art, a lot of it was getting ruined. Now, I don't have to feel guilty and get to enjoy all of his school art from my artkive book. The process was very quick, I chose the express." ~ Denise N.
How Artkive Builds Kids' Confidence
When a child holds a hardcover book of their own drawings and paintings, they don't see a craft project. They see a body of work. One mom shared what happened after her son's book arrived:
"Love, love, love the result and quality! Perfect gift for grandparents far away and a memento for us too. Kiddo was SO proud, which has given him more confidence and interest in art." ~ Lia
Giving a kids art book to grandparents has become a pattern in Artkive reviews. For more ideas, see our gift ideas for grandparents.
Artkive Box Reviews: What Parents Say About the Process
The box arrives ready to go. Pack it (these packing tips help), ship it with the prepaid label, and Artkive's team handles the rest. Parents say the process moves quickly and the team keeps them informed:
"I had such a nice experience making a book of my kid's art! They were so helpful, communicative, and professional. Things moved super quickly and before I knew it I had my book and all my items!" ~ Meredith Newman
Start Early and Make It a Yearly Tradition
The most repeated piece of advice across Artkive reviews is simple: don't wait. One mom who waited too long shared what she told her readers:
"Don't wait. Start now, no matter how old your kids are... collect their artwork all year and then once a year, send it off to Artkive. You'll get a beautiful book, have much less clutter, and it's more affordable if you do small batches rather than the giant, overflowing box I sent them…" ~ Sarah
Many families have turned the Artkive memory book into an annual tradition. One longtime customer is now on book 21:
"21 Books - I have ordered 20 books and I am working on my 21st now, the box is on the way! Every time I engage with Artkive, the team is swift, precise and seamless." ~ Emily
How the Artkive Box Process Works
Here's the short version. The how it works page has the full walkthrough.
Fill your Artkive Box with artwork and keepsakes.
Ship it back with the prepaid label.
Artkive's team photographs and edits each piece, then sends a digital proof.
Review your proof, make your changes, and approve the book.
Your hardcover memory book arrives at your door.
Tips From Artkive Reviews Before You Order
These tips come from parents who've shared their Artkive reviews across the web.
Choose the pieces that matter most. Each memory book starts with 25 pieces, and you can add more. Pick the ones your child would want to see in 20 years, and use the price slider to plan your order before you box anything up.
Collect all year, then label. Keep a bin for artwork as it comes home. Mom Tamara recommends labeling each piece with your child's name, grade, and date, especially if more than one child's work is going in the same box.
Include 3D work and large pieces. You can send sculptures, oversized posters, and other three-dimensional work. For fragile or oversized items, the Artkive app lets you photograph and upload them from home. See how to send oversized kids' art.
Use the proofing tools. Mama Danielle discovered she could reorder pages, add captions, and choose the cover image. Adding dates and short notes turns the book into a full memory book, not just an art collection.
Order extra copies together. If grandparents would love their own copy, order at the same time. According to Mom Tamara, copies purchased alongside the original are regularly discounted.
Consider a membership. For families who want an annual tradition, Artkive's membership plans include two free Artkive Boxes per year, rush processing, and unlimited digital storage.
Is Artkive Worth It? Our Take
The Artkive reviews on this page point in the same direction. The finished keepsake book tends to exceed expectations, the process is simpler than parents assume, and the reaction from kids and grandparents makes it feel worthwhile.
Artkive is a premium, done-for-you artwork preservation service, not a DIY photo book you build yourself. If you want the most hands-off way to turn years of kids art into a children's art book you'll use, it's one of the best options available. Plans start at $75 for a finished hardcover book, and the pricing page has the full breakdown.
Still weighing your options? See how Artkive compares in our Artkive vs. Plum Print, Artkive vs. Scribble, and Artkive vs. Shutterfly comparisons.
Artkive Reviews FAQ
Is Artkive legit?
Yes. Artkive has been preserving kids' artwork since 2012, and the parents quoted on this page are real customers. Professional photographers capture every piece, and you review a digital proof before anything is printed. Parents also mention what happens when something goes wrong. Elizabeth Blumin had an issue with the art she sent in:
"There was an issue with the art I sent in and they explained the situation to me very well. They then made fixing it very easy. We have made 5 books with them so far and we plan to do both kids through elementary school." ~ Elizabeth Blumin
You'll find more Artkive reviews from parent bloggers at MOMS LA, Mama Danielle, and Mom Tamara.
How much does Artkive cost?
Plans start at $75 for a finished hardcover book. Each memory book starts with 25 pieces, and you can add more at a per-piece price. The pricing page has a price slider to help you plan.
Can I make changes before my book is printed?
Yes. When your digital proof arrives, you can reorder pages, add captions and dates, and choose the cover image before anything goes to print.
Your Child's Story Deserves to Be Told
The families on this page found a way to keep the memories without the clutter, and many are already working on their next book. When you're ready to see your child's artwork on your shelf, start with an Artkive Box.
Want more ideas for your kids' artwork? Start with our guide to turning kids' art into a book.
