Artkive vs Shutterfly: Which Kids’ Artwork Book Is Worth It?
- Rodnesha Green
- 7 days ago
- 8 min read
If you're a busy mom, you know the scene: piles of kids’ drawings and craft masterpieces from school and home. The art projects for kids keep accumulating. Each finger painting and macaroni collage is precious, but storing every piece is overwhelming.
You want to preserve these memories in a meaningful way, but finding the time is tough. That’s where services like Artkive and DIY solutions like a Shutterfly photo book come in. Both promise to turn that art pile into a beautiful artwork book, but which approach actually saves time without sacrificing quality or sentiment?
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Artkive vs. Shutterfly: Two Ways to Save Your Child's Artwork
Before diving into this Artkive vs Shutterfly comparison, let’s clarify what each option offers. Both can produce a lovely book of your child’s artwork, but the process – and the time you invest – is very different.
Artkive: Box-to-Book Concierge Service
Artkive is a concierge-style service designed to help overwhelmed parents. When you sign up, you'll be sent a big Artkive box to fill with your kid’s artwork. You can pack 25 to 200 pieces of any size into the box (from scribble art pages to 3D projects), then send it back with a prepaid label. The Artkive team professionally photographs each piece in a studio, editing the images to capture every color and detail.
For your keepsake book, the team will design a clean, minimalist layout. You also have the option to make a framed mosaic of some of your favorite pieces. You will receive a digital proof to review and edit, with options to rearrange pages or add captions. Once you approve it, Artkive will print and ship your museum-quality artwork book. You can even opt to have the original art returned.
Artkive truly handles the heavy lifting, making it an ideal DFY (done-for-you) solution for preserving kids’ art. Since 2012, Artkive has photographed over 20 million pieces of kids' art, establishing trust with over 500,000 families. Customers often praise how well it turns kids’ drawings into gorgeous, high-quality keepsakes.
Shutterfly: The "Do-It-Yourself" Kids' Book of Art
Shutterfly is a popular do-it-yourself service that many parents use to create their own personalized albums. To make a Shutterfly photo book:
First, you’ll need to digitize your kids' art either by taking photos or using a scanner. Next, you upload the images to Shutterfly’s website or app and use their photo book design tool to lay out each page.
You can choose themes, arrange pictures, add text, and customize backgrounds. Shutterfly offers creative freedom with a variety of design options to choose from, which some crafty moms love. Lastly, Shutterfly will print and ship out a lovely hardcover photo book of your child’s art.
This process does require time, an eye for design, and a bit of technical patience. One mom noted in a Shutterfly review that at times the site “does not work intuitively”, and that she “spent way too much time trying to figure out how to use their templates and move photos around”.
Shutterfly's hands-on, DIY approach is great for those who enjoy the creative process, but it can be a challenge if you’re already juggling a busy schedule.
So... Which Option Saves You More Time?
When it comes to saving time, Artkive offers a clear advantage for busy parents. With Shutterfly, you have to photograph or scan every piece of art, upload and edit each image, then spend time arranging the layout. That's not taking into account the quality of the image or the lighting needed for good composition. Your skillset, equipment and patience will ultimately determine the quality of your output. If you want a polished result, you might need to be meticulous – and that can take hours of your precious time.
By contrast, using Artkive is much less time-intensive on your end. You’ll spend a little time sorting through artwork and packing the box for secure transit. Artkive’s team handles the tedious work of digitizing the art and designing the book for you. Aside from a quick review of an online proof, there’s little other labor required from Mom or Dad.
For many parents, that difference is huge. As one mom candidly admitted after trying Artkive:
“Could I make a photo book myself for less? Yes. Would I ever get around to doing it for the kids’ art? Probably not.”
She had years of her kids’ baby books and art projects sitting in boxes waiting to be addressed. Choosing to partner with Artkive ensured this project would actually get done. The reality is that busy parents often intend to complete a DIY project like preserving their kids' art. But finding several free evenings to organize and compile a kids' art book can be unrealistic.
Artkive essentially gives you those hours back by doing the heavy lifting. In short, if your free time is scarce, Artkive is a time-saver that can turn a daunting task into a done deal.
Hassle & Ease of Use: DIY Effort vs. White-Glove Service
Many moms find that creating a Shutterfly photo book for kids art can become a frustrating endeavor if you’re not tech-savvy or design-inclined. You’ll need to navigate the software, choose layouts, and possibly troubleshoot along the way. If you enjoy scrapbooking or have a clear vision, this process can be fun. But as one parent observed:
“If you know what you’re doing, you can create stunning books... but if not, the options will just overwhelm you.”
Procrastination poses another risk to being effective. It’s easy to put off a project that feels like work, meaning your kids’ art could sit in a drawer indefinitely.
Artkive prides itself on being easy and hassle-free for customers. This white-glove service means Artkive's team then handles everything from photography to design. Additionally, the interface to review your book is easy to navigate. And, they provide friendly reminders and proofing support so it feels like there’s “a human on the other end”.
Essentially, Artkive minimizes the chance of error and stress. You won’t be wrestling with templates or worrying about technical glitches. For a busy mom, not only is this a time-saver, it’s a stress-saver.
Price Comparison: Budget vs. Value
We can’t compare Artkive and Shutterfly without discussing cost. There is indeed a significant price difference between the two, and with good reason.
Shutterfly (and other DIY photo book platforms) generally costs less. For example, a standard 20-page 8×11″ hardcover Shutterfly photo book runs roughly $50 (before shipping). Additional pages are $1 each with a max page count of 111 pages. If you're conscious and willing to put in the work, this can be a good value.
On the other hand, Artkive’s pricing reflects the white-glove service and labor involved. An Artkive book involves an initial $39 deposit to receive your Artkive box. Book prices start at $75 for a 25-page 8.5×11″ hardcover artwork book. Adding more artwork or ordering extra book copies will increase the cost (about $1–$3 per additional piece).
Why the big price difference? In short, with Artkive, you’re paying for convenience and expertise. All the labor-intensive work to expertly photograph, edit, and design the book is built into the price. Where the customer wins is by outsourcing hours of effort. For many busy parents, time is money – and Artkive can save hours of work.
It really comes down to whether you want to invest a bit more money to save time or invest your personal time to save money.
Of course, one's budget is also a valid concern. Some families use Shutterfly specifically because they’re comfortable doing the work and want to make multiple books affordably. The good news is that whichever route you choose, the end product will be a high-quality keepsake book of art you’ll cherish.
When Does a DIY Shutterfly Photo Book Make Sense?
Choosing the DIY route with Shutterfly can be a smart choice in a few scenarios:
You enjoy the creative process: If you genuinely enjoy crafting photo books or have a creative streak, you might find the process rewarding. Some parents take pride in customizing each page – choosing fun backgrounds that match the theme of the artwork and adding personal captions. If designing the book feels like a fun hobby or “me time,” doing it yourself could be enjoyable rather than stressful.
Budget is a big factor: If you have more time than money, Shutterfly is the economical choice. As discussed, you can make an artwork book for a fraction of the cost of Artkive. With a little patience, a DIY book can fit a tight budget. This is especially true if you plan to make multiple books.
The project is manageable in size: If you have a small number of art pieces to preserve, or you’re creating a one-off gift, the DIY effort might not be overwhelming. In those cases, the time required is reasonable, and you might not feel the need for a concierge service. The company’s long track record shows it’s certainly possible to DIY and end up with something beautiful. Just be sure to set aside some dedicated time (and patience) if you choose this route.
When to Choose Artkive: The Time-Saving Memory Keeper
Opting for Artkive is ideal when time, hassle, and top-notch quality are your top priorities. Busy parents with boxes of artwork piling up will appreciate how straightforward the process is. If you’ve been meaning to digitize your kids’ art but never find the time, Artkive can be a lifesaver.
As one blogger (a dad of two) concluded after using both services,
"For kids’ artwork, I would go with a more expensive but convenient service like Artkive to do the heavy lifting for me. I know Artkive is a little pricey, but I personally found it to be worth every penny." ~Evan
In other words, choose Artkive when you want a sure thing: a beautiful outcome with minimal effort on your part. If you have years of artwork you want to preserve in one go, this is a better option. It also works beautifully as a refined keepsake for grandparents or a future graduate.
Artkive’s high-quality books don’t just preserve memories – they can boost your child's confidence. One mom's Artkive review noted that she noticed her son became excited and proud when he saw his art displayed in a real book. The best part - it motivated him:
"Since then, {my son} has been conscious of his next art book when working on something. It’s been a good motivator for him to do his best work on projects he wants to include." ~ Danielle Y.
That kind of experience goes beyond the book; it’s about celebrating your child’s creativity. If that resonates with you, and you prefer a stress-free, done-for-you solution, then Artkive is likely worth the cost. Many users agree with Evan that it’s “worth every penny” for the convenience and joy it brings.
Saving Memories | Saving Time
Ultimately, both Artkive and Shutterfly provide valuable options for preserving your child's artwork. The decision comes down to your personal balance of time, budget, and the amount of DIY effort you’re willing to put in.
If you’re a busy mom (or dad) short on time and craving a hassle-free keepsake, Artkive’s send-it-and-forget-it service can be a game-changer. You’ll get a professionally crafted book that honors your little one’s creativity without adding to your to-do list. On the other hand, if you have the time and enjoy the creative process, a Shutterfly photo book of your kids’ drawings can be a fulfilling DIY project that's cost-effective.
Either way, you’ll end up with a wonderful keepsake that transforms those piles of paintings and sketches into a treasure you can cherish. The best solution is the one that lets you actually get it done and feel good about it. Whether you choose professional help or be hands-on, you are taking the necessary step to keep your memories safe. And that is always time well spent.
Ready To Let Artkive Take The Reins?
