Artkive vs. Plum Print: Which Makes the Best Kids' Art Memory Books?
Updated: 2 days ago
Updated on 11/3/26
The last day of school ends with a backpack that won't zip. Inside are a paper-plate jellyfish and a clay bowl with a thumbprint still pressed into it. You can't toss either one, and you can't display them forever.
Artkive and Plum Print both solve this. Each one photographs your child's original artwork and turns it into a hardcover memory book. They differ in process, pricing, product range, and customer reviews. Below, we compare them side by side so you can choose the one that fits your family.
Artkive: Memory Books Designed to Let Kids' Art Shine
Artkive turns children's artwork into a hardcover keepsake book or a framed mosaic. Founded in 2012, it began as an app, which is why every order includes a digital gallery of your professionally edited images.
Here is how it works. You order the Artkive Box, a crush-proof box with weather-proof sleeving and a prepaid return label. The Artkive box is large enough for various kinds of artwork and can accommodate multiple kids. You fill it up, mail it back, and Artkive's team will get to work.
Our team will custom-photograph each piece, then edit every image and create a book layout that lets each piece of art shine. During review of the digital proof, you can personalize the book by adding captions, an artist bio, chapter pages, and a unique cover. After you approve the proof, it goes to print.
Artkive memory books come in two sizes, 8" x 8" and 11" x 8.5". Books hold from 25 to 350 images. If you send more than that, your art is split into multiple volumes.
Want to Know More About Artkive?
Plum Print: Custom Keepsakes for Kids Artwork
Plum Print is based in Asheville, North Carolina, and makes a kids art book in much the same way. You place a $49.99 deposit, which is credited toward your final invoice, and receive a shipping kit with a 22" x 14" x 4" box and a prepaid FedEx label.
After the team photographs your materials, a designer builds the layout. You review the proof and can request up to four minor changes, such as a new background color or a larger image. The company estimates four to six weeks to receive your book after your materials arrive at its studio.
Beyond kids art books, the company offers additional products made from your child's art, such as note cards and pillows.
Ease of Use: Artkive vs Plum Print
Both services take the work out of memory keeping. You pack a box, mail it, and review a proof online. Neither asks you to design anything from scratch.
The differences show up in the details:
Getting started: Artkive starts with a $39 box fee that covers the box and return shipping. Plum Print starts with a $49.99 deposit (that covers the box shipping) and is applied to your total invoice.
Proofing: Artkive's book builder lets you add captions and age or grade labels, choose your cover, and rearrange pages. Plum Print's designer lays out the book, and four minor changes are included. Additional changes start at $20 for five to ten.
Timeline: Plum Print estimates four to six weeks to receive your book after your materials arrive. Artkive's timeline runs about six to eight weeks from the day your art arrives to your digital proof, then about four business days to print once you approve it, plus shipping. Each piece is photographed and edited individually.
If you prefer to have customization options readily available to you, Artkive gives you more room to shape the book without any additional costs, unlike Plum Print.
What Each Service Includes for the Price
Both services price by the number of pieces you send, and both charge for every piece, even if you remove it later. Here is how the two structures compare, based on each company's published pricing in October 2026.
Artkive | Plum Print | |
Starting step | $39 box fee | $49.99 deposit (credited to your book) |
Hardcover book sizes | 8" x 8" and 11" x 8.5" | 10" x 8" and 13" x 11" |
Book price | $75 for 25 pieces | $175 for up to 20 pieces |
Each additional piece | About $1.90 to $3.40, decreasing as the book grows | $2.60 (10" x 8"), $2.85 (13" x 11") |
Captions | Included | $1.50 each |
Digital images with a book order | Free, downloadable, hosted for 90 days | Free with a book order |
Return of originals | $20 | $24.99 |
Extra copies | 60% off | 50% off |
For a book of 25 pieces, Artkive totals about $114 ($75 plus the $39 box). For the same piece count, Plum Print totals about $188 ($175 plus five additional pieces at $2.60). For a book of 100 pieces, Artkive totals about $304 and Plum Print about $383.
Artkive's book builder includes captions, chapters, layout changes and an artist bio at no extra charge, while Plum Print charges $1.50 for each caption or section title. Plum Print's proof changes beyond the first four start at $20. For a comparable service, Artkive offers better value for dollar spent when compared, with more inclusions.
Want An Estimate For Your Artkive Kids' Art Book?
Product Range and Keepsake Options
Artkive's lineup of art books for kids and framed mosaics is built around keepsakes that let your child feel like a true artist. Each children's art book can include an artist bio, chapter pages, captions, and a custom cover, in keeping with the idea of being your child's first publisher.
Framed mosaics display 9 or 25 pieces of art, matted and mounted in one black or white wood frame. The 14" x 14" size is $149 ($99 when bundled with a book), and the 26" x 26" size is $249 ($189 bundled).
Plum Print offers poster prints, (framed for $255) in addition to their books. They can also print your child's art on cards and pillows, which can work as gifts.
Both services include digital images with a book order. or separate digitization If desired. With Artkive, the delivery is clear: your images are available to download and are hosted free on Artkive's servers for 90 days. That gives you plenty of time to save and share them to your personal drives for long-term storage. A USB drive of your high-resolution images is also available for $25.
Artkive vs Plum Print Reviews
Both services have strong track records. On Trustpilot, Artkive holds 4.9 out of 5 stars from 581 reviews, and 93% of them are five stars. Plum Print holds 4.6 out of 5 from 392 reviews. Here is what reviewers say about each.
What Plum Print Customers Say
Reviewers praise the quality of the finished book most often, followed by a helpful, responsive team and a smooth proofing process. Several are repeat customers who make a book every year.
"I love plum print so much... It's the perfect way to save the cute memories in a small amount of space." ~ Katherine H.
The lower ratings mostly mention that add-on the fees were hard to find before they ordered.
What Artkive Customers Say
Artkive reviewers most often mention the quality of the finished book, how easy the process is, and the helpful team. Here is how one customer described her experience:
"Artkive preserves work in a high quality beautiful way. I feel good that the items are recycled in a responsible manner and that I am able to make edits and adjustments to the final product before sending to print." ~ Kristin O.
Another Artkive customer has this to say:
"I love how I can send a box of my children’s art and receive a book to treasure forever. The book building process is easy to follow and the editing and reviewing tool is very intuitive." ~ Grace R.
The drawback customers mention is time. Because every piece is photographed and edited individually, a book takes a few months from box to finished book, and some reviewers say it felt a little long.
"The process was easy but took a long time from start to completion (3 months). I love the end product!" ~ SP
Nevertheless, Artkive's 4.9 rating suggests most customers find the wait worthwhile, and reviewers like the one above agree. Want to read more? See our Artkive reviews round-up.
Which Should You Choose?
The right fit depends on what you want from the finished book.
Choose Artkive if:
You want a hands-off, white-glove experience and the most value for your investment.
You want to personalize the book with captions (no extra charge), an artist bio, chapter pages, and a custom cover.
You are saving art from more than one child. The box is large enough to hold art from multiple kids.
You want a framed mosaic as a gift or a wall piece.
You plan to make a book every school year. As Sheri V put it, "This is my 3rd year using Artkive and it's literally become a part of our annual cadence."
Choose Plum Print if:
You prefer a larger 13" x 11" book size.
You like add-on gifts like poster prints, cards, or pillows made from your child's art.
You prefer to be limited on changes along the way (decision paralysis... we get It).
Still weighing your options? We've also compared Artkive with Scribble, Doodle Nest, Mixbook, and Shutterfly. See every comparison on our How We Compare To page.
Keep the Memories While Making Room for What's Next
Whichever service you choose, your child's artwork deserves more than a spot in a bin. A finished book gives your child something to flip through and one day hand to their own kids. If Artkive sounds like the right fit, you can save your artwork one school year at a time.
Artkive vs Plum Print FAQ
How much does an Artkive memory book cost?
A hardcover book starts at $75 for 25 pieces, plus the $39 Artkive Box. A 50-piece book is $160, a 100-piece book is $265, and a 350-piece book is $740. See the full details on the Artkive pricing page.
How much does a Plum Print book cost?
A 10" x 8" hardcover book is $175 for up to 20 pieces, with each additional piece at $2.60. The 13" x 11" book is $210 for up to 20 pieces, with each additional piece at $2.85. Shipping is included.
Do Artkive and Plum Print return the original artwork?
Yes, both do on request. Artkive's art return is $20, and Plum Print's is $24.99. If you choose not to have your originals returned, Artkive recycles them responsibly.
Can I get my artwork digitized without a book?
Yes. Artkive's Art Digitization service starts at $45 for 25 pieces and includes three months of free access to your images.
How is Artkive different from a scanning service?
Artkive photographs your child's art instead of scanning it. Custom photo stations capture the texture of glitter, canvas, sculptures, and other 3D pieces that a scanner would miss.
