Make Your Own Photo Books

Unibind is trying to entice consumers to make their own photo books rather than have a service like Shutterfly print them.

The new PhotoBook Creator is a machine that binds hardback or soft-bound books. You can use the included Arcsoft Collage Creator software, or a layout program of your choice to arrange your pages. The covers will cost about $6 and up, and do not come with the pages. You use the photo paper of your choice. Here's what the machine looks like:



This is a different approach to Epson's StoryTeller book kits, which I found frustrating to assemble.

With PhotoBook Creator, you could bind double-sided photo pages, which is a plus. And, the hardback covers are more attractive than the cellophane covers that protect the covers you print with StoryTeller (which look like a library book).

Another alternative, if you're adverse to binding books or the initial investment in the binding machine, is company's My Books kits. A cover and two end sheets with adhesive strips cost $18. You staple the pages together and insert them into the cover. Once you adhere the pages in the binding, the staples are hidden by the adhesive strips.

If you prefer, a $28 kit will include Arcsoft Collage Creator and 20 sheets of double-sided glossy paper, though the brand of paper has not yet been announced.

The PhotoBook Creator will be available in mid-March. My Books will make its way to store shelves in April.