Design Mode vs. Service Mode — Which to Choose?
QARTA offers two ways to create photobooks: Design Mode where you design it yourself, and Service Mode where our professional designers do it for you. Understanding the differences will help you choose the right approach.
Product Support
Not all products support both modes:
| Product | Design Mode | Service Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Photobooks | Yes | Yes |
| Photo Journals | Yes | No |
| Photo Prints | Own editor | No |
Service Mode is available only for Photobooks. Photo Journals are created exclusively in Design Mode. Photo Prints use their own dedicated editor.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Design Mode | Service Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Who designs | You | Our professional designers |
| Creative control | Full control over every page | You provide photos, we design |
| Your time investment | Higher (you do the design work) | Lower (we do the design work) |
| Estimated timeline | At your own pace + ~3-5 days production | ~7-12 days total (design + production) |
| Price | Design mode price | Service mode price (higher) |
| Available for | Photobooks, Photo Journals | Photobooks only |
Design Mode — Full Creative Control
What You Do
- Open the photobook editor
- Choose and place photos on every page
- Design the front cover, back cover, and endpapers
- Add and style text, captions, and titles
- Select page templates or create custom layouts
- Preview your work in real-time
Pricing
The design mode price is shown on the product page next to the "Create Design" button. This is typically the base price for the photobook.
Timeline
- Design phase: At your own pace — take as long as you need
- Production: ~3-5 business days after you place your order
- Total: Depends on how long you spend designing + production time
Best For
- Creative people who want full control over every page
- Specific layout ideas or visions in mind
- Maximum personalization
- No rush — work at your own pace
How to Start
- Go to Photobooks or Photo Journals
- Select a product and choose your options
- Click "Create Design"
For full photobook instructions, see How to Create a Photobook (Design Mode).
Service Mode — Let Us Design It
What You Do
- Choose your photobook and options
- Upload your photos (minimum and maximum counts shown)
- Our designers create the complete layout
- Review the design and request changes if needed
- Approve and we print + ship
Pricing
The service mode price is shown in the Service Mode drawer on the product page. It is higher than the design mode price because our professional design team handles the work.
Timeline
- Upload: You upload your photos
- Design & Review: ~5-10 business days for our team to create and refine the layout
- Production: ~2-3 business days after approval
- Total: ~7-12 business days from upload to delivery
Best For
- Busy people who want a beautiful photobook without spending time in the editor
- Anyone who wants a professionally designed result
- Gift-giving — let us handle the design
- Those who prefer a hands-off approach
How to Start
- Go to Photobooks
- Select a photobook and choose your options
- Click "Service Mode"
For full instructions, see How to Create a Photobook (Service Mode).
Can I Switch Between Modes?
- You can start a new project in either mode at any time
- Each project is created in the mode you choose
- If you want to try both, create two separate projects
Our Recommendation
- Choose Design Mode if you enjoy creative projects and want total control over every page
- Choose Service Mode if you want a professional result without spending time in the editor
- For Photo Journals, Design Mode is the only option — but the themed templates make it easy
Need help? Contact hi@qarta.ge