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Designs

How to Create a Photobook (Design Mode)

How to Create a Photobook (Design Mode)

In Design Mode, you build every spread yourself in the QARTA editor. You have full control over photo placement, layouts, and cover design.

When to Choose Design Mode

  • You enjoy arranging photos and want full creative control
  • You have a specific layout or storyline in mind
  • You want to save vs Service Mode pricing (Design Mode is ~₾20–₾50 cheaper for the same size)

For a hands-off experience where our designer builds the book for you, see Service Mode.

Step-by-Step

1. Pick a Photobook

Go to Photobooks and choose a title. Pick the size, cover, and page count you want — see How to Choose a Photobook Size if unsure.

2. Click "Create Design"

On the product page, click "Create Design" (the Design Mode option). A new project opens in the editor.

3. Upload Photos to Your Gallery

The editor needs photos to work with. Either:

  • Drag photos into the gallery panel, or
  • Pick an existing gallery you've already built

You can add more photos at any time.

4. Place Photos on Pages

  • Drag a photo from the gallery onto a page slot
  • Drag a placed photo to swap it with another
  • Double-click a photo to adjust the crop/zoom inside its frame
  • Right-click / long-press for more options (replace, remove, etc.)

5. Use Page Templates

Each spread has a layout. Use the layout picker in the spread sidebar to switch between 1-photo, 2-photo, 3-photo, etc. layouts. You can change the layout per spread.

6. Add Text

Use the Add Text tool to drop captions, titles, or dates onto pages. Adjust font, size, color, and alignment from the floating toolbar.

7. Design the Cover

Open the Cover tab in the editor. You can:

  • Add a cover photo
  • Add the book title (front or spine)
  • Change endpaper color (where available)

8. Preview & Order

When done, click Preview to flip through every spread. Fix any low-resolution warnings, then Add to Cart to order.

Timeline (Design Mode)

  • Design: at your pace (auto-saves continuously)
  • Printing & quality check: 2–3 business days
  • Shipping: 1–2 days Tbilisi / 2–4 days regions

Total: 4–7 days (Tbilisi), 5–7 days (regions) — from order to your door.

Tips

  • Auto-save is on — close the tab anytime; your work is saved.
  • Avoid placing important details near the spine — pages curve into the binding.
  • Match photo orientations to slot orientations — a portrait photo in a landscape slot will leave letterbox bars unless you crop in.
  • Use full-bleed spreads sparingly — they look striking when used for hero shots, less so for every page.

Need help? Email hi@qarta.ge or use the chat.