Scribble is dedicated to nurturing the creative spirit in every child. By offering an effortless way to preserve and showcase your child's creativity, Scribble encourages young artists to explore their imaginations and express themselves through art. Support your child's creative journey and let their imagination shine. Don't let these precious moments slip by—capture a vibrant snapshot of your child's creative journey with Scribble.&nbsp;Ready to build their book?&nbsp;

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Magically transform Your photos  into gorgeous hardcover books (With just your phone)

As parents, we cherish the creativity and imagination that our children express through their artwork. But as the piles of paintings, drawings, and crafts keep stacking up, it can get pretty overwhelming figuring out how to preserve and showcase these precious creations. Luckily, that's where gems like Artkive, Scribble, and generalized photo book solutions like Shutterfly step in.

Artkive and Scribble are specialized services that focus on turning your child's artwork into beautiful photo books. On the other hand, general-purpose photo book services like Shutterfly, Mixbook, and others, while not specifically designed for showcasing children's art, still allow you to create custom photo books with your child's art. They might not focus solely on children's art, but you can still jazz up your book with their masterpieces, even if the designs are more geared towards photos of people and events.&nbsp;

In this review, we'll compare these three options and help you determine which one is the best fit for your family's needs. We'll take a closer look at each service, explore their features,&nbsp;pros and cons, pricing, and turnaround time. By the end of this review, you'll be equipped with the information you need to choose the best way to preserve and showcase your child's creativity for years to come.

Artkive is a specialized box service that allows parents to preserve and showcase their children's artwork in a unique way. It all starts with an Artkive Box, which you can order from their website.&nbsp; Artkive will ship a monitor sized box (24″ x 8″ x 4″) cardboard box in around 5-10 days after paying a non-refundable $39 fee. Once you receive the box, and after you have sorted and organized the artwork, you can place your artwork in the provided bags and ship it back to Artkive with the prepaid shipping label. Note that everything you want photographed has to fit in their box. You will be charged for every piece of art that is sent to Artkive regardless if you decide not to use it in your book.

After you send the box back to Artkive, their team of professionals will photograph and edit each piece of artwork individually, ensuring that every piece is shown in its best light. From there, you will be invoiced on the pages submitted, and then gain access to a digital proof where you can make adjustments to page order or modify captions.&nbsp;

Books start at $75 which boils down to $3 per piece of art with per-page discounts when your book starts to exceed 100 pages. Including the box fee, you’re looking at a starting cost of $114 for a 25 page book. They do, however, offer discounts for additional copies. There are also additional fees for returning your artwork or receiving a usb drive back of the digitized artwork. Artkive also offers 3 months of digital access to the photos of your photographed artwork with an option to extend access via a paid subscription.&nbsp;Keep in mind that these various fees can accumulate, so it's essential to consider the desired final product and features when getting started with your Artkive Box.&nbsp;

In terms of timeline, expect to wait about 4-6 weeks for photography, 3-4 business days to print your book, and about 7-14 days for shipping (with the option of paid expedited shipping). We’re looking at a total of about 6-9 weeks from ordering your Artkive Box to final book delivery (with longer timelines during peak Holiday seasons.

Good things come to those who wait, and Artkive delivers a high-quality, personalized photo book of your child(s) artwork that's worth the investment of time and money. While the cost and turnaround time for an Artkive book may be higher and longer than some other options, many customers find that the investment is well worth it for the exceptional quality and level of care that goes into creating these beautiful, one-of-a-kind keepsakes. These true coffee table books not only showcase your child's creative journey but also become cherished keepsakes that preserve precious memories for years to come.&nbsp;

Shutterfly is one of the most popular and well-known general-purpose photo book services, offering a variety of customizable products at affordable prices. It's an ideal choice for those looking to create a personalized photo book without breaking the bank.

Shutterfly's process for creating a custom photo book is relatively simple, but entirely hands-on. The first step is to upload your photos from your computer, phone, or social media accounts. Next, you'll need to choose a book size, cover type, and design template that best suits your needs and preferences. After that, you can use Shutterfly's drag-and-drop editor to arrange and edit your photos, add text, and choose from a variety of backgrounds and embellishments. Once you're satisfied with your design, you can preview the book and make any final adjustments before placing your order.&nbsp;

For an 8”x11” matte hardcover photo book with standard pages, the base price is $59.97, which includes 20 pages. If you would like to add additional pages beyond the initial 20, there will be an extra cost of ~$1 per page. It's worth noting that this pricing does not include any potential shipping costs, which may vary depending on your location and the speed of delivery you choose.&nbsp;

It's worth noting that Shutterfly frequently offers promotions, discounts, and coupons on their products, which can help you save even more on your photo book order. Be sure to check their website, social media channels, or sign up for their newsletter to stay informed about the latest deals and promotions.&nbsp;

Shutterfly has a relatively quick turnaround time for printing photo books. Once you've placed your order, it typically takes about 3-4 business days for Shutterfly to print your book. After the printing process is complete, your book will be shipped out, and delivery time will depend on your chosen shipping method and location.

In addition to their regular production and shipping times, Shutterfly also offers expedited shipping options for an additional cost if you need your photo book sooner. Keep in mind that during peak seasons, like the holidays, production and shipping times may be longer,

Shutterfly is an excellent choice for creating custom photo books, particularly if you're looking to showcase photos of people and events.&nbsp;While Shutterfly's platform is user-friendly, there are some trade-offs to consider. You might find yourself spending a significant amount of time editing each photo, adjusting crops, correcting colors, and ensuring optimal placement within the book. It's also worth noting that Shutterfly's design templates and layouts are primarily optimized for photos of people and events. While not specifically tailored for children's artwork, Shutterfly's wide range of options, affordable pricing, and quick turnaround time make it a viable option for preserving your favorite memories.

Scribble is a cutting-edge book builder that harnesses the power of AI and sophisticated computer vision technology to transform your child's artwork into stunning, professionally designed books and digital galleries. Unlike general-purpose photo book services, Scribble is specifically tailored to showcase children's creativity, making it the ultimate choice for parents looking to preserve and celebrate their little ones' masterpieces.

Creating a custom photo book with Scribble is a straightforward and as easy as it gets. From uploading your child's artwork to receiving a beautiful, professionally printed keepsake, Scribble's intuitive platform and AI-powered technology make it easy to design and customize a unique photo book that celebrates your little one's creativity. Follow these simple steps to get started and transform your child's artwork into a cherished family treasure.

Scribble offers two hardcover book sizes at affordable prices, comparable to those of Shutterfly, with the added value of their done-for-you design process that's similar to Artkive. You can choose between an 11"x8.5" book for $49.99 or an 8.5"x8.5" book for $39.99, both of which include 24 pages. Additional pages can be added for just $0.30 per page, with a maximum of 200 pages per book. This allows you to create a beautiful and professionally designed photo book that showcases your child's artwork without breaking the bank.

In addition to their affordable pricing, Scribble often offers promotions and discounts, such as a current offer where you can get 20% off a second copy of your book when ordering. Plus, every book order includes access to a digital version of your book, which you can share with friends and family.&nbsp;

Once you've placed your order, Scribble's turnaround time for printing and shipping your custom photo book is typically faster than many competitors. Your book will be printed within 3-4 business days, and then shipped out according to your chosen shipping method. If you need your book sooner, Scribble offers expedited shipping options at an additional cost. During peak seasons, such as holidays, production and shipping times may be slightly longer, so it's always a good idea to order early to ensure your book arrives when you need it. Overall, Scribble's efficient production process and fast turnaround times make it a great choice for parents looking to create a beautiful keepsake in a timely manner.

Scribble is an exceptional choice for parents who want to create a unique and professional photo book that celebrates their child's artistic journey. With an emphasis on preserving and inspiring childhood creativity, Scribble's AI-powered platform makes it easy to transform kids' artwork into beautiful, high-quality keepsakes. Offering affordable pricing comparable to Shutterfly and a done-for-you design process similar to Artkive, Scribble ensures a seamless and enjoyable experience for families.

Transforming your child's artwork into a photo book not only preserves their creativity but also promotes their creative confidence. It's an excellent way to showcase their artistic journey while making a thoughtful gift for friends and family, expressing your pride in their artistic achievements. Turning your child's artwork into a photo book not only tidies up your home but also makes room for them to dream up new creations. Among the options discussed, Artkive, Shutterfly, and Scribble each offer unique features and benefits for creating custom photo books. Let's quickly go over what each service brings to the table:

Artkive simplifies the process by sending you a pre-paid box to mail in your child's art. Their done-for-you approach guarantees professional results with some effort from you, but keep in mind that this convenience comes at the cost of a longer turnaround time and a higher price tag.

Shutterfly has a lot to offer when it comes to creating custom photo books. It's got a ton of products, affordable prices, fast turnarounds, and plenty of ways to customize your book. But keep in mind, it's better for traditional photo books rather than ones specifically for artwork. So if you're searching for a super easy way to show off your kid's amazing art skills, you might want to check out other platforms that are better suited for creating kids art-focused books.

Scribble, specifically designed for children's artwork, offers a more tailored option for parents looking to celebrate their child's creativity. Its AI-powered technology and done-for-you design process provide a streamlined and enjoyable experience for transforming your child's art into a beautifully printed book.

When choosing the platform that's right for you, consider factors like pricing, design flexibility, and turnaround times. Each of these services—Artkive, Shutterfly, and Scribble—presents an opportunity to preserve and cherish your child's artistic expressions for years to come.

Kids determining the best kids' art photo book service.

We review three popular photo book services—Artkive, Shutterfly, and Scribble—to determine which one is best suited for transforming your child's artwork into a beautiful keepsake. We explore the unique features, pricing, and customization options offered by each platform to help you make an informed decision on preserving your little one's masterpieces for years to come.

Reviewing the Best Photo Book Services for Your Child's Artwork: Artkive, Shutterfly, and Scribble

At Scribble, we believe that when kids have the space to imagine, create, and explore their own ideas, it leads to incredible personal growth, academic success, and happiness. We're thrilled to be a part of your child's creative journey. Click below to discover how Scribble can play a vital role in fostering your child's creative spirit.

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National Scribble Day, celebrated annually on March 27th, is a day dedicated to the joy and freedom of self-expression through art. Inspired by <a href="https://www.dianealber.com/pages/nationalscribbleday?utm_source=www.scribble.art">Diane Alber's</a> book, "I'm NOT just a Scribble," this special day serves as a reminder to unleash our creativity and embrace the simple act of scribbling. At Scribble Art, we're excited to join in on the celebration and share some thoughts on the importance of nurturing creativity in ourselves and our children.

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. However, it's essential to take a step back and give ourselves (and our kids) the space to explore our imaginations. Creativity is a vital aspect of personal growth, helping us develop problem-solving skills, build self-confidence, and foster empathy. By encouraging creativity, we empower ourselves and our children to express our thoughts and emotions in unique and meaningful ways.

National Scribble Day is the perfect opportunity to remind ourselves and our children that self-expression should be free from judgment and expectations. It's about the process of creation, not the end result. When we let go of the pressure to create something "perfect," we allow ourselves to fully enjoy the act of scribbling and embrace our creative instincts.

Quality Time and Connecting with Loved Ones


One of the most meaningful aspects of National Scribble Day is the opportunity to spend quality time with our children and connect through the power of art. Putting down our phones and engaging in a shared creative experience can help strengthen bonds and create lasting memories. As we scribble and doodle together, we're not only fostering a love for art but also teaching our children the importance of spending time with loved ones and embracing the joy of creativity.

If you're looking for an easy way to jump into your National Scribble Day journey, Diane has kindly provided some simple and fun worksheets that you can download and print <a href="https://www.dianealber.com/pages/nationalscribbleday?utm_source=www.srcribble.art">here</a>.

National Scribble Day is a wonderful reminder of the power of creativity and self-expression. As we celebrate this art-forward national day, let's take a moment to embrace the freedom of scribbling and encourage our children to do the same. Let's prioritize quality time, put aside our phones, and get creative with our little ones. Remember, it's the simple joys of togetherness and the magic of our imaginations that make this day so special. Happy National Scribble Day!

A child coloring for National Scribble Day

National Scribble Day, celebrated annually on March 27th, is a day dedicated to the joy and freedom of self-expression through art. Inspired by Diane Alber's book, "I'm NOT just a Scribble," this special day serves as a reminder to unleash our creativity and embrace the simple act of scribbling. At Scribble Art, we're excited to join in on the celebration and share some thoughts on the importance of nurturing creativity in ourselves and our children.

Celebrating National Scribble Day: The Power of Creativity and Self-Expression

For any parent, a child's artwork is a treasure trove of memories and emotion. From the earliest scribbles to more elaborate creations, each drawing captures a moment in time, a glimpse into their little world. But what if you could take those precious drawings and turn them into something even more special - a custom book that tells the story of their artistic journey? With a&nbsp;<a href="https://scribble.art/products/books/11x8.5-kids-hardcover-art-photo-book">Scribble kids' art book</a>, you can do just that - transform their artwork into a beautiful keepsake that your family can cherish for years to come.

When you open the pages of a kids' art book, you're not just looking at a collection of drawings - you're diving into the imagination of a young artist. You're entering a world of dragons, fairies, and the occasional interpretation of Mario™ or a Minecraft™ world. You're witnessing the birth of creative ideas, the blossoming of artistic talent, and the joy of self-expression.

The Benefits of a Kids' Art Book

Think of a kids' art book as more than just a collection of drawings - it's a symbol of creativity, self-expression, and artistic exploration. It captures a child's journey through art, documenting their imagination, their thoughts, and their growth.&nbsp;

Not only is a kids' art book a beautiful keepsake, it also has some pretty amazing benefits:

Sparking Young Imaginations: The Benefits of Collaborating with Children on Their Art Book

Turning a child's artwork into a book is an exciting opportunity to involve them in the process and boost their sense of ownership. By giving them a say in which pieces to include, writing captions, and collaborating on the layout and design, they'll feel a real sense of pride and accomplishment. To make the process of creating a kids' art book even more meaningful, here are some ideas for getting your child involved every step of the way. Think of it as a creative adventure where they're the captain of the ship, guiding the artistic journey and shaping the final product!

A Holiday Gift for Grandparents with Everything

If you're shopping for the grandparents who have everything this Holiday season, a child's art book is a thoughtful and inspired gift. Scribble books are a guaranteed winner: they’re original, heartwarming, and beautifully depicts your child’s artistic journey. A true keepsake for the grandparents, and a fond reflection of their grandkid's creative progress. It's a gift that speaks volumes, even without words.

A personalized child's art book is the perfect gift for grandparents this holiday season. Here is why a Scribble book is going to be the gift they remember:

The Magic of a Kid's Imagination Meets the Joy of Gift Giving

When it comes to Holiday gifts, a personalized child's art book stands out as a truly meaningful and thoughtful option. It's a thoughtful way to honor a child's artistic journey, capturing their imagination and creativity in a way that will be cherished for years to come. Beyond just a physical object, it's a symbol of the beauty and wonder of childhood, making it a truly unforgettable gift.

For grandparents, this gift is an engaging and meaningful way to stay connected with their grandchild's artistic pursuits. It fosters a sense of appreciation for their creativity and celebrates the joy of self-expression.

A Scribble book on a table being wrapped for Christmas

Think of a kids' art book as more than just a collection of drawings - it's a symbol of creativity, self-expression, and artistic exploration. It captures a child's journey through art, documenting their imagination, their thoughts, and their growth. 

A Celebration of Creativity: The Heartfelt Holiday Gift of a Child's Art Book

In today’s technologically driven world, kids expect things to happen in seconds. Immediate gratification is pretty much the norm, and if something doesn’t happen right away, you hear the words every parent knows all too well, “Mom, Dad, I’m bored!” But is being bored such a bad thing?&nbsp;

Should parents jump through hoops to entertain their kids every second of the day? (Often by powering up a screen or two.) Or are they better off letting children experience boredom now and then?

When you embrace boredom, you open the door to many benefits, including increased creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability. You become more self-aware, as well as more receptive and empathetic to the people around you. Boredom builds imagination and compassion, encourages you to learn new things, and can also help bring goals back into focus.

Understandably, you want to help your kids whenever they’re feeling upset. But it’s worth noting that boredom isn’t something you need to always fix. It plays an important part in children’s overall development.

Is Being Bored Good for Your Brain?

It turns out a little <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3339123">boredom is a good thing</a> as long as you embrace it instead of using a screen to squelch it. When you feel bored, your mind has a perfect opportunity to wander or daydream. Daydreaming provides impressive benefits, including increased problem-solving skills, creativity, improved memory, and stress reduction.&nbsp;

<a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3339123">Boredom motivates the brain</a> to work, triggering mental activity that a person uses to find a creative use of their time. You might find that embracing boredom helps you let go of anxious feelings and calm your thoughts.&nbsp;

When your mind’s calmer, it opens to new solutions for lingering problems. It’s no longer in a frenzy or distracted by a computer game, television show, or phone screen.

Why Boredom Is Good for Your Child

Understandably, it’s frustrating when your kids tell you they’re bored. You start thinking about the room full of toys, or all of the video games, or the bike outside. You find yourself impatiently thinking, “Why don’t they just play?” or “Why do I buy all this stuff if they’re just going to say they’re bored?”

Well, feeling bored often boils down to a desire to do something new, something different. The usual activities simply don’t have the same effect anymore, so kids get bored. Parents’ natural reaction is typically to provide some sort of entertainment to alleviate their children’s boredom (and whining).&nbsp;

However, the next time your kid comes running up to you saying they’re bored, remind yourself it’s okay. A little boredom here and there leads to more creativity, improved problem-solving skills, and the ability to engage in flexible thinking.&nbsp;

Children who experience occasional boredom have more opportunities for self-reflection and empathy. When kids get bored, they expand the possibilities of what they can do. All of these benefits contribute to kids becoming more well-rounded individuals.

In each of the following sections, we’ll dig a little deeper into each benefit to show why kids need boredom.

1. Boredom Builds Problem-Solving Skills

Even though boredom has benefits, there’s no denying that it isn’t fun. When you’re bored, you’re bored; it’s the opposite of having a good time. But the reason this has the potential to be so great is that it makes kids face their situation and come up with a solution (or stay bored).

As your mind starts to wander, you begin to open up to new ways of thinking. You start to look at things differently, which leads to solutions you may have never thought of before.&nbsp;

Boredom helps improve problem-solving and critical thinking skills as kids naturally seek out ways to eliminate their boredom. They invent new games, develop ideas, or dream up innovative activities.

2. Being Bored Opens the Door to Creativity

<a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130108201517.htm">Being bored leads to creativity</a> and builds imagination. Creativity is an essential part of child development. It’s a skill that leads to innovation, new ideas, higher levels of critical thinking, and self-expression.&nbsp;

Boredom gives birth to cardboard rocket ships, race cars, pirate ships, and playhouses. Kids come up with engaging, detailed play adventures or paint vibrant masterpieces. When children are bored, it opens the door to all sorts of possibilities of things they can do.

Allowing kids to experience boredom, instead of trying to snuff it out as soon as it appears, is a crucial part of their total development. If every time your child tells you they’re bored you jump to entertain them, you rob them of a vital opportunity to grow and develop important skills.&nbsp;

3. Dealing with Boredom Encourages Kids to Adapt

If your child typically paints or draws when they get bored, then eventually, the time will come when they won’t want to do that. You see, always doing the same thing isn’t going to continuously counteract your kid’s feelings of boredom. This is because the more they do something, the less novel it becomes.

Therefore, when kids are bored, it encourages them to find new ways to spend their time. When they can’t readily grab a phone or flip on the television, they adapt by seeking new ideas and activities. This ability to adapt to new situations leads to the development of a very valuable life skill.

When kids are more flexible, they’re better equipped to face challenges life throws their way. Adaptability plays an important role in how people approach obstacles, deal with changes, and handle disappointment.

4. Feeling Bored Leads to Increased Empathy

Typically, it’s common for kids these days to zone out in front of a screen when they don’t have anything to do. The problem is, that too much <a href="https://time.com/3153910/why-access-to-screens-is-lowering-kids-social-skills/">screen time can lower social skills</a> and how kids interact and relate to others. When children fill every second of their time with mindless distractions, they miss developmental opportunities.

Boredom is life’s way of giving children the chance to develop essential life skills. Think about it. If your kid’s bored, and doesn’t have a way to instantly entertain themselves, they have a moment where they just need to be. At this moment, kids daydream, find new ways to spend their time, or simply reflect on what’s happening around them.

They start paying more attention to their surroundings, including other people. They become more in tune with emotions and how others are feeling. Perhaps in that moment of boredom, they decide to call up a friend or family member to chat or invite a friend over to play.&nbsp;

5. Boredom Promotes Self-Awareness

In life, people inevitably face frustrations. When kids get bored, they experience several negative emotions.&nbsp;

It’s important to let them work through these feelings and figure out a solution instead of fixing it for them. Kids learn valuable information about themselves and how they handle difficult and unpleasant situations.

If a child can handle boredom when they’re young, they improve how they’ll handle negative feelings and thoughts when they’re older. The idea is that experiencing boredom leads one to develop more self-control and have a higher capacity to self-regulate.

Tips To Help Your Kids Handle Boredom

Now, let’s be real. Kids are kids, and inevitably they’ll sometimes run out of ideas or need a gentle nudge. One suggestion to help guide them without giving them everything they need is to create an idea list ahead of time. Work with your kids to write a list of activities or suggestions, but keep them very broad.

The next time your kids are bored, they know to check the list instead of grabbing their tablet or complaining. The list might include things like a craft project, an outdoor scavenger hunt, or practicing a sport. It’s up to the kids to decide which option they’ll choose and how they’ll carry it out, or if they’ll come up with another idea.

Provide opportunities for kids to get creative and experience the arts, keeping things like paints, clay, and other supplies on hand. Stock up a few recyclables, like cardboard tubes, empty boxes, and plastic water bottles that kids can turn into artistic treasures.

Parents, talk to your schools about including or expanding their arts curriculum to promote creativity. Support your local PTA and other organizations that help provide funding for arts programs. Show your kids that there are many ways to engage in and experience the world.

One fun idea is to encourage them to create a book showcasing their older art projects. This activity is great for inspiring creativity because it lets them reminisce about their past creative achievements. Parents will benefit because it will reduce a large stack of art into a few hardcover photo books. You can easily accomplish this with the assistance of <a href="https://scribble.art/">Scribble</a> and your smartphone camera.

Don’t Be Afraid to Embrace Boredom

Encourage your kids to embrace their boredom. Even better, invite boredom in every now and then with a digital detox -- put away the screens for a specific amount of time. Letting kids get bored encourages <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1053810011001978">mind wandering</a>, which helps ease stress and provides a mental rest and refresh.&nbsp;

A bored girl who doesn't realize the benefits of where her imagination can take her

When you embrace boredom, you open the door to many benefits, including increased creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability. You become more self-aware, as well as more receptive and empathetic to the people around you. Boredom builds imagination and compassion, encourages you to learn new things, and can also help bring goals back into focus.

Boredom Isn't Bad; It's a Game Changer

Scribble is powered by advanced machine learning and computer vision algorithms that clean up casual smartphone photos by removing backgrounds, straightening perspectives, fixing rotation, analyzing colors, and so much more. The combination of these techniques makes it easy for parents to simply upload photos from our smartphones and let Scribble magically build a book in real-time.&nbsp;

Give it a shot and&nbsp;<a href="https://scribble.art">build your book here</a>. It's easy to get started and you get a free online book you can share!

About Scribble (Inline Post Intro)

Your child’s artwork can take a beating on its journey from the classroom — a lovingly crafted masterpiece often emerges from their backpack with stains, rips, wrinkles, and folds. Your child’s artwork will photograph the best when laid flat on a clean surface. Here are our favorite techniques for getting your kiddos art as flat as possible.&nbsp;

If you have the time, placing their two-dimensional work under a large book or magazine will help smooth the wrinkles overnight. If their painting came rolled up, you can roll it up the opposite direction to counteract the curl.

Cricut adhesive mats are a great option for temporarily flattening kids’ artwork because they're both quick and non-destructive. If you have a Cricut cutting machine, you most likely have their standard grip mat. I prefer the <a href="https://a.co/d/a9gjbYt">Light Grip Adhesive Cutting Mat</a> for most pieces because it separates easier from the artwork and provides enough grip to tame your average backpack-wrinkled artifact. If you’re working with larger pieces, you can place multiple mats together or use their larger 12” x 24” mat.

If you’re mounting for an upload to <a href="https://scribble.art">Scribble</a>, make sure that you don’t mount the artwork right up to the edges. Frame your shot so that you don’t include the edges of the mat otherwise it will think the mat is part of the artwork.

<a href="https://a.co/d/fOayl2y">Blu-Tack</a> is a reusable moderately sticky adhesive putty that can easily tame wrinkles and folds. This is another one of my favorite methods and can usually be found stored in the same drawer as my kids’ artwork. There are quite a few variations made by other companies, such as <a href="https://a.co/d/eAQqFG9">Loctite’s Fun-Tak</a> (pictured below and is actually blue).

You can use double-sided tape or make your own double-sided tape loop to apply on the back of the artwork. Pro-tip: pick up some lint from your shirt to reduce the stickiness and avoid tearing the artwork when removing it.

A hot glue gun is a convenient way to tack down the edges of your child’s artwork. Modern hot glue guns heat up fast, drip less, and can be cordless. This method is more effective on larger pieces made of more robust materials like cardboard. Just apply a couple dots on the corners and anywhere else that needs to be tacked down.&nbsp;

My personal favorite is <a href="https://a.co/d/7PTBh0k">Dremel’s USB rechargeable hot glue pen</a>. It heats up in 15 seconds and is USB rechargeable.

You can use the combination of a foam core board and spray tack as an alternative to a plastic adhesive mat. <a href="https://a.co/d/2GJqeXL">Spray tack</a> is a repositionable adhesive spray that allows you to temporarily “tack” down your piece while photographing. This method has some advantages over using the Cricut adhesive mat including:

Some tips for using this method:

Your child's work is a beautiful mess! While it feels counterintuitive, there is a story behind every creation. Each imperfect squiggle, tear, or crease tells a story of how and what your child was creatively thinking at the time. We strive to offer a supportive and judgment-free environment for our young artists to be creative – we should also embrace this for ourselves when “translating” their works for print in an art book.

Don’t stress about getting it perfectly flat or obsess about trying to obtain that perfect photo. If you’re using <a href="https://scribble.art">Scribble</a> to build your art books, our software will do all of the heavy lifting – you can sit back and watch Scribble remove backgrounds, crop and rotate your photos, get that perfect overhead angle, suggest complementary background colors, and enhance photos for every page of your book.

A Wrinkled Hungry Caterpillar 

Your child’s artwork will photograph the best when laid flat on a clean surface. Here are our favorite techniques for getting your kiddos art as flat as possible. 

How to Flatten Kids’ Artwork for Photographing

If you are a parent of young ones, you’re familiar with the intentions of appreciating and celebrating their creativity. They truck home an endless stream of artwork from school that ends up in a huge pile stuffed into a box or a drawer. <a href="https://scribble.art">Scribble</a> helps parents assemble, organize, and transform a child’s collection of their favorite artwork into a beautifully bound hardcover book. By following our helpful tips below, you can ensure beautiful results when photographing artwork.&nbsp;

Your kids will crease, fold, crumple, and stuff their various creations into their overstuffed backpacks before making their way to you. As adults, we have to remember that these unintentional characteristics help contribute to each piece’s story and help the artwork pop from the pages when viewed in Scribble books.

With that being said, it’s important to try to tame each piece in order for the details of the artwork to come through clearly. Check out our <a href="/blog/how-to-flatten-kids-artwork-for-photographing/633f39bc65e1e70009649a3b">guide</a> for tips on the best ways to flatten artwork.&nbsp;Our favorite method is using a <a href="https://a.co/dbETCyU?ref_=smi_se_dshb_bk_smi">Cricut LightGrip mat</a>&nbsp;to quickly hold down the curls and folds while you take the picture.&nbsp;

Smartphone cameras are the headline feature of every new phone release these days. Their sophisticated hardware and software advancements enables us to capture artistic photos, even as non-professional photographers.&nbsp;

If your smartphone was purchased within the past 6 years, you have more than enough megapixels to shoot and create a Scribble book with. Gone are the days when everyone had a DSLR or larger camera that required you to invest in additional equipment to take great photos. Make sure you have the following settings:

Artwork photos look the best when taken with natural indirect lighting (usually by a window or door). Avoid overhead lighting that can cast shadows.&nbsp;

If you are using a <a href="https://a.co/dbETCyU?ref_=smi_se_dshb_bk_smi">Cricut adhesive mat</a> to grip your artwork, make sure that you don’t mount the artwork right up to the edges and that it’s reasonably centered on the mat. Frame your shot so that you don’t include the edges of the mat otherwise it will think the mat is part of the artwork.

Place three-dimensional artwork on a table preferably against a clean wall. If your camera supports it, feel free to use “Portrait Mode” as it helps isolate your piece for background removal.&nbsp;

Easy right? Scribble was built to simplify the process of&nbsp;transforming&nbsp;children’s artwork into a hardcover artbook. By following the steps in this guide, you can simply select all the photos from your camera roll and upload them to <a href="https://scribble.art">Scribble</a> – you can sit back and watch Scribble remove backgrounds, rotate your photos, adjust perspectives, suggest background colors, and enhance photos for every page of your book. We’ll even let you take all the credit when your kids flip through the pages the next time the Grandparents come over.

Effortless capturing of images for a Scribble book from your phone

If you are a parent of young ones, you’re familiar with the intentions of appreciating and celebrating their creativity. They truck home an endless stream of artwork from school that ends up in a huge pile stuffed into a box or a drawer. Scribble helps parents assemble, organize, and transform a child’s collection of their favorite artwork into a beautifully bound hardcover book. By following our helpful tips below, you can ensure beautiful results when photographing artwork.