Choosing between our Signature or Heirloom book styles? Here are some tips to point you in the right direction.
“Do you recommend upgrading to the Heirloom Album?” “What’s the difference between the Heirloom and the Signature?” These are questions we commonly encounter from our customers. And we get it - deciding on the perfect book style for your album can be a tough decision.
The Signature and Heirloom Albums are our most popular book styles. (We also offer a third option, our Legacy Album.) These albums are of premium quality and both feature a layflat binding that can show off your beautiful images across a full two-page spread. Whichever book style you choose, you really can’t go wrong. But, let’s take a closer look at some fast facts that can help point you in the right direction.
PAPER
Every Shortcake Album is made with love and printed on high quality paper.
The photo quality of the Signature Album is excellent. With this book style, your images are printed on premium Matte digital press paper, similar to a thick cardstock.
The Heirloom Album features 100-year archival-quality photo paper adhered to a thick substrate. The different photo paper and printing process of the Heirloom allows for richer, deeper, more lifelike colors.
Paper comparison: Signature vs Heirloom albums.
PAGE THICKNESS
When it comes to your Shortcake Albums, you don’t have to worry about little hands grabbing for the book! Both our book styles have strong pages that can stand the test of time.
The difference lies in the thickness of the pages. The Heirloom Album book style has durable pages that are firm and thicker than the Signature Album. While the Signature pages are thinner, they are still a rigid layflat, hard cardstock.
Note: The Heirloom Album has two page thicknesses available - “thin” and “thick”. (Upgrade cost applies.) The included “thin” pages are shown in the images below. Thin pages are mounted flush to a 0.75mm board with a 5 spread minimum to 50 spread maximum; thick pages are mounted flush to a 1.15mm board with a 5 spread minimum to 25 spread maximum.
Page thickness comparisons.
COVER OPTIONS
How do you envision seeing your albums at home? Or on the shelf? This thought process can greatly impact your cover style decision, and it’s important to note there are different cover options for each of our book styles.
Signature Album covers are available in Custom Image, Linen, Faux Leather, and Bonded Leather.
Signature Album cover styles
Custom covers allow you to feature a favorite photo on the cover, giving your album a personal touch.
Linen covers are the most popular with their natural textile look and feel.
If you’d like a cover that is classic, durable and easy to clean, then Bonded or Faux Leather covers are a good choice.
However, if you’re looking for more cover options, then the Heirloom Album book style might be the better choice for you. Cover options for the Heirloom include Linen, Leather & Custom Image, but also Cameo, Luxe Image, Custom Deboss & Custom Illustration. With the Heirloom book style, there are also more colors available - 15 for fine linens & 24 for genuine leathers.
Generally, the two book styles differ in the level of quality. The Signature Album bridges the gap between the inexpensive, disposable photo books and wedding-quality albums, and has a great quality that you know every member of the family can enjoy. The Heirloom Album, on the other hand, gives you a little more creative freedom with all its cover styles. Plus, it has strong and durable pages that can really stand the test of time, and premium inks and papers to ensure your new family heirloom will be enjoyed by generations to come.
Here is a quick look at the different features you can expect from the Signature and Heirloom Album book styles. While the Heirloom Album entails a price upgrade, this book style also provides you with more options.
Still can't decide which style is right for you? You can visit our Signature and Heirloom pages for more information or get in touch with us to chat about what book style is best for you and your family.