My Bangkok Thailand Travel From Digital Layout to Printed Photobook

Hey guys! Today, let me share with you the photobook I created for our Bangkok Trip last 2024. I posted blogs covering the whole trip, and after getting all images edited and compiled from different cameras and devices, here are the steps:

Step 1. Digital Layout

I used Canva for the digital layout. I used some available templates and tweaked them to my liking. This took a lot of time, actually; I lost count of the number of days, as it was not made in different days.

For the photobook cover, I used the image of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha with the yaksha or demon guardians on the sides. The front and back cover are continuous, and I just added the text of the place, Bangkok, Thailand, and the year of our trip.

Here's the digital layout in sequence:

Cover photo

From left to right: Our plane trip from Tagbilaran to Manila, then Manila to Suvarnabhumi Airport and to the Berkeley Hotel; then the third image was the tour in Ancient City, then the Erawan Museum, links to each blog here below!

• The Berkeley Hotel Breakfast Buffet
• The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam Room Tour
• Bangkok Day 1: Ancient City, Three-Headed Elephant, and Coconut Coffee
• Bangkok's Ancient City Video Tour
• Erawan Museum

From lef to right: Still our Erawan Museum tour, then to Bam Nam Phueng Floating Market, where I had a tried Bangkok's coconut coffee! It was refreshingly good! Then the images from our hotel breakfast buffet.

• Bam Nam Phueng Floating Market

From left to right: Hotel photo before heading out. This was the second day at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace. Included here were our phone shots!

More shots of the temple and the palace

The Grand palace and Icon Siam photos. Links to the blogs below:

• Bangkok Day 2: Ramakien Murals and Grand Palace Garden
• Bangkok Day 2: Strolling Through Icon Siam

The food court at Icon Siam surprised us a lot! This was also where the docking area for those who are going to take the Chao Phraya Princess Cruise.

• Bangkok Day 2: Late Dinner and then Rain at the Chao Phraya Princess River Cruise

Tours on the 3rd day, but I realized I didn't get to post here the one for Danmoen Saduak Floating Market. Stories below:

• Bangkok Day 3: Life-Risking Train Market in Maeklong
• Bangkok Day 3: Elephants
• Bangkok Day 3: Danmoen Saduak Floating Market

• Bangkok Day 4: Berkeley Hotel Pratunam's Pools and View
• Bangkok Day 4: Enchanting Baan Suan Sathon Cafe

Overall, there were 36 pages in 8x6 inches size.

Step 2. Export and Print.

This process was crucial to the result. This photobook was just a personal project so I decided I will just print it and bind it; however, for a long-lasting photobook, it is best to add a phototop. Here were the materials and machines I used:

• Epson L120 printer converted to Pigment Ink and shark teeth removed
• Inks were from Hansol Pigment
• Glossy double-sided photo paper

Printer settings: Since I have a basic printer for pigment, I had to tweak the settings a bit to achieve a good color result. I have set the print to Matte Paper for the paper type, quality set to high, and then set the advanced setting for Adobe option, then increased the brightness to +7.

These were the printed ones. I still had to cut the edges after this as well. As for the cover photo, I had to print it on sticker photo paper instead because I am adding it to a chipboard.

Step 3. Set up Covers.

As mentioned, the cover photo has to be printed first on sticker paper. So, when printed, it was applied to an 8x6 chipboard. Because this was the front and back cover photos, I have to apply a glossy phototop for this to last long and it also adds protection from scratches.

As to application, the chipboard must be aligned to the center of the sticker paper, cutting the edges, then folding it into the chipboard with the use of a squeegee.

Once both front and back covers have been done, this was how it looked:

Step 4. Punching.

There are several ways to make a photobook. I am still a beginner at making photobooks, and this process that I am using is the easiest for me, with minimal machines, equipment, and steps needed.

I am using my Officom W20A A4 Heavy Duty 3:1 Double Loop binding machine. I used also a rose gold double loop wire for this.

I punched the cover photos first, then the inserts. This was done after cutting the edges of the inserts. This machine can handle multiple pages at a time!

Step 5. Binding.

After all the pages have been punched, that's when I bound them altogether to make the final output. In binding, I have to line up all the pages into the double-loop wire in the sequence: pages, front cover, then back cover.

The machine itself has an area where you can place the wire then insert the pages so its actually not that hard. Once all pages have been added, just insert it into the binding slot, pull down the handle and then the photobook is done!

That's it! Thanks for reading through! I hope you find it helpful!

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J U N E B R I D E
_{Boholana | Cebu | Philippines | Travel | Photography Enthusiast | Calligraphy | Art
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