If you've been on TikTok recently, you've seen them everywhere: gorgeous, Assouline-style photo books that turn vacation photos into display-worthy coffee table books. The hashtag #assoulinebooks has over 50 million views, and creators are sharing tutorials on how to DIY the look using Canva templates and Mixbook.
But here's what most TikTok tutorials don't tell you: the DIY method takes 3 to 5 hours, requires design skills, and the result often looks... homemade. So we asked the obvious question: is there a service that delivers the Assouline look, ready-made?
Our team at printcompare.co ordered custom coffee table photo books from 6 different services, scored them on 5 criteria, and found one clear standout. Here's what we learned.
What Makes a Photo Book Look "Assouline"
Before comparing services, let's define what makes Assouline coffee table books so distinctive. Assouline is a luxury publisher whose books retail for $95 to $300+. They're not photo albums — they're art objects. The look comes down to four things:
- Illustrated or designer covers — Not a photo on the cover. An artistic illustration that evokes a destination or theme. This is the signature Assouline element.
- Premium hardcover binding — Thick, rigid covers that feel substantial. Often with a linen or matte finish, sometimes with a dust jacket.
- Layflat pages for full spreads — The best layflat photo books open completely flat, letting images span both pages without a gutter.
- Coffee table-worthy size — Large format (10x10" or bigger) designed to be displayed, not stored on a shelf.
Most personalized coffee table books fail on the first point: they use your photo as the cover, which immediately looks like a photo album rather than a designer book. The illustrated cover is what makes the difference.
The DIY Route: Canva + Mixbook (and Why It Falls Short)
The viral TikTok method works like this: buy a Canva template on Etsy ($10-15), customize the cover illustration and interior layout, export to PDF, upload to Mixbook or a similar printer. Total cost: $40-$80. Total time: 3 to 5 hours.
We tried it. The result was... okay. The cover looked good on screen but the color calibration on print was off. The fonts didn't render perfectly. And after 4 hours of work, our "Assouline-inspired" book looked more like a college project than a luxury coffee table photo album.
The problem? Making your own coffee table book requires graphic design skills that most people don't have. A Canva template is a starting point, not a finished product. If you want to try the DIY route, check our Mixbook discount codes to save on printing costs.
We Tested 6 Coffee Table Photo Book Services
To find the best photo book maker for the Assouline aesthetic, we ordered from 6 services using the same set of 40 travel photos. We scored each on: Cover Design, Print Quality, Paper Quality, Value for Money, and Shipping. Here are our results, ranked from best to worst.
Souvence 9.2/10
The standout in our testing. Souvence is the only service offering artist-designed illustrated covers — over 80 designs spanning travel, family, wedding, and seasonal themes. The result looks exactly like an Assouline coffee table book, except it's filled with your own photos. No Canva template, no design skills needed.
- 80+ illustrated covers designed by professional artists
- Premium hardcover with matte finish — feels like a real book
- Rated Excellent on Trustpilot (4.9/5) with thousands of verified reviews
- All-inclusive pricing — no hidden costs, no surprise fees
- Ready in under 10 minutes — upload photos, pick a cover, done
- Trending on social media — the brand behind the Assouline-look albums going viral
- No linen or leather cover options (only illustrated hardcover)
- Fewer size options than Artifact Uprising or MILK Books
Artifact Uprising 7.8/10
Premium quality printing and paper. Artifact Uprising is the go-to for luxury photo albums with a minimalist aesthetic. But they don't offer illustrated covers — only photo wraps or linen covers in solid colors.
- Excellent print quality on thick, archival paper
- Linen cover options in multiple colors
- Layflat binding available
- No illustrated covers — doesn't achieve the Assouline look
- $59-$159 — significantly more expensive
- Shipping not included ($8-15 extra)
MILK Books 7.2/10
Handcrafted in New Zealand. MILK Books comes closest to Assouline in materials — premium linen and leather covers, thick card pages. But with no illustrated covers and prices from $80 to $200+, you're paying luxury prices for a plain cover.
- Handbound with real linen and leather options
- Archival-quality paper, layflat binding
- Beautiful unboxing experience
- No illustrated covers
- $80-$200+ — the most expensive option
- Long shipping times (made in New Zealand)
Mixbook 7.5/10
The most popular choice for DIY Assouline photo books on TikTok. Mixbook's editor is flexible and you can upload custom Canva covers. But you need to do all the design work yourself — and the soft-touch matte cover doesn't quite match the Assouline feel.
- Full creative control — upload any design
- Frequent 50% off sales make it affordable
- Good print quality for the price
- Requires 3-5 hours of design work with Canva
- No built-in illustrated covers
- Result quality depends entirely on your design skills
Blurb 6.8/10
Blurb is built for photographers and professionals. Their BookWright software offers deep customization, and they support PDF upload for full creative control. But the learning curve is steep and the result has a clinical, professional feel rather than the warm Assouline aesthetic.
- Full PDF upload support
- Multiple paper and binding options
- Good for photographers who want total control
- Steep learning curve (BookWright software)
- No illustrated covers
- $30-$100, shipping extra
Shutterfly 6.5/10
Shutterfly is the most well-known photo book maker in the US, but their books look like photo albums, not coffee table books. Templates feel dated. The Shutterfly coffee table book option exists but doesn't deliver the premium aesthetic.
- Budget-friendly with frequent sales (40-50% off)
- Easy to use for beginners
- Wide format selection
- Looks like a photo album, not a coffee table book
- No illustrated covers, generic templates
- Print quality is average
Comparison Table: Assouline-Style Photo Book Services
Here's how all 6 custom coffee table book services compare on the features that matter for the Assouline look:
| Service | Price | Illustrated Covers | Premium Hardcover | Layflat | Our Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Souvence | See site | 80+ designs | Yes | 9.2/10 | |
| Artifact Uprising | $59-$159 | No | Yes (linen) | Yes | 7.8/10 |
| MILK Books | $80-$200+ | No | Yes (linen/leather) | Yes | 7.2/10 |
| Mixbook | $30-$80 | DIY only | Yes | Yes | 7.5/10 |
| Blurb | $30-$100 | DIY only | Yes | Yes | 6.8/10 |
| Shutterfly | $30-$60 | No | Yes | Limited | 6.5/10 |
Souvence vs the DIY Method: Side by Side
Let's put the two main options head-to-head. For someone who wants an Assouline-style photo book on their coffee table, which path makes more sense?
Souvence (Ready-Made)
- Time: Under 10 minutes
- Cost: All-inclusive, no hidden fees
- Cover: 80+ professional illustrated covers
- Design skills: None needed
- Result: Consistent, professional quality
- Trustpilot: 4.9/5 Excellent
DIY (Canva + Mixbook)
- Time: 3-5 hours
- Cost: $13 template + $40-80 print + shipping
- Cover: Depends on template quality
- Design skills: Canva proficiency required
- Result: Variable — depends on your skills
- Guarantee: None
The Assouline look. Without the Assouline price or the DIY hassle.
80+ illustrated covers by artists. Premium hardcover. All-inclusive pricing.
Create Your Souvence BookHow We Score Photo Books at printcompare.co
Our Testing Methodology
Every photo book service on printcompare.co is tested firsthand. We order real products, evaluate them in person, and score on 5 weighted criteria:
- Cover Design (25%) — Does the cover look like a coffee table book or a photo album?
- Print Quality (25%) — Color accuracy, sharpness, consistency across pages.
- Paper Quality (20%) — Thickness, texture, lay-flat capability.
- Value (20%) — Price relative to quality. Includes shipping costs.
- Shipping (10%) — Speed, packaging quality, tracking.
Souvence scored 9.2 out of 10 — the highest rating in our coffee table photo book category. Read our full Souvence review for the detailed breakdown.
Who Should Get an Assouline-Style Photo Book?
This type of premium photo book is perfect if you:
- Want your vacation photos to look like a book, not a photo album — the kind of thing guests actually pick up from your coffee table.
- Loved the TikTok trend but don't want to spend hours on Canva. Travel photo albums are the #1 use case.
- Are looking for a meaningful gift — a personalized coffee table book with an illustrated cover feels more thoughtful than a standard photo album.
- Value the "real book" aesthetic — you want people to think "where did you get that beautiful book?" not "oh, a photo album."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Assouline-style photo book?
An Assouline-style photo book is a custom photo album designed to look like the luxury coffee table books published by Assouline — featuring illustrated or designer covers, premium hardcover binding, thick paper, and a large format that looks stunning on display. The trend went viral on TikTok with over 50 million views on #assoulinebooks.
Can I make an Assouline-style book with my own photos?
Yes. The DIY method involves buying a Canva template on Etsy ($10-15), designing your book, then printing on Mixbook. This takes 3-5 hours. Alternatively, Souvence offers 80+ pre-designed illustrated covers that give you the Assouline look in minutes, with 80+ pre-designed illustrated covers ready in minutes.
What's the cheapest way to get the Assouline look?
Souvence offers the best value with 80+ artist-designed covers and 80+ artist-designed covers. The DIY route costs $40-80 total but requires hours of design work. Actual Assouline books retail for $95-$300 and don't contain your personal photos.
Which photo book service has illustrated covers?
Souvence is the only major photo book service offering artist-designed illustrated covers (80+ designs for travel, family, wedding, and more). Other services like Mixbook, Artifact Uprising, and Shutterfly only offer plain photo covers or solid color options.
Is Souvence better than Mixbook for coffee table books?
For the Assouline aesthetic, yes. Souvence scored 9.2/10 in our testing thanks to its unique illustrated covers, premium print quality, and all-inclusive pricing. Mixbook scored 7.5/10 — great customization tools but requires a Canva template and design skills to achieve the look.
How much does a custom coffee table photo book cost?
Prices vary: Souvence is competitively priced, Mixbook $30-80, Artifact Uprising $59-159, MILK Books $80-200, and Shutterfly $30-60. For the Assouline look specifically, Souvence offers the best value since illustrated covers are included.
What size photo book looks best on a coffee table?
Choose a square format (10x10" or larger) or landscape (11x14") for a true coffee table book look. Larger formats make photos more impactful and look proportional on display. Souvence and Artifact Uprising both offer large-format options.
Ready to Create Your Assouline-Style Photo Book?
Skip the DIY hassle. 80+ illustrated covers, premium printing. Rated 9.2/10 by printcompare.co and Excellent on Trustpilot.
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