Boots Photo

Overview

Boots Photo combines photo printing with tools for making personalised books, calendars and gifts. Its catalogue ranges from prints and greeting cards to wall art, phone cases, cushions, posters, mugs, jigsaw puzzles and advent calendars. The service is powered by CEWE, which operates Boots’s photo service in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Customers place orders through vendor checkout. Delivery is limited to the UK, so Boots Photo is not an option for sending orders to other countries. For readers comparing services in this category, see Photo Printing Software.

Key features

Books, prints and personalised products

Photo books can be created in multiple sizes and styles using CEWE Creator Software. Designs can include templates, clipart, text, frames and video. Customers can start a book online, in the Boots Photo app or with the downloadable Creator Software. The CEWE PHOTOBOOK Assistant can suggest a photo selection and distribute images as a starting point for a layout.

Book photos can be uploaded from a phone or computer, Dropbox or CEWE myPhotos. Creator Software also imports from a PC and external storage media. Beyond books, customers can order prints, calendars, wall art, greeting cards, postcards, canvas prints, phone cases and other photo gifts. Classic prints use Fuji Crystal Archive Paper and are available in standard sizes from 5x3.5 inches to 7x5 inches.

Design and project storage

The gift-design Creator Software is available in a browser, as a download or in the app. Online photo book projects can be saved for six months. Projects made in the app or Creator Software can be kept permanently in the respective app or on the customer’s computer.

CEWE myPhotos adds online storage for photos, videos and projects, with an initial 15 GB free of charge. It supports password-protected shared albums, invitations for others to upload and time-limited access. Optional organisation features use facial recognition, geolocation and object tagging. CEWE says myPhotos data is held in its own data centres under GDPR, uploads are encrypted and multiple backups are created.

Privacy and support

CEWE says image data remains in production for up to 60 days after an order has been completed and delivered, then is irretrievably deleted. It also says sensitive information, including image and account data, is sent over encrypted HTTPS/SSL connections and stored on security servers. The FAQ lists phone, email and live chat support daily from 8am to 10pm.

Pricing

Boots Photo has a free plan. Classic photo prints are advertised from £ 0.10. CEWE myPhotos includes 15 GB of storage free of charge, listed as free. These figures do not specify the cost of every product or any delivery charge.

Platforms

Boots Photo is listed for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows. Customers can create photo books online, in the Boots Photo app or with Creator Software. CEWE myPhotos is available through web access, Windows, Mac and Linux software, and iOS and Android apps.

Who it's for

Boots Photo suits people who want to turn personal images into printed products, particularly those looking for a book builder, calendar or card design tools alongside standard photo prints. Its choice of online, app and desktop book-making options offers different ways to work, while myPhotos provides a separate place to store and share image collections. The UK-only delivery limit makes it relevant to customers ordering within the UK.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Broad range of printed products; photo-book design across web, app and desktop; free plan and 15 GB of initial myPhotos storage; listed daily support by phone, email and live chat.
• Cons: Delivery is restricted to the UK; online book projects are saved for six months, unlike app and desktop projects, which can be retained permanently; most products generally cannot be refunded after ordering unless damaged or affected by a quality issue.

Photo books, wall art and calendars are covered by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Other products generally cannot be refunded after ordering unless they are damaged or have a quality issue.

Alternatives

For other services and tools in this area, consider CEWE, Pixum, Zno, Hofmann, Saal Digital, Journi, Lalalab and Blurb BookWright.

Verdict

Boots Photo brings prints, photo books and a wide selection of personalised products together with several ways to design a book. Its free plan, photo-book assistant and myPhotos storage add useful options for organising and using image collections. The main practical limitation is geographic: orders are delivered only within the UK. Buyers should also distinguish the satisfaction guarantee for books, wall art and calendars from the more limited refund position for other products.