Tips for Designing a Photo Book

A WhiteWall Coffee Table Book is no ordinary photo book. It invites you to pause, open each page, and let each image sink in, so you can experience the story behind it. It’s no coincidence that our Coffee Table Books are called just that. They deserve a place where they can be picked up, leafed through, and shared time and time again.

This special character is created by first-class craftsmanship and high-quality materials that turn viewing your photographs into a tactile experience.

1) The impact of size and white space

The impact of a photograph also depends on its display size. Depending on the composition, level of detail, and complexity, a larger or smaller presentation may be the better choice. Motifs with a clear image structure come into their own even in smaller formats, while multi-layered images need space to reveal their details.

The white space around an image is also crucial: Generous open spaces create calm and direct the focus. Large-scale or full-page images, on the other hand, appear more prominent and immediate.

Images that take up an entire page create a special emphasis, as they extend beyond the book page in the reader’s mind. This gives Coffee Table Books their own visual energy.

2) Images in Dialogue

A Coffee Table Book thrives not only on individual photographs but also on their interplay. A double-page spread therefore does not necessarily have to be reserved for a single image. Combining multiple photographs creates visual relationships. Images can complement each other, create contrasts, or develop a narrative connection together. Their arrangement creates a dialogue that expands the perception and impact of the individual motifs. Individual shots thus become a story.

This technique is particularly effective with images taken at the same location or in a similar context. They come together to form a narrative that tells more than any single image on its own.

3) The Cover: First Impressions Count

The cover is the face of your Coffee Table Book—and sets the tone for everything that follows. It can be expressive and visually striking, understated and calm, or purely typographic. What matters is that it sparks curiosity without giving too much away.

The typography used also has a decisive impact on the overall effect. It runs throughout the entire Coffee Table Book, conveys information, and lends structure and character to the design. A deliberate choice of typeface creates a substantive and aesthetic connection to your photographs. We recommend using a maximum of two typefaces: one for titles and one for body text.

Add a truly special touch: partial cover finishing with relief varnish turns your cover into a tactile highlight. Lettering or design elements stand slightly raised – available in transparent, silver, gold, or rose gold.