Christmas Photo Book or Calendar: Prep Your Photos Right

A photo book or calendar full of family shots is one of the most popular Christmas gifts. But most problems don't start in the print shop's editor — they start with the files you upload.

1. Convert HEIC to JPG

iPhones shoot in HEIC, and plenty of online editors either can't read it or shift the colors. Convert to JPG first and skip the surprises.

2. Check the resolution

For print, aim for 300 DPI. A 6×8 in (15×20 cm) photo needs about 1800×2400 px; a full A4 page needs around 2480×3500 px. Photos from WhatsApp or saved from Instagram are usually smaller — use them only for small slots.

3. Crop to the right ratio

A landscape calendar rarely matches your phone's aspect ratio. Crop it yourself and you decide what stays in frame — otherwise the editor does it and may chop off heads.

4. Name files in order

`01-january.jpg`, `02-february.jpg`… and nothing gets shuffled during upload.

5. Make a PDF proof

Merge the photos into one PDF and flip through it on a big screen. You'll spot mistakes before you pay for printing.

You can do all of this in your browser with FileTools — no install, and your photos never leave your computer. Want before/after room shots for the calendar too? Try RoomFlip.