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How to Create Shutterfly Photo Albums for Free

Published July 22, 2015 Updated October 13, 2019 44 Comments

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I love digital photo albums! Years ago, I used to create paper scrapbooks. Who else remembers when we used paper and stickers and spread supplies all over the place to create beautiful scrap books? Now, we can do it all from our computer!

I love that digital scrapbooks are printed and professionally. I can check my spelling after I write to eliminate mistakes, although they do still slip by on occasion! I can move the pictures around to my heart’s content before deciding on a layout. Plus, I can even add digital stickers to my pages now. That said, they are still scrapbooks that you can hold in your hands to flip through anytime you want.

The best part of digital photo albums is that they are stored online forever. If something happens to one? If a page tears or something spills on it? If you lose it in a move? If your child wants another copy when he / she is grown? Just order another one.

This post contains affiliate links. You can read more in my disclosure policy. 

The fact that I can create beautiful photo albums online to preserve family memories is a joy to me. A couple years ago, I decided to start creating 8×8 photo books for every vacation we went on. I decided to use Shutterfly for several reasons.

One of the main reasons I chose Shutterfly is that there are countless ways to get free books with them. I have created a dozen of these 8×8 books for myself – and printed extra copies for others – and the most I’ve ever spent on a book is $1.99. Almost all of them have actually been free! Considering that these hardcover books normally cost $29.99, I am saving a lot by learning how to create photo albums for free! Yes, I have paid shipping, but the cost of $7.99 shipping for a beautiful book is well worth it to me.

So, how do I do it? How do I create Shutterfly photo albums for free? I’m going to share six easy ways for you to create Shutterfly albums for free.

The simplest way to create photo albums for free is to create your photo album and wait for a free book coupon to come along. It should be noted that the Shutterfly free book coupons are for a 8×8 photo book of 20 pages. However, you can apply the coupon to a larger book and pay the difference, which is handy if you prefer the 8×11 size. The same is true of additional pages. If you add more than 20 pages, simply pay for those extra pages or watch for a free unlimited pages deal to stack with your free book code.

Here are are 6 ways I find free Shutterfly book coupons. 

1. Watch for Shutterfly free offers.

The first way is the most obvious. Several times a year, Shutterfly will release codes for free 8×8 books. The trick is that these codes are usually only good for a couple days. If you have a book  already made, this is the perfect time to redeem it. I try to create my photo books when I have the time and wait for a free book offer.

Find the current free offers and deals at Shutterfly here! 

2. Join rewards programs like My Coke Rewards to earn free Shutterfly books.

One of my favorite ways to earn Shutterfly books is through My Coke Rewards. If you don’t drink Coke, ask friends who do to save their Coke caps for you. I keep a bag full of Coke caps and redeem them when I see a good Shutterfly offer that I want. I have actually earned several free 8×11 books this way, which is an even better deal than the 8×8 books!

Pampers Gifts to Grow is another rewards program that lets you earn free Shutterfly products.

3. Get your Kohls bill delivered in the mail.

We switched back from electronic bills to paper for this very reason. I’ve heard from several different Kohls members that they receive Shutterfly freebies almost every month in the mail, whether they have a balance on their bill or not! I don’t know what sort of partnership Kohls and Shutterfly have, but I’ll always take free photo books.

4. Sign up for Kelloggs Family Rewards emails.

If you are a member of Kelloggs Family Rewards, you will receive free Shutterfly offers in your email at least every other month or so. In the past year, I’ve gotten a free photo book, a free calendar, a free notepad, a free set of address labels and a free magnet. I haven’t redeemed all of them (because you are still responsible for shipping) but I have redeemed the free photo book and calendar.

5. Sign up for emails from Joann’s Fabric.

Whether you shop regularly at Joann’s or not, join the Joann’s Fabric email list. Joann’s is another great source of free Shutterfly coupons! I receive a code for a free Shutterfly product of some sort (including books) at least once every two months. It’s a great reason to be on their email list!

6. Bid for free Shutterfly books on Ebay.

This final way does cost a tiny bit of money but did you know that many people sell their free Shutterfly codes on Ebay? Most of the time, I create a book and wait for a free code offer to come along. Every once in awhile, I can’t wait so I look on Ebay. I’ve been able to buy a free book code for as little as $0.99 or $1.99. Compared to the $29.99 price tag, this is still a great source of savings. Most of the sellers are willing to email you the code so you have it instantly. Do read the fine print carefully before you buy!

One of the most important things about creating Shutterfly photo books for free is to work ahead. Don’t wait for a free offer to come along and then get started. Work ahead of time and wait patiently for the code. Your book will look much nicer if you create it without the pressure of a deadline!

Have you created any Shutterfly photo albums? Do you have any extra tips for getting them for free? Be sure to check the comments for more ideas!

Oh, and if you like creating things at Shutterfly for free, check out how I made these adorable family magnets at Shutterfly for free!

Hello and welcome! Check out how we're thriving when our income has been cut in half, take a look at some of my custom, Biblical books (with free printables) or learn how to build a stockpile that works for your family. You can sign up for blog updates with my email newsletter here. Thanks for stopping by!

Filed Under: Saving Money

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  1. Betty Baker says

    January 16, 2021 at 8:10 pm

    Love Shutterfly books. We have done several of them for vacations Ours have been the 8.5 x 11 and way over 20 pages, but still, with coupons, the books were very reasonably priced. Hubby has been doing them, and STILL has not figured out how to get the Name on the Spine of the book! LOL Betty
    Reply
    • Kristen says

      January 17, 2021 at 1:28 pm

      I'm so glad you love Shutterfly books as well! I use the 8x11 size for our yearly family albums and that's the size I did for our recent Alaska cruise when I had more pictures. As for the words on the spine, it is hard to see, but when you are editing the cover, that is where you will find the space to edit the spine. Good luck!
      Reply
  2. Linda Harris says

    November 30, 2020 at 9:19 pm

    Love this idea with Shutterfly photo books
    Reply
  3. Candace Ayers says

    April 27, 2020 at 1:04 am

    The little coupons that food lion gives you with your receipt will have Shutterfly coupons every so often. I have gotten several shopping bags for free ($9.99 S&H).
    Reply
  4. J. Anderson says

    March 14, 2020 at 12:51 am

    I don’t believe anyone mentioned David’s Bridal. They gave us coupon when we bought daughter’s wedding dress. Also Albertson’s (Jewel, Safeway) grocery store’s Monopoly games! I’ve already gotten 3 offers: a 5x8 notebook, an 8x8 book, & a 20x30 print (I’ve never seen an offer for a print that large for free from Shutterfly; and these codes are good till June 30 (3 months)!!!
    Reply
  5. Stacie says

    September 7, 2019 at 7:02 am

    Now that Shutterfly owns Lifetouch, I order my kids' school photos online before picture day and they'll send me a code for a free book. Although this isn't free, Groupon frequently has offers for 8x8 books for $5 and significantly reduced prices on their larger books. One thing you didn't mention is that their free books only cover 20 pages. They do charge for additional pages.
    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 11, 2019 at 11:49 am

      A good tip, Stacie! I had forgotten that Shutterfly owns Lifetouch now. And yes, the free coupons cover the first 20 pages - unless you wait for an unlimited page sale! :-) That's my favorite way to stack the deals and get books for cheap / free!
      Reply
  6. Eugenia Manning says

    July 21, 2019 at 4:47 pm

    Thanks for the interesting information about Shutterfly. I thought at one time I saw that Shutterfly had a download for putting a book together on your computer...or at least laying it out. Have you heard of any Shuttefly "app" like that? Or maybe it was another company. If you have time and know of anything like this, could you please let me know. Thank you very much. E.Manning P.S. I have made a couple of Shutterfly books at there site.
    Reply
    • Kristen says

      July 27, 2019 at 11:33 am

      Hi, Eugenia. Unfortunately, Shutterfly has to be done online at their website. I wish their were an offline version! I believe Blurb has a program where you can download it to your computer and design the books there, before uploading them to be printed! I hope this helps!
      Reply
  7. megan says

    January 15, 2019 at 7:15 pm

    I create a photo book every january with photos of the previous year, i have made 4 now and i love them!
    Reply
  8. Lin says

    September 30, 2018 at 12:16 am

    I have passed up 3 or 4 or 5 FREE Shutterfly book offers because I was incapable of getting my photos "downloaded" or "uploaded" - whatever! What a GREAT idea to prepare them when there is no pressure, then take advantage of the free offers when I get them. Thank you for inspiring me to try, try again. :-)
    Reply
    • Kristen says

      October 1, 2018 at 2:12 pm

      You are so welcome, Lin! That is exactly what happened to me until I worked ahead. Now, I rarely have to miss a free coupon code just by changing how I was thinking and working. Have fun creating your Shutterfly books!
      Reply
  9. Linda says

    August 17, 2018 at 2:29 pm

    I have received Shutterfly codes when I purchased a camera at Best Buy. Yes, I love the free Shutterfly books.
    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 7, 2018 at 2:05 pm

      I love the free Shutterfly books too! So wonderful!
      Reply
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