6 Truly Easy Ways to Get Free Shutterfly Photo Books

Want to learn how to get free Shutterfly photo books? Here are 6 easy ways to get free Shutterfly codes.

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.

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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 over 2 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? Want to know how to get a free Shutterfly book of your own?

Here are six easy ways to get free Shutterfly books.

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 codes. 

1. Watch for free photo book offers directly from Shutterfly.

The first way is the most obvious. Several times a year, Shutterfly will give away free book codes for 8×8 photo albums. 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 free 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) a couple times a year – especially around Christmas. It’s a great reason to be on their email list!

6. Bid for free Shutterfly book codes on Ebay.

This final way does cost a tiny bit of money but did you know that many people sell their free Shutterfly book 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 getting 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 Shutterfly photo books 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!

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50 Comments

  1. Thanks for the tips! I never would have thought to look on ebay! I just scored a few coupon codes for less than a dollar each! **Squeal!**

  2. Kristen,
    I am new to Shutterfly, but my daughter recently gave me 3 books she created for Mother’s Day. Thank you for your insight into this new world of saving pictures and all your helpful hints. I will be sharing these with my daughter as she is creating books of my grandson as he grows. Please add me to any freebies that are offered. Again thank you.

    Doreen Winson

  3. I have dozens of free things from shutterfly. I’ve never paid full price for anything on there. Quickest way is sign up for their emails. You get something free almost every weekend! And download their app on your phone or tablet. They are always sending out freebies. As a matter of fact I just got done ordering a free reusable shopping bag, a free set of coasters, and a free puzzle. And all I paid was shipping. Good luck!

    1. That’s good to know about the app, Keisha! Thanks! And I agree. With all the free things available from Shutterfly, why pay full price when you can get them for free? 🙂

  4. Thanks for the tip! I have a question though… Does this only go for 8×8 photo books or can it go for larger sizes as well? Such at 12×12?
    Thanks,
    K

    1. Great question, Karin! With MOST of the Shutterfly free codes now, they can be applied to a larger size photo book, if you so choose. I have done that on occasion. Every once in awhile, a code comes along that is still specifically for an 8×8 book but more and more coupons are allowing you to apply the price of an 8×8 book towards your purchase of a larger one. So, with the free codes, you can get a free 8×8 book or apply that as credit to a larger book and pay a smaller price. Does that make sense?

  5. I can not wait to try this!! I did my first book over Christmas and it was a huge hit so I would love to do more!! YAY! This is a gold mine 🙂 Thank you so much for the tips!! Can’t wait <3

    1. You’re welcome, Nikki! It is amazing how many free offers are available once you start looking. I’ve discovered the trick really is to plan ahead and create an 8×8 book now so as soon as a free code comes along, I can redeem it. I love my photo books, and am glad you love them too! Have fun!

  6. I don’t know if they still do it but we got a free Shutterfly book coupon with every camera we bought at Best Buy for the last few years.

    1. That’s good to know, Stacey! Shutterfly coupons are in lots of places…if we just keep our eyes open. Thanks for this heads up!

  7. You can also find shutterfly books at great clips once a year and Oshkosh used to do $20 gift cards with some much of a purchase in clothes. They have also given free photo books there too. Watch at target they will print on the coupons at the end of your transaction sometimes!

    1. Wow, Helen! You just added a couple new Shutterfly resources that I have never heard of! Thanks for letting me – and the other readers – know about these options. It just goes to show that Shutterfly freebies can pop up anywhere! 🙂

      1. I promote shutterfly when and where I can. I am a BIG fan!! I would love to try to partner with them to promote their products, but would not know where to start in asking them. I would love to do shutterfly parties and show everyone great ways to use them! Do you know how I could do that? I have gotten tons of free stuff from them and only pay shipping too! They are so great!

        1. Hmmm, Helen. I am a Shutterfly affiliate through my blog, meaning when someone purchases Shutterfly through one of my links, I get a small commission. However, that program is only available to bloggers. Occasionally, I’ve seen “House Parties” offered to promote Shutterfly but I haven’t seen one of those in a while now. Perhaps, just reach out to Shutterfly and ask? Ask if they’ll be willing to share some free offers with you if you have a party to promote them? The worst they can say is no, so it’s worth a try! I’m with you because I’m a big fan of Shutterfly, too!

          1. Thanks Kristen! Will have to try that! Glad I stumbled across your blog on pinterest! 🙂

  8. Found you on Pinterest, had to check your article out. Was in hopes of more ways to get Shutterfly’s freebies. I love their service. I already do all the things you suggest, but enjoyed reading it. My daughter who NEVER makes these photobooks got snail mail from Shutterfly that had 2 coupon codes for free books. She gave them to me, lucky me!! I too have gotten a couple of codes from my email from Jo-Ann’s. I will take all the freebies. Picture hog here. Well worth the shipping and handling charges.

    1. I agree, Laurie! Shutterfly books are well worth the shipping and handling charges when you have free book codes! Happy digital scrapbooking to you!

  9. I also got a shutterfly offer for signing up for Similac Strong Moms program. They sent it in the mail. I’ve never used shutterfly, but I’ve wanted to and I love your idea of saving the books premade until a free offer!! So smart!!

    1. Yes! I forgot about that one. That’s how I completed my pregnancy journey (through Shutterfly) when my son was born. Working ahead saves me SO much money, and allows me to perfect the books, too. Have fun, Destiny! Shutterfly is a great way to create lasting photo memories!

  10. So true! I need to work ahead on albums…I know I have let free book codes expire this year! Wah!

    1. It’s okay, Kate. I have too. Thankfully, there will always be another free code right around the corner! 🙂 Good luck working ahead on albums! I need to get busy on our vacation ones as well.

  11. Thanks for the tips! I have made several Shutterfly books and have recently started doing some from My Publisher as well – there are pros unique to each company. I get Groupon deals for both. Plus My Publisher offers your first book with them free. We also get Shutterfly freebies through our Vacation Club points.

    1. You’re welcome, Addy! Anywhere you can get free photo books are worth a try in my opinion! I love looking through our photo books…once they are finished. 🙂

  12. Sign up for e-mail list for Joann Fabrics. Watch closely because about once a month will be free Shutterfly code. Not always photo books but that is how I got free large collage prints which I have never seen free code for anywhere else.

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