Today’s post is going to be a basic tutorial on how to use Mixbook’s new creator tool bar. This will be for Mixbook beginners, so if you’ve already mastered the latest tool bar, then this should just be review for you.

1. Zoom: By clicking and dragging the bar to the right, the picture will be zoomed in accordingly.
2. Rotation: This rotates the picture within the photo frame. As the symbol suggests, the photo will rotate to the right each time you click on it.
3. Styles Button: This will open another window where you can further customize your photo’s frame, background, transperancy, you name it. Scroll down for more information.
4. Forward: This is a layering button which will bring your selected object forward. For example, if the Photo 1 is on top of Photo 2, you can select Photo 2, click the forward button, and Photo 2 will be on top of Photo 1.
5. Backward: This is another layering button that will send the selected object backward.
6. Two-page spread: This will determine whether or not your photo will go across a two page spread.
7. Delete: Whatever is selected will be deleted by clicking this button.

1. Shadow tab: By clicking this tab, you will have the option to customize your object’s shadow. You can edit the shadow’s blur, distance, angle, opacity, and color by adjusting the numbers next to it.
2. Reflection tab: This tab allows you to add a reflection to your selected object, which you can also  change to your preference.
3. Shape tab: This tab gives you options to change the shape of your photo.
4. Transparency tab: This is where you can change the transparency of your photo or sticker. You can decide its opacity under the Customize tab.
5. You also have the option to get rid of your changes entirely. In the screen shot, you have the option change your border thickness, or not have a border at all.
6. There are pre-set options to select your border thickness to. By clicking the right arrow, you will see the same options, only in different colors.
7. By clicking Customize, you can minimize or expand the lower part of the pop up. It also has a button that allows you to apply your changes on one photo, to all of the photos on the page.

I hope this tutorial was clear and helped you understand our Mixbook tool bar better! Keep checking back for new tutorials, features, and updates. Keep up the Mixbooking!

Jasmine

If you haven’t received our email updates, we have another fall promotion happening right now!

• 14×11 Coffee Table Landscape
  
• 12×12 Deluxe Square
• 11×8.5 Classic Landscape
• 8.5×8.5 Classic Square  (hardcover and softcover)

These are the selected books that this coupon applies to. This promotion only lasts until Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 11:59pm PST. Be sure to use the coupon: FALLFORWARD at the check out before you submit an order!

Have a wonderful weekend and check back for more promotions, releases, and features.

Jasmine

Today we’ll be featuring some published wedding Mixbooks that have been made on our site. There were so many wonderful ones, that it was hard to choose! Here are just some that made great use of themes, stickers, and backgrounds.  Definitely feel free to check them out, especially if you plan on making one as well. These books have awesome design ideas.

This wedding book made by Quynh is a beautifully crafted book using the Simple Wedding design theme.

Drea usage of the Vintage Wedding theme is beautiful and goes well with the overall look of her Mixbook. Check this one out for its simplicity and beautiful photos.

Cindy’s wedding book includes bright, vivid pictures and has used her creativity to make sure the Mixbook matches with her blue wedding theme.

And this proves that the Wedding Guest Book theme could only be used as a guestbook? Joann’s book for her friend’s wedding makes great use of the theme stickers and backgrounds to give the Mixbook a mellow beach feel.

Becky’s wedding book has the cutest stickers and designs! It is really fun to look at, and has great photos to boot.

If you see any Mixbooks that you think should be featured, leave a comment and we’ll take a look. As always, any questions or comments, send us an email at support@mixbook.com . Have a wonderful weekend!

Jasmine

Today we’re posting another tutorial guide! We’re introducing the Zoom feature and showing you what to do if you have a yellow warning symbol on your photo. This will be especially helpful when you are editing your Mixbook!

1. Zoom Zoom Zoom

The great thing about our zoom feature is that there are many different uses that will give you a new perspective, look, and feel to your photo. Start by selecting a photo, and you see that the zoom button is located on the tool bar that pops up. This slider will allow you to click and drag it to the right to zoom in on the photo more.

In the case of this photo, it could use more focus to show the subjects which are the people standing next to the cruise ship. To create focus, we’ll simply zoom in close-up on the people.

Now you can see that the photo’s focus is on the three people and the ship’s name. You can also move the photo around within the frame by clicking and dragging the hand tool in the middle of the photo.

2. Yellow Warning Symbols

What they are, Why they are there, and How to Fix it

The yellow warning symbols are an indicator of your photo’s quality. It warns you that the photo may come out slightly blurry or pixellated if it is stretched out or zoomed in too much. This allows you to reduce the size or zoom out more. However, printed version will come out clear and in good quality providing there is no yellow warning symbol.

I hope you found this helpful! As always, feel free to contact us here if you have any questions or comments.

Keep up the Mixbooking!

Jasmine

In case you felt the three themes weren’t enough, Mixbook just released 5 more amazing themes! Click on the photos to get started. Our designers worked hard to bring you:

Cats N’ Dogs: A purrrfect way to make a book for your furry friend!

Autumn: This theme’s fresh bright colors of fall will look beautiful on your coffee table.

Halloween: The perfect theme to document your family’s traditions or your children’s trick or treating adventure!

First Day of School: Another school theme for your kids’ classroom experience.

Sports: Knock your friends out of the park with this new layout filled with bats, balls, and more!

These templates are ready to be customized with your pictures. Have fun with them and stay tuned for more updates from Mixbook.

Jasmine

I always get so excited when new themes come out– it means more stickers, backgrounds, and layouts for you to use! For this release, we have The Great Outdoors, Travel the World, and Family History themes. Click on their photos to get started!

The Great Outdoors theme is the perfect template to document your latest camping adventure!

The Travel the World theme is chock full of world wonder stickers and more.

Our Family History theme has wonderful antique stickers and frames that will match your sepia or black and white photos. Check them out!

On top of that, we’re celebrating with a promotion for FREE shipping on orders over $50! Just put in the coupon code: OCTSHP50 during check out or click the link for more details.

We hope you enjoy these new themes and had a wonderful week! Stay tuned for more promotions, new themes, and exciting updates from Mixbook. Feel free to contact us here if you have any questions or comments.

Have a lovely day!

Jasmine

Get a Mixbook starting at only $4.99!

We’re having our first-ever mini book sale! Make a 20-page mini photo book in minutes with our Mixbook Editor, you can use our pre-made themes or just fill a book with all your photos. If you have a Mixbook you’ve already made that you want to “Mini-mize” you can use our Copy feature to make a larger book smaller. And all it takes is one easy click!

Our 4×6 mini books are great conversation starters, and it’s so easy to tote around in your purse or backpack. Now you can take your memories with you wherever you go! See it here on the Printed Mixbooks page.

This offer is only good on our Mini Photo Book for the next 4 days! Enter MAJORMINI at checkout to redeem.

Offer ends on Tuesday, September 22nd (at 11:59pm PST).

1. Click the Copy Link Next to your Book

Find the book you want to copy in your “Home” or “My Books” section, and click the copy link.

2. Select the Size You Want to Copy To

You choose the size you want. For this tutorial, we’re going to assume you want to choose Mini.

Select a Size

Select the 6x4 Mini Book

3. Check your book, Make Changes and Order!

Now that your book is copied, you want to check it over for common issues. Since we’re copying from a Landscape book (11×8.5, to be exact), we don’t have to worry too much. Just check to make sure all the pages of the book look good in their new format. Then, you’re ready to go!

As always, email us with any questions or ideas at support at mixbook dot com.

Keep up the Mixbookin!

Andrew

I know, it’s been a while, but things at Mixbook have certainly been busy! As a result, there are more beautiful THEMES and upcoming Mixbook features to keep looking out for. There is also a special promotion for the month of July.

FREE shipping on orders over $50 all around the world! Just click on the link to see more details. And use these coupon codes below.

US shipping: JULSHP09

Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico: JULNC09

International: JULINTL09

This ends on July 29th, 2009 at 11:59 pm PST.

Speaking of ends, there seems to be no end to the constant flow of themes coming out! If you’re a regular Mixbooker, you have probably seen these themes when you click to create a book, but stay tuned because there are more to come. Here are some of the most recent themes available:

Kicking off the summer we had the theme Summer Splash! This is a fun and bright theme, perfect if you want to make a Mixbook about a trip to the beach, a recent vacation, or you can just use the colorful stickers for another book.

Another recent theme is the Wedding Guest book. Simple and classy, it would be perfect way to show off engagement pictures while having the guests sign in. We’ve added a few sentences to prompt your guests to write more than their names, but to also include fun memories and lovely wishes.

Keep this blog bookmarked, because soon there are super cool and exciting new products coming to Mixbook. Hint: You won’t only have the option for a square book.

I’ll leave you with that! Stay tuned…

Jasmine

Mixbook is kicking off June with lots of new themes for you to choose from! With Father’s Day just around the corner, we not only have a brand new theme for you to use, but a coupon to go with it. Get 20% off with the coupon code COOLDAD21 until Monday, June 8th at 11:59pm PST. It’s just our way of appreciating all the Dads out there!

Click on the photo to get started!

The end of the school year, and the pride and joy of your life is going to walk to receive that long-awaited diploma. What better gift than to make a Mixbook telling your child how proud you are? Here is our Graduation Theme for you to enjoy:

Another similar theme recently released is our Senior Farewell theme! It’s a fun and bright way to document the last memorable days as a senior and graduation day.

But wait, there’s more! We added another yearbook theme called Simple Yearbook. It’s just as simple as ordering one.

Our last theme release goes to the category of babies. Our Scrapbook Baby theme is a wonderfully cute book that is filled with bright ribbons and stickers that you can use to document your baby’s day to day life.

Whew! That was a lot to get through. Hope you enjoy these guys! Remember, all of the theme stickers can mix and match with others if you so choose. Have a wonderful summer day and enjoy the new themes!

Jasmine