Artkive Review: What the Kids' Art Book Really Costs, How the Box Works and Who It Suits

Our verdict

Yes, if you want a professionally photographed hardcover book of your child's artwork and you are happy to pay for someone else to do the work. Artkive's process is simple, owners rate it 4.9 out of 5 from 534 Trustpilot reviews, and the $14.99 box on this offer removes most of the upfront risk.

Know the full cost before you start: books run from $75 for 25 pieces to $550 for 250, and originals are recycled unless you pay $20 to get them back. It scores 7.5 out of 10, held back by price, long timelines and the deposit and recycling fine print.

The short version

• A mail-in service: Artkive sends a big box, you fill it with artwork, mail it back free, and it photographs and designs a hardcover book.
• On this offer the box is $14.99 instead of $39, with free shipping both ways and six months to send it back.
• Books are priced per piece: $75 for 25, $160 for 50, $265 for 100, $360 for 150 and $550 for 250 on the day we checked.
• Best trait: a beautiful, professionally photographed book without doing the scanning and layout yourself.
• Biggest drawback: the total cost, and originals are recycled unless you pay $20 for their return.
• Our score: 7.5 out of 10, the highest of the products in this batch, with the lowest mark for price.

Pros & cons

Artkive is the rare offer-page product that most owners clearly love. The service does what it says, and the books are what people keep coming back for. The things to watch are cost, time and what happens to the originals.

How it works

Artkive turns a box of loose paintings, drawings and crafts into a book in three steps. The work you do is choosing what to send; the rest is done by its photography and design team.

1. 01

   Order the box and fill it

   Step 1: Artkive sends a large, crush-proof box (24 x 17 x 4 inches, holding about 300 to 400 pieces) with an order form; you fill it with artwork from one or more children and mail it back with the prepaid label, within six months.

2. 02

   Artkive photographs and designs the book

   Step 2: Its team photographs and edits each piece, lays the images out in a hardcover book and emails you a digital proof to check and change before printing.

3. 03

   You pay for the book by the piece

   Step 3: You are invoiced for the book based on how many pieces you sent, approve the proof, and the printed book is shipped to you; the originals are recycled unless you chose to have them returned.

The digital proof matters. It is your chance to remove pieces, reorder, fix the title and check that nothing has been missed, before you pay and before anything is printed.

Who it's for

Artkive suits parents drowning in school art who want to keep the memories without keeping every sheet of paper. It suits families who would never get round to photographing and laying out a book themselves, and grandparents or relatives looking for a gift with real meaning. Many families use it at the end of each school year, building a shelf of books over time.

It is not for families on a tight budget, for anyone who needs a book within a few weeks, or for parents who cannot bear to part with originals and do not want to pay for their return. For them, photographing art at home and using a photo book service is the cheaper, faster route.

Why Artkive appeals

Every parent of a young child knows the problem. Art comes home from nursery and school almost daily: paintings, collages, drawings on the back of worksheets, paper plates with glued pasta. It is precious and it is endless. Fridges fill up, drawers overflow, and eventually most of it goes in the recycling, often with a twinge of guilt.

Artkive offers a tidy answer. You keep the memories in a book you will actually look at, the house gets its drawers back, and someone else does the slow, fiddly work of photographing and laying it all out. For busy families, that convenience is the product, and it is why so many owners order again every year.

Who gets the most value

The value is highest for families with lots of art and little time. If you have two or three children producing art, the per-piece price falls as volumes rise, and the time saved is much greater. It is lowest for families with only a handful of pieces, where the minimum 25-piece book at $75 is a lot to pay for a thin book.

• Parents with a growing pile of school and nursery art who want it kept but out of the house
• Families who want a professionally photographed, designed book without doing the scanning and layout themselves
• Grandparents and gift-givers looking for a meaningful keepsake for a child's year or school stage

Who should skip it

• Anyone on a tight budget; a DIY photo book from phone photos costs much less
• Parents who want to keep every original, unless they budget for the return fee
• Families who need the book quickly, for example for a birthday in two weeks
• Anyone uncomfortable posting irreplaceable pieces

What does Artkive cost, from the box to the book?

The starter kit is a large, crush-proof shipping box, 24 x 17 x 4 inches, which Artkive says holds about 300 to 400 pieces of art, with an order form and prepaid return shipping. The finished product is a hardcover book, in 8 x 8 inch or 11 x 8.5 inch format, with a personalised title.

• 

  The Artkive box filled with artwork

• 

  A stack of Artkive books across several years

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  Framed mosaics, an optional extra

What the $14.99 covers

The $14.99 on this offer, normally $39, buys the box, the order form and free shipping both ways. It does not include the book. Think of it as the cost of starting; the book is billed later, once Artkive has counted your pieces.

Artkive book prices per piece

The offer page has a cost estimator. On 3 October 2026 it showed:

The estimator stops at 250; Artkive's FAQ says a book can hold up to 350 pieces, and more than that is split into extra volumes. Note the odd step at 50 pieces, which cost more per piece than 25 on the day we checked. After 50, the per-piece price falls steadily.

The add-ons

Artkive's pricing page lists several extras:

Example totals

Here is what a typical order might cost, based on the prices above, before any tax:

That is why the most useful thing you can do before ordering is decide roughly how many pieces you will send.

A simple way to estimate: lay the art in piles of ten on the floor and count the piles. Then decide which piles you would genuinely want to flip through in ten years. Most parents find that a third to a half of what came home is enough to tell the story of the year, which can halve the cost of the book.

The six-month window and the $75 deposit

You have six months from purchase to send the box back. If you have not returned it by then, Artkive charges a $75 deposit, equal to a 25-piece book, which is applied to your final invoice when you do send it. It is not lost money, but it is a charge you might not expect if you forget about the box.

What happens after you send the box

Based on the offer page and Artkive's help pages, the sequence looks like this:

1. You post the box with the prepaid label and keep the tracking number.
2. Artkive receives and counts your pieces, and emails you to confirm.
3. You are invoiced for the book based on the number of pieces, plus any add-ons you chose, such as art return.
4. Its team photographs and edits each piece and lays out the book.
5. You receive a digital proof by email, request changes if needed, and approve it.
6. The book is printed and shipped to you; if you paid for art return, the originals come back too.

Choosing a book size

Artkive's pricing page lists two sizes: 8 x 8 inches and 11 x 8.5 inches. The square book is compact and suits a shelf of yearly volumes. The larger landscape book shows each piece bigger, which suits detailed drawings and paintings, and feels more like an album. If you plan a yearly series, pick one size and stick to it so the books match.

Extra copies for family

Extra copies are 60% off, according to the pricing page. A copy for grandparents or the other parent's household is one of the most popular add-ons, and much cheaper than ordering a second book from scratch. Order copies at the same time as the main book to keep things simple.

Mosaics and other products

Framed mosaics show a grid of 9 or 25 pieces in a white frame, and cost less when bundled with a book. They are a good way to put a selection on the wall while the rest lives in the book. Digitisation without a book, from $45 for 25 pieces, suits families who want images now and a book later.

Checking the offer page's claims

The offer page is restrained compared with most direct-response pages, but a few claims are worth checking:

• "$24 off" and "$14.99 instead of $39." Artkive's own pricing page lists the starter package at $39, so the intro offer is a real saving on the box. It does not change book prices.
• "Free shipping both ways." The box comes with prepaid return shipping. Shipping the finished book is part of the order; check the invoice for any extras.
• "Over 500,000 families." We could not verify the figure, but the large, long-running Trustpilot profile is consistent with an established service.
• "As featured on." The page shows logos of parenting and lifestyle media. Media mentions show the brand is known; they are not product tests.
• "Professionally photograph, edit and design." This matches what owners describe, and photo quality is the most praised point in independent reviews.

Overall, the page's claims are accurate. What it does not put front and centre is that originals are recycled unless you pay for their return, which is in the FAQ.

Is Artkive better than making a photo book yourself?

Artkive does better on photography, which is its main strength: artwork is hard to photograph well at home, with glare, shadows and curling paper, and Artkive shoots and edits each piece professionally, then designs the book. Doing it yourself is much cheaper and faster, keeps originals at home and gives you full control. If you have time and a steady hand, a mainstream photo book service costs a fraction as much.

Artkive's main competitor is your own phone. Here is the honest comparison.

What Artkive does better

• Photography. Artwork is hard to photograph well. Glare, shadows, curling paper and colour shifts are common in phone photos. Artkive photographs each piece professionally and edits it, which is the main thing owners praise.
• Design. It lays out the book for you, with titles, and sends a proof.
• Time. Packing a box takes an evening. Photographing and laying out 150 pieces yourself can take many evenings.
• Getting it done. Many parents mean to scan their children's art and never do. Paying someone removes the friction.

What doing it yourself does better

• Cost. A photo book of 100 photos from a mainstream photo book service typically costs a fraction of $265, especially with the frequent discounts those services run.
• Speed. You can have a book in a week or two.
• Originals. Everything stays in your house until you decide.
• Control. You choose exactly how each page looks.

Doing it yourself well

If you go the DIY route, photograph art in daylight near a window, not in direct sun, with the paper flat and the phone held parallel to it. Use a scanning app that corrects perspective and evens out the light. Name files by child and date as you go, then use a photo book service's layout tools.

Other mail-in services

Artkive is not the only mail-in art book service. Plum Print, for example, works in a similar way, with a box, professional photography and a book priced by the number of pieces. Compare their per-piece calculators, what happens to the originals, return fees and turnaround times before choosing.

Artkive vs keeping originals in storage boxes

The cheapest option of all is a plastic storage box per child per year. It keeps everything, costs a few dollars, and needs no decisions. The downside is that boxes of loose art are rarely looked at, take up space and can be damaged by damp or pests. A book is something families actually pull off the shelf, which is the real argument for Artkive or any book.

A rough cost comparison

Exact prices vary with discounts and options, but the pattern is consistent:

The question is whether the professional photography, design and saved hours are worth the difference to you. For many owners, they clearly are.

Artkive's own app and digital options

Artkive also offers digitisation without a book, from $45 for 25 pieces, and an online gallery of your child's art. That suits families who want everything photographed now and a book later, or who mainly want to share images with relatives.

If you have decided Artkive suits you, the Artkive intro offer (opens Artkive in a new tab) gets you the box for $14.99. Our apparel and accessories section covers more gifts and keepsakes we have checked. If the person you are buying for is a runner, our RUNNR Active review looks at phone-pocket running shorts in the same category. For other ways to keep family memories, see our iMemories review, which digitises old photos and video, our Memorygram Legacy Book review and our holiday gift guide.

Is Artkive a good gift?

Artkive can be a lovely gift, especially from grandparents, but the parents have to do the work of filling the box. A gift card, listed at $114 on Artkive's pricing page, lets them choose when to start and how big a book to make, while buying the $14.99 box leaves them with the book cost. Check that the parents want it before buying, and allow several weeks for delivery.

Artkive is often bought as a gift, especially by grandparents, and it can be a lovely one. It also has a few quirks as a gift, because the person receiving it has to do the work of filling the box.

Gift cards vs buying the box

Artkive sells physical and digital gift cards, listed at $114 on its pricing page. A gift card lets the parents choose when to start and how big a book to make. Buying the $14.99 box for someone else is cheaper upfront, but leaves them with the book cost, which may not be what you intended as a gift.

What to do: if you want to cover the whole thing, a gift card plus a note saying you will cover any balance is clearer than a box alone.

Make sure the parents want it

Some parents love the idea; others prefer to keep originals or already have a system. Because the gift involves sending their child's art away, ask first, or give a gift card they can use for prints or mosaics if they prefer.

Timing a gift book

If the book is for a birthday or a holiday, work backwards. Allow time for the family to gather and send the art, Artkive's processing (four to six weeks or more), proof approval and shipping. Two to three months is a safe lead time; more around the end of the school year and the holidays.

Copies for the wider family

A popular approach is for parents to make the main book and order discounted copies for each set of grandparents. At 60% off, copies make thoughtful gifts that cost far less than a separate book. Agree in advance who pays for what, and confirm the shipping address for each copy.

A gift for teachers or schools

Some classes and nurseries make a class art book at the end of the year. That raises extra questions about permission and children's names, so it is best organised by the school with parents' consent, not by an individual parent.

Is Artkive legit, and what should you check before buying?

Artkive is a legitimate, highly rated service, with a Trustpilot score of 4.9 from 534 reviews. Before sending your box, decide whether you want the originals back, because they are recycled unless you pay $20 for return. Return the box within six months to avoid a $75 deposit charge, allow several weeks from posting to receiving the book, and photograph any pieces you would hate to lose.

Artkive is an honest service with clear pricing, but the details matter because you are sending irreplaceable items and the total can run to hundreds of dollars.

Originals are recycled by default

This is the most important point. Artkive's FAQ says your originals are recycled unless you add art return at checkout, or later if you change your mind. Its pricing page lists return at $20.

What to do: decide before sending whether you want the originals back. If there is any chance you will, add the return; $20 is small next to the cost of the book. If you want to keep a few special pieces, take them out of the box and photograph them yourself.

Posting irreplaceable items

Every parcel carries some risk. Artkive provides a sturdy box and prepaid shipping, and owners overwhelmingly report their art arriving safely, but irreplaceable pieces can still be lost or damaged in transit.

What to do: photograph the most precious pieces on your phone before sending, as a backup. Keep the tracking number, and keep truly irreplaceable items, such as a first drawing, at home.

Timelines

Artkive's help pages have described about four to six weeks from receiving your art to sending the proof, and six to eight weeks for international orders, with longer waits at the end of the school year and before the holidays. Add shipping each way, your proof approval and printing.

What to do: if the book is a gift for a date, send the box at least two to three months ahead, and avoid the June and November rushes if you can.

Delivery delays and support

The most common complaints on Trustpilot are about books delayed in shipping and slow communication. One reviewer in August 2026 reported waiting more than a month for books held at a distribution centre. Artkive replies to most negative reviews and says it reprints lost shipments at no cost.

What to do: keep your order number and all emails, and if a book seems stuck, contact support with the tracking details early.

The deposit clock

The six-month window starts from purchase, not from when the box arrives.

What to do: put a reminder in your calendar for five months after you order. If you are not ready, contact Artkive before the deadline.

What to send

Artkive photographs flat artwork best. Very large pieces, three-dimensional crafts, glitter and fragile items may need special handling or may not photograph well.

What to do: use the order form for special instructions, and ask Artkive first about large or 3D items.

Privacy

Your child's art often has their name, school and age written on it, and Artkive's books and digital gallery are tied to your account.

What to do: read Artkive's privacy policy, decide what titles and names go in the book, and think about who you share the digital gallery with.

International orders

Artkive runs a separate international site, and its help pages say proofs typically take six to eight weeks after it receives your art for international orders, outside peak seasons. Shipping across borders adds time, and customs rules may apply to the return of books and originals.

What to do: if you are outside the US, use the international site and check shipping, customs and pricing in your currency before ordering.

Taxes and the final invoice

The estimator gives the book price; the final invoice may include tax and any add-ons. Some Trustpilot complaints mention charges people did not expect.

What to do: before approving, check the invoice line by line against the estimator, the add-ons you chose and any deposit already paid.

How to buy Artkive the smart way

1. Gather the art first and count roughly how many pieces you want in the book. Then open the Artkive offer page (opens Artkive in a new tab) and use the estimator to see the book price.
2. Order the starter box at $14.99 and note the date; you have six months to return it.
3. Sort the art: remove duplicates, half-finished pieces and anything you would not want in a book. Fewer, better pieces cost less and make a better book.
4. Write names, dates and any special requests on the order form, and photograph the most precious pieces before packing.
5. Decide whether you want the originals back and add art return if so.
6. Check the digital proof carefully before approving; this is your last chance to change the book.

What do owners say, and how did we score Artkive?

Artkive scores 7.5 out of 10: claim accuracy 1.6, build durability 1.5, price competitiveness 1.0, usability 1.6 and owner satisfaction 1.8, each out of 2. Its Trustpilot profile showed 4.9 from 534 reviews on 3 October 2026, with 93% five-star and 4% one-star. Owners praise the photo quality, the finished books and the simple process; complaints mention delays, unexpected charges and slow support.

Artkive has the strongest independent owner record of the products we have reviewed in this batch.

Trustpilot

On 3 October 2026 the Trustpilot profile for artkiveapp.com showed a TrustScore of 4.9 out of 5 from 534 reviews. The split was 93% five-star, 2% four-star, under 1% three-star, under 1% two-star and 4% one-star. The company replies to most negative reviews.

Positive reviews praise the photo quality, the finished books and how straightforward the process is: pack the box, send it, and Artkive handles the rest. Negative reviews are mostly about delays, unexpected charges and difficulty reaching support about specific orders.

The testimonials on the page

The offer page quotes parents who call their child's book worth every penny, describe framed mosaics that exceeded their expectations, and talk about sitting with a child on their lap as they explain each picture. These are emotional, believable accounts, and they match the tone of the independent reviews.

Third-party coverage

Pages ranking for "Artkive review" include paid press releases and deal pages, alongside parenting media coverage. Artkive's own blog compares it with Plum Print. Treat comparison posts from either company as marketing.

Reading the one-star reviews

With 4% one-star reviews out of 534, a couple of dozen owners had a bad experience. Their complaints cluster around three things: books delayed in shipping, difficulty getting a quick answer from support, and charges they did not expect. Very few say the photos or books were poor. That pattern suggests the core service is strong and the weak points are logistics and communication, which you can reduce by allowing plenty of time and keeping good records.

What repeat customers suggest

Many positive reviews come from families who have ordered several books, often one per school year. Repeat orders are a strong signal that people find the result worth the price, and that the process becomes easier once you have done it once.

How we scored Artkive

Every score on the site follows the five criteria on our how we test page.

The score would rise with faster, more predictable turnaround and art return included by default.

What we did, and did not, do

Nobody on our team has used Artkive, and this review does not claim otherwise. We read the offer page our link opens, including its FAQ and cost estimator, Artkive's pricing page and its Trustpilot profile, all on 3 October 2026, and summaries of its help pages on timelines. We also looked at the pages that rank for Artkive to see what they cover and miss.

How to use Artkive for the best results

Keep art in one box or folder through the year, then sort it with your child so they choose favourites. Flatten curled pieces under heavy books for a day or two, label anything you want ordered by date, and decide before packing whether to pay $20 to get originals back. Send the box well within six months, check the proof carefully, and choose a book size that suits your shelf.

1. Keep a box or folder at home through the year, so art is already in one place when you order.
2. Sort with your child if they are old enough; let them choose favourites, which makes the book more meaningful.
3. Flatten curled pieces under heavy books for a day or two before packing.
4. Label the back of key pieces lightly in pencil with name and date, and fill in the order form clearly.
5. Pack flat pieces flat, put fragile or 3D items on top, and do not overfill the box so it closes without crushing anything.
6. Photograph the most precious pieces and keep the tracking number.
7. Check the proof slowly: titles, spelling, order and any missing pieces, before approving.

How many pieces to send

Decide what the book is for. A single school year often has 30 to 80 pieces worth keeping. A "best of" book covering several years can be 100 to 200. Larger numbers cost more and make a thicker book, which can be less enjoyable to flip through than a well-chosen smaller one.

Organising by child or by year

If you send art from more than one child, say on the order form whether you want one shared book or separate books, and whether you want the pieces ordered by date. Separate books cost more in total but give each child their own keepsake.

Choosing a title

A title like "Jamie's Kindergarten Artwork" or a playful one like "Blake's Blue Period" makes the book feel personal. Add the years so future you knows when the art was made.

Getting the most from the proof

Look at the proof on a large screen. Check colours on pieces that matter most, look for any piece that is cropped awkwardly, and remove anything you would rather not keep. Ask for changes before approving; once printed, changes mean a new book.

Making it a yearly habit

Many families send a box each summer. Ordering one book per year keeps each order smaller and the books consistent on the shelf. Keep the title format the same each year so the series looks like a set.

What not to send

Avoid sending anything that could damage other pieces or will not photograph well: food-based crafts (pasta, cereal, sweets), wet or tacky paint, sharp objects, pieces with loose glitter that sheds, and very bulky 3D models. Photograph those at home instead. Remove staples and paper clips that could scratch other art, and do not send framed pieces.

Packing checklist

• Art sorted and counted, with duplicates and unfinished pieces removed.
• Precious pieces photographed on your phone.
• Order form filled in with names, dates, title and special requests.
• Art return added if you want the originals back.
• Flat pieces at the bottom, fragile pieces on top, nothing crushed.
• Box sealed and prepaid label attached; tracking number saved.
• Calendar reminder set for the proof and the six-month deadline.

Sending art from several years

If you are catching up on several years at once, sort into piles by year or school stage first. You can then ask for one book with sections, or separate books per year. Separate books cost more in total, since each has its own price, but they make a neater series. Ask Artkive which works best for the number of pieces you have.

If something goes wrong

If your box seems lost in transit, contact Artkive with the tracking number as soon as it stops moving. If a proof is missing pieces you sent, say so before approving. If the printed book arrives damaged or has a printing fault, photograph it, including the packaging, and contact support straight away; the company says it reprints lost shipments at no cost, and reviewers report damaged books being replaced. Keep every email in one folder so the history is easy to share.

Keeping the book in good condition

Store books upright on a shelf, away from direct sunlight, which fades covers, and away from damp. Let young children look at them with an adult at first; hardcover books survive a lot, but sticky fingers and spilled drinks are the usual enemies. Keeping the digital files, through the USB add-on or the online gallery, means you can reprint if a book is ever lost.

What else do parents ask about keeping kids' art?

Most questions are about what to keep. A common approach is to keep a small number of originals that matter most, photograph or professionally digitise the rest, and recycle what you no longer need. Throwing away some children's art is normal, since most children produce far more than any home can store. To photograph art at home, lay it flat in even daylight and avoid flash.

What should I do with all my kids' artwork?

Keep a small number of originals that matter most, photograph or professionally digitise the rest, and recycle what you no longer need. A book or digital gallery keeps the memories without the piles.

Is it bad to throw away children's art?

No. Most children produce far more art than any home can store, and they rarely remember most pieces. Keeping a selection, and involving older children in choosing, respects their work without keeping everything.

How can I photograph kids' art at home?

Lay the art flat in even daylight, near a window but out of direct sun. Hold your phone parallel to the paper, fill the frame, and use a scanning app to correct the angle. Avoid flash, which causes glare.

How do I store original artwork long-term?

Store flat in acid-free folders or archival boxes, away from damp, heat and direct light. Separate pieces with paper if they have paint, glitter or glue that could stick.

Are mail-in art book services safe?

Established services like Artkive use sturdy boxes and tracked shipping, and most orders arrive safely. There is always a small risk in posting anything. Photograph irreplaceable pieces first and keep tracking details.

When is the best time to make a kids' art book?

The end of the school year is natural, though it is also the busiest time for these services. Sending art in early spring or late summer can mean shorter waits.

Should children help choose what goes in the book?

If they are old enough, yes. Children often have strong opinions about their favourites, and choosing together turns a chore into a conversation about what they made and why. It also makes it easier to let go of the pieces that do not make the cut.

How many books should I expect over the years?

Families who order yearly from nursery through primary school typically end up with six to eight books per child. Choosing fewer, better pieces each year keeps both the cost and the shelf space manageable.

Can I add photos of my child with their art?

Artkive is built around photographing the artwork itself. If you want photos of your child holding their work, ask support whether they can be included, or add them to a separate photo book.

Frequently asked questions