Frequently Asked Questions

What can we help you with? We’ve collated some of the most common questions our customers tend to ask us. Hopefully you will find the answer to your question below, if not, please feel free to get in touch via Live Chat, Phone or Email.

For questions regarding the old bootsphoto.com, including orders placed before 12th May 2020 please visit boots.com

Unsubscribe from emails or delete my account

To unsubscribe from emails, simply click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email you have recently received from us. If you would like to delete your account completely, please email customer services from the email address linked to your account and we will remove this as soon as possible.

I have forgotten my password

There are two ways to reset your password, either use the "forgotten password" section next to the login page, or alternatively you can email us from the email address linked to your account and we will rest this for you.

How long will my refund take to process?

If your order is refunded for any reason, we ask that you allow between 7-10 working days for this to appear on your statement. The time it takes to process a refund is controlled by your bank/building society, for further information on this please contact them.

Do you deliver outside the UK?

Sadly, we do not deliver outside the UK, but we’ll keep you updated if anything changes.

My CEWE PHOTOBOOK has arrived and there is a spelling mistake in it, what can I do?

When we print your CEWE PHOTOBOOK for you we use an automated print system, so we print the data exactly as we receive it. The data we receive for your CEWE PHOTOBOOK is stored as a ‘read only’ file which means we can view your CEWE PHOTOBOOK but we cannot make any changes to it ourselves. If we reprinted your order the same spelling mistake would still be there. If you are not happy with your CEWE PHOTOBOOK then you can return it to us under our guarantee. Once we have received your order back, we can then issue you with a voucher so you can make any necessary changes and then re-order your CEWE PHOTOBOOK.

Why is there a black mark on my image in my printed CEWE PHOTOBOOK?

Black marks are caused by a problem with the red eye correction tool. There is an intermittent problem in the software which can occasionally cause the red eye to try and correct an image in the wrong place, causing a black mark. This is something that we are currently working on for our next software version. Please send us an image of the error and your order number via email and a member of our customer service team will be able to send you a voucher code and instructions on how to reorder.

How can I get in touch with customer care?

Telephone: +44 (0) 1926 463 605 Calls are charged at the standard national rate.

Email: bootsphoto@cewe.co.uk

Live Chat: Click here to be connected with a member of our customer care team.

What are your customer care opening hours?

Our dedicated team of customer care operators are available via phone, email and LiveChat Monday to Sunday, 8am - 10pm.

How much is delivery?

The delivery cost varies depending on the type of product you order. Please see our Delivery Information for more details.

How long will my order take?

Production times vary by product. Once produced, all orders are sent via first class Royal Mail or similar specialist courier. You can find more information on production and delivery times on our Delivery Information page. If the order is undeliverable, a card will be left and the parcel taken to your local sorting office. The parcel will be returned to us if not collected after a specified time. Please ensure that the address you enter is correct and if it’s a large parcel that someone will be available on receipt of this.

What is your returns / refunds policy?

All CEWE PHOTOBOOKS, Wall Art and Calendars are covered by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. All other products cannot be returned for a refund once ordered unless they arrive damaged or with a quality issue. If your order has arrived damaged or you believe there is a problem with the quality of your order, To return an order package, please secure it in the original packaging or a suitable alternative. We kindly ask that you enclose a short note to advise us what the issue is, along with your order number. Create your returns label by visiting the Royal Mail website, then, fix the label to the outside of the package and take it to a Post Office. The return is free of charge, but we do advise you ask for proof of postage (which is also free of cost) just in case the item becomes lost in the post.

If you think your order is too large for Royal Mail (+40x60cm or +2kg), give us a call and we will confirm it for you. To find your local Post Office, you can use the branch finder.

Once confirmed, we can arrange a courier collection between Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm, at your convenience.

  • Print your returns label here
  • Pop it on your parcel, and enclose a note explaining why you are returning the order, along with your order number.
  • Take it to your local Post Office.

I placed an order on or before the 12th May but am yet to receive it?

If you placed an order before the 13th of May but have not received it, please contact our customer care for guidance.

For more information please visit boots.com, call us on 0808 164 0940* or email us

*Toll free number

How do I track my order?

Please log in to the website with your email address and password, then click on “order tracking”. If you would like more information on your order please contact us via telephone, email or LiveChat and we will be more than happy to help you.

How do I order multiple products in the same order?

Place the product into the shopping basket and instead of clicking the order now button, select continue shopping or go to the next product you wish to order using the main navigation at the top of the page. Repeat this process until you have all products in the basket, then click order now.

How do I order more than one copy of a CEWE PHOTOBOOK?

When you place the product into the shopping basket you will see a product description and price. Next to this is a tab for extra copies and you can adjust up or down.

How do I order another copy of my CEWE PHOTOBOOK?

There are 2 ways that you can order another copy of your CEWE PHOTOBOOK.

You can login to the My Account section of the website and use our re-order link (please note that this will allow you to order exactly as it was).

You can also open your saved CEWE PHOTOBOOK in the software used to create it and reload your saved CEWE PHOTOBOOK. This way you can make any slight adjustments if you wish. When you are ready just place the order into the shopping basket once more and order again.

Can I make any changes to an order once the order has been placed?

Sadly, we are unable to change any order as this is an automated service. Orders are created as read only files to protect them from manual intervention and to ensure the data and files are kept secure.

Do you charge VAT for your photo books?

We do not charge VAT for our photo books. All our other products include VAT charges which is shown within the cost of the product.

The payment for my order has been reserved in my account but the order was not successful. What should I do now?

The payment is authorised when you enter your payment details so this will automatically reserve the payment in your account. If your order is then unsuccessful, and you do not receive a confirmation email of your order through, the amount will not be debited from your account. The payment will go back into your account, but it can take up to 7- 10 working days depending on your bank.

What if I am not happy and feel that there is a quality problem.

You are welcome to return the order to us. Please contact customer care for details.

What should I do if my order arrives and it is has been damaged in the post?

If your order arrives and it is in a less than perfect condition, then we would ask that you take an image of the damage and email this to us. Please ensure the image you send is no larger than 10mb, as this is the limit on our server. Please could you also include your order number in the email along with a brief explanation of the damage. Once we have received your email, we will reply back to you as soon as possible and let you know what happens next.

How long should I wait for my order to arrive before I chase it up?

We would request that you wait the turnaround time of the product you have ordered. If you have not received your order in the estimated delivery time we do recommend contacting your local post office as the package might be waiting there for collection. We cannot class an item as lost/missing in the post before this time has passed. If after the turnaround time of your product you have still not received it then please contact us.

How can I get in touch with customer care?

Telephone: +44 (0) 1926 463 605 Calls are charged at the standard national rate.

Email: Boots-digital@cewe.co.uk

Live Chat: Click here to be connected with a member of our customer care team.

What are your customer care opening hours?

Our UK team of customer care operators are available via phone, email and LiveChat Monday to Sunday, 24 hours a day.

How much is delivery?

The delivery cost varies depending on the type of product you order. Please see our Delivery Information for more details.

How long will my order take?

Production times vary by product. Once produced, all orders are sent via first class Royal Mail or similar specialist courier. You can find more information on production and delivery times on our Delivery Information page. If the order is undeliverable a card will be left and the parcel taken to your local sorting office. The parcel will be returned to us if not collected after a specified time. Please ensure that the address you enter is correct and if it’s a large parcel that someone will be available on receipt of this.

How do I know if my order has been successful?

You will receive a confirmation of order on screen, which will then be followed by a confirmation email to your registered email address. If this does not happen and you did not get an order number, then the order has not finalised. If you are still unsure then please contact us.

Can I cancel / make changes to my order?

Unfortunately, we are unable to edit or cancel orders once they have been submitted. As soon as you check out, your order data is entered into our production workflow and does not allow manual intervention. This process ensures high security so that all customer data is protected. (Please refer to our order terms and conditions).

Will I receive Boots Advantage Card points when I shop with Boots Photo?

You will receive points when you shop with bootsphoto.com, including Parenting Club & Rewards for Over 60’s.

The offer is due to expire and I cannot get my order through with the promotional code, what should I do?

If you are having problems using the promotional code please take a screen shot of any error codes or error message and email these to us as soon as you can. We would not advise placing the order without the promotional code as we may not always be able to honour the promotion for you.

I received my welcome email after I had placed my order, can I still use my promotional code with my current order?

Unfortunately, welcome codes cannot be applied retrospectively to an order, we do advise further about this in our terms and conditions. Do not worry though as you have not lost out on your offers, you can claim them with your next order, just ensure you enter in your code at the time you place your order.

How do I know if my order has been successful?

You will receive a confirmation of order on screen, which will then be followed by a confirmation email to your registered email address. If this does not happen and you did not get an order number then the order has not finalised. If you are still unsure then please contact us.

Can I cancel / make changes to my order?

Unfortunately, we are unable to edit or cancel orders once they have been submitted. As soon as you check out, your order data is entered into our production workflow and does not allow manual intervention. This process ensures high security so that all customer data is protected. (Please refer to our order terms and conditions).

How do I use a voucher code?

Simply enter the voucher code into the voucher entry box presented to you during the checkout of your order, when ordering via the website or through the desktop software.

Can I use my Boots Photo credit?

Unfortunately, we were unable to transfer any outstanding credit (i.e. free prints or shipping) that was live on your account on the 12th May over to the new platform.

Photo Books

Which type of CEWE PHOTOBOOK should I choose?

Hardcover or softcover? Portrait, landscape or square? There are plenty of decisions to make when creating your CEWE PHOTOBOOK, including, size, cover and paper type. A lot of these are down to your own personal preference.

When will I receive my CEWE PHOTOBOOK?

We know how exciting it is to order a photo book, which is why we do our very best to keep delivery times to a minimum so that you’ll receive your creation as soon as possible. Photo book delivery times range from 3 to 10 days, depending on the size of your book. Plus, if you choose to add highlights to your photo book, this will take an additional 2-3 working days.

How do I create a CEWE PHOTOBOOK?

We think the best (and easiest!) way to create your photo book is by downloading our free Creator Software. You can easily import your photos from your device or social media accounts, plus you’ll be able to choose from our huge range of backgrounds, templates and clip art to make your photo book your own. If you need a helping hand creating a CEWE PHOTOBOOK, our 24/7 UK-based Customer Support team are on hand to answer your queries.

How long will my book with Highlights take to be delivered?

For a book with Highlights, we recommend allowing a few extra days on top of the standard delivery time. If you have a query about how long delivery might take, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. For more information on delivery times, click here.

Can I add Highlights when designing it online?

Unfortunately not. You can add Highlights to your CEWE PHOTOBOOK when designing it with our free Creator Software, but not when using the Online Photo Book Builder or app.

Why can't I change the clip art size?

This is for quality reasons. The finish does not cling well enough to thin lines, and it runs and dries unevenly with surfaces that are too large, which can cause damage to the highlighted area. We have specified maximum and minimum sizes for each highlighted object to ensure it always looks spot on.

How do I find Highlights in the Software?

If Highlights are enabled, the element will have a “shimmering” look when the element is selected or shortly after adding the Highlight.

Do you offer presentation boxes?

We do offer presentation boxes with certain photo books when ordering through our software. You can add a presentation box to all Large Portrait, Large Landscape, XL or XXL Hardcover CEWE PHOTOBOOK. We do not offer these with XXL linen or faux leather CEWE PHOTOBOOK. You will be given the option to add this at the checkout if it is available and it cannot be added retrospectively.

I want to change the paper type, how do I do this?

When you have software open in front of you with the project open, on the right-hand side by the “add to basket” button, there will be a grey button with the breakdown of your CEWE PHOTOBOOK. Select this and a pop up will appear, this will give you the option to change things like the cover type, paper type and the page number. Select the drop down on the paper type and select the new paper you wish to change to. In this section you will be able to change the page number, and cover type too.

How do I create a CEWE PHOTOBOOK?

To get started creating your CEWE PHOTOBOOK you would firstly need to download the software by clicking on the download button on our website. (If the download does not start then please check the top of the screen as it may have been blocked by your pop up blocker).

Once the software download is complete you can then click the shortcut icon on your desktop and the software will open. Please choose the type of CEWE PHOTOBOOK that you wish to create and you can now start the creation process.

The first thing that will load is the photo assistant. When using the software for the first time we would advise that you select the “Create without assistant”option, as this allows you to get used to the software.

Your images appear on the left-hand side of the screen and you can drag them across to the page and drop it into the templates. To delete any image or template you can right click and select delete. To change your text on the cover please click on the text box and it will then become active so you can delete and redo your text. The text functions can be found in the text section of the tool bar in the top of the screen. Here you can also make changes to your font size and colour etc.

The software allows you to customise your layout so you can use our layouts that are found in the layout tab on the left-hand side of the screen. We offer many types of layout and you will see there is a drop-down menu to select how many images per page you would like and you can then scroll up and down to select your desired layout. When you have found the layout that you wish to use, you can drag it across to the page then switch back to the images tab to start adding your images.

If you wish to have just an image to fill the whole page you can select this as a background to ensure that it is sized to fit. To select an image as a background you need to right click on the image before dragging to the page and select the image as background option. You can select the image to appear as a background on the left, right or both pages.

Finally, the templates available are a guide only, it is possible to click on a template and adjust it if you wish. When a template is active it will show a yellow line all around it and red boxes in each corner. You can adjust the size of your template by dragging from the corners with a left click of the mouse.

We hope that this information helps but should you have any further queries please feel free to contact us as we will be more than happy to help you.

How do I create a collage on a CEWE PHOTOBOOK

Simply hold the control key on your keyboard, highlight the images you’d like to create a collage with, then while still holding the control key, right click for options and select the collage option.

Can I remove the text box from the spine of my CEWE PHOTOBOOK?

You cannot remove the text box from the spine however if you leave this box blank then nothing will print on the spine. As a double measure you can click on the preview button located on the toolbar at the bottom of the screen and the preview will show you exactly how this will print.

My CEWE PHOTOBOOK has arrived and there is a spelling mistake in it, what can I do?

When we print your CEWE PHOTOBOOK for you, we use an automated print system so we print the data exactly as we receive it. The data we receive for your CEWE PHOTOBOOK is stored as a ‘read only’ file which means we can view your CEWE PHOTOBOOK but we cannot make any changes to it ourselves. If we reprinted your order the same spelling mistake would still be there. If you are not happy with your CEWE PHOTOBOOK, you can return it to us under our guarantee. Once we have received your order back we can then issue you with a voucher so you can make any necessary changes and then re-order your CEWE PHOTOBOOK.

Why is there a black mark on my image in my printed CEWE PHOTOBOOK?

Black marks are caused by a problem with the red eye correction tool. There is an intermittent problem in the software which can occasionally cause the red eye to try and correct an image in the wrong place causing a black mark. This is something that we are currently working on for our next software version. Please send us an image of the error and your order number via email and a member of our customer service team will be able to send you a voucher code and instructions on how to reorder.

There is a white border around the pages of my CEWE PHOTOBOOK and my images do not fill the pages.

If you wish to have an image fill the whole page you should select this as a background to ensure that it is sized to fit. To select an image as a background you need to right click on the image before dragging to the page and select the image as background option. You can select the image to appear as a background on the left, right or both pages.

Photo Printing and Wall Art

What is the difference between Photo enlargements and Poster?

Photo Enlargements: Photo enlargement brings your best memories to life once again and with maximum colour brilliance, excellent exposure quality and long-term UV stability, you can guarantee your photos will get the professional finishing touch they deserve. The paper we print on is Fuji Crystal Archive glossy paper and the sizes we can print to are 20x30cm, 30x45cm, 40x60cm and 50x75cm.

Posters: Our wide range of sizes and different aspect ratios means that photo posters are suitable for printing anything from family portraits to local landscapes; great as a constant reminder in your room of those special memories. Our photo posters are printed with a premium semi-gloss finish on 240g/m² paper producing brilliant colour brightness to really bring your picture to life.

Do you offer Matte prints?

Currently we only offer traditional photo prints in a glossy finish, however we do have a range of digitally printed prints including matte finishes. Please find more information in our prints category.

Do you produce analogue film?

To develop your analogue film please visit your nearest Boots store and speak to a member of staff. You can use our store locator to find your local Boots store.

How do I find clip art and frames with Highlights?

You can find the categories “Gold”, “Silver”, “Rose Gold” and “Gloss Highlights” under Themes, Clip Art and Frames. Any clip art and frames with the diamond symbol can be highlighted.

I need to order a large amount of prints should I use the website or software?

We advise if ordering over 80 images to use our Creator Software as the images will upload faster and you will avoid your connection timing out and dropping the order before it is completed.

Why is the edge of my canvas not on the print?

When you order a canvas there is a 3cm wrapping area where the canvas is wrapped around the frame. If your image is on the part that is wrapped around the frame, unfortunately it can’t be corrected during the ordering process as we use an automated print system so your data is printed exactly as we receive it.

If you order via our software then there is a greyed out area visible when ordering, which shows the wrapping area. If any of your image is on this grey section then it will be wrapped around the frame.

Why is my order darker than my screen/alternative print out?

Images may appear lighter on screen as most modern monitors have a backlight; a backlight is a form of illumination used in liquid crystal displays (LCDs). As LCDs do not produce light themselves (unlike Cathode ray tube (CRT) displays), they need illumination (ambient light or a special light source) to produce a visible image. Backlights illuminate the LCD from the side or back of the display panel, unlike front lights, which are placed in front of the LCD. Backlights are used in small displays to increase readability in low light conditions, and in computer displays and LCD televisions to produce light in a manner similar to a CRT display, which is why your images may appear darker when they are printed.

What paper do you use for photo prints?

We use high quality Fuji Crystal Archive paper. This paper is tailored perfectly for digital images and guarantees excellent results every time. If you have further questions on this topic, please contact us.

Why are my pictures not exactly 6x4 inches?

Traditional analogue film has an aspect ratio of 2:3 which produces 6×4″ images. Your digital camera saves your images with an aspect ratio of 3:4. This means the image is saved at a size that may not fit exactly into standard print formats e.g. 6×4″ and 7×5″. If you choose ‘Variable Length’ your digital images will be printed in the aspect ratio you photographed them at. This ensures that you receive your full images without them being cropped or given a white border. If you order 6×4″ ‘Variable Length’ prints your photographs may vary slightly in size as we print and cut each image to fit the aspect ratio of your image perfectly. If you wish to have an exact print size then please order via our website, or if you’re using the desktop software, select ‘Classic Size’ from the top menu bar within the print ordering screen. If you have further questions on this topic, please contact us.

Photo Gifts

Are the mugs dishwasher proof?

Our mugs can only be washed by hand as they are not dishwasher proof.

What are the sizes of your t-shirts?

Our T-Shirt sizes range from Small to XXL. Please see below for size details:

  • Size: S – Chest (to fit): 36″
  • Size: M – Chest (to fit): 38″
  • Size: L – Chest (to fit): 40″
  • Size: XL – Chest (to fit): 42″
  • Size: XXL – Chest (to fit): 44″

I’m receiving an error saying that many pages are empty, but my images are on the page. Will the page be printed empty?

When a warning appears stating that there are empty image placeholders on some pages, it means that there are some frames in the template that haven’t been filled. If you are happy with the layout of your CEWE PHOTOBOOK, you can ignore this warning and place your order. It is possible that you added your own image that covered a placeholder. Please be assured that the empty placeholder image will not be printed in your CEWE PHOTOBOOK.

I’m receiving a load balancing server error, what should I do?

The ‘Load balancing error’ appears when the software has difficulty connecting to the Photo server.

Please check that your firewall and antivirus settings are allowing the software to connect to the internet.

Please also check that the proxy settings within the software are set to ‘Use system proxy’. This setting can be found by clicking on ‘Options’ on the toolbar, and then ‘Network’.

If you are ordering from a workplace computer or network, please check with your IT department, as their settings may be preventing the software from making a successful connection.

I can't see all the software, why is this?

If you are unable to see all of the software then it may be that the screen resolution is not set up correctly. Please see below the resolution needed for each screen type:

  • 14-15 inch – 1024×768
  • 17-19 inch – 1280×1024
  • 20-23 inch – 1600×1200
  • 24 + inch – 1900×1200
  • 17-18 inch Widescreen – 1280×800
  • 19 inch Widescreen – 1440×900
  • 20-23 inch Widescreen – 1680×1050
  • 24-29 inch Widescreen – 1920×1080 to 1920×1200
  • 30 + inch Widescreen – 1920×1080 to 2560×1600

If you are using a notebook then sadly this will not show all of the software as currently the software is not compatible with notebooks.

How do I know if my images are suitable?

The software has a built-in quality indicator on the toolbar. This shows a green smiley face for good quality images, orange for acceptable quality, and red for low quality. Please note that this takes into account the image size only, and not the content, so if your image is blurred (e.g. camera shake or poor focus), this will not be shown on the quality indicator.

If your image is showing an orange or red face, you can resize your image. This will improve the print quality (as less stretching will occur).

We print at 300 dpi.

How do I send you a screenshot of error messages or feedback on your website?

You can do this by holding down the Ctrl button at the bottom left of the keyboard and then at the same time pressing the Prt Sc button (found at the top of the keyboard next to F12).

You can then paste this onto a blank word document by opening word and pressing Ctrl and V together. This will then capture your computer screen as you see it. You can then save the document and email it to us as an attachment. Sending a screen shot on a Mac

  • Command+Control+Shift+3: take a screenshot of the entire screen, and saves it directly to the clipboard for pasting elsewhere
  • Command+Control+Shift+4, then select an area: takes a screenshot of the selection using the rectangular drawing box, and saves it to the clipboard for pasting elsewhere
  • Command+Control+Shift+4, then space, then click a window: takes a screenshot of a window as specified by the hovering snapshot cursor, and saves that capture to the clipboard for pasting

The images appear pixelated and not crisp

The images that show within the software are representations of your images and this is to help the software run smoothly on older PCs. If you are happy with your images out of the software and when it is selected within the software you can see a green smiley face on the toolbar, this means it will be a high-quality print at that size.

Where should I save my images?

We recommend images to be stored directly in a folder on the hard drive. Images should not be stored on an external hard drive as this can cause issues when trying to place your order. If your images are already stored externally then we advise you copy them directly to your hard drive.

What is the best resolution to send my images at?

The resolution of your photos should be based on 300 ppi (pixels per inch) in relation to the printing size in your layout. If your photos have a resolution of more than 300ppi in relation to the printing size, the Creator Software will automatically down-size to 300ppi.

If you change the size of your image in the layout, or if you only use an image section or if you zoom, the resolution will be adjusted accordingly.

An important tool to check the resolution of your images based on their size is the smiley in your Creator Software. It can be found in the top menu bar and will be red, yellow or green. If you click on the image and the smiley is green, the resolution is high enough to ensure that you are not decreasing the quality when your product is printed or exposed. This is still the case if the resolution is less than 300ppi in relation to print size. The threshold varies depending on printing method and printing material. If the smiley is yellow, the resolution is still ok, but not optimal. If the smiley is red, we strongly recommend downsizing your image, so the image quality will reach the yellow or green standard.

How do I use the red eye remover?

To use the red eye remover within the software you need to select ‘options’ then a box will appear. Click on ‘photos’ the at the top you will see the red eye correction option. You can set it to completely remove the red eye from all images or you can set it to ask you for each photo.

You cannot action this option when ordering directly from the website so you would need to download the creator software to use this function.

What is Red-Eye-Correction?

Red eye can occur in images if flash was used in a dark environment. The light flashes through the widely opened pupil onto the retina, i.e. the red inner part of the eye. In the Creator Software you can change the red-eye-correction settings under “Options/Photos” as follows:

  • Ask for each photo
  • Always reduce red eye automatically
  • Do not automatically reduce red eye

If the red eye correction is turned on, you can see the effects directly in the editor.

In the photo editing tools, you can also use the red eye correction in a more detailed way for individual images. In the menu “Settings for red eye reduction” you can either do a search for all red eye in the entire image or you can select a certain area where the red eye can be found. The latter is recommended if the automatic search doesn’t find the red eye.

Do you Sharpen images?

We always sharpen images slightly. This is independent on the Automatic Image Correction being turned on or off. We recommend to not sharpen images significantly using external software

Can I change my screen settings to match your printers?

The colour space of your screen is larger than the colour space of printers. The possibility to print exactly what you see on your screen is therefore limited. In addition, improper settings and technically inadequate screens can lead to colour deviation.

The ambient light also influences the colour perception. So differences between your screen display and the printed colour is normal to a certain degree.

If you adjust your screen settings as followed you will get the best results:

  • Colour Temperature: 6500 Kelvin
  • Gamma: 2,2
  • Illumination: approx. 120-160 cd/m² (also dependent of ambient light). 160cd/m² correspond to an illumination level of 500lx.

If you have a measurement device (spectral photometer) and the respective monitor calibration software, you can also follow the instructions in your software. If you don’t have those tools available (this is the case for most customers), we recommend using the contrast and brightness settings in the following document: https://www.piv-imaging.com/_files/ftp/texte/dqtool/DQ-Tool_Kontrast.jpg

Please open the image from the link above in any photo editing software or your Creator Software and maximise the screen. Your monitor allows you to change the settings of the colour temperature, contrast and brightness. Those settings are independent of your computer.

  • Adjust the colour temperature to 6000 – 6500 Kelvin
  • Maximize your contrast
  • Now decrease the brightness until the dark Q (left side of the image) is barely visible. Also the light Q (right side of the image) should barely be visible.

What colour Space do you use?

A colour space is a set of colours that can be displayed by an image giving media. Depending on your software settings and the hardware that you are using colour spaces can vary.

The colours used by most digital cameras are adjusted to the sRGB colour space, because this is the colour space that has established itself as the worldwide standard for screen display.

To meet the requirements of as many customers as possible, we base our automatic workflow on sRGB colours that are then converted to the outputting systems with the help of ICC profiles. For digital printing processes we convert the sRGB colours to the CMYK colour space shortly before printing.

All Creator Software versions 4.6.1 or newer allow for embedded RGB-ICC Profiles. Images in AdobeRGB, ECI-RGB or ProPhotoRGB colour space will be interpreted correctly in these software versions.

If you send us your images in any other colour space, we suggest you take the following steps to ensure the optimal colour results: Convert your images to sRGB (e.g. in Adobe Photoshop go to “Edit” and then “Convert to Profile”). Afterwards please integrate your images into the layout of your Boots Photo product.

Colours can vary even if a professional colour management is in place, because differences between the monitor colour space which is a luminous media and the output colour space which is a reflecting media can’t be avoided 100%. Other factors such as the light situation of the environment are also influencing the vision.

I open my project but it is blank

When a project saves on your computer, it is saved as 2 or 3 different files. If you have called the project ‘wedding’ for example, you should see the files shown below, which should all be saved in the same location.

  • wedding.mcf
  • wedding_mcf-Dateien
  • wedding.mcf~

If the project won’t open correctly then the most common cause is because at least one of the above 3 files have been moved and the 2 or 3 files are no longer all stored in the same place. You simply need to search the hard drive (C Drive) for MCF and find where every MCF file called ‘wedding’ is stored. If you find one that has been moved, you can copy and paste it back to the original folder so all 3 files are back in the same place.

To Search the Hard Drive on a Windows computer:

  1. Go to My Computer
  2. Double click on the C drive icon
  3. Click on the file that says USERS
  4. Then in the search tab in the top right type mcf
  5. Look for the folders relating to the missing project, in the example ‘wedding’, and write down where they are all stored
  6. If you can see one of the files in a different place to the others, right click on it, then copy
  7. Then go to where it should be saved with the others, then right click and paste it
  8. All 3 files should now be together
  9. Finally, to get the work back, double click on the file named ‘wedding.mcf’ and it will now load

Why am I getting an Error 500 / software cannot connect message?

Error code 5000 load balancing server error occurs because something on your system is blocking the connection to our server and is preventing you from sending the data to us.

Firstly, if you are on a work computer it may be that a Proxy has been put in place and you would need to speak with your IT team as they will know the code.

If this is your home computer it is more likely to be your antivirus package. Because you actually have to upload data to us, it is slightly different from ordering products from the Internet in the usual way and this type of connection is being blocked by your system as a potential security risk.

To enable your order to complete you will need to allow our program through your antivirus software by adding our program to the exceptions or trusted list. This is something that you will need to do on your system and if you are unsure how to do this we would suggest that you contact the company that provides your antivirus.

My MAC won’t let me download the software. It keeps saying I can only download from the App Store, what I should do?

Please follow the link below, this will walk you through on how to change the settings on your MAC so that you are able to download software that isn’t in the App Store: Link: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5290

Why can I not download the software?

If you cannot download the software we advise that you check you meet the necessary system requirements.

Please see information below:

Windows Requirements Operating System: Windows 7 or higher Processor: 1.4 Ghz Memory: 2GB RAM Available storage: Minimum 5 GB (recommended) Minimum Screen Resolution: 1280 x 1024

Mac Requirements Operating System: Version 10.10 or newer Processor: 1.4 Ghz Memory: 2GB RAM Available storage: Minimum 5 GB (recommended) Minimum Screen Resolution: 1280 x 1024

Please note – Not suitable for notebooks

Please also check if you have any popup blockers installed on your system as this can often prevent the software from being downloaded.

Please ensure you stay connected to the Internet for the whole download process as the software can download in parts and may need to reconnect.

Please also check your antivirus software and add trusted URL. Most firewall programs should either have the option to set an exception for trusted URLs (in this case http://orderport01.photoprintit.de ) or to allow the installer to communicate through the firewall.

What is AIC and how do this work?

Automatic Image Correction (AIC) is something that is applied to your order once you have uploaded it so you will see no visible change on the data prior to you uploading it. It is applied to your order during the print process.

The AIC will enhance colours within your images. We advise for any images that are edited externally that you deactivate this function. You can check whether Automatic Image Correction is turned on or off by right-clicking on your image. There will either be a green tick or red cross next to the Automatic Image Correction option on the popup menu (green for on, red for off).

If you are ordering via the website then the AIC is automatically applied to your images.

If you are ordering a Photographic paper CEWE PHOTOBOOK we recommend that you activate the AIC.

What do I do if I get an error message when placing the order via the software?

The software has a Debug activation tool built into it which records and logs actions taken. To run this report please follow the instructions below:

  • Please click on “options” and then “about”.
  • There will be a section called “support”, on this page you will need to click on the box that says “generate debug outputs for support”.
  • This will create a file name. Once you are happy with this press ok and it will start the debug.
  • Use the software as normal and when the error has been located the debug will record this.
  • Please save this debug file, along with a screen shot of the error code and attach them to an email and send to our customer support team.

Why does my text look pixelated in my order?

Text will appear pixelated on screen if it has been copied and pasted from any other external program or if the text has been converted to Jpeg. We advise all customers to enter the text from the software provided.

My images are saved in Picasa, can I use them to create my order?

Some customers experience issues where the pictures held in Picasa cannot be shown correctly in our software. We advise to export those pictures to a folder on your computer. Alternatively you can rewrite them in our Photo Show software or similar program. Afterwards the images can be used again.

I want to change the paper type, how do I do this?

When you have software open in front of you with the project open, on the right hand side above the “add to basket” button there will be a dark grey button with the breakdown of your CEWE PHOTOBOOK.

Select this and a pop up will appear, this will give you the option to change things like the cover type, paper type and the page number. Select the drop down on the paper type and select the new paper you wish to change to. In this section you will be able to change the page number, and cover type too.

How do I create a CEWE PHOTOBOOK?

To get started creating your CEWE PHOTOBOOK you would firstly need to download the software by clicking on the download button on our website. (If the download does not start then please check the top of the screen as it may have been blocked by your pop up blocker).

Once the software download is complete you can then click the shortcut icon on your desktop and the software will open. Please choose the type of CEWE PHOTOBOOK that you wish to create and you can now start the creation process.

The first thing that will load is the photo assistant. When using the software for the first time we would advise that you select the “Create without assistant” option, as this allows you to get used to the software.

Your images appear on the left hand side of the screen and you can drag them across to the page and drop it into the templates. To delete any image or template you can right click and select delete. To change your text on the cover please click on the text box and it will then become active so you can delete and redo your text. The text functions can be found in the text section of the tool bar in the top of the screen. Here you can also make changes to your font size and colour etc.

The software allows you to customize your layout so you can use our layouts that are found in the layout tab on the left hand side of the screen. We offer many types of layout and you will see there is a drop down menu to select how many images per page you would like and you can then scroll up and down to select your desired layout. When you have found the layout that you wish to use then you can drag it across to the page then switch back to the images tab to start adding your images.

If you wish to have just an image to fill the whole page you can select this as a background to ensure that it is sized to fit. To select an image as a background you need to right click on the image before dragging to the page and select the image as background option. You can select the image to appear as a background on the left, right or both pages.

Finally the templates available are a guide only, it is possible to click on a template and adjust it if you wish. When a template is active it will show a yellow line all around it and red boxes in each corner. You can adjust the size of your template by dragging from the corners with a left click of the mouse.

We hope that this information helps but should you have any further queries please feel free to contact us as we will be more than happy to help you.

How do I create a collage on a CEWE PHOTOBOOK

Simply hold the control key on your keyboard, highlight the images you’d like to create a collage with, then while still holding the control key, right click for options and select the collage option.

Can I remove the text box from the spine of my CEWE PHOTOBOOK?

You cannot remove the text box from the spine however if you leave this box blank then nothing will print on the spine. As a double measure you can click on the preview button located on the toolbar at the bottom of the screen and the preview will show you exactly how this will print.

What file type should I use?

You can use images saved in all established formats (BMP, JPEG, TIFF, PNG), however TIFF files with LZW-compression cannot be used.

We recommend saving your files as JPEGS to avoid complications.

Please use the RGB or sRGB colour format to ensure that the colours will remain as close to your digital photograph as possible. If your photographs are in the CMYK mode, please convert them to RGB.