Why Print Matters (Even in the Digital Age)
Your digital Life Book lives in LifeScribe's Family Vault where family can access it anytime. That's powerful. But there's something irreplaceable about holding a physical book in your hands.
Printed memoirs offer unique value:
- Tangible keepsakes — Physical books become family heirlooms passed down for generations
- Gifting opportunities — Give printed copies for Mother's Day, birthdays, holidays
- Accessibility for older family — Some grandparents prefer holding books over using tablets
- Emotional impact — There's gravitas to a printed memoir that digital can't fully replicate
- Backup redundancy — Physical copies survive tech obsolescence and platform changes
LifeScribe gives you the best of both worlds: digital access for convenience + print-ready PDFs for permanence.
How PDF Export Works
Complete Chapters
Finish creating and editing your memoir chapters in the LifeScribe app.
Choose Design
Select from professional book templates: Classic, Modern, Vintage, or Elegant.
Export PDF
Tap "Export as PDF Book" — LifeScribe generates a print-ready file in 2-3 minutes.
Print Locally
Upload PDF to FedEx Office, Staples, or local print shop. Order as many copies as you need.
PDF Book Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Page Size | 6" x 9" (standard memoir size) or 8.5" x 11" (letter size) |
| Resolution | 300 DPI (print-quality, not screen-quality) |
| Font | Georgia or Garamond (professional serif fonts for memoirs) |
| Margins | 1" all sides (print-safe zone) |
| Photos | Embedded at 300 DPI, full color |
| Cover | Custom cover with your title, author name, and optional photo |
| Table of Contents | Auto-generated with clickable chapter links (PDF only) |
| Page Numbers | Bottom center or outer corners (your choice) |
| File Size | Typically 5-20 MB (depending on photos) |
"I printed 15 copies of my Life Book for my 75th birthday party — one for each grandchild and my adult children. The quality was stunning. FedEx Office charged $32 per hardcover book. Seeing my grandkids flip through the pages, pointing at photos and asking questions about stories, was worth every penny."
Printing Options & Costs
Where to Print Your PDF
National Print Chains (Easy, Fast):
- FedEx Office: Hardcover $30-45, softcover $20-30, 2-3 day turnaround
- Staples Print & Marketing: Similar pricing, often run promotions
- UPS Store: Slightly more expensive but very accessible
Online Print Services (Better Quality, Slower):
- Blurb.com: Premium hardcover $40-60, beautiful quality, 7-10 days
- Lulu.com: Budget-friendly, softcover $15-25, 5-7 days
- Amazon KDP Print: Free to upload, print-on-demand, $8-15 per copy
Local Print Shops (Support Local):
- Google "book printing near me"
- Often comparable pricing to chains
- Personalized service, can handle custom requests
Printing Cost Breakdown (Typical)
| Binding Type | Page Count | Cost Per Copy |
|---|---|---|
| Softcover (perfect bound) | 100-200 pages | $15-25 |
| Hardcover (casebond) | 100-200 pages | $30-45 |
| Spiral/Coil bound | 100-200 pages | $20-30 |
| Premium hardcover (dust jacket) | 100-200 pages | $50-75 |
Bulk discounts: Most print shops offer 10-20% off when ordering 10+ copies. Perfect for large families.
Create Your Memoir, Print Your Legacy
Start with 3 free digital chapters. When you're ready to print, export a professional PDF in minutes.
Start Your Free ChaptersKey Features of LifeScribe PDF Export
Professional Formatting
Auto-formatted for print: proper margins, headers, footers, page numbers, table of contents. Looks like a professionally published memoir.
Custom Cover Design
Choose from 8+ cover templates or upload your own design. Include your title, author name, and a meaningful photo.
High-Resolution Photos
Photos export at 300 DPI print quality. Colors are vibrant, details are sharp. No pixelation or blurriness.
Unlimited Exports
Export your PDF as many times as you want. Update chapters, re-export, print new versions. No per-export fees.
Partial or Complete Exports
Export your entire Life Book OR select specific chapters for themed books (e.g., "Career Stories" or "Childhood Memories").
Print Shop Ready
PDFs are formatted exactly to print shop specifications. Just upload and order — no reformatting needed.
Creative Ways to Use Printed Memoirs
1. Family Reunion Gifts
Print copies of grandparents' memoirs for everyone attending the reunion. Creates shared family history and conversation starters.
2. Milestone Birthday Presents
For your 70th/75th/80th birthday, give printed copies of YOUR memoir to family as gifts. "Here's my life story — enjoy!"
3. Holiday Keepsakes
Print updated versions annually and give as Christmas/Hanukkah gifts. "Here's Chapters 1-20 from this year's memoir project."
4. Library Donations
Local libraries often accept memoir donations for local history collections. Your story becomes part of community archives.
5. School Show-and-Tell
Grandkids bring printed memoirs to school for family history projects. Teachers love authentic primary sources.
6. Legacy Boxes
Create legacy boxes for each grandchild containing: printed memoir, family photos, heirloom item, handwritten letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start Your Digital Memoir, Print Your Legacy
The beauty of LifeScribe is flexibility: create once, share everywhere.
Your memoir journey:
- Record voice memories using your smartphone
- AI transforms recordings into written chapters
- Share digitally via Family Vault (family reads on phones/tablets)
- Export professional PDF anytime
- Print copies at local shop for $20-40 each
- Give printed books as gifts or keep as family heirlooms
Try it free for 3 chapters. Experience how easy it is to create memoir-quality content. Then print your legacy.