A Background Spread lets you use a single photo as the background across two facing pages, creating a beautiful panoramic effect. It's a great option for landscapes, scenic views, or any photo you'd like to showcase across an entire spread.

Create a Background Spread:

1. Open your project in the Picaboo editor.
2. In the Media Tray, locate the photo you'd like to use.
3. Drag the photo onto either page of the spread.
4. Release the photo to display the placement options.
5. Select Background Spread.

Your photo will automatically be applied as the background across both pages.

Depending on your photo's dimensions, the top and bottom of the image may be cropped to fit the spread. If needed, you can reposition the image up or down to display the area you'd like to highlight.

Background Spread vs. Two-Page Photo

Picaboo also offers a Two-Page Photo option, which creates a different effect.

• Background Spread fills the entire background of both pages with your photo.
• Two-Page Photo places your photo across both pages without filling the background, allowing you to resize and reposition the image anywhere on the spread.

Choose the option that best matches the look you're trying to create.

Best Results

For the best-looking spreads:

• Use high-resolution photos whenever possible.
• Avoid placing important details, such as faces, text, or other key elements, directly in the center where the two pages meet.
• Keep important parts of your image inside the safe area to help prevent trimming during printing.

Important for Classic Photobooks

Background Spreads are designed to work best with Layflat book styles.

If you're creating a Classic Photobook, be sure to select the Lay Flat Pages option during checkout if you want to use a Background Spread. Standard pages have a center gutter that can hide part of your image, so important details placed in the middle of the spread may not be visible.

Even with Lay Flat Pages, there will be a small gap where the pages meet, so we recommend keeping faces and other important details slightly away from the center of the spread for the best printed result.

Need Help? 

If you have any questions or need assistance with your account, please feel free to contact our Support team at support@picaboo.com.