The two kinds of personalised book
Printed & posted services — such as Wonderbly and Hooray Heroes — make physical, printed books. You personalise details like the child's name and appearance, then the book is manufactured and shipped to your address. The result is a keepsake hardcover, but it costs more, and you wait for delivery.
Digital & AI-personalised — such as StoryMate — creates the book instantly from a photo. Your child becomes a consistent illustrated character across every page, the story can be narrated aloud, and it's ready to read in about a minute. You can read it in the app online or offline, download a print-ready PDF, and print it yourself if you want a physical copy.
Prices, formats and delivery times for other services change often — always check each provider's own website for their current details. The comparison below focuses on the category differences that don't change.
Digital vs printed — at a glance
| What matters | StoryMate (digital & AI) | Printed & posted services |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery | Instant — ready in about a minute | Printed and shipped; arrives in days |
| Personalisation | From a photo — a consistent illustrated character of your child on every page | Usually name + selectable features (hair, skin tone, etc.) |
| Narration / read-aloud | Yes — warm narration, HD audio on Storyteller | Not typically (physical book) |
| Entry price | Free to start; a full book from A$6.99 (gem pack) | Generally a higher per-book price plus shipping |
| Formats | Read in-app (online/offline), print-ready PDF, private share link | Physical hardcover/softcover |
| Where it's made | Australian-made (Konsep Media, NSW) | Varies by provider |
| Privacy | Photo deleted after the character is made; private by default; no data selling | Varies — check each provider's policy |
Which should you choose?
- Choose a printed & posted book if you specifically want a physical hardcover as a keepsake and don't mind a higher price and waiting for delivery.
- Choose StoryMate if you want it tonight, want your child narrated as the star from a real photo, want to try it free, and like the option to read on any device or print it yourself.
Why families pick StoryMate
A finished, illustrated book in about a minute — even at 11pm before a birthday.
Your child, illustrated from a photo, consistent on every page — not just a name swap.
16 gems free to begin; a full book from a A$6.99 pack. No subscription needed.
The photo is deleted after the character is made. Private by default. No ads, no data selling.
See how StoryMate works, browse the 10 story themes, or check pricing.