FAQs
We’ve put together a list of our most frequently asked questions below to help answer any concerns you may have. If you’re query isn’t listed below, feel free to contact me directly.
INICIO ALBUMS
The Inicio Album with Beginning & End Photo Inlays is available with either a black or white leather-look cover. Both options feature silver-backed photo inlays and a silver plaque. You can also choose to have your child’s name foiled in silver on the front cover.
The Inicio Album with Printed Cover is available in eight designs for younger and older children, including two designs suitable for any age. You can also ask us to create a personalised cover featuring your child’s school image, traditional colours and crest. This option is subject to the school’s permission, but schools are generally happy to work with us to create a beautiful cover for their students.
The Inicio Album is available in one generous size: 40 × 28 cm - that allows school class photos, certificates and other special memories to fit easily on the pages. When empty, each album is approximately 4 cm deep.
The accompanying storage box measures 46 × 33 × 10 cm and includes an insert holding a complimentary permanent marker and double-sided tape.
Each Inicio Album comes fully assembled with 14 sleeves and 14 pages—enough to capture the school years while keeping the completed album to a manageable size. Additional sleeves and pages can be ordered if needed.
Pre-printed sleeves feature a quote and a small, slightly quirky image on the front, with reflection prompts on the back. Girl and boy versions are available. The images are designed to complement the quotes in a humorous way, but they are small enough to cover with a photograph of your child if you prefer.
Albums should be kept out of direct sunlight. Albums can be wiped clean if required as they are all laminated. I actually store my children’s albums in their box, but this is not necessary.
Each album comes assembled with 14 pockets and 14 display pages. Reach out to me if you require additional sleeves or pages.
Labels, Quotes & Memory Prompts is an optional reflection pack sold separately from the Inicio Album.
Our Money Stories & Choices book is another optional resource, with yearly reflections throughout childhood to help children understand money and the choices they make about it. Over time, we will add reflection packs exploring additional topics.
Money Stories & Choices is an optional reflection pack sold separately from the Inicio Album.
Money Stories & Choices book includes yearly reflections throughout childhood to help children understand money and the choices they make around it. In addition to reflections, 30 concepts required to understand money are explained to parents and illustrated to children through short stories. The reflections follow each story and can be cut out and added to the Inicio Album each year. Over time, we will add reflection packs exploring additional topics.
Foiling is a commercial printing process that applies a silver foil on to the cover to write your child's name. This foiling comes in one of two fonts and the name can also have a silver border around it if you would like. You can always request a different font. We have selected two fonts for you to choose from - Coronet Bold and Garamond.
Our post-screw albums have been especially designed that way so that you can unscrew the post-screws to remove or add sleeves and pages. Rather than buying signature bears or children writing farewell messages over good uniforms, encourage them to take a signature sleeve to school and have their friends write on the back or alternatively, keep any notes or farewell messages in the sleeve itself.
Each Inicio Album comes with 14 sleeves and 14 pages for displaying school or sporting photographs, certificates and other special memories. This allows for the 12–13 years from Prep through to the end of school across different school systems, with one flexible sleeve for the early years or another stage you wish to include.
Our signature pocket can collect signatures and farewell messages from friends on the final day of school.
Because the Labels, Quotes & Memory Prompts begin at age one, you can combine several of the younger years in one sleeve or order additional sleeves if you would prefer to give each year its own space.
Our Pre-printed Sleeves come with a set of school year labels that cover all school systems (internationally). Our proprietary Labels, Quotes and Memory Prompts provide a range of labels covering all of the various terminology for the early years, primary/elementary years of education and middle/secondary or high school years.
We also provide labels for different ages or you could write or create your own labels to suit your individual preferences.
The albums all come with complimentary double-sided sticky tape and a permanent marking pen. It is important to use the permanent marking pen, as the sleeves and pages for displaying items that come assembled in your album are plastic-coated. This enhances their longevity and strength, so your album is a lifelong keepsake.
If you happen to make a mistake, use a little methylated spirits to gently rub-off the error and start again. If needed, you can always order a replacement sleeve.
The Inicio Album has been designed so that you do not need to incur any additional expense. However, I so suggest other products or services that may be of interest to you. For example, for cutting images to a certain size, I find a “Cutterpede” - a ruled base and cutter slide to cut photos and paper evenly and quickly very handy. Services I recommend and sometimes arrange are foiling or engraving of names, design and printing of pages to place in your album, assistance with writing your story and even Mindset Coaching to support children with decision-making and reaching their potential. Separate details are provided in subsequent FAQs.
ORDERS & SHIPPING
No. You do not need to create an account or subscribe to make a purchase. Your contact and delivery details are only required when you order an album.
If you are still deciding or would simply like to stay connected, you can subscribe to the newsletter for occasional news from Your Story by, including new blog posts, album ideas, helpful resources and product updates.
No. Your album comes fully assembled, ready for you to add your own photographs and special memories over time.
Digital images are only needed if you ask me to create personalised printed pages or a bespoke cover for your child or family. If you are interested in either service, please email me at joanne@yourstoryby.com.au. I can then arrange for you to provide the photographs and text you would like to use. We can also have an online chat to discuss what you would like to create.
The Inicio Album is available in one generous size: 40 × 28 cm - that allows school class photos, certificates and other special memories to fit easily on the pages. When empty, each album is approximately 4 cm deep.
The accompanying storage box measures 46 × 33 × 10 cm and includes an insert holding a complimentary permanent marker and double-sided tape.
Each album comes assembled with 14 pockets and 14 display pages. Reach out to me if you require additional sleeves or pages.
The pre-printed sleeves come with reflection prompts printed on the back of each sleeve. The White Sleeve with the Bronze border and the Black Sleeve with the Bronze border are blank sleeves. For reflecting on different topics, it is necessary to buy the prompts/guides/book.
Labels, Quotes & Memory Prompts is an optional reflection pack sold separately from the Inicio Album.
Our Money Stories & Choices book is another optional resource, with yearly reflections throughout childhood to help children understand money and the choices they make about it. Over time, we will add reflection packs exploring additional topics.
Yes. I can create a customised album cover based on your preferred design. I also offer a printed-page service: you can send me your chosen images and text, or we can meet online to discuss what you would like to create. You can then order new pages from time to time, gradually adding to your album as your story grows.
Your Story by Inicio Albums uses Aramex (formerly Fastway) or Australia Post to deliver albums within Australia and internationally. Each delivery is registered and able to be tracked.
The albums all come with complimentary double-sided sticky tape and a permanent marking pen. It is important to use the permanent marking pen, as the sleeves and pages for displaying items that come assembled in your album are plastic-coated. This enhances their longevity and strength, so your album is a lifelong keepsake.
If you happen to make a mistake, use a little methylated spirits to gently rub-off the error and start again. If needed, you can always order a replacement sleeve.
The Inicio Album has been designed so that you do not need to incur any additional expense. However, I so suggest other products or services that may be of interest to you. For example, for cutting images to a certain size, I find a “Cutterpede” - a ruled base and cutter slide to cut photos and paper evenly and quickly very handy. Services I recommend and sometimes arrange are foiling or engraving of names, design and printing of pages to place in your album, assistance with writing your story and even Mindset Coaching to support children with decision-making and reaching their potential. Separate details are provided in subsequent FAQs.
This will depend on the type of album you purchase and whether we have it in stock. Because each cover is handmade, we need to allow at least two weeks for covers to be made. For albums in stock, delivery is usually within 7-10 days. If we are customising an album for a school, this involves quite a few steps from design through to printing and handmaking the covers. Generally allow two months for all of the steps. If we have printed covers and only require handmaking of the covers, then allow a few weeks for delivery.
We deliver both nationally and internationally with Aramex, who also provide tracking services and insurances. National deliveries typically take 2-3 business days. International deliveries can take an an additional 3-4 days. Delivery costs depend on the delivery address, which is calculated within our shopping cart.
Your Story by Inicio Albums can deliver albums anywhere within Australia and internationally. We use Aramex's delivery services, with tracking and insurances covered.
Payment can be made by direct bank transfer, PayID or PayPal.
Australian and international bank-transfer details will be provided with your invoice or order confirmation. The PayID is the ACN of Inicio Albums Pty Ltd.
If you have any questions, please email me at joanne@yourstoryby.com.au.
We accept payment by direct bank transfer, PayID or PayPal.
Yes. Although paying in full when you order is the simplest option, I understand that paying by instalments may be more manageable.
I can begin processing your order with a 33% deposit, with the balance paid in two further instalments. I will email you when your album is complete so that the final payment can be made before dispatch.
Payment plans are best arranged by direct bank transfer or card payment. Please email me at joanne@yourstoryby.com.au if you would like to use this option.
If you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase, Inicio Albums will refund the full cost of your album within 28 days of you receiving your purchase.
OTHER SERVICES
We can arrange to have your plaque engraved as an optional extra. Alternatively, you can have it engraved at a local jeweller or key cutting businesses who usually provide engraving services.
Yes. I can create a customised album cover based on your preferred design. I also offer a printed-page service: you can send me your chosen images and text, or we can meet online to discuss what you would like to create. You can then order new pages from time to time, gradually adding to your album as your story grows.
If you have thousands of photos stored across multiple devices, I recommend exploring the services offered by The Memory Curator. Alison can help you bring your photos together into one organised master collection that is stored locally, securely backed up and cleared of duplicates.
Her three-week course, delivered in one-hour weekly sessions, introduces suitable photo-organising software and guides you through creating an inventory of your collection. No prior technical knowledge is required.
Yes. There are three related services that may interest you.
If you would like help writing your story, I recommend the four-week course offered by Unearthed Pages. Founded by Linh Truong—author of the quote featured on my home page—and Mark Johnson, Unearthed Pages creates small, supportive communities where people can explore and develop their writing.
If you need help designing additional printed pages or personalising your album, I can connect you with one of three graphic designers. Please email me at joanne@yourstoryby.com.au to discuss what you have in mind.
Finally, I recommend Dakota Patterson at The Mindset Coach, who provides mindset coaching for both children and adults.