At SEKISEIKOHSAN, we manufacture albums for collecting photos taken with instant cameras like Instax, Polaroid, and trading cards. We can also produce custom-made albums for sizes other than standard instant photos or general cards, including creating albums from scratch for unique sizes. If you are considering entering the instant photo album or collection album markets, or if you’re thinking of creating novelty items for private parties, this interview article may help.
Instant photo albums preserve not only photos but also the feelings from the moment they were taken.
Taking pictures with instant cameras like Instax and Polaroid has become popular worldwide. People use them in various ways, such as documenting their original recipes and creating an album, or creating fashion diaries by capturing their daily outfits.
Matsukura: “Yes, I frequently hear about how instant cameras are popular around the world.
In Japan, they are often used to compile albums of photos taken during wedding parties. At SEKISEIKOHSAN, we create albums specifically for storing photos taken with instant photos, as well as trading and collection cards.”
Yoshida: “Unlike taking photos with a smartphone or digital camera, the appeal of instant cameras is the experience of being able to see the photo right away. The real-time aspect of sharing of these photos with everyone present enhances the memories. I think this is why they are so popular—it amplifies the moment, creating a kind of ‘memory enhancement.’ Our instant photo albums allow people to gather those memories into a single book.”
Matsukura: “Additionally, in Japan, we have what is known as ‘oshi culture’ (favorite), where fans of musicians, artists, YouTubers, or voice actors often use instant cameras at fan meetings. The compatibility between ‘oshi activities’ and instant cameras in the entertainment sector is excellent.”
Yoshida: “SEKISEIKOHSAN, has had extensive dealings with entertainment promotion companies, including those related to idols, voice actors, games, anime, sports, music, and fashion. With this background, we have considerable experience in creating albums related to intellectual property (IP). We have also produced albums featuring large character prints on the cover. As someone who loves manga and anime,, I understand how the people who use our albums feel. I believe this firsthand experience of knowing how our users feel contributes to the quality of the albums we create.
Matsukura: “Our photo albums can also be used to store trading cards and game cards, not just photos. They are often used as business card holders as well. Personally, I enjoy collecting shop cards, so I use one of our albums for that purpose. ”
The album sizes come in different variations. We also cater to custom-made orders from scratch.
Yoshida: “We primarily offer three types of album pages: the ‘Slip-in Type,’ where you insert items into pockets; the ‘Self-adhesive Type,’ where you can freely stick items to adhesive-backed pages and cover them with film; and the ‘Dry Mount Type,’ where you attach items to thick pages like in a notebook. You can choose from different paper thicknesses, qualities, and colors for each type.”
Matsukura: “The pocket sizes for the Slip-in Type range from 5×7 inches (13×18 cm) to 11×14 inches (28×35 cm), and we can also customize pocket sizes with additional costs.”
Yoshida: “We offer various cover options, such as matte finishes, PP coatings, foil stamping, and fabric covers—most standard printing techniques can be applied.”
Matsukura: “Having seen albums from many countries, I’ve noticed that albums common in Japan are surprisingly often unavailable elsewhere. Some countries only have two-hole or 36-hole ring binders, and the only sizes available may be A4 or slightly larger. In many places, albums for storing cards aren’t even sold. We offer a wide variety of album sizes and paper types, which is a testament to the advanced techniques and materials available here. If anyone has a specific album design in mind, I encourage them to consult with us freely.”
It would be wonderful if, upon holding one of our albums, people notice the details and say ‘This is truly Japanese quality.’
The albums produced by SEKISEIKOHSAN demonstrate a strong commitment to quality.
Matsukura: “We are indeed very particular about quality. Some of our products are handmade by artisans, while others are machine-made. With the handmade ones, I believe you can sense the skill of Japanese craftsmen.”
Yoshida: “As for the machine-made items, we carefully inspect each detail and discard any products that don’t meet our standards. We adhere to JIS standards, which are strict not only about appearance but also about durability over time, such as tensile strength and colorfastness.”
Matsukura: “We also focus on usability, paying attention to even the smallest details. For example, in our pocket-type pages, if the pocket openings are all aligned at the top, it can be hard to locate them. To address this, we design the openings 5 mm lower, making it easier to insert photos and cards.”
Yoshida: “We are also meticulous about packaging for overseas shipping. For instance, when shipping within Japan, we might pack 20 albums in a single box, but for international shipments, we divide them into two inner boxes with 10 albums each. We use thicker cardboard for boxes marked A to F, ensuring careful packaging.”
We ship High-quality pocket albums all over the world.
Matsukura: “Since SEKISEIKOHSAN, is a Japanese company, some people overseas may worry about language barriers. However, we have experience studying abroad and regularly communicate in English with overseas factories and at international exhibitions, so there’s no need to worry.”
Yoshida: “The production process typically involves creating a sample based on the desired album specifications. Once the sample is ready, we send it for review, and if there are any requests for changes, we make adjustments. This process usually takes one or two iterations before moving to full-scale production.”
Matsukura: “If you are looking to create a high-quality, Japan-made pocket album or an original album that doesn’t exist anywhere else, feel free to contact us. Let’s work together to make that dream come true!”
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