Before an Album Proof: Reconcile Favorites, Filenames and Used Photos

A favorites list describes a selection request. A used-photo list describes what the designer has placed. They are different records, and both can change during a revision. Keep their version dates so a check does not compare a new request against an old draft by accident.

Start with native features

SmartAlbums documents importing gallery favorites. Fundy provides sorting and filtering, including unused images. Those features may already solve your single-album workflow. An extra worksheet is most plausible when separate recipients have different inclusion and exclusion rules.

Make the manual boundary visible

Export a used-photo list if your current tool supports it, or maintain a small manifest as you design. Record optional spread numbers to make exceptions easier to find. Do not assume a filename appears in an exported PDF simply because it exists in a source folder.

If collecting the manifest takes longer than checking the draft visually, this process may not be worthwhile. Measure that cost before introducing another app. Never claim an automated check has examined the actual album when it has only compared lists.

Recheck after the final edit

Preserve the reviewed selection, used-photo list and draft version together. Recheck required absences, excluded presences and duplicate IDs after moving or replacing images. Review crop, sequence, captions and print specifications separately in the design tool.

The planned AlbumSubset would package this comparison into a recipient coverage matrix. Its $19 one-time price is a hypothesis. The interest page collects feedback, not payment, and no album-checking product is currently available there.