Frequently Asked Questions
Answers with care — from your first preview to the printed book, from credits to privacy.
An overview of TaleLoft
What is TaleLoft?
TaleLoft turns your child’s photo and details into a unique, illustrated picture book where they’re the main character. The story, illustrations, and the read-aloud version are created fresh for that one book. You can read it online, share it, and order a printed copy.
How does my book get created?
During a short conversation, you answer a few questions: upload a photo, confirm your child’s name and age, choose an illustration style and character, and then select the story’s topic and message. From this information, we first create a preview with the first finished pages. If you like it, you unlock the full book.
What makes TaleLoft different from other personalized books?
Many offers simply insert a name into a pre-made story. With TaleLoft, the story and illustrations are created for your child: the character is based on the uploaded photo, their personality and favorite topics are woven into the plot, and the language is adapted to their age.
What ages are the books for?
From early storytime age through the teen years. You tell us your child’s age, and we adjust word choice, sentence length, and the amount of text accordingly — short sentences for the little ones, more advanced language for older children. The content is also kept age-appropriate.
Do I need an account?
To save your book, create the preview, and for everything else, you’ll need a free account. That way, you can find your books again later on any device, and your credits stay available.
What does it cost to get started?
Registration is free, and you’ll also get starting credits. With them, you can create several previews and try out TaleLoft—each preview uses Credits from your balance. To get the full book, you’ll need additional credits. You can find the current values under “Credits & Prices.”
On which devices does TaleLoft work?
TaleLoft runs in your browser on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and computers — you don’t need to install anything. On smaller screens, the reader shows individual pages; on larger screens, it shows the two-page spread like in a printed book. There’s no dedicated app yet.
Your child as the hero — photo & personalization
Which photo works best?
A bright photo works best, where your child is facing the camera and their face is clearly recognizable. Sunglasses, strong shadows, motion blur, or a subject that’s very far away make recognition harder. Very large files are automatically resized for you.
Which file formats can I upload?
All common image formats, including photos directly from your iPhone. You can see exactly which file extensions are supported in the list under this answer. If your photo is in a different format, open it once in your device’s Photos app and save it again.
Can I do it without a photo?
Yes. You can skip that step and describe your child instead — hair color, eye color, and anything else that matters to you. The book will then be created just the same, only without using a photo as a reference.
What happens with a photo that has multiple people?
TaleLoft recognizes that there are multiple people in the picture and asks you who it should be about. You select the correct person; everyone else is ignored. A crop isn’t necessary.
Can siblings appear together in the book?
Yes. After the first hero, you can add more children and specify how they relate to each other. They’ll all appear together in the story. You can also choose supporting characters, like a mentor or a mentor figure.
Can our pet be part of it too?
Yes. You can include a pet as its own character, with a photo or description, and give it a personality. It will accompany your child throughout the story.
How similar does the character look to my child?
TaleLoft creates a drawn character from the photo that stays consistent throughout the whole book — hair, eyes, skin tone, and the overall impression are based on the original. It’s intentionally an illustration in the chosen style, not a photorealistic portrait. If you don’t feel it matches well enough, you can make adjustments.
The look isn’t right — what can I do?
Before the images are created, TaleLoft shows you the recognized features for confirmation. There, you simply tell us what’s different—for example, “the hair is darker and shorter”—and the description will be adjusted. If the images are already finished, you can request re-generating individual illustrations.
Can I choose the character’s clothing?
Yes. You can use the clothing from the photo or choose an outfit that fits the story. It will stay consistent throughout the whole book.
How does my child’s character make it into the book?
You choose traits like brave, curious, or helpful. These traits determine how the character behaves in the story and how they complete their task — not just how they look.
Can I reuse a hero from another book?
Yes. Saved heroes can be found in your account, and you can select them again for a new book without having to enter the photo and details again. You can also change the name, age, and personality there later.
May I use a photo of another child?
Only with the consent of the parents or guardians. So if you want to give a book as a gift, make sure the photo is approved beforehand. What you confirm when you upload is listed in the Terms of Use.
Story, styles & themes
How much influence do I have over the story?
You decide what happens in the story: first, what your child would rather not read, then the topic, motif, and the message at the end—plus an optional companion character. After that, you’ll get several suggestions to choose from before the book is written.
Can I share my own story idea?
Yes. For the topic, motif, and message, you can write freely instead of choosing from a list—such as the first day of school, moving to a new home, or a vacation by the sea. TaleLoft then builds the plot from that.
What happens if I use a fairy tale as a template?
Instead of your own idea, you can choose a well-known fairy tale. Then the story is told in a way that lets your child take the main role. Which fairy tales are available depends on the language you’ve set.
What illustration styles are there?
You choose the style before generation, and it applies to the entire book. You can see which styles are currently available in the list under this answer.
Can I exclude topics that might scare my child?
Yes—and we even ask first. You can deselect common triggers like monsters, darkness, getting lost, or loud noises, and you can also freely write what you want to avoid. Regardless, we always keep the content age-appropriate.
How long is a book?
Each illustration fills an entire spread—just like in the Reader on large screens, as well as in the printed book. That’s why the printed copy has about twice as many book pages as there are illustrations. On top of that, there are the cover image, opening pages, and the back cover. You can see how many illustrations a complete book includes in the overview under “Credits & Prices”. If there are several story lengths to choose from, you decide together with us in conversation which one your book will get.
Can I add a personal dedication?
Yes. Before generation, you can write a dedication that will appear in the book—lovely for birthdays or as a gift from grandparents. You can also skip this step.
Is every book unique?
Yes. There are no ready-made templates where you just insert a name: text and illustrations are created fresh for every book. So even with the same details, you won’t get the exact same book twice.
Are the text and pictures really child-friendly?
Your child’s age determines the vocabulary, sentence length, and amount of text, and the content follows age-based rules—violence, horror, and romance are excluded for children. In addition, the AI services used check the generated content. And right at the end, you decide: if you don’t like something, you can change it or have it generated again.
Can I create a sequel to a book?
There isn’t a real sequel that directly continues the old story yet. But you can reuse the same hero and have a new adventure created—the character will look the same again.
Languages & translations
In which languages is TaleLoft available?
The interface and books are available in many European languages. You can see which ones are available in the language menu at any time.
In what language will my story be written?
In the language that’s set when you create it. So switch to the language you want before you start. A story that’s already finished can’t be transferred to a different language on its own.
In what language will it be read aloud?
The read-aloud version is created in the same language as the story. So if you create the book in Turkish, it will also be read aloud in Turkish.
How do I change the language of the interface?
Through the language menu. If you’re signed in, TaleLoft remembers your language for all devices; without an account, it applies to the current browser. Books you’ve already created stay in their original language.
Creation, preview & unlocking
What happens while my book is being created?
Your book is created in several steps: first, the photo becomes a book character of your child; then TaleLoft writes the story and splits it into pages. Next, the cover and back cover are created. After that, each page is illustrated, and finally the read-aloud version is generated. You can see which step TaleLoft is working on live in the progress display.
How long does it take for my book to be finished?
The preview is ready much faster than the complete book because only the beginning of the story is illustrated for it. We intentionally don’t give a fixed time: the duration depends on the length, style, and current demand. You don’t have to wait—TaleLoft will let you know as soon as something is finished.
What will I see in the preview?
The preview shows you the cover and the beginning of the story with finished illustrations. The other pages are only hinted at and remain blurred. This way, you can check similarity, style, and tone before you decide on the full book.
How do I unlock the full book?
If you like the preview, you unlock the full book with credits. TaleLoft then illustrates all the remaining pages and generates the read-aloud version. Once the book is finished, we credit back the credits for the preview—so you don’t pay for it twice.
Can I leave the page while it’s being created?
Yes. The creation continues on our servers even if you close the tab, switch devices, or go offline. After that, your book will be waiting for you in the dashboard, and you’ll get a notification once it’s ready.
Will I be notified when my book is finished?
Yes, in two ways: as a browser notification if you allow it when you start creating, and by email—once when the preview is ready, and once when the full book is finished. Which emails you want to receive is set in your profile; messages about orders and your account are always sent to you.
Why is my book in a queue?
We intentionally generate only a limited number of books at the same time so that the text and illustrations are produced with consistent quality. If it’s busy right now, you’ll see your position in the queue. Your book starts automatically as soon as a spot becomes available—you don’t have to do anything and you don’t need to reload.
Can I create multiple books at the same time?
Yes. Each book has its own progress, and in the dashboard you can see for each one where it stands. If multiple are running at the same time, they’re processed one after the other.
Credits & prices
What are credits and what do I need them for?
Credits are the balance you use to pay in TaleLoft: for the preview, for unlocking the full book, for a newly generated image, and for a printed copy. You buy them in fixed steps and then use them whenever you want. You can find the current values in the overview under these questions.
How much does a book cost me in euros?
You pay for TaleLoft with credits, so we don’t name a fixed euro amount for creating your book. But you can calculate it anytime yourself: In the overview under these questions, you’ll find the purchase price per credit and the minimum amount. Next to that, you’ll see how many credits a preview, a full book, and a printed copy cost. If you buy a larger credit balance, you’ll get bonus credits too—and the average price per credit goes down. What you actually pay is always shown before you pay.
Do my credits expire?
No. Purchased credits remain valid—there’s no expiration date and no monthly forfeiture. So you can collect them and redeem them later.
Where can I see my balance?
Your balance is shown at the top of the header—both during book creation and in the dashboard. Clicking it opens the credits overview with your purchases and usage.
Is there a subscription?
No, TaleLoft doesn’t have a subscription. You buy credits once, with no term, no cancellation period, and no monthly payment. You can see which packages are available on the pricing page.
Do I get credits without paying?
Yes. If you register with your email address, you’ll receive starting credits that let you try out TaleLoft. If you come via a shared book link from another family, there’s also a referral bonus, and for a fully finished book we’ll credit you credits as well. The exact values are listed in the overview under these questions.
How can I pay?
Payments are processed through our payment provider Stripe. Depending on your device and country, credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are available; the payment page shows you which methods you can use. You can enter a voucher or discount code directly there.
Will I receive an invoice?
Yes. An invoice is created for every purchase; you can find the link in the dashboard under your orders. If you need an invoice for a company or something isn’t right, write to us at hi@taleloft.ai.
Reading & listening
How do I read my finished book?
You open it in your browser and flip through it like a real book—with clicks, swipes, or the arrow keys. On large screens, you’ll see the double-page spread; on a smartphone, you’ll see individual pages. Your book stays in your account and is available anytime.
Will my book be read aloud?
Yes. Every finished book includes a read-aloud version. In the reader, you start the narration page by page, and you can pause and continue. It’s especially handy if your child isn’t reading yet or if you want them to listen in the evening.
Can I choose the voice?
No, the voice is selected automatically to match the story and can’t be set manually at the moment. If you have a specific type of voice in mind, write to us at hi@taleloft.ai—we use this kind of feedback in our planning.
Does read-aloud cost extra?
No. The read-aloud version is included with the full book and doesn’t cost any additional credits—even if you listen to it again and again.
Can I read my book offline?
For reading and listening, you currently need an internet connection because images and audio are loaded from our servers. If you want to hold the book independently of that, the printed copy is the right option.
Can I download my book as a file?
At the moment, we don’t offer downloads as PDF or e-books. Your book remains available in your account permanently, and you can share it via a link and order a printed copy.
Edit & correct your book
Can I change the text on a page?
Yes. In the dashboard, open your book for editing and you can adjust the text on each page—fixing typos, changing a nickname, or choosing a wording you prefer. Text changes don’t cost any credits.
Can I have an illustration generated again?
Yes. When editing, select the page and briefly say what doesn’t fit. TaleLoft then generates a new image for it. The first five regenerations per book are free. After that you pay with your credits and can regenerate pages as often as you like. The previous version remains. Check “Credits & prices” for the cost of regenerations.
Can I change the cover?
You can have the cover generated again, just like a page. The title font, color, and position are fixed so the book matches neatly as a printed copy.
How many times can I have images regenerated?
The first regenerations on each book are free, including the cover. The exact number is listed under “Credits & prices”. Once that allowance is used up, you can still generate new images — then with credits, with no further cap, as long as you have credit.
Can I go back to an earlier version?
Yes. For every page and the cover image, we keep the generated versions, and you can switch between them. So trying again isn’t a risk—the old image stays available.
Can I influence where the text appears on the page?
Yes. You can place the text block in a different corner of the page and switch between light and dark text if the background requires it. The font and layout itself are predetermined.
Can I reorder, delete, or add pages?
No. The order and number of pages are set once the story is written, so the plot and the images match. You can change the text, the text position, and the illustrations.
What happens to the read-aloud if I change the text?
The old recording for that page is discarded and regenerated the next time you play it with your updated text. So it may take a moment before the page is read aloud again. This doesn’t cost any extra credits.
What happens to previews I haven’t unlocked?
They stay in your dashboard, and you can unlock them anytime later—the story and the images that have already been generated won’t be lost.
Printing, ordering & shipping
How do I order a printed book?
Once your book is fully unlocked, in the reader you choose the print option, select a variant, enter the delivery address, and pay with credits. After that, the book goes into production, and you can track the status in your dashboard.
What are the requirements for printing?
The book must be fully unlocked—previews can’t be printed. You also need a delivery address. Before ordering, it’s best to check all pages, because after printing, changes are no longer possible.
Is shipping included in the price?
No. The print variant price covers production only; shipping is extra. You’ll see the exact amount when you order. Where we can deliver is shown when you enter the address.
Where can I see where my order is?
In your dashboard under »Orders«. For each order, you’ll see whether the payment has been received, whether it’s in production or on the way, and when it was delivered.
Do I get tracking for the shipment?
Yes. As soon as your book leaves the house, you’ll receive an email with the tracking number; it’s also available in the order details in your dashboard and takes you directly to tracking with the shipping provider.
Can I cancel a print order?
Because every book is made individually for your child, there’s no right of withdrawal for print orders. That’s why you should review your book carefully before ordering. The details are in the Cancellation policy; if anything with the delivery isn’t right, contact us at hi@taleloft.ai.
Sharing & gifting
How do I share a book with family and friends?
In your dashboard, you create a link to your book and send it—for example, to grandparents. Anyone with the link can read the book without signing up.
What does someone see when they open the link?
The book with the cover image and all pages, and the read-aloud version can also be played. You can’t download it. If you share a book that only exists as a preview, then only the preview pages are visible.
Can I disable a shared link again?
Yes, anytime. In your dashboard, you can revoke access—after that, the link won’t work anymore, even for people who already have it. Later, you can generate a new link.
How protected is a shared link?
The link contains a long, random string of characters and can’t be guessed; search engines don’t include shared books in their index. However, it’s intentionally password-free so grandparents can open it easily—so anyone who receives it can read the book. That’s why you can end sharing at any time.
Are there credits if I recommend TaleLoft?
If someone comes to TaleLoft through your shared book link and registers there with their email address, they receive a referral bonus in addition to the starting credit. So the bonus goes to the newly registered family.
How do I redeem a gift code?
Sign in with your account and enter the code on the redemption page. The credit goes directly into your account, and you can start a book right away. If a code doesn’t work, write to us at hi@taleloft.ai.
Account, security & privacy
How can I sign in?
With an email address and password, or through your existing account with Google, Meta, or Apple. Please note: We award the starting credit and the referral bonus when you register with an email address.
I forgot my password—what now?
Use »Forgot password« on the sign-in page. You’ll receive an email with a link that lets you set a new password. This works even if you previously signed in with Google, Meta, or Apple.
Do I need to verify my email address?
After registration, we’ll send you a verification link. Please confirm the address so important messages about books and orders reach you safely, and so you can reset your password. While it’s still unconfirmed, we’ll remind you in your profile.
What happens to my child’s photo?
The photo is used to create the book character and is stored in your account so you can reuse the same hero later. We don’t share it for other purposes and we don’t sell it. You can delete saved heroes and your account at any time; details are in the Privacy Policy.
Which AI services are used?
For text, illustrations, and the read-aloud version, we work with specialized providers, including OpenAI, Google, and ElevenLabs; payment is processed via Stripe. Some of these providers process data outside the EU—then based on the EU Standard Contractual Clauses. Which service is responsible for what is described in the Privacy Policy.
Can I view and export my data?
Yes. In your profile, you can export your data as a file. What other rights you have—access, rectification, deletion, objection—is explained in the Privacy Policy.
How do I delete my account?
In your profile under »Delete account«. This removes your access and your content, including books, heroes, and uploaded photos. We must keep information about paid orders for tax reasons; more details are in the Privacy Policy.
How do I turn off emails?
In your profile, you can separately choose whether you want to receive reminders and tips, as well as inspiration and offers. Messages about your books, orders, and your account will still be sent, because they’re part of providing the service.
Is there a minimum age for an account?
Yes—only adults can create an account. TaleLoft is a service for parents, grandparents, and others who want to gift a book. The details are in the Terms of Use.
Can someone else see my books?
No. Your books are private and only visible in your account. A book becomes visible only when you create a link for it and share it yourself—and you can end that sharing at any time.
Who owns the finished book?
You may use your book privately, read it, gift it, and have it printed. What’s not allowed is commercial exploitation—for example, selling it or reprinting it as your own product. The exact rules are in the Terms of Use.
Problems & help
The creation isn’t progressing—what can I do?
Reload the page once: the creation runs on our servers, so nothing is lost. If your book is in the queue, it starts automatically. If nothing happens after a long time, write to us with the title of the book at hi@taleloft.ai—we’ll check and help with the credits.
The character doesn’t look like my child—what helps?
The most effective thing is a photo where the face is shown straight-on and well lit. With a finished book, you can have individual illustrations regenerated and specify what isn’t right. If it still isn’t satisfactory, contact us at hi@taleloft.ai.
There’s a mistake in the text—can I fix it?
Yes, it’s easy: open your book for editing and change the text on the page in question. This doesn’t cost any credits. The read-aloud version of that page will then be automatically regenerated with your new text.
The read-aloud won’t start—what’s going on?
Usually, checking the device’s audio settings and reloading the page helps; some browsers only allow audio after you tap/click. If you’ve just changed the page text, the recording is regenerated and becomes available a moment later. If it stays silent, write to us at hi@taleloft.ai.
My credits didn’t arrive—what now?
After a payment, the credit may take a moment to appear; reloading the credits overview shows the current status. If the credit is still missing after that, write to us at hi@taleloft.ai and include the email address on your account and the time of purchase.
A shared link no longer works.
Then sharing for that book has been ended. If you’re the owner, simply create a new link in your dashboard. If you received the link, please ask the person who sent you the book.
How do I reach support?
Write to us at hi@taleloft.ai. Helpful details include the title of the affected book, the email address of your account, and a screenshot if you see an error message—this usually lets us help right away.