Who do you use to print your photobooks and what drives your decision making process? Is quality or cost more important to you?
Oscraps
Printing Photobooks Question
- Thread starter annaaspnes
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sberkan
Well-Known Member
I use Shutterfly. When I started I read some reviews and some photographer websites recommended them as a good balance of cost/quality. I haven't had any problems with them and I've really liked what I've had printed so that's what I do. I am willing to pay for quality but I'd still like to keep costs reasonable.
Bush Girl
Well-Known Member
I find Shutterfly WAY too expensive - having to pay for every additional page makes my annual 200 odd pages much, MUCH too dear. I thought about breaking my print run down to a number of books, but as shipping to Europe is on a per book basis, around $15 per book, sadly Shutterfly, despite their excellent quality, is not my go to printer anymore.
I now use Blurb, specifically because their pricing structure has extra pages charged in groups. I do find their 7x7 album just a touch too small, but due to the price, I can live with that. And as a little aside, European orders are printed in Europe so shipping costs & timings are lower.
Quality wise, I think Shutterfly has the slight edge, but it is only marginal, so price is my main driving factor.
I now use Blurb, specifically because their pricing structure has extra pages charged in groups. I do find their 7x7 album just a touch too small, but due to the price, I can live with that. And as a little aside, European orders are printed in Europe so shipping costs & timings are lower.
Quality wise, I think Shutterfly has the slight edge, but it is only marginal, so price is my main driving factor.
I used Photobox, a european firm. I also upload my LO as they are. The cost are not too high, and I'm very happy from quality.
I'd just finish one (100 pages ) for july and august.. and I am finishing another one for september and october.
That 's so great to look at them... but it's a lot of work too do theses books
I'd just finish one (100 pages ) for july and august.. and I am finishing another one for september and october.
That 's so great to look at them... but it's a lot of work too do theses books
sue.falstaff
O'chOir extraOrdinaire
Oh, this is perfect timing ... I just created & rec'd my FIRST ever photobook. I used Blurb, mainly because I'd seen it recommended in another thread and like Selena mentioned, the shipping costs to the UK are pretty reasonable.
I went with their smallest square book (7x7) and it's only 20 pages long, but for my first attempt, I wanted to play safe! The book is actually going to be a Christmas present for my boss at work (who's son's wedding it features) ... she has no idea I've created it and I just hope she likes it. If you want, you can take a sneak peek here http://www.blurb.com/books/2677082
Things I've learnt for my next book as these:
I went with their smallest square book (7x7) and it's only 20 pages long, but for my first attempt, I wanted to play safe! The book is actually going to be a Christmas present for my boss at work (who's son's wedding it features) ... she has no idea I've created it and I just hope she likes it. If you want, you can take a sneak peek here http://www.blurb.com/books/2677082
Things I've learnt for my next book as these:
- Go BIGGER!
- Stick to 1 or 2 images on a page (some of the images on the multiple photos pages are just a tad too small)
- Image wrap covers look COOL! 8)
- Allow PLENTY of time for the design process
- Allow even MORE time for the printing process (having said that, my book arrived a whole week earlier than I was expecting!!!)
Actually, I have been very disappointed with Shutterfly in the past.Several of my album covers split down thefront of the spine.
I have ordered from Artscow and found that for the price, they were great.
I have ordered from Artscow and found that for the price, they were great.
CookingMyLife
Well-Known Member
I've done Shutterfly and found their quality and price reasonable. I found their process of uploading, designing etc a royal pain.
I tried MyPublisher (not Mixbook as I thought)with one of their little - 4x3? - freebie books, and the color was perfect. I may try them out another time on a larger book. It was soft cover but that wasn't an issue for me for that tiny book.
Since I don't have children at home, it's just two adults looking at them so wear and tear are not an issue. In reality, I'm not sure I'm going to do another book. For 365, I like the immediacy of getting my prints in pre-paid sale price 50 increment batches from Persnickety. I think I may just do that for trips in the future and use albums from the craft stores.
I tried MyPublisher (not Mixbook as I thought)with one of their little - 4x3? - freebie books, and the color was perfect. I may try them out another time on a larger book. It was soft cover but that wasn't an issue for me for that tiny book.
Since I don't have children at home, it's just two adults looking at them so wear and tear are not an issue. In reality, I'm not sure I'm going to do another book. For 365, I like the immediacy of getting my prints in pre-paid sale price 50 increment batches from Persnickety. I think I may just do that for trips in the future and use albums from the craft stores.
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Ellen
Well-Known Member
there is an excellent comparison done here
So far I have used Albelli ( bit of a struggle to get it printed right) they have good customer service and will get it right in the end.
Albelli has now started in the U.K. as well
FotoFabriek - Netherlands - easy software and the printing was right straight away. I always go for the gloss option as it makes such a big difference to how the pages look and feel.
So far I have used Albelli ( bit of a struggle to get it printed right) they have good customer service and will get it right in the end.
Albelli has now started in the U.K. as well
FotoFabriek - Netherlands - easy software and the printing was right straight away. I always go for the gloss option as it makes such a big difference to how the pages look and feel.
whatnext
Well-Known Member
i use Blurb and a place called ScrapbooksPlease. i have to say that i find Shutterfly's creation process to be needlessly complicated and annoying. i don't make that many photobooks. like hardly any. i pick Scrapbooks Please because you literally just plop you page down and it fits. Blurb is a bit more complicated, but they have great cover choices. Quality and cost are important, but for me, i'm looking for ease of upload and no having to mess about with COLOR, like you have to do on Shutterfly.
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dwsewbiz
Well-Known Member
I've done a lot of Shutterfly books, and some Blurb books, although I have used Blurb more for blog printing than scrapbook pages.
I love Shutterfly books, have not had any trouble figuring out their process, and love the quality as well as the many sales that make the cost reasonable, as cost is very important to me.
Blurb 12x12s are pretty expensive at about $65, and they do not have sales the like of Shutterfly. Plus their covers are not glossy like Shutterfly.
On the pages themselves, I have found the quality to be the same between these two, but neither can touch the quality of Persnickety, nor the ease, not having to worry about margins at all.
But I do like 'subject' layouts in books, so will continue to use Shutterfly. When I complete a subject, I will make the book, then wait for the best sales. There have tons around the holidays.
I love Shutterfly books, have not had any trouble figuring out their process, and love the quality as well as the many sales that make the cost reasonable, as cost is very important to me.
Blurb 12x12s are pretty expensive at about $65, and they do not have sales the like of Shutterfly. Plus their covers are not glossy like Shutterfly.
On the pages themselves, I have found the quality to be the same between these two, but neither can touch the quality of Persnickety, nor the ease, not having to worry about margins at all.
But I do like 'subject' layouts in books, so will continue to use Shutterfly. When I complete a subject, I will make the book, then wait for the best sales. There have tons around the holidays.
mrstoa
mrstoa
I have used Shutterfly and very happy with results, pricing & shipping to Canada.
I copied one of the settings for a another users design and had no problem.
I did use their template for cover just as guide for size with one of Anna's Templates and it worked perfectly just trimming Anna's where necessary.
https://ozone.oscraps.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=235937&title=album-cover&cat=all
I did an 8x8 which surprised me as a few of the pages had five or six photos and they are not cramped on the page
https://ozone.oscraps.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=236303&title=hibachi-time&cat=all
I found the 8x8 perfect size for gift albums and will definitely use Shutterfly again.
My niece asked for 8x8 for her small wedding album - gifts for family tho will probably have one 12x12 - which reminds me I'd better stop chatting and get busy. I have only one page done (gulp)
If you're hesitant do a 20 page 8x8 when they have a sale - upload your pages and covers so you're ready to go - and get on their mailing list for extra coupons.
I copied one of the settings for a another users design and had no problem.
I did use their template for cover just as guide for size with one of Anna's Templates and it worked perfectly just trimming Anna's where necessary.
https://ozone.oscraps.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=235937&title=album-cover&cat=all
I did an 8x8 which surprised me as a few of the pages had five or six photos and they are not cramped on the page
https://ozone.oscraps.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=236303&title=hibachi-time&cat=all
I found the 8x8 perfect size for gift albums and will definitely use Shutterfly again.
My niece asked for 8x8 for her small wedding album - gifts for family tho will probably have one 12x12 - which reminds me I'd better stop chatting and get busy. I have only one page done (gulp)
If you're hesitant do a 20 page 8x8 when they have a sale - upload your pages and covers so you're ready to go - and get on their mailing list for extra coupons.
I have mostly used Shutterfly and I did this time round too which I am waiting for.
I have not been happy with the Blurb albums I got as they do not ship it as books so I get too much tax to pay when it hits the Norwegian border, but that is no problem with Shutterfly. That makes it less expensive than Blurb for me.
I have also used mypictales.com, but the last one I made with them turned out so bad with faulty printing, and when they sent me replacements the same things happened. I have used them for single prints after that as they have good sales in the beginning of the fall for this.
I have not been happy with the Blurb albums I got as they do not ship it as books so I get too much tax to pay when it hits the Norwegian border, but that is no problem with Shutterfly. That makes it less expensive than Blurb for me.
I have also used mypictales.com, but the last one I made with them turned out so bad with faulty printing, and when they sent me replacements the same things happened. I have used them for single prints after that as they have good sales in the beginning of the fall for this.
Heather Prins
aA Creative Team Member
I tried shutterfly and didn't like the quality at all. Now I am with Blurb and they are fantastic.
Michael
Well-Known Member
I've been a big Shutterfly user. If I'm ever disappointed with anything I call customer service and they fix it and turn around and send it out expedited. Quality and cost matter to me. I'll admit I wait for sales on photo books! But I've done so many with them. As a digi scrapper I just use their "all new custom path" and choose full bleed spreads and upload my pages as jpgs.
I've also used WHCC (White House Custom Color) A bit more expensive but a professional photographer's print site. They are based near my home but they are FAST! You have to become a client first and order free 8x10 test prints to be sure you like the color calibration. So allow time for that.
I love my 12x12 pages from Persnickety! I save up for their sales!
I've also used WHCC (White House Custom Color) A bit more expensive but a professional photographer's print site. They are based near my home but they are FAST! You have to become a client first and order free 8x10 test prints to be sure you like the color calibration. So allow time for that.
I love my 12x12 pages from Persnickety! I save up for their sales!
janedee
Well-Known Member
I've used Shutterfly, Blurb and Paper Kiwi so far. I had some color issues with Shutterfly in one album due to their vivid pics default, but the other two albums were great, although I'm disappointed how needlessly complicated they've made the process of uploading. I also really liked the Blurb album, but couldn't add a spine as the album didn't meet their minimum thickness requirement and I thought the paper was not as good quality as Shutterfly's. I haven't seen the Paper Kiwi album as it was a gift but my SIL tell me the quality is excellent.
I'm not sure who I'll use next time - thinking of trying Persnickety though.
I'm not sure who I'll use next time - thinking of trying Persnickety though.
clarabear
always chatty at the O!!
I started using Winkflash because of their flat rate book sales...100 pages for less than $20 each. I do find their cropping a bit confusing though. I have also used Artscow and while the quality is decent considering the price the shipping is not quick since it is coming from Hong Kong.
I believe the daily digi did a 10 company review and ripped the books apart and everything. I ordered one that they highly recommended...Adorama Pix, I think...and it was awesome. They used photo paper for the pages...but I definitely paid a pretty penny for it.
I believe the daily digi did a 10 company review and ripped the books apart and everything. I ordered one that they highly recommended...Adorama Pix, I think...and it was awesome. They used photo paper for the pages...but I definitely paid a pretty penny for it.
I have been ordering from Shutterfly and have had no problems at all as I have turned all my pages into jpegs and just put them on the blank pages - quality is awesome and they have been very fast in their delivery - but I only do photo books for like a vacation or special event. And I agree the added price for each additional page of over 20 is the pits. So I wait until the sales and then do the book. I have my own large format printer that I print my own single pages on and then put in my albums - I usually do my album chronologically
Thanks for your input everyone. I have always used Shutterfly, but with the new custom path, I agree the process has become too complicated. I printed my first Blurb book and love it but am interested to see what you're all doing for photo books.