Blurb v Apple v Shutterfly v Mixbook v Costco v other?
Mar 15, 2018 10:54:44 #
Attempting to put together my first photo book. Which online printer do you think is the best and most user friendly? Not concerned really with cost.
Mar 15, 2018 11:07:26 #
I’ve used Shutterfly about a dozen times and am happy with the results. They always have discounts.
Mar 15, 2018 11:50:30 #
I use Blurb as it's integrated right in LR. Simple and easy. Good choice of sizes, paper, covers etc. Ready made templates or DIY, it's your call.
Mar 15, 2018 14:21:14 #
I used Apple once and it was a nice quality book, including packaging. Same like anything else you would expect from Apple.
Mar 16, 2018 06:31:45 #
LarryFitz
Loc: Beacon NY
Shutterfly is easy to use. If I post the pictures, my wife can make the book. She loves making granddaughter books.
Mar 16, 2018 08:26:00 #
genovail wrote:
Attempting to put together my first photo book. Which online printer do you think is the best and most user friendly? Not concerned really with cost.
As a user of LR for my post, I use Blurb since it is integrated. VERY HAPPY with the results. Cover, binding and paper quality are top notch. I put together a 240 page hardcover to show off the images my wife and I captured in Africa and the book is phenomenal.
Mar 16, 2018 09:07:56 #
wds0410
Loc: Nunya
I used Adorama and was very pleased with the result. Process was pretty easy with plenty of control on layout, binder, cover, size, etc.
Mar 16, 2018 10:00:10 #
I've used Blurb many times and have been extremely happy with the results. I made sure I used a high grade paper. I am not that tech savvy but I found Blurb to be pretty straight forward and user friendly. My last book was a photo chronical of our trip to Paris. Every evening I wrote in a diary of what we did during the day, which I used when arranging the photos on the pages of the book. The diary allowed me to recall where and what the images were. I spent a lot of time arranging the text from my diary with the images the way I wanted. I only mention this because depending on how detailed you want the book to be the more time needs to be spent to get a quality photo story. It is very easy just to place a photo or photos on a page and move on to the next page. I hope this helps your decision.
Mar 16, 2018 10:02:50 #
Mar 16, 2018 10:14:08 #
I've used both Blurb and Shutterfly. Blurb is a tad cheaper unless you have a coupon. I think their printing is a bit better, and they don't put that ugly white binding strip on the cover. I've never used the LR interface. Not sure I'd know how. I just discovered that Google Photos does books now. They are $10.00 for 20 pics, but you don't get a picture on the back cover. Or at least I couldn't figure out how to do it. There are limitations - didn't see a way of selecting which page the images go onto, for example. Costco books are really nice, but expensive. If you want to sell e-books, you can use Barnes & Noble.
Mar 16, 2018 10:45:32 #
genovail wrote:
Attempting to put together my first photo book. Which online printer do you think is the best and most user friendly? Not concerned really with cost.
I have my first book at Blurb now for printing. I found it useful to use their off-line software called "Book Wright" to put mine together. It is a test that I expect to have to modify and at $80 was not cheap, but I chose 11x13" heavy pearl paper, bound with hard cover that has an image stretched around it. It has been shipped so I expect to see the results soon. Mine was an all B&W series of Death Valley.
My thoughts are that this is the only way my kids will ever see my prints and I can end up printing 5 copies for Christmas presents.
Mar 16, 2018 10:48:13 #
Mar 16, 2018 11:21:01 #
genovail wrote:
Attempting to put together my first photo book. Which online printer do you think is the best and most user friendly? Not concerned really with cost.
I think I have tried them all.
I use them as wedding proof books, with smallish images, four-up on each page in 8x8 inch hard covered books, and each image has it's file number below it. Each image measures a little less than 2 x 3 inches. As you can imagine the reproduction HAS to be excellent to be effective.
I finally settled on Blurb as doing the best job for me. I always use their deluxe paper which costs more but delivers astounding results and worth every penny.
"you only have one chance to make a good first impression!"
Mar 16, 2018 11:23:50 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
genovail wrote:
Attempting to put together my first photo book. Which online printer do you think is the best and most user friendly? Not concerned really with cost.
Shutterfly, first I set up my book through them and then I wait until they have a 50% discount on everything and then I order it, and , one each for my 3 adult children. They can't wait to get their copy. I do a family book once a year, contains shots of each of them along with the grand daughter and I add some of my best images of the year in each book. I have been with them since 2012 and I like the results. Hint, you do not need flat pages, I never order it, but, I order the best paper.
Mar 16, 2018 11:34:38 #
genovail wrote:
Attempting to put together my first photo book. Which online printer do you think is the best and most user friendly? Not concerned really with cost.
There is also MagCloud. The4y are less expensive than many and I recently purchased a book from Stephen Johnson printed at MagCloud that is a lay flat book. Color reproductions appear spot on and very good.
Just FYI.
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