Photo Books
Sep 7, 2021 08:52:57 #
Blurb is my go-to book printer. I've had them do the book with the wedding photos of our granddaughter, a book with the photos taken at my sister-in-laws 80th birthday, and a few more along that line.
I was very happy with the finished products!
For my next book I have the text ready, have to go through my photos to find appropriate ones to go with the story - it is the story of my growing-up and early adult years, will have four printed, one for each of my boys.
With the birthday book I had no problem putting captions with the photos.
If a full page of text is a problem with Blurb, I will save that page as a photo and use it that way.
Now to make a long shopping list and send my husband shopping so I can work on the book in peace :-)
I was very happy with the finished products!
For my next book I have the text ready, have to go through my photos to find appropriate ones to go with the story - it is the story of my growing-up and early adult years, will have four printed, one for each of my boys.
With the birthday book I had no problem putting captions with the photos.
If a full page of text is a problem with Blurb, I will save that page as a photo and use it that way.
Now to make a long shopping list and send my husband shopping so I can work on the book in peace :-)
Sep 7, 2021 09:20:57 #
I used Collage and was very happy with the results. You can do everything you wanted in your post. You also can get some good deals from them thru Groupon.
Sep 7, 2021 09:22:18 #
Niklon
Loc: Athens, Ga
I would very much appreciate a PDF of one of your books. It might be the inspiration I need to move foward with my project. I will send a PM with email address.
Sep 7, 2021 09:23:27 #
In your original post I mentioned Costco, but seem to be the only person that recommended Costco. There is one advantage that Blurb has over Costco and that is that it intergrades with Lightroom. Using Costco your photos must be downloaded to a file, then uploaded to their platform. We like the size of 13 1/2 X 9 1/2 and they win again on pricing and quality. Just finished a 75 page book at $38.00.
Your comment on being able to control the size and layout of photos and also the ability to add your dialog, font, and print size is easy in their layout. Too, the delivery was fast, 8 or 9 days from order date.
Norm
Your comment on being able to control the size and layout of photos and also the ability to add your dialog, font, and print size is easy in their layout. Too, the delivery was fast, 8 or 9 days from order date.
Norm
Sep 7, 2021 09:37:02 #
But Shutterfly will change your color balance without telling you. One of their changes is a global enhancement that can be turned off globally. The other color Shutterfly makes for you can only be turned off on each photo put into the book. This is alright IF you are not as fussy about your photos as I am and many people don’t correct their photo color balance before inserting into to books. For many folks who who aren’t as picky as me about their photo colors this can be OK. I recommend Blurb or Mix Books - which is the product I use. Mix Books allows the user to do all the adjustments themselves and has the most creative things as any other photo book maker. Good luck. Just a thought…..!
Sep 7, 2021 09:44:38 #
Hi Base_fiddle,
I use Amazon Print On Demand for books (we've published 15 to date). The books have a high volume of color pictures mixed with text and could easily be used for photo books if you so wish. You'll have to do your own layout and picture editing (it took us a few "test runs" to get the picture editing to produce the best quality pictures from the Amazon equipment). Amazon does not charge for publishing books but does charge for each plus shipping when you want copies. If interested, one of the books we wrote was the ins & outs of publishing on Amazon.Take care & ...
I use Amazon Print On Demand for books (we've published 15 to date). The books have a high volume of color pictures mixed with text and could easily be used for photo books if you so wish. You'll have to do your own layout and picture editing (it took us a few "test runs" to get the picture editing to produce the best quality pictures from the Amazon equipment). Amazon does not charge for publishing books but does charge for each plus shipping when you want copies. If interested, one of the books we wrote was the ins & outs of publishing on Amazon.Take care & ...
Sep 7, 2021 10:15:38 #
I like Blurb, they have done a nice job on my books. I also like that you can do all the organizing etc. in Lightroom, and they give you an estimated running cost as you assemble your book.
Sep 7, 2021 10:27:42 #
I have used MPIX for 8 photo books and have never been disappointed. There are several choices in paper and covers. You can build the book to quality you want. Now is a good time to try them. They have a 40% off deal going until September 9th. Free shipping on orders over $35. Usually a 5 day turnaround. Their customer service is great. This may sound like a commercial but I think you will be satisfied with their work. What have you got to lose with 40% off.
Sep 7, 2021 10:56:14 #
louparker wrote:
The last book I did was with Mixbook because it was one of the few that accommodated my 300-page book and a square format.
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Lou, great feedback. I really appreciate the details. I also liked your thoughts about using Shutterfly for smaller books. It's interesting that you need to have some of your books reprinted because of problems with the photo book company.
Last night, I tried MPIX, but was not happy with their crops or layouts. Plus they seemed to be very expensive if you exceeded their 20-page base. Some pages were anywhere from $2.80 to $3,30 per page...that can make a very expensive book if one has 100 pictures.
Again, thanks for your feedback.
Jose
Sep 7, 2021 11:05:21 #
docphoto wrote:
I use Blurb,.
Docphoto, thanks for your post. There seems to be a lot of interest for Blurb.
Last night, I watched a Youtube video by Julieanne Kost about how to use Blurb trhough LR. It seems that I would have to use Collections to sort my pics and the name each file, so that each pic would be identified. She also laid out a book with no pictures on one side and a full picture on the right. That might be a great way to do a book, but it would be more cumbersome for me. On the other hand, I didn't use Blurb's website, so that would be my next step.
Thanks again for your input.
Jose
Sep 7, 2021 11:06:37 #
donphotog wrote:
For many years I’ve used Shutterfly for books. Very satisfied. Even had copies sent direct to family members.
I share your thoughts Don. I've found that quality starts with the size of the files that are sent to Shutterfly.
Jose
Sep 7, 2021 11:11:19 #
superdadplano wrote:
I've used Photobook America and is happy with them. I don't see much differences between Shuttlefly, Collages, Printerpix if you select thicker pages. But the best photo book I've made was from AdoramaPix, now renamed Printique.
Superdadplano, that's really good feedback. I haven't heard of Photobook America, Printerpix or Printique. That's why I postd my original question-with so many book printers to chose from, how do I learn about them and decide which to use.
Is there something unique to Printique that you like, e.g., each of use, price, quality, etc.?
Good info, thanks.
Jose
Sep 7, 2021 11:16:15 #
billnikon wrote:
I use Shutterfly for my Books on Florida Wildlife,
Bill, thanks VERY much for your lengthy feedback. It struck the mark on a number of questions/thoughts that I have. I particularly like the idea of leaving the project unfinished until a sale comes around. I agree the sale price is enticing.
I've taken a number of bird pictures in Florida, but never thought of selling books. I take the shots that I like and have metal prints made that I hang on my Lanai.
Thanks again,
Jose
Sep 7, 2021 11:20:01 #
Morning Star wrote:
Blurb is my go-to book printer...Now to make a long shopping list and send my husband shopping so I can work on the book in peace :-)
Love it, Morning Star. Really helpful feedback.
I need to look seriously at Blurb based on the feedback that I've gotten. Apreciate your comments very much.
Jose
Sep 7, 2021 11:23:21 #
Jimcamera wrote:
I used Collage and was very happy with the results. You can do everything you wanted in your post. You also can get some good deals from them thru Groupon.
Jim, I think that you're the first post about Collage. I'm glad that your happy with the results too.
Did you try any other book printers before settling on Collage? What feature drew you to Collage. e.g., someone's recommendation, price, page limit, quality, timing, text ability, etc.?
Jose
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