John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

I have made quite a few photo books over the past few years (maybe 10) and have always used the Aperture program to design them, with Apple printing service. I like the flexibility of that software where you start with a "theme" but can really adjust the format as you want. Flexibility to change page color, number of images per page, proportion of the images, text to describe the photos, and total flexibility to design the cover, are all important. The iPhoto version was not so good, and I have looked at Shutterbug and other online providers, but think they are too restrictive in format.

Now that Apple does not support Aperture, I am wondering if this is a good time to change software to another flexible program.

Questions - has anyone tried to make books from the new Photos software? Can anyone recommend another software package that is flexible.

I have been pretty satisfied with the Apple printing of my Aperture designed books, and think the service is very good.

I need a flexible design package that can lead to good print quality. Typically printing low volume so price is less of an issue. However I once printed 25 hardback books and sold them for charity and raised $10k. This is always a possibility.

Any input / advice appreciated. Thanks.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

There are lots of programs available for this. Do a web search for "digital photo book design software".

LABS are a good source to start. Check out Shutterfly. They just built a HUGE plant in South Carolina to print photo books.

Many other labs have digital wedding album composition software that you can use online. You upload photos into pre-set templates and add comments and other copy/captions.

LumaPix is a good program I have used to produce digital yearbooks.

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

I have created several photo books. I used to us iPhoto but that was replaced by Photos. I have to say, I really like the quality of the books printed by Apple. Photos works pretty much the same as iPhoto did.

Bottom line, try Photos, it does work and Apple's books are very high quality.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

The various companies that print photo books also have their own software that you can download to make your book.
For myself, I make pages in Photoshop Elements, allowing for gutter space, and for full bleed. This way I can add photos, decorations, text, etc. to the page where I want and in the size I want it and in the colour I want it. In other words: I have complete control over each page. When done, I drag and drop them in order to the bookmaking software, then upload the works.
Oh, and I've used Blurb, but I know the same thing could be done with Shutterfly and Adoramapix.

Woodham Lock Loc: Woodham UK

I now use Blurb and prepare the books in Lightroom. However, I really like Bob Books with the main reason being that they offer a "lay flat" spine which is really good. Bob Books also offer their software free as a download which is so much better that building the book an the web.

hj Loc: Florida

I have made a dozen books with MyPublisher which has merged with Shutterfly but books can still be made under either company. Absolutely perfect results - love them.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

I use the Book module in Lightroom then use Lightroom's direct link to Blurb for printing

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I usually go with Adoramapix, although I made one with Shutterfly and one with Kodak.

John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

Thanks to all. I did not know these printing services would accept a book designed in another package. That would mean I select the software based on the degree of flexibility or ease of use, then select the printer/publisher based on quality/price.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

I too have mostly used Apple for printing my photo books and was dismayed to find that the software for book design had changed drastically with Photos, was no longer nearly as user friendly, and had far fewer options. Two weeks ago I went ahead and used it anyway, because I'd always been so happy with the printing results. I was very disappointed. It took three times as long to construct the book, was twice as expensive, and looked half as good when it arrived.

I made another version on Shutterfly and though it was not the quality that the Apple books used to be, it was a little better quality than the current Apple version was, it was far easier with more options, and half the price.

I am still on the hunt for a better alternative. I had already tried Blurb and did not like it. Next I'll try Adorama or Mixbook.

OviedoPhotos

FWIW, I use blurb.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Minnie, it may help others to decide if you could also explain why you didn't like Blurb.

I have been very happy with Blurb. I do not use their software however, till it comes time to upload my pages. I prefer to make the pages myself in Photoshop Elements, and decide background colour, framing of photos (stroke), decorations, text, and where it all goes on the page, and have full control over it.
I think I've said it before, I am a control freak!

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Yes and no....
Decide on the company you want to use and select the size and orientation of the book.
Then find the size of the pages (and cover, spine and inside flaps if they will be printed), and make your pages accordingly in your favourite photo- or editing program (I use PSE).

boncrayon

Shutterfly (https://www.shutterfly.com) is a great way to build photo books. It's online and user friendly. It gives various layouts for the cover and page formatting. Our son sent us a shutterfly album of the grandkids growing up at a distance!

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Part of why I don't like Blurb IS their software, and it was also very hard for me to get colors to match even though I did a proof copy, recalibrated the monitor and all the things I usually do before submitting a book. The Blurb book was so dull and dark I threw it away. The same images with no alterations were great in the now-deceased iphoto books. I have not tried doing the pages myself in other software and printing to Blurb though.