Advice on Photo Books, Please
Jul 23, 2017 14:16:20 #
I'd like to start having photo books made but I'm not quite sure where to begin. There are so many companies, apps & websites out there to choose from. Basically, I'm just looking to create high quality books of my favorite images, typically outdoor, urban, abstract and so on. (Not wedding, vacation, family memory stuff, etc.). I'd like something where the logo of the company making them is not plastered all over the place. Quality of book, paper, binding, etc. is most important to me. Any and all advice would be very welcome and useful.
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you....
Mike
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you....
Mike
Jul 23, 2017 14:54:26 #
I use either Shutterfly or Mixbook. They have superior quality and I can set the amount of photos per page, add text or "stickers" and the photo quality of the reproduced photos is outstanding. After I have made my book, I wait until there is a special - you can sign up for e-mail notices with them both, and can sometimes get free shipping; 40 - 60% off, etc. I also make calendars each year for my friends. If you want to, send me your e-mail by IM and I will forward you one of my books by e-mail for you to see what can be done.
Jul 24, 2017 06:38:01 #
I use Picaboo. They have a nice lie-flat option and the ability to spread the picture onto two pages across the binder strip. A lot of their page backgrounds are a bit cheesy but you can use your own photos as an edge to edge background.
Jul 24, 2017 07:02:40 #
My wife uses Shutterfly and gets crazy discounts. She gets coupons. Don't ask me how but sometimes she creates shutteefly books for free with coupons she finds.
Jul 24, 2017 07:33:24 #
I have used Shutterfly for about 8 books and find the quality of their work to be excellent. As noted, look for discounts. They have an overwhelming array of background options and you can also fade you own images to use (.e.g., a chart or a boat for a river cruise). There is a "manual" mode that I always use.
Jul 24, 2017 08:20:13 #
aphelps
Loc: Central Ohio
I use Adorama Pix. They offer many options for paper and the book is a lay-flat design. Many designs and sizes for the book and their name is not on any of pages or covers.
Al P
Al P
Jul 24, 2017 09:49:06 #
Jul 24, 2017 09:59:43 #
Jul 24, 2017 10:27:11 #
I have to agree with others that Shutterfly produces a nice product. I take most of the photos and my wife does most of the layout work. Sometimes their defaults spoil a specific image's composition, but the defaults can always be overridden. They have many layout, paper, cover and binding options and as noted often have coupons that reduce the cost. We make one for each of our major trips.
Jul 24, 2017 10:38:31 #
I've used Blurb for two books and it's outstanding. While my usage has been storybook/memory adaptations, the things I liked most would apply to any application. Blurb allows you to opt for a self-designed layout, and that gives you maximum flexibility in appearance and size. You are free to set the look that satisfies your aesthetic; that's important to me.
Blurb's output quality is top shelf. Images are clear and crisp, and the paper on which they're printed is excellent, roughly equivalent to Epson's luster paper. Finally, Blurb's logo is seldom seen--I think it's shown twice--I can't recall because it's so innocuous.
Blurb's output quality is top shelf. Images are clear and crisp, and the paper on which they're printed is excellent, roughly equivalent to Epson's luster paper. Finally, Blurb's logo is seldom seen--I think it's shown twice--I can't recall because it's so innocuous.
Jul 24, 2017 12:23:42 #
Jul 24, 2017 12:47:44 #
Jul 24, 2017 12:57:43 #
I use Shutterfly...great deals and coupons help with the pricing. Last fall, I made my first book on AdormaPix, and was disappointed with the color. (Note: I never contacted them about my dissatisfaction...just assumed it was my fault...but I reprinted a few of the same pictures on a Walgreen's calendar, and the color popped.) I decided to try Shutterfly since I had a gift certificate. I thought Shutterfly's book program worked more smoothly and intuitively than AdormaPix.
While Shutterfly offers you many ideas and pre-selected themes, you are free to add many options for free. In the past 5 months, I have created 4 books on Shutterfly that are very personal, unique, and lovely.
While Shutterfly offers you many ideas and pre-selected themes, you are free to add many options for free. In the past 5 months, I have created 4 books on Shutterfly that are very personal, unique, and lovely.
Jul 24, 2017 13:12:43 #
Another happy Shutterfly user. I've made 6 books so far from vacations and river cruises, and have found the site easy to use and very flexible in design. Colors are great and quality of finished product is good IMHO. Proud to put them on my coffee table!
Jul 24, 2017 13:14:49 #
Ditto for Shutterfly. Again, however, as I posted on another topic this morning, people, please use the "Search" function before posting a new question on a topic that has already been discussed recently several times before. That's what "Search" is for.
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