Blurb Disappointment
Mar 15, 2019 11:04:54 #
I searched for Blurb and the latest was 2015, so I am starting a new topic. I produced two drafts (one color and one BW) as a test, and then ordered a single print of a 11x13, 150 page monogram in BW. I produced the BW images in Nik Silver Effects Pro and / or Lightroom using the BW button, not simply reducing the saturation sliders. I made a pdf of the book and it looked pretty good. High contrast and pretty sharp images. So then I ordered one print to test it again before ordering a few dozen to use as gifts. Really poor print quality. And what surprised me is the color. The blacks are black and the whites pretty white. But all the mid-tones seem pink. It is like their printer leaked some warm tone ink in to the process. I contacted the help desk and am waiting for their response.
Has anyone had a similar experience?
Has anyone had a similar experience?
Mar 15, 2019 11:27:40 #
John Howard wrote:
I searched for Blurb and the latest was 2015, so I... (show quote)
Thats exactly why you always proof a job before ordering the entire project. Good luck.
Mar 15, 2019 11:30:18 #
John Howard wrote:
I searched for Blurb and the latest was 2015, so I... (show quote)
The web interface to blurb is bookwrite but have never used it. I used the book module from Lightoom and did 3 books so far and they all came out excellent. The book module generates the PDF and likely exports the proper color space etc etc. How did you make PDF copy?
Mar 15, 2019 11:30:23 #
John Howard wrote:
I searched for Blurb and the latest was 2015, so I... (show quote)
No. I have printed several books with Blurb. I chose high quality premium paper, a linen book cover and a book jacket. My books are top quality and very beautiful. Not sure if Blurb uses more than one printing facility. Do you calibrate your computer screen? That might be a problem.
Mar 15, 2019 11:50:43 #
DebAnn wrote:
No. I have printed several books with Blurb. I chose high quality premium paper, a linen book cover and a book jacket. My books are top quality and very beautiful. Not sure if Blurb uses more than one printing facility. Do you calibrate your computer screen? That might be a problem.
I too have had several Blurb books all very high quality but my monitor is X-Rite calibrated. The OP's calibration was my first thought.
Mar 15, 2019 12:40:11 #
I used Blurb a few times and the last time the spine was about .25" too wide and looked bad compared to the book thickness. Emailed them and they printed a new one it came with the same issue. So I gave up at that point. I will use the again though.
Mar 16, 2019 07:14:45 #
Mar 16, 2019 07:21:37 #
Ron Dial wrote:
The color is off because you didn'use their color profile.
Interesting and kind of makes sense. Since I use Lightroom as the front end, the Book module must export the photos with the correct profile, size, etc.
Mar 16, 2019 08:23:21 #
pithydoug wrote:
The web interface to blurb is bookwrite but have never used it. I used the book module from Lightoom and did 3 books so far and they all came out excellent. The book module generates the PDF and likely exports the proper color space etc etc. How did you make PDF copy?
I used the BookWrite software not the LR version even tho my images come from LR. BW has more flexibility. When you order a book you have options to get an ebook version or a pdf version. I got the pdf because the font I like is not licensed for ebooks. So the pdf was made by Blurb also and it is pure Black and white. The printed book has the pink or magenta issue at all the middle gray areas. Any image with a subtle atmosphere like fog, clouds or water show the color.
I heard back from customer support. They want me to send them photos of the bad pages. The pink is so subtle I am not sure it will show up in a photo of a printed photo.
Mar 16, 2019 08:23:49 #
DebAnn wrote:
No. I have printed several books with Blurb. I chose high quality premium paper, a linen book cover and a book jacket. My books are top quality and very beautiful. Not sure if Blurb uses more than one printing facility. Do you calibrate your computer screen? That might be a problem.
Mar 16, 2019 08:25:26 #
Display is calibrated. I have a local pro who prints my work for sale or display and he has printed some of the images in the book with no problem. And, the pdf is perfect.
Mar 16, 2019 08:26:07 #
big-guy wrote:
I too have had several Blurb books all very high quality but my monitor is X-Rite calibrated. The OP's calibration was my first thought.
I use spider pro.
Mar 16, 2019 08:28:10 #
Ron Dial wrote:
The color is off because you didn'use their color profile.
Interesting. I did not see any specific directions in BookWrite on this. I will inquire at the help desk.
Mar 16, 2019 09:31:33 #
Mar 16, 2019 11:19:44 #
John Howard wrote:
I used the BookWrite software not the LR version e... (show quote)
Why don't you just send the actual photos (or book) back, marked up with the problems. Then they can assess the problem at the source.
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