Photo books Revisited ! July 2008

sunny2004

OK, I know this has been discussed and I have searched the threads...
What I have noticed is that the suggested companies change with time (understandably)..

I have visited a number of the sites, America, English and Irish sites..

Downloaded a number of software layout tools and now my head is spinning.(truly spinning).

I am asking for your advice on the current situation, what you think is good product, good quality and reasonable prices..

My interest is in getting one done, that looks like a real book, so a fully printed cover is a must. and it has to have the feel of a book. I am not a fan of the cut-out window cover versions. I also think for my project, black pages and possibly 2 page spreads would be an advantage.. I might consider plain cover with a quality jacket.

Any help including companies to avoid or any tips recommendations etc would be appreciated.

Cheers..

sunny2004

any ideas ?

Calina

I'm waiting on one from blurb. Can respond after it comes.

sunny2004

Calina wrote: »

I'm waiting on one from blurb. Can respond after it comes.

Thats another point, actual wait times ?

Calina

Well I think from order to email confirming print done was about 6 days. I paid for economy posting so if I'm really lucky, we're talking tomorrow but sometime next week more likely. I'm estimating 3 weeks for from the moment I order.

but I might be naive.

Fionn

i've done a couple of conventional wedding album sort of things but for a project i'm doing at the moment i'm attempting something like this, so i dont need any software or templates from the manufacturers, I intend doing all my own layout, i presume most producers will accept the layout done and delivered in a standard format. Has anyone got any info on good publishing places offering this sort of product.

sunny2004

Fionn wrote: »

i've done a couple of conventional wedding album sort of things but for a project i'm doing at the moment i'm attempting something like this, so i dont need any software or templates from the manufacturers, I intend doing all my own layout, i presume most producers will accept the layout done and delivered in a standard format. Has anyone got any info on good publishing places offering this sort of product.

Nice, but I want to use one eof the mainstream companies. the templates will speed up things and if this worrks out well I will be ordering a few.

smelltheglove

It depends on the quality you are looking for but I love the mypixmania.com books. I got a luxury hard back with printed sleeves, I bought a white version for my sisters wedding and a black version for mine. I love them both and great prices. They are like real books, easy to handle, easy to set up etc basically easy all around and professional looking too. If you were passing them on to someone however you do need to realise they have a page inserted at the back with their logo and web site details.

I'd still recommend it.

sunny2004

smelltheglove wrote: »

If you were passing them on to someone however you do need to realise they have a page inserted at the back with their logo and web site details.

I'd still recommend it.

The nerve of them:(

Cheers for the info !

Hugh_C

Blurb does something a bit the same - there's a little logo on one of the inside pages which you can pay extra to have removed.

I have used Blurb a fair bit and really like the results. Reliable and reasonably fast, they publish expected delivery times on their website. They have softnback, hardback with dust cover and printed hardcover options.

Hugh

smelltheglove

I'm liking their style Hugh, I have an order in for 2 books and I am considering using them instead now. Can I ask you is the custom logo the selction for going without their logo and would you recommend the wrap cover?


Sorry for hijacking - I'm getting terrible for that!

sunny2004

smelltheglove wrote: »

Can I ask you is the custom logo the selction for going without their logo and would you recommend the wrap cover?


Sorry for hijacking - I'm getting terrible for that!

Np, I was wondering what that option meant as well.....

and Hijack away, its info I am after

Hugh_C

smelltheglove wrote: »

I'm liking their style Hugh, I have an order in for 2 books and I am considering using them instead now. Can I ask you is the custom logo the selction for going without their logo and would you recommend the wrap cover?


Sorry for hijacking - I'm getting terrible for that!

Haven't done the wrap cover thing yet coz it's relatively new and the custom logo is your own logo or none at all.

Hugh

PS if any of you are in the dublin 2 area by day or d6 by night, I can show you a few Blurb books if you like ...

YeahOK

Depends what technology you want it printed on as this will determine the print quality.

There are two main pieces of kit in use today in this area. Kodak Nexpress technology & HP Indigo technology. The general wisdom is that HP technology offers a better print output as you get better colour clarity & definition on HP. Books produced on Nexpress often have unsightly banding on solid colours, i.e. blue skys, black solids amongst other things.

Also, an important consideration is the paper stock used to print on and the weight / bright point of same.

Here's a list,(by no means the only list) the higher to medium end tend to use HP above Nexpress along with better paper stock;

High End
Graphi Studio
Asuka Book

Mid Range
Apple iPhoto
Apple Aperture
CeWe

Low End
PhotoBox
Truprint
Kodak Gallery


My own personal preference is for photo books ordered through Apple's Aperture software. They're beautiful and reasonably priced I feel. If you want something extra special the guys at Graphi can provide you with as many options as you like until you are weary from making decisions. Asuka produce beautiful books too!

YeahOK

smelltheglove wrote: »

I'm liking their style Hugh, I have an order in for 2 books and I am considering using them instead now. Can I ask you is the custom logo the selction for going without their logo and would you recommend the wrap cover?


Sorry for hijacking - I'm getting terrible for that!

So when it comes to books and covers there are two - three options;

1. Cut out window on front of hardcover - these look pretty crap and and cheap imo. A bit Mary Kennedy Make & Do. Careful with the scissors!!
2. Dust Jacket - this is a step up from cut out window, you get a custom image printed on a matte / gloss laminated paper stock. Looks similar to a hardback book dust jacket, see Bill Clintons Biography in Hardback and you have the general idea.
3. Photo Wrap - this is a custom image printed on a matte / gloss laminated paper stock which is glued to the hardback. It looks the same as a Beano annual if that makes sense? These can look beautiful and add to the "Real Book" feel that was referred to earlier. These look great in a matte finish imo.

Hope that helps!

Fionn

YeahOK wrote: »

Here's a list,(by no means the only list) the higher to medium end tend to use HP above Nexpress along with better paper stock;
.............................................. If you want something extra special the guys at Graphi can provide you with as many options as you like until you are weary from making decisions. Asuka produce beautiful books too!

thanks - good info there!!
and would ya believe it I'll be in the same city for a few days as the Asuka guys next month, so if i worked really hard and got my order off i could probably call in and collect it

cool

Fireman

Fionn wrote: »

thanks - good info there!!
and would ya believe it I'll be in the same city for a few days as the Asuka guys next month, so if i worked really hard and got my order off i could probably call in and collect it

cool

FIONN Will you let me know how you get on with Asuka book as I signed up with them but never ordered with them yet. I done a book with Cewe great templates very easy to work with (Not like asuka) and you could insert you're own background but the quality of the book is not good enough for a wedding, Cover is very cheap and pages are poor quality. I am still on the look out!!!!

Fionn

Fireman wrote: »

FIONN Will you let me know how you get on with Asuka book ......

sure will - i'll have to get cracking to be ready. I'll be there (Bend Or) the last week in Aug i think so i have some time to get it all done and approved.

YeahOK

Fireman wrote: »

FIONN Will you let me know how you get on with Asuka book as I signed up with them but never ordered with them yet. I done a book with Cewe great templates very easy to work with (Not like asuka) and you could insert you're own background but the quality of the book is not good enough for a wedding, Cover is very cheap and pages are poor quality. I am still on the look out!!!!

If it's for a wedding, then I would use Asuka. Graphi or Apple Aperture. The quality of these is good enough to present as a wedding books, with Apple's offering probably being at the low end and Asuka / Graphi being at the higher end.

Anything else looks as you say yourself cheap and poor quality.

zokrez

I used My Cewe thanks to the recommendation on this thread. Excellent quality and very happy with the result although I mistyped some text on the spine which I didn't notice until my buddy who I gave it to said it to me

AnCatDubh

Just got back a lulu production myself. It wasn't bad overall. It was for personal use so i'd be more tolerant. To be critical I think the colour reproduction in it is slightly off - skin tones being more pink than pale was my biggest complaint and in essence not quite up to the mark if i were doing it as a professional sale item - but they were relatively cheap (about €27).

I'd use them again for anything that didn't need 100% accuracy - for the purpose i had in mind, it was fine.

zokrez

Anyone in a position to compare My Cewe to Blurb books - someone who has tried both ?