Photo book making services suggestions...

[autofocus]

Wanting to find a reasonably high quality supplier of photo books to offer to clients. I don't want pricing to be off the chart, however. I've dealt with MyPublisher in the past, and from what I've experienced their quality is just OK. I'm also looking into Blurb, but really know little about their quality. I would appreciate any comments, recommendations, or suggestions from those suppliers you may have tried. There are many out there, and if I offer a book to a customer I want it to be of a quality level that warrants they paying a few hundred dollars to purchase. Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this.

[Matthias099]

MPIX.com

I know a lot of people here have used them in the past. I don't print much, so I can't give you my own experience, but I know somebody will.

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by Matthias099

MPIX.com

I know a lot of people here have used them in the past. I don't print much, so I can't give you my own experience, but I know somebody will.

thanks, let's see what the folks have to say about their books...and I do have an account with them

[Niresangwa]

I'd suggest you take a look at Picaboo. I've switched to them for everything recently, (though Blurb was truly excellent), as they offer excellent quality and options with great pricing. Moreover, their printing is not only quick but accurate in terms of color representation etc.

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

I'd suggest you take a look at Picaboo. I've switched to them for everything recently, (though Blurb was truly excellent), as they offer excellent quality and options with great pricing. Moreover, their printing is not only quick but accurate in terms of color representation etc.

Thanks Steve, I just took a peek at Picaboo, and their product offering looks really interesting. Obviously, you switched from Blurb..was there a particular reason or reasons why you've found Picaboo to be better than Blurb? I have a project opportunity in the works...we shot a designer showcase house, and the homeowner wants to have a nice permanent record and memory of her show house. The tricky part is she may want to design the layout of the book with me, and I'm wrestling with how I can do this without revealing both the source, all the options, and the pricing of the book. Wished I had some demo units to show her, but unfortunately, we don't have any. Would be nice if Picaboo had a download-able catalog showing all the options without prices...I don't recall seeing one on their website.

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

I'd suggest you take a look at Picaboo. I've switched to them for everything recently, (though Blurb was truly excellent), as they offer excellent quality and options with great pricing. Moreover, their printing is not only quick but accurate in terms of color representation etc.

Steve, I just had a chat with picaboo customer service concerning their logo on their products. Unfortunately, it appears on all their line except their Regency series. This is a bit of a deal breaker for me because it would be too easy for a client to go to the website and see real costs. From what I saw with Blurb, removal of their logo is an option you can exercise when creating the book...seems to make more sense. Too bad, I really was liking the looks of their product. Thanks again for the suggestion though.

[UlpilotSC]

Not sure how blurb differs from the others, or how software has changed. Something I liked about Blurb when no one else was doing it: Blurb gives you a blank page and total control over how your book looks, if you want it. At the time I was looking around everyone else forced you into pre-set layouts. I think shutterfly and maybe snapfish have blank pages now, but I'm not sure. I havent gone back to see, just because I like the blurb interface now that I'm used to it.
I also like the blurb software because it's NOT web based. You can put it on a laptop or desktop and work on it at your leisure. You're not tethered to the internet. When you finish you upload the completed project all at once.

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by UlpilotSC

Not sure how blurb differs from the others, or how software has changed. Something I liked about Blurb when no one else was doing it: Blurb gives you a blank page and total control over how your book looks, if you want it. At the time I was looking around everyone else forced you into pre-set layouts. I think shutterfly and maybe snapfish have blank pages now, but I'm not sure. I havent gone back to see, just because I like the blurb interface now that I'm used to it.
I also like the blurb software because it's NOT web based. You can put it on a laptop or desktop and work on it at your leisure. You're not tethered to the internet. When you finish you upload the completed project all at once.

although I've never used it, I've only heard good things about Blurb...right now, it's looking like a viable choice

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by autofocus

Thanks Steve, I just took a peek at Picaboo, and their product offering looks really interesting. Obviously, you switched from Blurb..was there a particular reason or reasons why you've found Picaboo to be better than Blurb? I have a project opportunity in the works...we shot a designer showcase house, and the homeowner wants to have a nice permanent record and memory of her show house. The tricky part is she may want to design the layout of the book with me, and I'm wrestling with how I can do this without revealing both the source, all the options, and the pricing of the book. Wished I had some demo units to show her, but unfortunately, we don't have any. Would be nice if Picaboo had a download-able catalog showing all the options without prices...I don't recall seeing one on their website.

Well, the main reason I switched was because of the book options.. Picaboo does leathers and also flush mount etc, not to mention their modern lines... I was really pleased to find the quality and flexibility was just as good with Picaboo as Blurb.. I was a Blurb fanboi for a long time because of their quality and uploading system...Picaboo is the same just with more options.

Originally Posted by autofocus

Steve, I just had a chat with picaboo customer service concerning their logo on their products. Unfortunately, it appears on all their line except their Regency series. This is a bit of a deal breaker for me because it would be too easy for a client to go to the website and see real costs. From what I saw with Blurb, removal of their logo is an option you can exercise when creating the book...seems to make more sense. Too bad, I really was liking the looks of their product. Thanks again for the suggestion though.

Yeah, well, for what it's worth, the marking is just a pressed/embossed small logo on the back of the book. For me it makes no difference as when I quote a book price its the base cost plus my editing time (which is where I make my profit on it)..

I think for the project you're describing, Blurb is the way to go... if it was for your portrait business, I would say Picaboo would give you more options.

Originally Posted by autofocus

although I've never used it, I've only heard good things about Blurb...right now, it's looking like a viable choice

They are really excellent.. their new paper options they introduced a while ago really are quite lavish and nice...

[autofocus]

Thanks again for all your comments and help on this Steve. This is pretty much virgin territory for me, and I appreciate your background and knowledge in this area.