Best quality photo books?
Discussion
I have had a quick look via the search function, so apologies if this has been discussed before.
With Xmas looming I am looking to send a photo book (and possibly a calendar...) to my parents in Australia.
Which companies produce good quality image reproduction? I know there are quite wide discrepancies on this aspect and would like to hear other people's experiences.
With Xmas looming I am looking to send a photo book (and possibly a calendar...) to my parents in Australia.
Which companies produce good quality image reproduction? I know there are quite wide discrepancies on this aspect and would like to hear other people's experiences.
The best ones are www.queensberry.com
But they are VERY expensive.
Most of us are happy with www.blurb.co.uk
I sell about 100 books a year, all printed by them. Never had a complaint.
But they are VERY expensive.
Most of us are happy with www.blurb.co.uk
I sell about 100 books a year, all printed by them. Never had a complaint.
We use Blurb and I'd highly recommend them. Once you get a hang of their design software it's quite a handy tool, too.
We always choose large landscape size and a sleeve, rather than printed cover (the sleeve looks nicer, shows fingerprints less, feels better quality and is cheaper).
The standard paper printing quality is fantastic. But if it's handled roughly it can tear (you need to be very rough - but some people are). So you might want to consider a paper upgrade for that reason.
They print in San Francisco (I think) even for UK orders, so shipping to Australia shouldn't cost you much more, but it can be slow - we usually pay extra for quick delivery.
We always choose large landscape size and a sleeve, rather than printed cover (the sleeve looks nicer, shows fingerprints less, feels better quality and is cheaper).
The standard paper printing quality is fantastic. But if it's handled roughly it can tear (you need to be very rough - but some people are). So you might want to consider a paper upgrade for that reason.
They print in San Francisco (I think) even for UK orders, so shipping to Australia shouldn't cost you much more, but it can be slow - we usually pay extra for quick delivery.
dave stew said:
I have had a quick look via the search function, so apologies if this has been discussed before.
With Xmas looming I am looking to send a photo book (and possibly a calendar...) to my parents in Australia.
Which companies produce good quality image reproduction? I know there are quite wide discrepancies on this aspect and would like to hear other people's experiences.
Can't help you with the printer choice but you might be better getting it printed in Oz than the UK.With Xmas looming I am looking to send a photo book (and possibly a calendar...) to my parents in Australia.
Which companies produce good quality image reproduction? I know there are quite wide discrepancies on this aspect and would like to hear other people's experiences.
I suppose a printed photo book is more likely to get through the mail but our eldest Daughter has been in Sydney for a little over 18 months and the majority of the stuff my wife has sent out from time to time, be it greetings cards or the odd parcel, has never arrived at her residential address. We are suspicious of both ends but from what she can work out with other things that have not arrived the Oz end seems to be the black hole. Things get to the country and then vanish. However I would not rule out things vanishing before they get there so anyone offering the service you need locally could be a good choice.
bigbob77 said:
GetCarter said:
Not any longer.
Ooh really? Where is it now?O/P - out of interest Queensbury (the posh/expensive ones) are based in New Zealand.
If BookSmart doesn't have the flexibility that you need, then take a look at Photojunction. I use it for designing wedding albums, but have used it for designing Blurb books too - for those I use Photojunction to create full page jpegs and then just load those into the BookSmart software for uploading to Blurb.
Photojunction is pretty powerful, but does take a little while to get the hang of. It's owned by Queensberry but you don't need to be a Queensberry customer to use it, they almost keep it separate from their album business, you just have to register with Photojunction to get a free licence.
Photojunction is pretty powerful, but does take a little while to get the hang of. It's owned by Queensberry but you don't need to be a Queensberry customer to use it, they almost keep it separate from their album business, you just have to register with Photojunction to get a free licence.
flat-planedCrank said:
What routes do folks normally use to print with Blurb?
Is there BookSmart software ok? (I don't have a InDesign license)
Any sharpening requirements / tips?
Cheers folks
I find Booksmart fine, but I generally fill each page. I suggest you make the smallest, thinnest book you can, get it delivered, and have a look. You might then want to add some contrast etc for the book you want. It's worth the tiny investment.Is there BookSmart software ok? (I don't have a InDesign license)
Any sharpening requirements / tips?
Cheers folks
BTW - ALWAYS google 'Blurb codes' as you'll get up to 40% off - depending on offers. Last one got me 25%.
ETA, don't use it on your 'sample book' if you make one, as you can only use the code once.
I did a lot of research for my own wedding book (got married in June). In the end I went with a 'Bellissimo Perfecto' from Loxely Colour.
Not cheap but all the reviews highly rate them and Loxely Colour is often used by pros putting books together;
https://loxleycolour.com/bellissimoperfetto.aspx
Not cheap but all the reviews highly rate them and Loxely Colour is often used by pros putting books together;
https://loxleycolour.com/bellissimoperfetto.aspx
Asuka Books...
Rather expensive, but undoubtedly the best quality!
Printed and hand finished in Japan to the utmost precision!
Rather expensive, but undoubtedly the best quality!
Printed and hand finished in Japan to the utmost precision!
GetCarter said:
flat-planedCrank said:
What routes do folks normally use to print with Blurb?
Is there BookSmart software ok? (I don't have a InDesign license)
Any sharpening requirements / tips?
Cheers folks
I find Booksmart fine, but I generally fill each page. I suggest you make the smallest, thinnest book you can, get it delivered, and have a look. You might then want to add some contrast etc for the book you want. It's worth the tiny investment.Is there BookSmart software ok? (I don't have a InDesign license)
Any sharpening requirements / tips?
Cheers folks
BTW - ALWAYS google 'Blurb codes' as you'll get up to 40% off - depending on offers. Last one got me 25%.
ETA, don't use it on your 'sample book' if you make one, as you can only use the code once.
Did as Mr Carter suggested and did a trial book first - glad I did as I wasn't too happy with the paper choice for the trial.
Ended up going with Blurb's 'Premium Lustre' paper, really nice finish - glossy, packed with detail, heavy-weight paper stock.
Also found a discount code and saved a bit too - thanks for the help guys
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