Large size photobook, 400 pages - who is best?

[Luca Brazzi]

Currently designing a large photobook in Blurb (13"x11") and expect the finished product to be around 400 pages or more. Due to the number of pages, I am forced to use their 'regular' paper rather than heavyweight premium lustre.

Having not printed with Blurb before, can anyone summarise their results from them? Image quality, colour reproduction, paper finish etc.

My book will probably not go higher than 50 copies, but quality needs to be top top notch in every respect, and I'm concerned that Blurb may not deliver in that respect.

Any other providers that you've had actual experience with, who are able to produce a large format book with several hundred pages at luxury book quality?

thanks in advance
LB

[GetCarter]

I did a 460 page one last year (20 copies) with Blurb and was very happy with it.

I use them a lot (I guess almost 1000 books so far) and only once did I have a problem, which they reprinted for free.

[Luca Brazzi]

Thanks for the feedback Steve. Gives me confidence that if it's good enough for you etc.

Will stick with blurb then. Out of interest, do you use their software or InDesign instead for complete freedom?

Just one other question at the moment....when looking at the closed book at the non-spine end, would having a load of coloured page edges (for when pictures are printed right to the edge of the paper) detract from the quality or not really make a difference? I really like the idea of a 26" x 11" image covering the whole page, but don't want to make the book look cheapened by having the edges look 'unclean' when the book is closed. Any thoughts?

[GetCarter]

I use their software.

Here's a pic of the 460 page book... every page bleeds to the edge.. I don't think it looks too bad. You'd almost think it was white.

[Luca Brazzi]

Excellent. And thank you so much for taking the time to take a shot of the book (and so quickly). It looks like a really substantial piece of coffee table pleasure Hopefully mine will be the same.

Cheers.

[baz7175]

Another thumbs up for Blurb, I turn my 365's into books at the end of each year and include a load of out-takes too with the books often ending up around 400 pages...


Babo's Informative Guide - Front Cover by www.bazpics.com, on Flickr


Babo's Informative Guide - Rear Cover by www.bazpics.com, on Flickr


Babo's Informative Guide - Page Sample 2 by www.bazpics.com, on Flickr


Uglyworld #1455 - Famous Friendlies (Project TW - Image 55-366) by www.bazpics.com, on Flickr

[GetCarter]

One more thing... make sure you have an offer code otherwise they are stupidly expensive. I've used them up to 40%. If you don't have one google 'Blurb offer codes'. Lastly use Blurb.co.uk not com - or you might find postage is more expensive and delivery slower.

[Luca Brazzi]

Thanks Gents. Definitely agree about the offer code, as 440 pages in large landscape is not cheap.

Looking forward to finishing the book and getting it done

Thanks again for the (inspirational) examples and advice.

S.

[GetCarter]

I just ordered some more books. Best code I found is JUMP - 25% off - no minimum order.