... I've never heard a bad thing about Asuka, and my own experience with them has always been top-notch. I'm going to stick with Asuka.
Am I right to say Asuka won't allow non-professionals to use their service?
This from their website:
"Who can register with AsukaBook?
AsukaBook products are available to professional photographers and designers creating books for resale or promotions. To protect the integrity and confidentiality of our registered customers, we do not disclose our prices, or ordering capabilities to the general public. For this reason, verifying professional status is imperative..."
Have any non-professionals tested their vetting process?
[quote=runswithsizzersMost people report their seriously flawed books were reprinted at no cost, but from what I gather, a rather large percentage do need to be reprinted. May be a problem for anyone working to a deadline?[/quote]
Ive had to have some reprints done myself, frustrating like you said if on a deadline. Although I wasnt, its still frustrating since the turn around time is so long from the US to CAN. But yes, if a reprint is required, it IS free.
Am I right to say Asuka won't allow non-professionals to use their service?
This from their website:
"Who can register with AsukaBook?
AsukaBook products are available to professional photographers and designers creating books for resale or promotions. To protect the integrity and confidentiality of our registered customers, we do not disclose our prices, or ordering capabilities to the general public. For this reason, verifying professional status is imperative..."
Have any non-professionals tested their vetting process?
Sorry I never saw your question before now, but yes you need to be a professional photographer to become an Asuka customer. As per how stringent their vetting process is I don't know. But, they let me in. I've done at least 6 books through them, always happy with the product. Always.
You might also try Pounds Photo Labs www.poundslabs.com. You need to be a professional with them as well, but I also don't know how hard the vetting process is. (Again, I got through). My opinion of Pounds is they have the quality of Asuka at a lower cost. Compared to Blurb, they are still more expensive for the smaller sized books, but not too much more expensive for the big books (like the 11x13 size).
I'd like to vouch for Asukabook- I did a couple with Blurb a year or two ago and was not impressed with their quality. I just received my first Asuka order and, while a little pricey, the print quality is absolutely astonishing. Putting the book together from scratch is a labor intensive process, but the final result exceeded my expectations in every way.
Firstly, Bill, your review on your blog about the Blurp photo books is very useful and detailed, thank you. I'm looking for websites that have nice photo book templates and themes. I tried customizing everything myself, but must say, I'm not the most creative person.
So far I'm happy with Red-Fly (red-fly.com) Does anyone know other companies (preferably in Europe) for creating and printing photo books?
Firstly, Bill, your review on your blog about the Blurp photo books is very useful and detailed, thank you. I'm looking for websites that have nice photo book templates and themes. I tried customizing everything myself, but must say, I'm not the most creative person.
So far I'm happy with Red-Fly (red-fly.com) Does anyone know other companies (preferably in Europe) for creating and printing photo books?
Glad I could help! As per Europe, give GraphiStudios a try (Italy). Their software is also very cool to use for the page layout.
I've heard/read that Blurb seems to be good but cheap (and so slightly lower quality),
zookbinders seems to have qc and service issues.
Black River?
Most companies tend to improve over time, but this threat is 2yrs old.. so things change.
any thoughts?
I just ordered my first book through zook binders/zookie pro. I do boudoir sessions and was looking for a nice book to offer in a premium package. I chose to go with the 10x10 luster, leather cover with small cameo. I also did the design myself and uploaded the spreads. The process was simple and the quality of the book is unbelievable. Their customer service is great, they kept in great contact with me and have offered to help me with pricing. While their pricing is on the high end for sure, I don't know that their quality can be matched. I haven't presented it to any clients as of yet, but friends who have seen it are astonished.
Comments
Am I right to say Asuka won't allow non-professionals to use their service?
This from their website:
"Who can register with AsukaBook?
AsukaBook products are available to professional photographers and designers creating books for resale or promotions. To protect the integrity and confidentiality of our registered customers, we do not disclose our prices, or ordering capabilities to the general public. For this reason, verifying professional status is imperative..."
Have any non-professionals tested their vetting process?
Ive had to have some reprints done myself, frustrating like you said if on a deadline. Although I wasnt, its still frustrating since the turn around time is so long from the US to CAN. But yes, if a reprint is required, it IS free.
What did Cinderella say when she left the photo shop? "One day my prints will come."
Sorry I never saw your question before now, but yes you need to be a professional photographer to become an Asuka customer. As per how stringent their vetting process is I don't know. But, they let me in.
You might also try Pounds Photo Labs www.poundslabs.com. You need to be a professional with them as well, but I also don't know how hard the vetting process is. (Again, I got through). My opinion of Pounds is they have the quality of Asuka at a lower cost. Compared to Blurb, they are still more expensive for the smaller sized books, but not too much more expensive for the big books (like the 11x13 size).
A former sports shooter
Follow me at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurasz/
My Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mercphoto?ref=hdr_shop_menu
http://mercphoto.blogspot.com/2010/06/review-blurb-premium-paper-photo-book.html
A former sports shooter
Follow me at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurasz/
My Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mercphoto?ref=hdr_shop_menu
Lauren Blackwell
www.redleashphoto.com
Crescent City Prints
Facebook Fan Page
Blog
So far I'm happy with Red-Fly (red-fly.com)
Glad I could help! As per Europe, give GraphiStudios a try (Italy). Their software is also very cool to use for the page layout.
A former sports shooter
Follow me at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurasz/
My Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mercphoto?ref=hdr_shop_menu
I've heard/read that Blurb seems to be good but cheap (and so slightly lower quality),
zookbinders seems to have qc and service issues.
Black River?
Most companies tend to improve over time, but this threat is 2yrs old.. so things change.
any thoughts?
I just ordered my first book through zook binders/zookie pro. I do boudoir sessions and was looking for a nice book to offer in a premium package. I chose to go with the 10x10 luster, leather cover with small cameo. I also did the design myself and uploaded the spreads. The process was simple and the quality of the book is unbelievable. Their customer service is great, they kept in great contact with me and have offered to help me with pricing. While their pricing is on the high end for sure, I don't know that their quality can be matched. I haven't presented it to any clients as of yet, but friends who have seen it are astonished.
www.captured-passion.smugmug.com