DIY Photo Book Sites

ladyc

I've been searching for reviews and recommendations for photo book publishing sites (like Blurb, Picaboo, Viovio, etc), but much of what I've found has been a) written by pros FOR pros, b) written by amateurs without the experience to give a fair critique, or c) out-dated. Before you ask, yes, I've read this thread. I'm hoping that some people here may be able to provide some suggestions and insight for choosing a photo-book source for someone like myself. I want good quality, I understand what I need to do with my images to assure quality...I'm just not a pro. Therefore, I can't get access to pro sites (like the highly recommended pro side of Sharedink and Asuka). And, although I'll consider dropping good money to design and print a quality book, I can't afford to go printing test books at every site under the sun. I'm comfortable working in design software, so I'm not horribly turned off by places like viovio with their own limited design software as long as I can upload a finished page of my own design. What I would like to hear more about, specifically, is the quality of the end product.

So, for any sites that you have used (particularly if it's been recently), can you comment on the quality of the book you received? Binding method (glue, sewn, etc), cover, paper, photo quality, etc. Any direct comparisons you can make would be especially helpful.

Thanks for your help!

ETA: Has anyone seen/tried Tabblo for book printing?

claudermilk

Search is your friend: http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=38968&highlight=book+places

ladyc

claudermilk wrote:

Search is your friend: http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=38968&highlight=book+places

Thank you, but as I said in my first post, I've already visited, and read, that thread. However, much of the strongest support was for the pro side of SharedInk, which I cannot access as a non-pro. Also, many of the reviews for other sites, like Blurb and Picaboo, were from more than a year ago, and I don't want to assume that these sites have made zero efforts to improve their printing methods.

denisegoldberg

There are a number of comments on the experience of creating a blurb book in this thread - http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=75747&highlight=blurb.

You'll need to wander through the thread since there are many posts in their about the codes for the free promotion back in November. But there are also comments about the experience of creating the books and about the quality of the finished product.

--- Denise

claudermilk

ladyc wrote:

Thank you, but as I said in my first post, I've already visited, and read, that thread. However, much of the strongest support was for the pro side of SharedInk, which I cannot access as a non-pro. Also, many of the reviews for other sites, like Blurb and Picaboo, were from more than a year ago, and I don't want to assume that these sites have made zero efforts to improve their printing methods.

DOH! Sorry, missed that bit.

I have seen ongoing comments on Blurb & it sounds as if things are the same there as when the thread started. I have yet to get off my lazy butt & actually put together a book to give one of these guys a try...

Cuong

I've yet seen any site that can beat Blurb price wise. I got several hardcover standard size photo books from Blurb about 6 months ago and I was happy with the quality. Binding is stitched so there no problem with pages falling out over time due to usage. I've heard complaints from others about the lower weight 80# paper used by Blurb, but now they do offer the 100# premium paper option. The only way to know for sure is to try it out yourself. Good luck.

Cuong

ShepsMom

I have 3 Blurb books, in three different sizes, and they are great. I haven't seen nothing wrong with them. Easy to use, and if you pick Premium paper, even better. Price is good too.
Now, if i'm to do a book for a client, i might consider another source.