Two new photo book printing places...

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Comments

  • runswithsizzersrunswithsizzers Registered Users Posts: 13 Big grins
    edited December 31, 2009
    mercphoto wrote:
    ... 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?
  • DJKennedyDJKennedy Registered Users Posts: 555 Major grins
    edited December 31, 2009
    [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.
    http://www.djkennedy.com

    What did Cinderella say when she left the photo shop? "One day my prints will come."

  • mercphotomercphoto Registered Users Posts: 4,550 Major grins
    edited June 2, 2010
    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).
    Bill Jurasz - Mercury Photography - Cedar Park, TX
    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
  • mercphotomercphoto Registered Users Posts: 4,550 Major grins
    edited June 3, 2010
    Thought I'd write up something rather detailed on my latest thoughts on photo books:

    http://mercphoto.blogspot.com/2010/06/review-blurb-premium-paper-photo-book.html
    Bill Jurasz - Mercury Photography - Cedar Park, TX
    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
  • redleashredleash Registered Users Posts: 3,840 Major grins
    edited September 22, 2010
    Nice writeup, Bill--very useful info and the examples you showed were helpful.
    "But ask the animals, and they will teach you." (Job 12:7)

    Lauren Blackwell
    www.redleashphoto.com
  • chrismoorechrismoore Registered Users Posts: 1,083 Major grins
    edited December 7, 2010
    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.
  • Lara85Lara85 Registered Users Posts: 2 Beginner grinner
    edited September 7, 2011
    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) :D Does anyone know other companies (preferably in Europe) for creating and printing photo books?
  • mercphotomercphoto Registered Users Posts: 4,550 Major grins
    edited September 7, 2011
    Lara85 wrote: »
    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) :D 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.
    Bill Jurasz - Mercury Photography - Cedar Park, TX
    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
  • Lara85Lara85 Registered Users Posts: 2 Beginner grinner
    edited September 7, 2011
    mercphoto wrote: »
    Glad I could help! As per Europe, give GraphiStudios a try (Italy). Their software is also very cool to use for the page layout.
    Thank you, it's wonderful finding such an active forum! :D
  • jstrattonjstratton Registered Users Posts: 14 Big grins
    edited September 8, 2011
    I can't believe this thread is still going! :) For the record, I want to say that now.... 4 years later, we are using Black River Imaging for EVERYTHING. :)
    J+A Stratton
  • 2quick2clique2quick2clique Registered Users Posts: 27 Big grins
    edited October 22, 2013
    Any updates on this?

    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?
  • joie grljoie grl Registered Users Posts: 19 Big grins
    edited November 2, 2013
    Any updates on this?

    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.
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