Shutterfly vs. MyPicTales

Shutterfly vs. MyPicTales *update: Artscow books too!*

Well, I thought I'd share my review about some books I got printed recently. I placed an order with Artscow, but I am STILL waiting for them to come. So, for now, here's my comparison between Shutterfly and MyPicTales.

Generally, I am not thrilled about either book. I posted a review at DST, but was a little nicer in that thread since I know the owner of MPT posts there and I didn't want to hurt any feelings. But I'll be completely honest with you gals!



SF left, MPT right

I wasn't very happy with my Shutterfly book. The pages didn't feel nice, the prints seemed kind of dull, one of my BG papers lost ALL detail. Also, my pictures on my LOs were blurry or pixelated.

That said, I do like MyPicTales' paper quite a bit better. It is more slick and slightly more glossy. The colors are pretty on. I was surprised that some of my pages printed rather darkly. I also had a problem with "spotty" photos. I think it may be the printing process? I'm not sure. I was showing my books to my professional photog. friend and he could tell right away that they were printed using presses and I think that may make a big difference.







The page above did print darker than expected. That black BG is supposed to look crackled like this:



I had this "spotty" problem with both books, though these pictures are from my MPT book. Pictures don't seem as defined, and slightly, well, spotty. I can't think of another word for it. LOL! No, that is not a problem with the picture I took. They really do look like that.





Overall, I do like my MPT book better than my SF book, especially the paper. BUT, I really am not so happy about either book. I am expecting Costco (LOVE THAT PLACE) quality, but I'm just not getting it.

So glad you posted this... I got a book from MPT and thought that the photos were just a little bit off - I don't know that they were as "dotty", but just didn't seem very crisp... I haven't printed from Shutterfly yet, but tried to compare against a plain photo book I got from them a few years ago to see photo quality - but without looking at the same images, it was too hard to tell. And if I really looked at my old Shutterfly book closely, I wasn't too sure those pictures were great either.

The colors and paper in the MPT book seemed pretty good though - and most of the LOs were just fine in quality - just the photos with a little haze!

I'm with you on wanting Costco quality in a photo book... I'm actually going to send a few LOs there just to make sure it's not just my bad photo taking skills!

BTW - your LOs look great in the book!

Okay, so I'm working on an 8x8 book right now for my daughter's baby album -all the papers and elements match throughout the book so it all kinda matches and I'm hoping to get it printed into a book in August. What tips would you have for printing? Is there anywhere else to go on the web, or are these three places you mentioned it? Would you suggest lightening LO's?

I have yet to have a book printed, so I appreciate the review. Gotta say though your layouts are great (bummer they didn't translate as well in the book) and DD looks just like you in that last pic!

My personal preference (right now, and still after megan's review) would be viovio. They don't have free offers like all the other places though... but they are cheaper than everywhere else. I like it much better than my shutterfly book--but it takes MUCH longer.

Thanks for the review again Megan. I'll get my viovio pics/info for you soon.

stayawake said:

Okay, so I'm working on an 8x8 book right now for my daughter's baby album -all the papers and elements match throughout the book so it all kinda matches and I'm hoping to get it printed into a book in August. What tips would you have for printing? Is there anywhere else to go on the web, or are these three places you mentioned it? Would you suggest lightening LO's?

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I know there are a number of places out there. Viovio is supposed to be good but their website is ridiculously hard to navigate.

I think I might lighten up my LOs a bit before printing, but it's hard to know whether the printer is the problem or your monitor just isn't calibrated correctly, kwim?

I sent 2 of my pages over to Costco to print just so I can compare. I am betting my Costco prints will be fabulous!

schock77 said:

I have yet to have a book printed, so I appreciate the review. Gotta say though your layouts are great (bummer they didn't translate as well in the book) and DD looks just like you in that last pic!

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Oh, you really think so???!!! YAY! EVERYONE says she looks like her daddy!

I appreciate this thread soooo much! I want to do books for my mom and my aunt for Christmas (and of course for myself!!!!). But I have no clue where to even start!

I got my Artscow books today! They are pretty! The covers are really nice. I actually like it better than my SF and MPT books! I did not have the same "darkening" problem and pictures on the LOs aren't quite Costco quality, but they're not nearly as bad as the photos in my other books. I'll be using more of my free photobook credits with them! (I have like 15 more...lol)

mturnidge said:

I got my Artscow books today! They are pretty! The covers are really nice. I actually like it better than my SF and MPT books! I did not have the same "darkening" problem and pictures on the LOs aren't quite Costco quality, but they're not nearly as bad as the photos in my other books. I'll be using more of my free photobook credits with them! (I have like 15 more...lol)

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Great to hear. I only have 9 credits left with artscow but now Ill use them for sure. Waiting a few weeks doesn't bother me, so I don't have a problem with them. How did you get 15 credits?!

I did see in the post at DST that costco uses a different printing process - and MPT uses laser printing - that might account for quality -
Thank you so much for this thread - for 75 cents a layout - I think that MPT is such a great deal!! And then 200 free any size - I'm glad you overall liked the quality -

stayawake said:

Great to hear. I only have 9 credits left with artscow but now Ill use them for sure. Waiting a few weeks doesn't bother me, so I don't have a problem with them. How did you get 15 credits?!

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Hahahah! Well, I got the one free book when I signed up. Then I got an email for a code to get 10 more books.... then when I ordered my 3 free books they had a promotion going and I got 9 MORE credits... so I got 20 free credits overall, used three, so I guess I actually have 17 left. LOL!

nonnie said:

I did see in the post at DST that costco uses a different printing process - and MPT uses laser printing - that might account for quality -
Thank you so much for this thread - for 75 cents a layout - I think that MPT is such a great deal!! And then 200 free any size - I'm glad you overall liked the quality -

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I'm curious if they use the same printing process for their individual prints as their books. That is a really great price, but I'm really picky about my print quality. I understand they use different print processes, but is it too much for me to ask for good prints however they're printed?

Also, I just picked up a copy of one of the pages that had been in my photobooks. It is NOT my file/pics that are the problem. Printed perfectly clear and not at all grainy. People at DST and Shutterfly and MyPicTales people were telling me it was my files that were the problem and not their printing. NOT TRUE! I'm not lying. I'll take pics later. lol