When printing albums...

Do you have to do something special for the binding of the album? I'm talking about when you download your layouts and order an album from Snapfish or Mypublisher. When they bind the book, does it chop off the inside edge of your layout or is there something special you have to do when creating a layout to accommodate for the binding?

Also, what do you all think about cost effectiveness and quality of printing out your own layouts into an album vs getting it done at one of the above websites?

I'm still probably a long way off from completing an album but I'm thinking ahead already. I've searched some threads and it looks like snapfish was not the best quality but I've also wondered about mypublisher and shutterfly. Any thoughts?

I just finished putting together a book at artscow.com. In the book creation editor (not their terminology, lol), it gives you a gray box around the entire edge of the pages to account for the binding/edges of the pages. What I learned is that I will need to be more careful about giving at least 1/4 inch of spacing around the edges of the layouts so that I don't have them cut off ... I was able to "zoom out" on some of them, and will likely have a white edge around the layouts, but I'd rather do that then cut them off.

It gave different dimensions for the front and back cover pages ... so I created new covers to accomodate their sizing.

Hope that helps!

Shutterfly is horrible as far as printing goes... I hated my book printed with them, but some people don't notice. My photos turned out REALLY blurry and grainy, even though there was nothing wrong with the photos themselves. My SIL loves Shutterfly, but when I looked through her albums I noticed the same graininess on her photos as I'd seen in my book. She just never noticed. If you've ever printed your pages with a photo lab, like Costco, you will notice, but if you haven't you may be perfectly happy with Shutterfly.

All the book printers (Shutterfly, MyPicTales, and Artscow) I've tried end up printing less than photo quality... usually the scrap stuff turns out beautiful, but the photos on the pages are grainy or just kind of lose their sparkle.

If these things don't bother you, go with MyPicTales. They are cheaper than SF and better quality, in my opinion. There is always a 25% coupon code on their homepage too.

I've never tried MyPublisher but want to b/c I know some photographers print with them... I just wish they offered some square books.

YES< you need to accomodate for binding on your LOs.... it will depend on who you're printing with though. They should provide templates or some guidleines for you somewhere on their website in regards to sizing... usually you need to adjust your margins so important stuff is at least 1/4 inch from the edges so they can cut your pages. I always go at least 1/3 inch on the edge I know will be bound into the book with stuff like journaling.

So, you can go to Costco and print like 12 x 12 pages there? And then put them in your own book right? Or do they only do smaller than 12x12? And the quality of picture and layout is better than the online sources?

momtutu said:

So, you can go to Costco and print like 12 x 12 pages there? And then put them in your own book right? Or do they only do smaller than 12x12? And the quality of picture and layout is better than the online sources?

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Yeah, my Costco prints 12x12 and 8x8 but it really adds up.... $1.50 to $3 PER PAGE. The prints from Costco are GORGEOUS and I've printed LOs with both Costco and in books and Costco prints are far better. But you're really paying for that quality. Books are a lot cheaper, but lesser quality in comparison. For the pages that had grainy photos in my books, they turned out PERFECT from Costco. So.... it's really up to you and your budget.

Ahhhh....I didn't know that about Costco - I don't have a membership there but I do at Sams. I wonder if they do the same thing? I'll have to check it out.

I'm willing to pay for my prints and pictures for the quality though. I don't want grainy stuff! Does that make me a digi snob?

momtutu said:

Ahhhh....I didn't know that about Costco - I don't have a membership there but I do at Sams. I wonder if they do the same thing? I'll have to check it out.

Does that make me a digi snob?

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I have a membership at both and I personally think Costo is the better of the 2. Pricier yes. But you get what you pay for.

I just ordered from MyPicTales and haven't gotten my layouts yet. So I'm not sure about the quality yet. But if you order $10 you get a coupon for $100 worth of prints. I couldn't resist. Plus the price was great and I usually look for a bargain.

I tend to do Costco when I am making something for someone else. Just because it looks the best.

No I don't think that makes you a digi snob. It's all about what you want and can afford. :thumbup: