ISO: *Awesome* Quality Photobook Companies

[Beth Swann]

I've seen Viovio, Shutterfly, Treasured Ink, & Heritage Makers photobooks.

And THEN my SIL shows me a standard book she bought from Adorama! Let me tell you it was jaw-dropping gorgeous. The paper was photo quality if not photopaper itself, no gutters, no fuzziness, crystal clear imaging, etc. etc. The pages were thick, too. She said she didn't order anything special, just a regular book.

I'm just wondering if there are any other companies out there like that? Not that I mind ordering from Adorama but I just want to know if there are other options as well. I don't prefer a company just because of a low-price. I am willing to pay more for better quality. I'd particularly love to hear if anyone has purchased a WHCC book before and what you think of it.

I have read reviews here at SSD and also the big review that was done at TDD awhile back of several different companies. But none of the reviews that I could tell mentioned the quality of the paper and imaging. Please chime in if you have something to share! TIA!

[Megan Turnidge]

I've printed lots of books... and my Adoramapix book is, hands down, my fave! I don't know of anyone else who makes a book on the same level as Adoramapix that would be any cheaper.

[Megan Turnidge]

And yes, the AP books are on photo paper. They use fuji crystal archive paper. That's why the pages are so thick. Photographic prints are higher quality than press prints on cardstock and will last longer.

[aly321]

Ooh I will have to check them out. I am gearing myself up for December Daily this year. I WILL DO IT AND FINISH A BOOK! Thanks for the info.

[ayaandjudah]

What exactly is the December daily?

[cardinalskate]

Originally Posted by mturnidge

And yes, the AP books are on photo paper. They use fuji crystal archive paper. That's why the pages are so thick. Photographic prints are higher quality than press prints on cardstock and will last longer.

Is that what Persnickity uses? Do they do books and if so, has anyone ever gotten one there?

[adrianka]

Originally Posted by ayaandjudah

What exactly is the December daily?

I'm the last one who should talk about it, having no experience with it, but you are supposed to make a page for each day in December - both Christmas preparations and Christmas itself. I think for people with families this can be cool, especially if they are big into Christmas (who isn't :-), even though it's such a busy period that I admire anybody who can pull it off.

[Megan Turnidge]

Originally Posted by cardinalskate

Is that what Persnickity uses? Do they do books and if so, has anyone ever gotten one there?

Persnickety's prints do use the same photo paper, I believe. I'm pretty sure their printed books are press printed though and don't use their photos paper (and no, I haven't printed one).

[nun69]

I have 3 Inkubooks and I am super impressed with them...but I will have to try Adorama

[aly321]

December Daily is a concept created by Ali Edwards. You can read more about it here. I have tried to complete an album for a few years, and have yet to complete one!

[farrijc]

I made a vacation album earlier this year and printed it at both Adorama and Shutterfly... and yes, there is a big difference! I do not mind paying extra for something special like a vacation album, but it is important to note that Adorama limits the number of pages your book can have. You can't just add a page like you can at most other sites because of the way their books are put together. Be sure to check their options BEFORE you start your book!

[NatalieKW]

I haven't printed anywhere but VioVio and Shutterfly, but one day I will print my books at Adorama! I love that their books lay flat! How awesome is that?!

[mariewilcox]

Hmm, I use Persnickety because I like the heavier photo paper and their lie-flat books and the ability to make a book up to 200 pages. Not sure if I'm willing to switch companies or not, but maybe I'd try a smaller book with them to see how they compare

[scrapweaver]

I have had books printed through Big W and am not really that impressed with the quality . . there is another one here is Oz but cant remember the name . . keep meaning to check out the online stuff but keep forgetting all the different names, so subscribed to this thread!!!!

[Beth Swann]

Thanks, everyone, for the input! I appreciate it!

Keep it comin' if there's more to know.

[Nettio]

Blurb offers a ProLine version of their books. I haven't printed a ProLine book but I did print a book on their Premium paper and was really impressed with the quality so I imagine the ProLine level would be even better.

http://www.blurb.com/proline

[julia]

I've heard only good about them, it's where I'll print my next book, for sure!

[mdbsktcase]

I just checked AdoramaPix Photobook prices.
A 12x12 with 76 pages is the highest page count they'll go.
It costs $234.95.

I sure hope there have sales!!!
Do they ever a coupons or sales? I'd love to try them but they are pricey.

[cardinalskate]

Originally Posted by mdbsktcase

I just checked AdoramaPix Photobook prices.
A 12x12 with 76 pages is the highest page count they'll go.
It costs $234.95.

I sure hope there have sales!!!
Do they ever a coupons or sales? I'd love to try them but they are pricey.

For seriousness? Seriously?? Lawd...I can't afford that!

[Stacey42]

I'm a fan of blurb. I've done all 3 of my Project 365 books with them & am really impressed with the quality of their books

[Megan Turnidge]

Originally Posted by mdbsktcase

I just checked AdoramaPix Photobook prices.
A 12x12 with 76 pages is the highest page count they'll go.
It costs $234.95.

I sure hope there have sales!!!
Do they ever a coupons or sales? I'd love to try them but they are pricey.

Personally, I think 12x12 is too big... it doesn't even fit on my bookshelf. I LOVE the 10x10 size. A 10x10 book with 76 pages is $164.95 and yes, they have sales every now and then. Still not cheap, but the quality is WAY better than Shutterfly and such.

As far as press printed books, I do like my Blurb book. I used them to print my blog, but I didn't print LOs in it, so I'm not sure how that would look. I upgraded the paper and it looks very nice (not quite the level as an AP book, but good!)

[evelester]

I just ordered one from mixbook- should be here next week- I will let you know how it turns out- it was about $50 for a 8.5x8.5 46 page book. I am sooo exited to get it in my hands!!

[nun69]

Originally Posted by evelester

I just ordered one from mixbook- should be here next week- I will let you know how it turns out- it was about $50 for a 8.5x8.5 46 page book. I am sooo exited to get it in my hands!!

I just got a 130 page book from Inkubook yesterday and it is amazing...you do have to make sure you give yourself some room to make sure there is no journlaing cutoff on the edges

[mdbsktcase]

Personally, I think 12x12 is too big... it doesn't even fit on my bookshelf. I LOVE the 10x10 size. A 10x10 book with 76 pages is $164.95 and yes, they have sales every now and then. Still not cheap, but the quality is WAY better than Shutterfly and such.

Ooooohhhhh, I never thought of 10x10. I think 12x12 is too big too but I think 8x8 is too small. So I'd rather have a 12x12 but...... 10x10 would be PERFECT!! I don't think Shutterfly or Heritage Makers and the others provide that size.. do they?? I'm so going to do 10x10.

So do I just resize all my layouts to 10x10. Is that true to size there or do I have to save them differently?

I'm sooo excited about this!

[Megan Turnidge]

Originally Posted by mdbsktcase

Ooooohhhhh, I never thought of 10x10. I think 12x12 is too big too but I think 8x8 is too small. So I'd rather have a 12x12 but...... 10x10 would be PERFECT!! I don't think Shutterfly or Heritage Makers and the others provide that size.. do they?? I'm so going to do 10x10.

So do I just resize all my layouts to 10x10. Is that true to size there or do I have to save them differently?

I'm sooo excited about this!

ITA! 10x10 is perfect!! You don't have to resize for Adoramapix. just upload the 12x12's if you want!

[mdbsktcase]

ITA! 10x10 is perfect!! You don't have to resize for Adoramapix. just upload the 12x12's if you want!

THANK YOU! You have no idea how excited I am!! 10x10's are going to be my new size!! So excited!

[Megan Turnidge]

For any of you interested in trying AP, they posted this on their FB page:

[nadsann]

Originally Posted by evelester

I just ordered one from mixbook- should be here next week- I will let you know how it turns out- it was about $50 for a 8.5x8.5 46 page book. I am sooo exited to get it in my hands!!

I've ordered from Mixbook already....the quality is great...I was super impressed since I'd ordered from Picaboo and was unhappy with the print quality of the pics.