Which is Best Quality PhotoBook ?

[intex]

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For the last few times, I have used M-Pix for my photobooks (by Photobook I mean a bound book of my photos, that are printed in book form, by Mpix, Kodak, etc.)

 

I was not that happy with the qulity of the pictures printed, The resolution was not high enough, or did not look high resolution. The pictures were taken at approx. 4-6Mb per picture, and look crystal clear onour Hi-Res monitors and when printed on 8x10's (by Mpix), but in the book, they look as if a 1/2 Mpixel camera shot them.

 

Am I doing something wrong, or is there another shop that can print a book with hi-res pictures?

 

Thanks

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[Shadowplay]

For the last few times, I have used M-Pix for my photobooks (by Photobook I mean a bound book of my photos, that are printed in book form, by Mpix, Kodak, etc.)

 

I was not that happy with the qulity of the pictures printed, The resolution was not high enough, or did not look high resolution. The pictures were taken at approx. 4-6Mb per picture, and look crystal clear onour Hi-Res monitors and when printed on 8x10's (by Mpix), but in the book, they look as if a 1/2 Mpixel camera shot them.

 

Am I doing something wrong, or is there another shop that can print a book with hi-res pictures?

 

Thanks

I can thoroughly recommend you stay far far away from Blurb then. I had the same impression about the quality of the images being severely degraded. Even the book I received from WHCC (whom I hold in very high regard) I felt were of lower quality than they should have been.

 

That being said, there are two companies I would trust, one is asuka book, the other is WHCC (white house custom color).

 

Best of luck, please let us know how things turn out with whomever you choose.

[DTD]

Have used the Apple iPhoto and Aperture books and thought they were pretty good. Kodak ones not too bad either.

Are your images at the page size or bigger at 300ppi, a lot of on-line printers use a sRGB colour space, save as highest quality jpegs.

[intex]

Thank you for the recommendations.

 

Has anyone else had any experience with Asuka, WHCC or other high quality photo book printers?

[photolandscape]

I can thoroughly recommend you stay far far away from Blurb then. I had the same impression about the quality of the images being severely degraded. Even the book I received from WHCC (whom I hold in very high regard) I felt were of lower quality than they should have been.

 

That being said, there are two companies I would trust, one is asuka book, the other is WHCC (white house custom color).

 

Best of luck, please let us know how things turn out with whomever you choose.

 

I have self-published five different books on Blurb.com--four 13x11" hardbounds with dustjackets and one softbound. For the most part, I am pleased with them. My pleasure comes from the fact that such a service even exists. I work for a very high-end offset printer. In the U.S., if you printed 1 copy of a 112-page book 4 color process, same grade of paper, smythe-sewn, and hardbound with dustjacket, you would pay approximately $12,000. In China, you could probably get something nearly as good for $6,000--for one copy.

 

If you have money and time to burn, printing and binding your own images on a well-calibrated high-end inkjet printer, or going the offset route, would be your best bet. Offset printing is extremely wasteful when it comes to small quantities--the presses are designed to run several thousand impressions and up in order to print the best quality and to begin gaining some economies of scale.

 

With Blurb, I would say that the dynamic range, due to the file sizes and compromises that go along with them, is somewhat reduced, producing a flatter, less contrasty look. The color, when compared to the images on my NEC LCD, is good, but not great, but then again, you're comparing reflective art (the book) to a light-emitting source (LCD), so that is to be expected. Blurb uses different contract digital printers, with different digital presses, so that can lead to some variations. Also, as I found out, the presses used to print the dustjacket are different from those used to print the interior text pages, so the same image, or same color-tinted background can or will vary.

 

All that being said, the technology is still amazing. The price is remarkable. The opportunity to self-publish your own work is still, in some ways, mind-boggling. There is a lot of room for improvement, and it will come in the next several years. I haven't used any of the other services, so am only able to comment on my Blurb.com experiences. Blurb.com's customer service has been excellent. They have readily and cheerfully agreed to correct any significant problems (one being a paper "mottling" issue that produced a splotchy appearance on a dark gray page).

 

One last thing--I did do one soft-bound book. Wasn't too happy with the binding quality, but again, the thing cost me $25, so all things considered, it isn't bad. I do think that in the long-term, the weakest link in what I've seen from Blurb.com will be the bindings, which aren't designed to withstand too much handling.

 

Experiment. Pick the best source, and go for it. And do what I always tell other people to do but don't always do myself--proof-read, proof-read, and proof-read before uploading your files. Blurb.com has a spell-checker--not great, but fairly decent. Best thing to do is print out the file on a laser printer and use it for text proofing.

[SJP]

For those in the NL I tried the HEMA photoalbum service (HEMA is a large chain of general stores selling clothes, food/wine & household stuff).

 

The pics are resampled by the software but the file turned out larger than the originals so I am not sure what effect this has in my case. I was using small jpegs from C1LE so possibly if you use the larges size you would lose resolution. From my own point of view I was slightly disappointed with the outcome, but still fun to show people & convenient to carry around. Some relatives I sent it to as a surprise present seem absolutely delighted. It took more like 10 days to get through the system i.e. 2x longer than the 5 days advertised, admittedly in august peak season.

 

I was looking at the blurb site just now and started to get the creeping deeling the HEMA is just outsourcing to blurb i.e. acting as an intermediary. Can anyone confim this or do they run their own shop? If it is a different set-up how would you compare book/picture quality between the two. Anyone??

 

Anyway I am pretty sure I will do this more often.

[Agent M10]

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For black and white, I've read that SharedInk is the best. I plan on publishing a book later this year with them.

[intex]

Thank you for the input.

I am still not sure which company I should go with. Some hate Blurb, some like it.

I saw the Asuka and WHCC sites, has anyone had any good experience with these? Mpix must be using a different process on their custom prints as opposed to their Photo Books, I will contact them regarding this.

Thanks

[wilfredo]

Can anyone post samples from their books to get a better idea of what the different options look like? I realize something will be lost in the process of posting but is it very difficult to gage what some like and others don't.

 

Thanks,

 

Wilfredo

Benitez-Rivera Photography

[intex]

This is what Asuka sent me on their quality:

 

We print our books using a digital on demand process and an HP Indigo

4-color press which utilizes electronic inks, halftone dot, with 175 lpi.

Digital on Demand printing produces color and texture like an offset press.

We use special inks that outlast the life of widely used press inks.

 

AsukaBook uses archival quality, gloss paper that is approximately 100 lb

weight. A surface varnish or laminate coating (glossy or matte finish) is also applied increasing

durability and quality. Expect your book to last at least as long as any

standard high-quality printed book. Our quality is like any high-quality

coffee table book you’d find at a large bookstore such as Barnes & Noble.

 

A color profile has been specially developed for the AsukaBook press. Color

consistency and accuracy is our first priority. The printing press is

calibrated every 100 printed pages. This type of control is very rare in the

printing industry.

 

 

Our books are white glove inspected in Japan, before they are shipped to the US for distribution.

We then, do another white glove inspection of all books that come through to ensure the quality is top notch.

The covers of our books are hand placed and each and every page is inspected closely, as they are printed.

[intex]

What are your thoughts on Asuka, keeping in mind the info they sent me.

I do not have intimate knowledge of printing methods, and if the Indigo is the best system or not.

Thanks

[baloo]

This is what Asuka sent me on their quality:

 

We print our books using a digital on demand process and an HP Indigo

4-color press which utilizes electronic inks, halftone dot, with 175 lpi.

Digital on Demand printing produces color and texture like an offset press.

We use special inks that outlast the life of widely used press inks.

 

AsukaBook uses archival quality, gloss paper that is approximately 100 lb

weight. A surface varnish or laminate coating (glossy or matte finish) is also applied increasing

durability and quality. Expect your book to last at least as long as any

standard high-quality printed book. Our quality is like any high-quality

coffee table book you’d find at a large bookstore such as Barnes & Noble.

 

A color profile has been specially developed for the AsukaBook press. Color

consistency and accuracy is our first priority. The printing press is

calibrated every 100 printed pages. This type of control is very rare in the

printing industry.

 

 

Our books are white glove inspected in Japan, before they are shipped to the US for distribution.

We then, do another white glove inspection of all books that come through to ensure the quality is top notch.

The covers of our books are hand placed and each and every page is inspected closely, as they are printed.

Blurb use the same press HP indigo, from my exprérience some time they are great and some time there not but usualy they will be glad to replace what is not right

 

Steve

[intex]

OK, I have registered with Asuka, their prices are high, but the main problem is the 80 side (40 page) limit on books? Has anyone used them??

[vittmezz]

Hello,

 

I am too looking for decent quality options to create photobooks.

Is anybody familiar with Lulu.com - Eigenverlag - Kostenlos

 

Thanks!

 

vm

[John Thawley]

I have produced 100s of books... as portfolios, retail products, customer presentations etc. etc. - I began doing them in 2004 using Ofoto, Shutterfly, Apple, Sharedink, Blurb, VioVio, WHCC etc.

 

Most use the Indigo HP. I can list the shortcomings of all ... and the similarities. At the end of the day, print on demand still has a certain "black-hole" risk built into the process.

 

Bang for buck... there is no questioning Blurb's value. You get a lot of book for the money. My last was 150 pages... I'd say there were 3 or 4 I didn't like. However, if I were to be honest, when I went back to look at the files, I could see a tendency in the image to go the direction it went in the printing. Typically, with this type of printing process, the black point seems to be the moving target.

 

Shutterfly, Kodak, and many of the rest are going to give you cheezy looking soccer mom souvenir books... in my opinion.

 

Apple's softback books are nice looking... decent value and turn around is pretty quick.

 

VioVio .... great customer service... and they need it. The book production is a mess. Shipping is a mess. Bindery ... (at least in my case) was a mess.

 

White House Custom Color pays attention. Your images should be good from them. Again, keep in mind there's not a lot of control built into the Indigo. But, White House has PEOPLE watching. Most other suppliers are fully automated and no one is in touch with your order AT ALL.

 

SharedInk. This is where the rubber meets the road. Chris Hickman has the finest bindery in the business. His leather bound product is beautiful. He uses garment quality leather... we're talking near museum quality. The "end" papers are spectacular and even his linen bound book covers are done with Italian lines. Beautiful.

 

Also, Chris will literally walk the printing through. He uses high quality papers... heavier than most... and usually knows a fix if something goes wrong.

 

SharedInk is more expensive. But, I have to say.... WELL WORTH IT, if you can justify it.

 

So for me, I currently use Apple for softback quick 20 page books. Blurb for high page-count hard bound books. SharedInk for personal high quality books.

 

JT

[intex]

John,

I don't know if I should thank you for your post, or think of it as one more solution to ponder?

I thought I was finished with my search, after deciding on WHCC, but now you are throwing SharedInk into the mix.

From your experience, is the quality of sharedink better than WHCC?

Also I think that WHCC is actually more expensive than shraedink?

Which one has more options as to templates for the pages, or are you able to put as many prints on one page as you wish?

Thanks

[John Thawley]

John,

I don't know if I should thank you for your post, or think of it as one more solution to ponder?

I thought I was finished with my search, after deciding on WHCC, but now you are throwing SharedInk into the mix.

From your experience, is the quality of sharedink better than WHCC?

Also I think that WHCC is actually more expensive than shraedink?

Which one has more options as to templates for the pages, or are you able to put as many prints on one page as you wish?

Thanks

 

Ah... that's a no-brainer. SharedInk.

 

First, let me say, I'm a huge fan of WHCC. I do a ton of work with them and NO ONE can touch them for prints, their short run printed products and customer service. They are the best lab hands-down. I felt they got into the book business a little unready and haven't felt that segment of their product line is on par with the rest. Though... they do deliver a nice book.

 

I've done quite a few books with SharedInk, including one that was a 400 book run. I cannot say enough about the quality and the care that goes into their product.

 

When I first spoke to Chirs, my question was blunt... "why should I pay you $39.95 for a 20 page book when everyone else is $29.95?" His response was, "Because my book is better." He sent me samples of a linen hard bound book and a leather hard bound book. I opened the package and my face turned red. His book was more than just "better." The bindery work was head and shoulders above anything I had ever seen. The leather bound cover was breathtaking. The end papers looked like beautiful hand made papers. Even the linen in the cloth hard bound was amazing. The leather felt like fine glove leather... not a split shiny cowhide.. but a soft garment leather.

 

The pages were heavy semi-gloss stock... heavier than anyone elses. And when I finally did a book of my own, the rendering was excellent... again, the best I'd seen.

 

When we did the 400 copies, Chris walked it through every step of the way... proofed every page ahead of printing (for color)... it was a pleasure to work with him and I've had other associates since claim the same.

 

Hands down.... the best.

 

Feel free to use my name.

 

JT

[intex]

John,

Did you design the book in Sharedink program, or did you design the book in Photoshop, then save each page as a jpg file?

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[John Thawley]

John,

Did you design the book in Sharedink program, or did you design the book in Photoshop, then save each page as a jpg file?

 

Ah, sorry... I failed to mention that. I simply downloaded SharedInks page templates and built my own pages. They are simply rectangles with left/right bleed guides. With a little math, you can do full two-page spreads across the gutter perfectly.

 

The only word of caution I might add is to watch what you're doing with text in Photoshop. JPEGs and rastor files in general don't do well with small text. I especially had some problems with reversed text on black pages... we managed it, but I would stay away from it in future projects. It's a dots per inch thing that hinders text size and digital printing doesn't really handle "traps" well on the reversed text.

 

I actually ended up doing the pages that had paragraphs of text in Adobe InDesign and converting them to press ready PDF.

 

Like I said in an earlier post, though... working with Chris Hickman you get a missing link that doesn't exist with most print on demand publishers. Speaking to a human has it's advantages. Most of these outfits dump your online order into the glopada-glopada machine and there's no looking back. You can't even change a shipping address once you click "Complete My Order." Not so with SharedInk.

 

JT

[intex]

Now I found out why I could not understand all the posts about SharedInk - Turn your free online photo albums into books (great gift ideas!) ,

evidently there is a whole seperate program for professional photographers, that is not even mentioned on their web page.

 

I had to google around a few times to even find mention of it. I hope that after I am accepted, and am able to access the site, I will find the new site better suited to my needs than their standasrd book publishing site.

 

These people need to learn something about marketing...