Comments on: Adorama, Blurb & Lulu – Book Printing Review http://insig.ht/2009/06/print-on-demand-review/ insig.ht is both quick take and deep dive into the means of making photographs. It’s personal vision, from the inside out; a new, collective way of seeing that’s immediate, original and global. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:46:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Mikey Leung http://insig.ht/2009/06/print-on-demand-review/comment-page-1/#comment-197 Mikey Leung Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:54:39 +0000 http://insig.ht/?p=420#comment-197 Thanks for this blog. I've been browsing around as well and was also a bit dismayed by the resulting print quality reviews, especially as a semi-professional author/photographer. <br><br>For me, there's really no point in having a sub-par product printed out and marketed. After following the links from this blog I'm more convinced that Asukabook is a way to go. But they also use Indigo printers -- the same as Blurb! So if anybody else out there has reviews of Asuka I'd love to see that here. Thanks for this blog. I've been browsing around as well and was also a bit dismayed by the resulting print quality reviews, especially as a semi-professional author/photographer.

For me, there's really no point in having a sub-par product printed out and marketed. After following the links from this blog I'm more convinced that Asukabook is a way to go. But they also use Indigo printers — the same as Blurb! So if anybody else out there has reviews of Asuka I'd love to see that here.

]]> By: audreyt1947 http://insig.ht/2009/06/print-on-demand-review/comment-page-1/#comment-165 audreyt1947 Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:21:17 +0000 http://insig.ht/?p=420#comment-165 Smilebooks by CEWE has the best photobook color, paper quality, easy and flexible software and prices (with nearly constant SIZEABLE coupon specials). The only downside is that it's based in Europe and has no rush order capabilities that I've been able to find. Also, there is seemingly no way to contact them with questions. I had a couple during book creation, found I couldn't get an answer, and proceeded to figure it out myself, so I guess there really was no need to have a contact number. I've tried mPix (awful, despite the positive online reviews) and while their rush capabilities were impressive, the rest of my experience was not, ranging from their incredibly non-intuitive and quirky software to the lack of choice in papers with, incredibly, NO gloss/semi-gloss option (like a coffee table book)! Adoramapix fared little better in the software department and I can't tell you whether the book quaility is any better, since I spent hours online fighting the software to eventually come up with a 26-page masterpiece, only to encounter "Web page cannot be displayed" error message every time I hit "Proceed to Checkout" (day after day). Calling their phone number to order didn't work either, as I waited on hold for almost an hour. I used that time to convert my Adoramapix book to the Smilebooks software and ordered my book from them, which I should have done in the first place. I never did find out if Adoramapix would have taken me off hold and allowed me to order, since, having placed my order with Smilebooks, I hung up on them! Holding my Smilebooks order as I type this, and I'm telling you, you can't go wrong with this company. Smilebooks by CEWE has the best photobook color, paper quality, easy and flexible software and prices (with nearly constant SIZEABLE coupon specials). The only downside is that it's based in Europe and has no rush order capabilities that I've been able to find. Also, there is seemingly no way to contact them with questions. I had a couple during book creation, found I couldn't get an answer, and proceeded to figure it out myself, so I guess there really was no need to have a contact number. I've tried mPix (awful, despite the positive online reviews) and while their rush capabilities were impressive, the rest of my experience was not, ranging from their incredibly non-intuitive and quirky software to the lack of choice in papers with, incredibly, NO gloss/semi-gloss option (like a coffee table book)! Adoramapix fared little better in the software department and I can't tell you whether the book quaility is any better, since I spent hours online fighting the software to eventually come up with a 26-page masterpiece, only to encounter “Web page cannot be displayed” error message every time I hit “Proceed to Checkout” (day after day). Calling their phone number to order didn't work either, as I waited on hold for almost an hour. I used that time to convert my Adoramapix book to the Smilebooks software and ordered my book from them, which I should have done in the first place. I never did find out if Adoramapix would have taken me off hold and allowed me to order, since, having placed my order with Smilebooks, I hung up on them! Holding my Smilebooks order as I type this, and I'm telling you, you can't go wrong with this company.

]]> By: audreyt1947 http://insig.ht/2009/06/print-on-demand-review/comment-page-1/#comment-157 audreyt1947 Sat, 28 Nov 2009 03:21:17 +0000 http://insig.ht/?p=420#comment-157 Smilebooks by CEWE has the best photobook color, paper quality, easy and flexible software and prices (with nearly constant SIZEABLE coupon specials). The only downside is that it's based in Europe and has no rush order capabilities that I've been able to find. Also, there is seemingly no way to contact them with questions. I had a couple during book creation, found I couldn't get an answer, and proceeded to figure it out myself, so I guess there really was no need to have a contact number. I've tried mPix (awful, despite the positive online reviews) and while their rush capabilities were impressive, the rest of my experience was not, ranging from their incredibly non-intuitive and quirky software to the lack of choice in papers with, incredibly, NO gloss/semi-gloss option (like a coffee table book)! Adoramapix fared little better in the software department and I can't tell you whether the book quaility is any better, since I spent hours online fighting the software to eventually come up with a 26-page masterpiece, only to encounter "Web page cannot be displayed" error message every time I hit "Proceed to Checkout" (day after day). Calling their phone number to order didn't work either, as I waited on hold for almost an hour. I used that time to convert my Adoramapix book to the Smilebooks software and ordered my book from them, which I should have done in the first place. I never did find out if Adoramapix would have taken me off hold and allowed me to order, since, having placed my order with Smilebooks, I hung up on them! Holding my Smilebooks order as I type this, and I'm telling you, you can't go wrong with this company. Smilebooks by CEWE has the best photobook color, paper quality, easy and flexible software and prices (with nearly constant SIZEABLE coupon specials). The only downside is that it's based in Europe and has no rush order capabilities that I've been able to find. Also, there is seemingly no way to contact them with questions. I had a couple during book creation, found I couldn't get an answer, and proceeded to figure it out myself, so I guess there really was no need to have a contact number. I've tried mPix (awful, despite the positive online reviews) and while their rush capabilities were impressive, the rest of my experience was not, ranging from their incredibly non-intuitive and quirky software to the lack of choice in papers with, incredibly, NO gloss/semi-gloss option (like a coffee table book)! Adoramapix fared little better in the software department and I can't tell you whether the book quaility is any better, since I spent hours online fighting the software to eventually come up with a 26-page masterpiece, only to encounter “Web page cannot be displayed” error message every time I hit “Proceed to Checkout” (day after day). Calling their phone number to order didn't work either, as I waited on hold for almost an hour. I used that time to convert my Adoramapix book to the Smilebooks software and ordered my book from them, which I should have done in the first place. I never did find out if Adoramapix would have taken me off hold and allowed me to order, since, having placed my order with Smilebooks, I hung up on them! Holding my Smilebooks order as I type this, and I'm telling you, you can't go wrong with this company.

]]> By: cerraeh laykin http://insig.ht/2009/06/print-on-demand-review/comment-page-1/#comment-125 cerraeh laykin Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:03:45 +0000 http://insig.ht/?p=420#comment-125 THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING ALL THIS!<br>i just got my blurb book in and i'm very disappointed. i have one also from memoryescape which has better hardcover binding and paper, but less options and really lame glossy cover. <br>ASUKA is supposed to be great, but pricier. i'm going to test them out anyway. <br>i'm also trying MYCAVAS ( offered through smugmug)<br><br>have a look into those. <br><br>hope that helps too THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING ALL THIS!
i just got my blurb book in and i'm very disappointed. i have one also from memoryescape which has better hardcover binding and paper, but less options and really lame glossy cover.
ASUKA is supposed to be great, but pricier. i'm going to test them out anyway.
i'm also trying MYCAVAS ( offered through smugmug)

have a look into those.

hope that helps too

]]> By: artford333 http://insig.ht/2009/06/print-on-demand-review/comment-page-1/#comment-98 artford333 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 02:23:50 +0000 http://insig.ht/?p=420#comment-98 I've used WHCC to print out a photo book and I was pretty impressed with their quality. They offer several different paper options and I've always been pleased with their customer service. They are very consistent and I don't hesitate to recommend them to other photographers. <br><br>(I am not affiliated with WHCC in any way - just a happy customer of theirs).<br><br>For what it's worth, they are also having a 25% off sale this week on their press printed books.<br><br>For more information on their books, you can check out <a href="http://www.whcc.com/products/press-printed-books/" rel="nofollow">http://www.whcc.com/products/press-printed-books/</a>.<br><br>Cheers,<br><br>AJ I've used WHCC to print out a photo book and I was pretty impressed with their quality. They offer several different paper options and I've always been pleased with their customer service. They are very consistent and I don't hesitate to recommend them to other photographers.

(I am not affiliated with WHCC in any way – just a happy customer of theirs).

For what it's worth, they are also having a 25% off sale this week on their press printed books.

For more information on their books, you can check out http://www.whcc.com/products/press-printed-books/.

Cheers,

AJ

]]> By: Jeff Rich http://insig.ht/2009/06/print-on-demand-review/comment-page-1/#comment-82 Jeff Rich Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:50:50 +0000 http://insig.ht/?p=420#comment-82 Hey Raoul, the book that Michael is talking about was a 13x11" Large Landscape book. That version was pretty good, however the color accuracy varied from page to page a bit. I just received another version of Watershed, same size, but image wrap instead of a dust jacket, and with the premium paper. This version looks a lot better, and the color accuracy is better. Hey Raoul, the book that Michael is talking about was a 13×11″ Large Landscape book. That version was pretty good, however the color accuracy varied from page to page a bit. I just received another version of Watershed, same size, but image wrap instead of a dust jacket, and with the premium paper. This version looks a lot better, and the color accuracy is better.

]]> By: joshualevy http://insig.ht/2009/06/print-on-demand-review/comment-page-1/#comment-81 joshualevy Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:08:37 +0000 http://insig.ht/?p=420#comment-81 Did you try <a href="http://www.viovio.com?" rel="nofollow">www.viovio.com?</a> Have you heard anything about them? Did you try http://www.viovio.com? Have you heard anything about them?

]]> By: Raoul Gatepin http://insig.ht/2009/06/print-on-demand-review/comment-page-1/#comment-63 Raoul Gatepin Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:56:29 +0000 http://insig.ht/?p=420#comment-63 Thanks guys for the tips, much appreciated! Thanks guys for the tips, much appreciated!

]]> By: Stuart_duffy http://insig.ht/2009/06/print-on-demand-review/comment-page-1/#comment-62 Stuart_duffy Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:30:23 +0000 http://insig.ht/?p=420#comment-62 Hi Raoul, <br>It can be a bit hit and miss finding a printing company in china and the savings in eastern europe are not really there any more. There are new emerging countries in Asia who now actually supply to China ! such as Vietnam and Bangladesh but only some of these printers actually will produce to our high standards even though they use exactly the same printing presses as europe. We used a company called Direct Print International at <a href="http://www.DPIlimited.com" rel="nofollow">www.DPIlimited.com</a>, They know exactly where to place your work and take the worry out of using Asian printing companies, the price they gave was much cheaper than we could find and the quality of the finished book was perfect. Your dealing with someone in the UK so all your specifications are met properly. <br><br>Hope this can help. Hi Raoul,
It can be a bit hit and miss finding a printing company in china and the savings in eastern europe are not really there any more. There are new emerging countries in Asia who now actually supply to China ! such as Vietnam and Bangladesh but only some of these printers actually will produce to our high standards even though they use exactly the same printing presses as europe. We used a company called Direct Print International at http://www.DPIlimited.com, They know exactly where to place your work and take the worry out of using Asian printing companies, the price they gave was much cheaper than we could find and the quality of the finished book was perfect. Your dealing with someone in the UK so all your specifications are met properly.

Hope this can help.

]]> By: jaylarson http://insig.ht/2009/06/print-on-demand-review/comment-page-1/#comment-61 jaylarson Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:09:22 +0000 http://insig.ht/?p=420#comment-61 Asuka Book seems to be quite bnice. I haven't tried them yet, but I have tried Blurb. Asuka seems to be the best out there as their price dictates. <a href="http://asukabook.com/" rel="nofollow">http://asukabook.com/</a> Asuka Book seems to be quite bnice. I haven't tried them yet, but I have tried Blurb. Asuka seems to be the best out there as their price dictates. http://asukabook.com/

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