Photo Books - recomendations on quality etc

[MrsKiss]

Hi all,

This is my first post in this forum. Although it is not technically about SLR's, it would be very useful for all to know..

I am preparing a photo book like wedding album for my sister, and was after some feedback on quality of the books that you have received from any of the companies that provide this service... After some research, I have found quite a few companies, so my choice is being made harder.

Basically I am wanting to get a book that is of decent quality, has a fairly thick hard cover and nice heavy pages...
I would love if you could give me some advice as to which place to get one done through - as I have only done a small one thru Snapfish, and it was fairly basic. I don't mind spending a little bit of money if the product is worth it..
The companies I have found are Momento, Xbook, reflections, picpress, clickonprint, life design books, and album printer... (Please let me know if I am allowed to post names of companies....)

Or if you have an alternative idea for me, I would love to hear it..

Many thanks in advance for your help..

[Chica]

Hi and welcome

I know Creative Memories make photo books. Ive seen one (once and briefly) at a scrapping fair and it looked like it was decent quality but you would need to check this out. Let me know how you go as photobooks are something I am interested in as well

Cheers

Cathy

[Reschsmooth]

We have used Momento Pro, which I understand requires an ABN to gain access. Quality is good.

[Greg B]

Hi MrsKiss - welcome to the forum.

Friends of ours had good quality photos taken (by a member of the forum as it happens) and put
together a Target photo book. (I actually put it all together for them - the software was pretty
good overall, flexible and easy to use.) The outcome was a 30cm x 30cm hardcover photo book
which cost around $100 (otherwise known as bugger all ) I didn't use the provided page layouts,
fortunately they were easy to remove and create your own.

Target?? I hear you say. Yes, Target.

Quality - the quality was very good, paper and printing very solid. I was surprised.

I haven't seen other photobooks, maybe they are significantly better but I wouldn't
hesitate to get a Target photobook based on what I saw at that price.

Good luck.

[MrsKiss]

I have ordered samples from target and album printer but i think they may be the same as target goes through album printer or something like that... We will see.

I will try to get some more samples from the others...

[Geoff]

I have used Momento Pro (you could use just Momento tho, if, as Patrick has said, you don't have an ABN) photobooks for clients and we've both been very happy with the results. I also know of a few people that use Akusa and love that product.

[Hudo]

We have used Momento and the quality has been OK. Cost is relative but on the high side when your ordering one off books for personal projects. Apart from your time putting the layout together a good offering for the wedding market. I'm interested in the Target Book and will check them out for sure as we have apersonal project where I want to buy at least 15 books.

Hudo

[simonyoung]

I have tried both Momento and Life Design books, and the later is much better for a number of reasons.

1. They do this great canvas cover that you can design, much more durable
2. They print on 200 GSM stock and momento i think is only a 150GSM
3. They use a PUR bind rater than stitch so the book lays flat
4. Their software is the easiest ive come across
5. you dont have to put in your email address to use the software, i hate that
6. They don't charge by the page either they cahreg in groups 20 to 40, 40 to 60, 60 to 80, pages its really simple

Also they gave me a discount because i said i was a photographer and might do more books if the first one was good. their email is iWontTellYouThatImAssociatedWith@lifedesignbooks.com.au I just got it the other day and i will be doing more books with them the quality was great and so was the printing. Plus they have a great online share tool which is free so i emailed the book to all my mates. Im happy and wont be moving

thanks Simon

[Hudo]

We took Greg B's recommendation and printed a book with Target 3 weeks ago. Uploaded the design file on a Sunday, advised of despatch Thursday and delivered the following Wed. Was not impressed with the time to deliver considering it was only local delivery. My partner Katie who did the design found the software limited but for the price point we where happy with the print quality (soft cover A4).

Target's supplier is Album Printer Australia (google and you will find). Apart from their software not running on my Aspire One (graphics res issue) their software is so much more flexible. However there is no discount for volume unless you enquire and then it's POA. I spoke with one of their managers and got a good feeling about the company. Our next book will be direct with them.

Mark

[Glen]

Simonyoung, can you put a location in as per our membership requirements ? Thanks

Out of interest are you affiliated with Life Design Books?

[Bluebell]

I've used both Snapfish and Albumprinter and can certainly recommend the latter.
Albumprinter seemed better quality and had more choices in the layout.
Although I had a problem with a corrupted file when I submitted my book, the company contacted me immediately to assist in resolving the problem.
I'll certainly use them again.

[Glen]

I have tried both Momento and Life Design books, and the later is much better for a number of reasons.

1. They do this great canvas cover that you can design, much more durable
2. They print on 200 GSM stock and momento i think is only a 150GSM
3. They use a PUR bind rater than stitch so the book lays flat
4. Their software is the easiest ive come across
5. you dont have to put in your email address to use the software, i hate that
6. They don't charge by the page either they cahreg in groups 20 to 40, 40 to 60, 60 to 80, pages its really simple

Also they gave me a discount because i said i was a photographer and might do more books if the first one was good. their email is IveGotSomethingToHide@lifedesignbooks.com.au I just got it the other day and i will be doing more books with them the quality was great and so was the printing. Plus they have a great online share tool which is free so i emailed the book to all my mates. Im happy and wont be moving

thanks Simon

Simon, Simon, Simon. What are we going to do with you? With Mothers Day coming up, reflect on your mother. I am sure she said "Honesty is the best policy". I am equally sure she didn't say "grow up and tell little porkies on the internet". Did you not think it worth mentioning that you are listed as the admin and tech contact for Life Design Books?

By telling lies and misrepresenting yourself you disrespect yourself, Life Design Books and all the members here. It is insulting to the membership here, they deserve better. So does your business. I am also sure the charity you work for would not be happy to hear you have used their email and network to post misrepresentations (or maybe they would be, I don't know). You now make it difficult to believe anything written on your website or by you.

At this point it might be best if you re enter the room wearing your honest hat and start telling the truth if you wish to continue to post here. We are straightforward people here who don't bite, but do believe deception is not appropriate, especially with your damning of competitors products. Most here would be happy to hear why your believe your product is suitable, but in an honest, straightforward manner, not by lies and deception. I hope your partner in Life Design is proud of your behaviour, she will clearly have to endure the stigma of your actions. Looking forward to reading honest posts of yours in future.

[gstark]

Glen,

I have tried both Momento and Life Design books, and the later is much better for a number of reasons.

1. They do this great canvas cover that you can design, much more durable
2. They print on 200 GSM stock and momento i think is only a 150GSM
3. They use a PUR bind rater than stitch so the book lays flat
4. Their software is the easiest ive come across
5. you dont have to put in your email address to use the software, i hate that
6. They don't charge by the page either they cahreg in groups 20 to 40, 40 to 60, 60 to 80, pages its really simple

Also they gave me a discount because i said i was a photographer and might do more books if the first one was good. their email is DeceptivePractices@lifedesignbooks.com.au I just got it the other day and i will be doing more books with them the quality was great and so was the printing. Plus they have a great online share tool which is free so i emailed the book to all my mates. Im happy and wont be moving

thanks Simon

Simon, Simon, Simon. What are we going to do with you? With Mothers Day coming up, reflect on your mother. I am sure she said "Honesty is the best policy". I am equally sure she didn't say "grow up and tell little porkies on the internet". Did you not think it worth mentioning that you are listed as the admin and tech contact for Life Design Books?

By telling lies and misrepresenting yourself you disrespect yourself, Life Design Books and all the members here. It is insulting to the membership here, they deserve better. So does your business. I am also sure the charity you work for would not be happy to hear you have used their email and network to post misrepresentations (or maybe they would be, I don't know). You now make it difficult to believe anything written on your website or by you.

At this point it might be best if you re enter the room wearing your honest hat and start telling the truth if you wish to continue to post here. We are straightforward people here who don't bite, but do believe deception is not appropriate, especially with your damning of competitors products. Most here would be happy to hear why your believe your product is suitable, but in an honest, straightforward manner, not by lies and deception. I hope your partner in Life Design is proud of your behaviour, she will clearly have to endure the stigma of your actions. Looking forward to reading honest posts of yours in future.

Given the dishonesty used by Simon in this matter, do you think it would be reasonable for me to invoice him for his illegal advertising on this site? The conditions are very clearly stated in the FAQ, and it's on his head that he didn't have the intelligence, or the foresight, to take a few moments and read that document.

I should also probably advise his ISP and hosting provider of his quite illegal activities here. That is network abuse, and would be against the Ts&Cs of every ISP and hosting provider in Australia.

Clearly he is not a person to be trusted; I would, based upon his willingness to engage in the tactics he has employed here, not use him for anything at all. I'm looking forward to meeting him at PMA (if he has the integrity to attend) so that I can truly let him know what I feel about his tactics.

Might even mention his poor business sense on one of my radio shows.

In order to maintain the integrity of this site, I have altered his stated email address (in the posted messages) to something more appropriate.

[simonyoung]

Hi Guys,

Sorry for the intented cover up. just to set the record straight, yes i work for the company and was only trying to demonstrate that we have a great product. Didn't know that i couldn't andvertise on this site, got to give me some credit for looking. I just did a google seach and found Life design Books mensioned on this site and thought i would see what was being said. My aplogies if i have misused this site in any way it was not me intention just to attract some more busniess. I will stop posting on this site in future.

Kind regards

Simon

[gstark]

Simon ...

Let's see ... you first post, and you break many of this forum's rules right out of the gate. That's not exactly the best way to build up a reputation of integrity and honesty, is it?

I note that although Glen has addressed your message separately, and I also understand that h has emailed you directly, you have still not addressed, to my knowledge, the points that he had raised with you.

Let's now examine your very first post to this forum. In doing so, let's understand that we have no real knowledge of who you are, what your photographic experience might be, what prior experience you have within the realm of the subject matter of this thread ... nor of what your personal standards might be.

With those few factors in mind, we need accept that, within this community - because that is exactly what we are - your are a new kid on the block. You have no credibility at all. Zero. Zilch. Nada. None. That credibility only arrives as you make a number of posts here, and as you build up your own personal reputation. This is an important point, and I'll return to it several times within this post.

I have tried both Momento and Life Design books, and the later is much better for a number of reasons.

Amongst the reasons, you actually failed to disclose that you have more than a casual association with Life Design books. Perhaps that was an accidental omission. However, given the closeness of the relationship, I find that difficult to accept.

What sort of credibility do you hope to establish when you actively conceal pertinent and relevant details such as this?

Given that you expect our members to pass you their credit card details and/or hand over their money to you, how conducive do you feel that such disreputable behaviour on your part might be to help convince our community to do business with you?

While I cannot speak on behalf of other members, I can tell you that on the basis of this behaviour alone, I would be very reluctant to give you the time of day, lest you try to steal my wristwatch.

2. They print on 200 GSM stock and momento i think is only a 150GSM

You think?

So, facts do not play a part in your posting here? You don't seem to really care if your information is incorrect, do you?

4. Their software is the easiest ive come across

Again, this comes back to your personal credibility. Or the total absence of it. We have people in our community who have used a vast array of software of different types. We have members who have in excess of thirty years' experience in all avenues of the photographic experience.

You, with your sole post, have .... what?

We have absolutely no basis whatsoever of judging the merit of your statement. For all I know, "their software" may be the only software you have any experience with. Given that you have a clear association with these people - an association that you appear to have deliberately concealed - then my guess would be that you have very little experience with anything of merit, and that your sole interest is in trying to scam our members with the sole outcome of lining your pockets.

Am I wrong? I doubt it, based upon your meritless performance thus far.

5. you dont have to put in your email address to use the software, i hate that

See my comments regarding your point 4, above. Who gives a damn what you like or dislike? I have no idea of what your likes and dislikes are, directly because this is your first post. Your statement has no credibility, and even less relevance and meaning to the members of this community.

Also they gave me a discount because i said i was a photographer and might do more books if the first one was good.

And this is, quite clearly, an outright lie, given your association with these people.

Again, this all comes back to credibility.

And it is evident that you started with none, and immediately backed yourself into a very deep ditch. Now, had you taken a few moments to act like a good community member, and read the FAQ, and established your credibility before trying to scam our members, things might have been different. Instead, you now find yourself in breach of Australian law, on the outer in this forum, and with an invoice for your illegal advertising on the way to you.

I do hope that you are satisfied with the way that you attempt to run your business, and I also hope that you as well as your absence of ethics fully deserves for you.

[gstark]

Sorry for the intented cover up.

You're kidding, right?

You don't go barging into a china store, deliberately break everything in sight, and then try to walk away as if nothing has happened.

just to set the record straight, yes i work for the company and was only trying to demonstrate that we have a great product.

By pretending that you do not work for the company?

Are you stupid?

Do you think that we are stupid?

Didn't know that i couldn't andvertise on this site, got to give me some credit for looking.

Actually, no. No credit whatsoever.

There's a link to our FAQ at the top of every page on this site. EVERY PAGE.

Let me include a couple of quotes from the FAQ for you.

Important Note
This board contains a sectrion named "Information", which contains our Forum rules and nettiquette, along with other items of general interest. Please note that important information about this forum is contained here, and members MUST familiarise themselves with the posts in that section, as well as what is contained here, within the FAQ. Please do not complain if you ask a question regarding a topic covered here or in the Information section and in response you get a rather brusque, obtuse or sarcastic response. We get sick and tired of answering the same questions, day in, day out, (and I, personally, get really pissed off with this basic rudeness and disrespect on the part of some of our members) who, when the answers are clearly published, in plain view, but they are too lazy - or perhaps too stupid - to open their eyes and read them! No excuses!

And in that section there's a sticky post, subject line is "Forum Rules". Fancy that!

Let's just look at the first few lines of that specific post ...

Advertising guidelines

Commercial advertising is basically not welcome here. This is a private system, and I prefer to ty to keep it that way.

If you believe that you have something special that you think might be of benefit to the users of this forum, please email me first giving me details of what you have in mind; I'll be more than happy to consider giving you permission to post where there is a demonstrable community benefit.

What is there about you that makes you think that these rules, which have been there for approaching five years now, should not apply to you?

You say you should get credit for doing a search? I say bullshit!

Just for completeness, a couple of other semi-relevant items from the FAQ. Even a used-car salesman should be able to understand the concepts embodied here. You, it would appear, have even less credibility than that!

I cannot make a post into the For Sale section
Or perhaps into some other section. Please see the sections on "Special Access". You probably do not yet have members' access, and that's by design. Do not, under any circumstances, try to make a post into a different section because you "don't have access to the correct section" yet. Trying to circumvent these rules is a great way to piss off the admins here. If you find that you don't have access to a section ... then just ask a mod or an admin. Please note that any person making any illegal post into any section will be liable for charges of US$500 for each such individual instance of such a posting.

For Sale
Posting into the For Sale section is restricted to those who are members of the Members" group only. Please see the sections relating to Special Access for more details on this aspect of membership here. If you do not have access to the For Sale section, then please accept that this is a deliberate action on the part of the site's administrators. DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT POSTING YOUR FOR SALE ITEM IN ANOTHER SECTION. That will be a great way to get yourself suspended from this system, or worse.

I just did a google seach and found Life design Books mensioned on this site and thought i would see what was being said. My aplogies if i have misused this site in any way it was not me intention just to attract some more busniess. I will stop posting on this site in future.

No. You thought you would post some illegal advertising. Thanks for admitting to your breach of our rules, and the law. That will make it far easier to collect the payment due by you.

[Glen]

Hi Guys,

Sorry for the intented cover up. just to set the record straight, yes i work for the company and was only trying to demonstrate that we have a great product. Didn't know that i couldn't andvertise on this site, got to give me some credit for looking. I just did a google seach and found Life design Books mensioned on this site and thought i would see what was being said. My aplogies if i have misused this site in any way it was not me intention just to attract some more busniess. I will stop posting on this site in future.

Kind regards

Simon

Hello Simon,
I am sure your potential customers will either give credit or not for trying and either add or remove credit for the way it was done. Lucky Mrs Kiss mentioned you in her post, probably even luckier that she was posting from a few km from your work in Sydney (fortuitously near the PO Box for your company) rather than her stated location in Queensland, made it easy for you to google this site.

Good luck in your business

[simonyoung]

Dear Mr Stark,

I must admit im a bit shaken by your attack, especially after i admitted i was wrong to do what i did and then to pick apart an apology. I dont really think there is anything i could have said that would have made a difference. I dont want this site to become a firing ground. i will send an email to your direct account which i have already done.

Regards

Simon

[gstark]

Simon,

Thank you for both this public, and your separate private, apology.

Just to clarify: your first attempt at an apology seemed, to me, to include too many excuses and attempted justifications for your actions. With all of that, it was difficult for me to accept it as being a genuine apology on your part.

This second apology comes across as being genuine and sincere, and I accept it without reservation.

Please note that you are always welcome to post serious content here, and that will, of course, permit you to build up a personal reputation here.

Cheers.

[johnmc]

Back to the ot for a sec - I've not used, but have seen first hand samples from http://albumfrog.com.au/ and based on these plan on giving them a shot when I'm ready to get a photobook printed (and no I don't work for them in any way shape or form - I just crossed paths with them a while back on a non-photographic project)

hope this is of some help.

Cheers

John

[Frankenstein]

I've just picked up my photobook of my Morocco photos from Target, and I'm impressed. Colours, image sharpness and book quality are all very good. Turnaround was great - uploaded the file last Friday, received the email yesterday that it had been dispatched (from Melbourne) and I picked it up at the local Target store today (Wed). $80 for a 50 page A4 size book, including a photocover, was quite reasonable. I'll certainly use them again.

Frank

[Hudo]

Hey,

Since our last post on this thread we purchased a quantity of books from Album Printer Australia and the quality was reasonable for the price point. Since then we have also been using Adarama (I think spelt correct) which have a online module as opposed to downloadable software. We print our first book this week but a friend who has purchased many books from them showed us her books and we where very impressed by the quality. Price point mid range.

Cheers,

Hudo PS: Frank - Good to see your happy with the Target product.

[surenj]

I've just picked up my photobook of my Morocco photos from Target, and I'm impressed. Colours, image sharpness and book quality are all very good. Turnaround was great - uploaded the file last Friday, received the email yesterday that it had been dispatched (from Melbourne) and I picked it up at the local Target store today (Wed). $80 for a 50 page A4 size book, including a photocover, was quite reasonable. I'll certainly use them again.

Frank

Hi Frank,
This may be obvious, but what website did you use for this? I tried target.com.au but they don't have any photograhy area to upload photos.

Thanks

[surenj]

Found it!

http://www.target.com.au/photobooks/

[Alex]

I use blurb www.blurb.com and am very happy with it.

Alex