When i started this project initially in 2012, I had the idea that I would print a book with all my photos from the project for a "coffey table" book. I failed to complete year 2012. However, this year I am determined to complete. And with that I want a book as well.
I started looking around online through mpix.com, shutterfly.com...etc...
I am discouraged by what I am finding so far.
Has anyone made a photo book of their 365 project?! where did you make it? was it costly ?! (more than $200.00) Was it hard to do?!
I haven't done a photo book from a 365 project, but I've made some other photo books on mixbook.com and I've been really happy with the quality and the price! I've never done anything with a ton of pages, though, so it may still get expensive for a larger book.
I used Blurb.com and had about 65 pages with about 150 pictures not all full page photos though. they have templates to use and I am not very computer savvy but found it easy to use. words could be added to the images. They have several choices for covers and paper to use. I bought five books and they were about $50 each I was very happy with the results. There was a color issue on one of them and they reprinted for me basically with no questions asked. i haven't used any other service to make comparisons but I reccomend this one.
I created a book for both 2012 and 2013 using blurb.com. I downloaded their BookSmart app and updated it as I went along through the year.
The first year I went for the big format - Large Format Landscape 33 x 28 cm , 256 pages - which cost £99.
The second year I went for a smaller format - Small Square 18 x 18 cm , 376 pages - which cost £55.
All in all, I'm very pleased with them. Some of the colours are a little off on a few photos, but in general, for the price, they seemed very good value and were great for showing to people.
Every now and then they have offers on Groupon for 50% off photo books I've used these vouchers with picture pix and abelli in the UK both good quality and half price too :-) - worth signing up and keeping your eye out for offers
@shaunasauna7 I made a book of my project via www.vistaprint.com. Really pleased with the outcome. The biggest tip I can give you though is to sort your photos ready for print as you go along. I saved a web copy and a print copy (different resolutions) of each photo and filed them chronologically. Boy am I glad that I did that. Making the book is time consuming enough in itself, without having to sort the photos out and resize them as well.
Photobox is the uk is good quality. Snapfish is ok but i sometimes find them a bit dark in print. They are much cheaper though and think b they print worldwide.
I've made books the last two years through My Publisher. If you sign up with them they have great deals that make it very cheap. I think the max pages is 100 and each year I've selected around 250 photos to put in my books. I love their quality and their super gloss page option looks great. I've also used other companies, but I prefer My Publisher.
All my 365 photos go in their own folder on my computer so making the book is pretty easy. Here is a link to last years book: http://www.mypublisher.com/?e=OHm3Q8zJl3Q0jVorkDq7vamtM6xAxgbi I think it came to $35 US plus tax and postage (without the supergloss on this one).
I made one book through Shutterfly and it was ok. Later I tried out the book in iPhoto (on a Mac). The quality of the iPhoto books was phenomenal and so much better than the one made with Shutterfly. I have made several books using iPhoto - including one for a wedding I shot last year. They are easy to make and vary in price depending on the number of pages. You can put one photo per page or 12+ per page. It is well worth the time you'll put into it.
one question... so you downloaded a template to your computer and uploaded your photos to that?! did you then send it to blurb.com through their template?!
@shaunasauna7 BookSmart is an application that you install on your PC. You then select a basic template, which you can alter as you need on each page. At the end of the year, you 'publish' the book, which uploads the book and all the photos to Blurb's site.
Once it's uploaded, you can order as many copies as you want. I can still go order additional copies of my 365 books now if I needed them without having to re-upload anything. You can also make the available for others to buy - either via private links or the general public - but I never pursued that option.
You don't have to use BookSmart, there is a Lightroom option too if you're a LR user: http://www.blurb.co.uk/bookmaking-tools
but I found the Booksmart option was a good fit for me as I just added my photo to my Booksmart project every day after I'd uploaded it to 365. Still do actually. :)
I've doen a few photobooks overthe years. I've used photobox, photoworld and ASDA in the UK. If you register with websites offering the service they often offer discounts for the first orders. I'm always receiving e-mails with offers.
@featherstone I shared it onto my facebook page, clicked onto it and then copied the link at the top (Then deleted it off facebook!). Did it work okay?
And as far as cost, I don't think I've ever paid over $100 for a photo book, even ones that have had 80 pages in them. I like the paper they use and the look of their books. I find their templates (you download their book-making program) easy to use.
Have done several photobooks with mypublisher.com. vista.print, blurb, etc. Pleased with most - usually wait for offers - makes it cheaper. My intention is to transfer my 365 project into a photo book diary, if I reach the end.
@featherstone Very nice book. Yes I use their templates but I also like to create my own under My Styles so I use a mix of both. I've used them for 6 books now and love their offers for $25 reprints that pop up from time to time. Here is one more of the books I did through them, my favourite for sure. http://www.mypublisher.com/?e=OHm3Q8zJl3Rj97fztHSHfkvi0FVoL4drxFu6bFb76gI=
But for any UK based 365ers I can't recommend them highly enough, easy to use, not to laggy so you are driven crazy waiting for files to load and the resulting book is just FAB. Just had my Vietnam holiday book back and was thrilled
@shaunasauna7 Thanks for starting this discussion. Some really good suggestions here. Seems like I need to get organised and sort my photos out so I can make a book as I go along! Thanks for the heads up @humphreyhippo
@humphreyhippo@humphreyhippo@shaunasauna7
I likewise use Blurb, only or the fact that there is a client application for those times when I am without internet connection, or the connection is poor, like now.
You can use the page templates that are supplied with BookSmart, or use them as a basis to edit for you own needs. I'm happy with the quality that I have gotten so far, paperback and hard cover, landscape version.
I've used CEWE Photoworld....excellent service and finishing... recommended by the Gadget Show in the UK. Also found Albelli good,too.Amazon Local often have really good discount offers on both of these.I've just purchased another one from Photoworld,only 20.00pounds sterling for 98 pages.
I've used Blurb and think they have perfectly acceptable to good quality production. I've used My Publisher but they do not do well over 100 pages. However their production quality if you go with all the extras -- flat pages, high quality paper, upgrade on color -- is very professional looking. None are cheap but usually you can find a coupon. For My Publisher, you want to wait til they run a special for free extra pages if you select one of their 'extras.' They also sometimes, as you are checking out, ask if you want to upgrade and they give you a good price for that upgrade (inexpensive 2nd copy, high quality paper, etc.).
OK, I have to chime in here....I have done quite a few photo books, mostly of my travels, and other special occasions, and when I was looking for advice I found this site, which also turned me on to this project. It is called photobookgirl.com, and here is the link to all her reviews for the various companies. She also keeps track of all the specials, groupons, livingsocial coupons, etc. and does periodic giveaways: http://www.photobookgirl.com/reviews/ She participated in the project for a year, and I believe she did a photobook with all her 365 pictures.
Personally, I have experimented with most of the companies, and my favorites are MyPublisher and Blurb. Both of them tend to be more expensive, but they always run specials, so it really pays to wait for them. You have to download their software and become familiar with it, but you can also create the books in photoshop.
Good luck with it.
Hi I have had lots of coffee table books printed over the last few years and love them. I have them printed by Artscow in Hong Kong. Great quality and awesome prices, the also offer great specials.
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The first year I went for the big format - Large Format Landscape 33 x 28 cm , 256 pages - which cost £99.
The second year I went for a smaller format - Small Square 18 x 18 cm , 376 pages - which cost £55.
All in all, I'm very pleased with them. Some of the colours are a little off on a few photos, but in general, for the price, they seemed very good value and were great for showing to people.
There are some pictures of the first book on my blog if you're interested: http://humphreyhippo.wordpress.com/2013/01/19/365-photo-yearbook/
All my 365 photos go in their own folder on my computer so making the book is pretty easy. Here is a link to last years book: http://www.mypublisher.com/?e=OHm3Q8zJl3Q0jVorkDq7vamtM6xAxgbi I think it came to $35 US plus tax and postage (without the supergloss on this one).
one question... so you downloaded a template to your computer and uploaded your photos to that?! did you then send it to blurb.com through their template?!
i might peep it out though.
thank you.
Once it's uploaded, you can order as many copies as you want. I can still go order additional copies of my 365 books now if I needed them without having to re-upload anything. You can also make the available for others to buy - either via private links or the general public - but I never pursued that option.
You don't have to use BookSmart, there is a Lightroom option too if you're a LR user: http://www.blurb.co.uk/bookmaking-tools
but I found the Booksmart option was a good fit for me as I just added my photo to my Booksmart project every day after I'd uploaded it to 365. Still do actually. :)
But for any UK based 365ers I can't recommend them highly enough, easy to use, not to laggy so you are driven crazy waiting for files to load and the resulting book is just FAB. Just had my Vietnam holiday book back and was thrilled
I likewise use Blurb, only or the fact that there is a client application for those times when I am without internet connection, or the connection is poor, like now.
You can use the page templates that are supplied with BookSmart, or use them as a basis to edit for you own needs. I'm happy with the quality that I have gotten so far, paperback and hard cover, landscape version.
Personally, I have experimented with most of the companies, and my favorites are MyPublisher and Blurb. Both of them tend to be more expensive, but they always run specials, so it really pays to wait for them. You have to download their software and become familiar with it, but you can also create the books in photoshop.
Good luck with it.