scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,451 
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Post by scrapnnana on Jun 22, 2023 15:08:21 GMT
Yes, I’ve done a search first on this, but most of the applicable threads are years old, and things change, so I’m starting a new thread that will hopefully help me make a good decision.
If you have done any photo books, who is your preferred company? Do they offer coupons if you get on their email list? Best prices? Best quality?
TIA!
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Post by scrapcat on Jun 22, 2023 17:23:19 GMT
I haven't done one in a while, so not sure if things have changed... But I like Mpix and Pictobook. Yes Mpix will do sales (almost weekly on something) and generally around certain holidays there may be better discounts. www.mpix.com/photo-books/classic-booksI like the Posh series for Pictobooks. I haven't done it in a while, but I think they do sales/coupons also. www.pictobooks.com/site/posh-seriesI remember when Artifact Uprising was all the rage, and I spent a lot of time doing a book with them. For the price, I didn't think the quality was much better than these other more affordable options above. I am in the market too, but considering a cheaper Shutterfly version to get it done. |
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dawnnikol
Prolific Pea
'A life without books is a life not lived.' Jay Kristoff
Posts: 8,559
Sept 21, 2015 18:39:25 GMT
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Post by dawnnikol on Jun 22, 2023 19:00:11 GMT
I used to get them through MyPublisher, but then they were bought by Shutterfly... so I order through Shutterfly simply because I can easily use their software and can usually find a coupon. If I don't have a good coupon, I'll make the book and wait for the free extra pages coupon. I like their photobooks over their prints, if that helps.
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Post by jenr on Jun 22, 2023 19:14:22 GMT
I still use Shutterfly. They seem to have the most design options, and have reintroduced a lot of their editing options that they took away at one point. I just didn't find that other sites were offering the range of design options (themes, colors etc) that I wanted/needed. I do wish there was some better competition to them though.
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,734
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on Jun 22, 2023 19:49:15 GMT
I order through Shutterfly simply because I can easily use their software and can usually find a coupon. If I don't have a good coupon, I'll make the book and wait for the free extra pages coupon. I like their photobooks over their prints, if that helps. Same. I usually make large books so the free extra pages is a huge discount. |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Jun 22, 2023 20:03:52 GMT
I'm in Europe so I don't share all the same options you North Americans have but I really like Blurb (US company). Easy to use software, many options for upgrading paper when necessary, good prices once you use their coupons. I love their offers around Black Friday when you can cumulate 30% or more with free shipping.
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Post by joblackford on Jun 22, 2023 20:44:48 GMT
Blurb has the best prices and size options for my needs. I mostly make the 7x7" paperback books for gifts but I have one family member who wants the same thing with hardcover and dust jacket and the software allows me to create both options. I can also send a pdf copy to a relative who doesn't care about the paper book. I've also made larger photo books (up to 12x12") and trade books. I do my own designing so I just need simple layout options, no fancy graphics or backgrounds.
I use their coupons - I never order with less than 15% off, ideally 30-40% off around Black Friday and major holidays.
Their software allows you to work offline for months on end and only upload when you have the book ready. They have several options for free bookmaking, I usually use their BookWright software, but they are also the book provider within Lightroom.
They're far from perfect, but they're local to me, near Seattle, so I get my books fairly quickly and I've ordered enough from them now that I want to continue so all the books match.
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Post by wordyphotogbabe on Jun 22, 2023 23:35:31 GMT
I have all my layouts printed as 8x8 softcover Shutterfly albums. Since I scrap between 200-300 pages per year and the albums can hold up to 110 pages, I have 2-3 volumes per year which I have printed during their unlimited pages sales. You can double stack coupons at Shutterfly so I usually "throw in" a smaller vacation or Christmas album to reach the free shipping threshold (the price of the small album being about the same as paying the S&H without the coupon).
If I receive a coupon code from them directly, it's usually after placing a recent order OR if it's been a long while since I placed an order. Their sales are always very prominently displayed on their website but their emails don't always make it past my spam filter.
Since I'm a digital scrapper, I don't use any of their readymade albums so I can't speak to how those work or look. I'm not super worried about quality so what I get from them is fine with me.
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dawnnikol
Prolific Pea
'A life without books is a life not lived.' Jay Kristoff
Posts: 8,559
Sept 21, 2015 18:39:25 GMT
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Post by dawnnikol on Jun 25, 2023 13:01:43 GMT
Yes, I’ve done a search first on this, but most of the applicable threads are years old, and things change, so I’m starting a new thread that will hopefully help me make a good decision. If you have done any photo books, who is your preferred company? Do they offer coupons if you get on their email list? Best prices? Best quality? TIA! In case you were still hunting, Shutterfly sent a promo code for free shipping: SUMMER and also 30% prints + free shipping code: RELAX |
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