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bif

(23,886 posts)
Tue Oct 24, 2023, 10:48 AM Oct 2023

What's the best company for printing photobooks?

I want to do a book of some of my paintings. I've used Shutterfly before and had pretty good results. Is there a better one out there? I think I also used something called Mixbooks, or something like that.

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What's the best company for printing photobooks? (Original Post) bif Oct 2023 OP
I have had good results with the Blue Dawn Oct 2023 #1
I kicked Shutterfly to the curb Rocknation Oct 2023 #2
Blurb keninsf Oct 2023 #3
Nations Photo Lab excringency Oct 2023 #4
I went with Shutterfly bif Nov 2023 #5

Blue Dawn

(945 posts)
1. I have had good results with the
Tue Oct 24, 2023, 11:07 AM
Oct 2023

"FreePrints Photobooks" app. I have purchased both hardcover and softcover books from them in different sizes. I load the photos directly from my iPhone, and I like that I can choose from a variety of colors and patterns for each page's backgrounds, as well as choose different borders, photo shapes, and text fonts. I also choose each page's layouts. I have made books for my children, my relatives, and myself, and I have always been extremely happy with the results.

I have used Shutterfly, too......not for Photobooks but for thank-you cards, etc. Shutterfly is great.

I wish I knew about other good Photobooks sites. Maybe others have some ideas. Good luck!

Rocknation

(44,883 posts)
2. I kicked Shutterfly to the curb
Tue Oct 24, 2023, 12:09 PM
Oct 2023

Last edited Wed Jul 31, 2024, 10:18 AM - Edit history (11)

when they asked to be paid extra to NOT include a photobook page containing THEIR logo that COULDN'T be printed on.

But when I complained to Blurb about not being able to preview how their mandatory back cover graphic would look, they solved the problem with an adjustment to their user software (and their inside front and back covers are printable at no extra cost). I've been doing photobooks through them (and their budget-friendlier subsidiary MagCloud) happily ever after.









Rocknation



keninsf

(3 posts)
3. Blurb
Tue Oct 24, 2023, 12:17 PM
Oct 2023

I've used Blurb and Apple. at the time I thought Apple had better print quality but Blurb was much more affordable and had a greater variety of sizes. They have a lot of online tools (or you can download templates for indesign and lightroom). And Yes, I think you have to pay extra to not have the blub logo. But you also can self publish thru them.

bif

(23,886 posts)
5. I went with Shutterfly
Fri Nov 3, 2023, 10:45 AM
Nov 2023

It turns out, after a flat rate price, they offered unlimited extra pages. So I added a ton of pages. I put it in my cart and waited for a couple minutes. Sure enough, I got a text asking me if I needed more incentive to place my order. When I said yes, they offered me free shipping!

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