Printing my first book!

[Tesia]

I think I am finally ready to print my first book! I have read a lot of the threads about using Shutterfly but I am wondering if anyone has used any other services? I am considering viovio but would love to hear if anyone has any strong opinions? I am so overwhelmed by the prospect of making sure it comes out right (nothing important cropped out). I printed one page through Shutterfly and it got cropped a little weird...?

[MIDA78466]

I've used Shutterfly only and have been very happy. I did not have any problem with anything being cropped. I check the "free" option under cropping.

[susiecw]

Oh, you'll like your Shutterfly book. Just make sure each page's layout is for one picture and that the book is 12x12 if that's what you want. (or 8x8). Any text box that is empty will not show up in the book. I have never had anything cropped out in a book, but after you load all your pages, you can preview the book as a slide show and it will show you how it will look. I kind of keep in mind the fact that my layouts are going into a book as I do them, so I keep important things off the very edges. Once I drag a layout onto a page, I click on each page, go to edit and under effects I turn off "vivid pics." That way the color should come out exactly as shown.

I messed up Cooper's book this year by accidently uploading my 72 pixel DD pages instead of my 12x12 jpg pages on about 5 out of 85 pages, and they were not as clear as the rest. So make sure you upload the right ones!

I've had 3 books printed there I liked them all very much. I also used My Publisher and loved the book, but they don't print square books, so my scrapbook layouts won't work there. Plus their covers aren't printed; you have to order a paper book jacket.

I don't think you'll have any regrets ordering through Shutterfly and the books are so much fun to have as keepsakes. Can't wait to see it. Susie

[dugarner]

Tesia, I used viovio for my December Daily book and it was awful. They were slightly less expensive than Shutterfly, and I was interested because they bind more than 100 pages in their books, and my Project 365 book will be 105 pages.

I ordered my book. Needless to say the design software interface is very, very difficult to figure out (and I'm a computer person).

When it came, I was so frustrated. Every page, the cover---everything---was yellow. I used Katie's Naturally Krafty Christmas paper (the same color Katrina used in her December Daily book) for the cover, and it looked yellow. The paper is not as high-quality as Shutterfly, and the binding was really flimsy.

Anyway, I don't usually speak up for or against a particular company, but my Shutterfly books have always had excellent color and quality. Right now they're got the market cornered on digital scrapbookers, for good reason. viovio does not have a satisfaction guarantee (Shutterfly goes to serious lengths to keep customers happy) and they have a prominent disclaimer on their website that they are only responsible for problems caused by manufacturing problems. That tells me they've had a lot of complaints on the quality or color calibration end, but they don't seem to care. I print prints at my local drugstore and get better colors than that book had. I can take a picture of the viovio and Shutterfly books side-by-side and send you a link later if you're interested.

Just don't put any important details (photo or journaling) in a 1/4" border all the way around, and keep in mind you'll lose 1/4" of detail on the inside edge of your pages for the gutter. 1/4" is generous for the outside edges, they never trim it that far, but that's my comfort zone. The gutter really is 1/4" depending on how thick your book is. Mine was 30 sheets of paper (60 pages) bound together and I had a solid 1/4" gutter, maybe a little more where I lost detail going down into the binding.

That's the main reason I always do two-page spreads, on 24X12 documents in PSE. That way I know what's my left and right side, and I know where the gutter will be.

Just my two cents!

Sarah

[SarahDanyelle]

I also have a few Shutterfly books and love them. No weird cropping issues here!

[digigrandma]

I use Shutterfly, too! 7 books, so far! I'm very happy with the quality.

Make sure you go to Shutterfly via the PRINT SERVICES option in the Designer Digitals menu above. That way you can easily choose the book you want to make which will automatically have the full page bleed template chosen for you when you choose to make a book.

Like Susie said, in EDITS click on effects and check the turn off vivid pics option. ALSO, IN EDITS, make sure you check the crop of each page. I choose custom crop to make sure the entire 8 x8 or 12 x 12 is included. I do that before I place the pages in the Shutterfly book.

Just take your time and you'll do fine, Tesia!

[carollee]

I can't speak highly enough of Shutterfly, I've been thrilled with each book I've made.

I have used Snapfish in Australia once as there was a free offer but there was some majorly uneven cropping. I am interested to try Blurb except they haven't got 8x8 or 12x12. I think it's 7x7 and that's way too small for my liking.

Would love to see your book when you have it set out, so if you do still end up going the Shutterfly way, do link us up.

[echogirl]

I sent the same book to Shutterfly and MyPublisher...Shutterfly won hands down. (Even my husband agreed!)
Mypublisher (they had a 2 for 1 coupon) had so so results. The first batch they sent the crops were really wonking which to their credit they replaced. The biggest problem with MyPublisher is their shipping charges to Canada are OUTRAGEOUS..I spent more on the shipping (about $40.00) and they were unpleasant about it. I would never go back to MyPublisher again.
Shutterfly has better service.

Good Luck!

[Tesia]

Originally Posted by dugarner

Tesia, I used viovio for my December Daily book and it was awful. They were slightly less expensive than Shutterfly, and I was interested because they bind more than 100 pages in their books, and my Project 365 book will be 105 pages.

I ordered my book. Needless to say the design software interface is very, very difficult to figure out (and I'm a computer person).

When it came, I was so frustrated. Every page, the cover---everything---was yellow.

Thank you all so much you are absolutely the best!

Sarah, I am so sorry to hear that your book turned out awful, but I am so grateful to have heard your review before it was too late for mine!

I WILL do Shutterfly...I have used them for many other products and been super happy so I don't know why I was questioning them! I have to do some re-sizing of my pages but once they are all uploaded I will share!

Thanks again to all of you!!