Blurb question

[katie34]

I know many of you have printed books at blurb. I need to use my groupon to blurb and have been trying to figure out what book making option of theirs to use - Do you all use their booksmart software or did you choose the option that talks about using PDFs? I am sure I am making this more complicated than it needs to be but I am really confused!

Thanks

Katie

[anke]

we must have the same groupon I am going to have to figure this out too but haven't really looked into it too much yet. There are a few ladies who did it and I will be waiting for their answers also

[Britgirl]

well I dont have the coupon... but I downloaded their software that you use on your computer offline and happily use that. have done for years now!
love their books

[krystav]

I've done both, and also used their new completely online bookmaking tool Bookify.
I'll try and list the differences/advantages.

Bookify:
100% online
option for full bleed pages
not that many template options
does not show bleed/cut margins
last page is blank with blurb logo (this does count towards your book's total pages)

Booksmart:
downloadable software
option for full bleed pages
lots of template options
does not show bleed/cut margins
last page is blank with blurb logo (counts towards your total book size)

PDF to Book:
InDesign templates for both cover and pages available that show bleed margins
When not using InDesign they have an overview of all the page sizes/bleed margins in the PDF to book part of the website.
No Blurb logo or blank pages at the start or end of the book, the amount of layouts you put in is the amount of pages the book prints with.

I've used all 3 options and have been happy with all of them.
When I have layouts where there are important elements close to the corners I prefer using Indesign to make sure they stay within the bleed margins. You could also just add these margins as guides into PS and use that.

Hope this helps a bit

[Britgirl]

dont forget - you can alter every template - its an edit layout option now.
booksmart DOES show cut margins - there is a box to tick on the editing screen of each page.

[mugsbigsis]

I use booksmart, too. It's so easy and like Melanie said, if you click the box above the pages you can see what "might" be cut off if you aren't sure. I've been very successful with blurb for all my big projects for 3 years now.

[earlofoxford]

I've always used the booksmart option and am happy with my books from Blurb.

[ccblue]

I've always used booksmart as well. I like that you work with it offline and don't have to download until the end, much easier than loading each page individually. I've been very pleased with the quality of the books.

[katie34]

Thank you all so much, that was just the info I needed!

[KarenC]

I think I've asked this before, so sorry, but do you all get the 7x7 inch? Thanks!

[Britgirl]

I've had all the sizes possible I think Karen I get my '7x7 softback simply because they are the right size to leave on a shelf out in the sitting room, and are read because they are accessible. I get hard back for 'special' books - like dec daily. and sometimes make 12x 12 or landscape for gifts.

[esther_a]

I got the 8x10. Love that size, too!

[KarenC]

Thank you both!

Esther, do you put your square pages in an 8x10?

[esther_a]

Karen, I did put square pages onto the 8x10. They weren't scrap pages as such, just my POTD and some journaling. It left 1/4" top and bottom and 1" left and right. You can see it on my blog in an post from last April.

[KarenC]

Thanks, Esther! Love your book.

[katie34]

So, now I am putting my book together in the booksmart software, but I can not figure out how to make the image wrap cover vs the dust jacket with flaps. Where in the process does it let me make that choice? I have looked through their FAQ, started over multiple times etc and can not find that option. Is there an easy way to change the cover type??

[katie34]

I FINALLY found the option - I knew it would be simple once I located it!

[anke]

what is it, what is it?

[katie34]

When you are in the booksmart program and have the cover selected, if you look at the bottom where the little scrolly preview part is it will say "Cover:Hardcover" but there are little up and down arrows. It is a little pull down menu and you can select the cover type you actually want. Hopefully that makes sense!