printing my 365 book with loads & loads of pages

[readstoomuch]

I have done 21 pages for my 365 book for the first 20 days of January . . . I cannot believe that I am actually keeping up with them so far this year!

I will have at least 366 pages in the book . . . and probably closer to 400 as I have already done one day using two photo pages. I was using 8 x 8 pages, but I'm thinking now that I may redo them to 8 x 10 or 8.5 x 11 (landscape).

Blurb is the only site I have found that will make a book that large. My question is this . . . has anyone done a book of this size through Blurb? What is the paper quality for the large size. I take it that their premium paper can't be used for the larger books . . . and that they cannot be hardbound. Does the paper back for a sizable number of pages hold up or will it fall apart! Gosh, I sure wish that Shutterfly could do up to 400 pages!

I would LOVE any advice before I get so far into this project that I can't change my paper size and format.

[mugsbigsis]

I'm pretty sure that Mel has done a book with tons of pages through blurb. The most I've done is 155 in the 12x12 size. I have premium paper in that one, but it looks as though they cut it off at 160 pages for premium. I'll be anxious to hear what people know about this, too as I'm going to print a very large one for last years pictures and I plan to have an even larger one for this year's.
Good for you keeping up so well. I still haven't settled on a page design so I'm a little behind. :O\

[carollee]

Esther has, she has done a photo a day previously and just ordered this one. I got a very excited email the other day that she had finished last years! I'm sure she'll be able to let you know how it was. I remember looking at hers when we met up last year and it felt good in your hands.

[esther_a]

I have it on good authority (from Ange and Mel) that the regular paper from Blurb is fine. So I've ordered mine - I can let you know in a couple of weeks! my 2009 book was 180 pages so I was able to have it printed on the "premium" paper at Blurb. It seems somewhat dull compared to Shutterfly. If you're after high contrast glossy prints you may be disappointed. But Blurb is so cheap that I'm not going to complain! I had a Groupon ($60 value at $20 cost) and only had to pay another $40 for my whole 365 page book!

[mugsbigsis]

Esther, did you use the matt paper or the luster? I've been very happy with the colors in my blurb books. Good to know that the regular paper is fine. :O)

[esther_a]

Gosh, Kelly! Was there a choice?! I don't know!

[mugsbigsis]

Esther, luster is only available on premium paper, but I'm thinking it must be a little brighter than matte. I wish I could see a side by side comparison of the same photo. I think they should give out samples. lol

[lisa.hinrichs]

Mollie - Maybe you could do your book in volumes? You photo's are so lovely, I'd hate see you sacrifice your origional plan of 8 x 8.

[Britgirl]

I HAVE 365 photos in a blurb book
softback and all held together just fine

There is a page limit with super lux paper so I used regular and its lovely.

Once I had a blurb book fall apart - pages flaked out of the spine- and they reprinted a new one and shipped it me super fast. that one is still fine a good year or so later.
HTH!!

[krystav]

I've got books with both matte and lustre.

There is not a big difference in premium matte or lustre paper when it comes to photo color. The blacks are a little bit darker and richer on the lustre compared to the matte, but the lustre is in no way a high glossy finish, more like a soft silky one.

My matte paper book was done earlier then the lustre one and had a slightly blueish colorshift on some of the photos. The new book with lustre doesnt have that at all, although that might be a cooincidence. Pictures look exactly like on my monitor (disgarding backlight ofcourse).

[mugsbigsis]

Oh, this is good to know, Krysta. Thanks. :O)