Coffee Table book... Best company/service to use??

[ClickClick]

Hello all,

I am going to be helping design a coffee table book for a close friend of mine.

He does work in pastels and oils. So this isn't a photography book per se, but a book of photographs of his paintings.

Some information for you in terms of what I am looking for.

40-50 pages inside the book.

Some pages will be full size pictures of his artwork (though there will be a sliver of white space - or black - around the photographs for page borders to essentially "frame" the work)

Some pages will need text in a yet to be determined font for including information about him, his work, his vision, etc..

Some pages will need to support multiple images, about 6 small size images, 3 on top, 3 on bottom to document the entire process of his work from blank canvas to finished work.

The cover of the book, if possible will be a hard type, black in color with only his signature in silver. Indented/pressed if possible.

Any ideas or am I thinking of something that is only possible by going the one on one publish route (read : expensive)?

Thanks for all the input.

[PhotosGuy]

The cover of the book, if possible will be a hard type, black in color with only his signature in silver. Indented/pressed if possible. I used Blurb (http://www.blurb.com), the same as our POTN book, but the hard-cover has no type. That's made up for by the very nice dust jacket.
OTOH, the soft cover does have type & pics included.

See the link in my sig.

[ClickClick]

First, those are some awesome photos. God, I am envious.

Second, a couple of more questions...

The pages are professionally binded right? No staples through them or anything.

Second regarding the dustcover.. I didn't find much info on it, but I see that the examples that I did see were basically a photographic image overlayed into a dust cover. If that is the case, then it would be quite easy to make a gloss black one and just have the signature as the main image on it right? Or am I missing something here.

[PhotosGuy]

First, those are some awesome photos. God, I am envious. Don't be. The cars do all the work if you wait for the right light? ;) A few Car Lighting Tips - Updated (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=70290) The pages are professionally binded right? No staples through them or anything. Yes. then it would be quite easy to make a gloss black one and just have the signature as the main image on it right? Yes. Go to the "Books" link in my sig & you'll see a image of a black background dust cover & some other images from the book.

[ClickClick]

Don't be. The cars do all the work if you wait for the right light? ;) A few Car Lighting Tips - Updated (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=70290) Yes. Yes. Go to the "Books" link in my sig & you'll see a image of a black background dust cover & some other images from the book.


I went to the link and it was for the thread where you were discussing your car book. I didn't see the black dust cover??? (It's Monday and I am not a coffee drinker so I may be slow.)

P.S. that link to the car lighting tips has great info. I love the way you blur the backgrounds.. I wish I were that talented with my PSCS skills.

[PhotosGuy]

I didn't see the black dust cover Because it's covered with pics? ;)
http://home.comcast.net/~frankjcizek/Samples/album/Books/slides/covers-1.html
I wish I were that talented with my PSCS skills. Look in the PP "Sticky"s. I put it all in there.

[ClickClick]

Silly me.

Now I do see it. I am thinking of a solid black dust cover, glossy like yours and with just his signature at the bottom right corner.

I am downloading the blurb software now. I assume it will have detailed instructions on sizes and dpi required for photo layouts and uploading.

This will certainly prove to be an interesting project all together.

[PhotosGuy]

I assume it will have detailed instructions on sizes and dpi required for photo layouts and uploading. Lots of templates. Note that there are separate ones for the cover & interior pages.
Just point in the pic area & it will tell you what the sizes are. Have fun!

[stathunter]

I hate to jump in on this conversation but wanted to say hello to Frank from another Michigander. (I lived at 17 and Ryan until a few years ago)

[poloman]

I received my first Asuka book Friday. This is a pretty expensive product but the results are stellar. When I opened the packaging, I was honestly surprised with the quality of the product. I used this for a client's senior pictures. I presented the book yesterday. The girl's mother has emailed me today to tell me how beautiful her family members think it is.
My first look was at blurb. I was unable to download their software, posted a notice on their forum and was met with derisive remarks about my PC from a few Mac lovers. Finally, a tech sent me a link and I was able to do the download. By then I had a nasty taste in my mouth and was concerned that I would have trouble with them.
In retrospect, I am really happy with the outcome and using Asuka for the project. How many times have you had clients seek you out just to compliment you? Layout for the Asuka book is all done in photoshop and, with reasonable care, is easily accomplished.

[Cathpah]

I received my first Asuka book Friday. This is a pretty expensive product but the results are stellar. When I opened the packaging, I was honestly surprised with the quality of the product. I used this for a client's senior pictures. I presented the book yesterday. The girl's mother has emailed me today to tell me how beautiful her family members think it is.
My first look was at blurb. I was unable to download their software, posted a notice on their forum and was met with derisive remarks about my PC from a few Mac lovers. Finally, a tech sent me a link and I was able to do the download. By then I had a nasty taste in my mouth and was concerned that I would have trouble with them.
In retrospect, I am really happy with the outcome and using Asuka for the project. How many times have you had clients seek you out just to compliment you? Layout for the Asuka book is all done in photoshop and, with reasonable care, is easily accomplished.

don't let mac fanboys (or any fanboy for that matter) leave a bad taste in your mouth for a company. not their fauult they have some crazy fanboy folk on their forum. too many fanboys out there to let it affect you.

[liza]

I've used Blurb and was very pleased with the product for the price. The color was nice and the book was well constructed. I used it as a gift for one of my brides, since she couldn't afford a traditional album. It just depends on your expectations. Asuka is a better product, but keep in mind that it's much more expensive and can only be used by professional photographers. There are pro's and cons with either route.

[jpthomas27]

There has already been a great testamonial for Blurb above, but I will second that! I used Blurb and was more than pleased with the reults and the price was very decent. The software that you download to create the book is a little clunky but it gives you plenty of control over the design to ensure you get what you want

[poloman]

Wasn't just the Mac fans. It took three days for the company guy to get around to me. Maybe I'm too impatient but I usually need to move faster than that. I also expect a crucial link to work.

[EOSAddict]

As Frank says, we use Blurb for the POTN book. In the end you get what you pay for .. but Blurb are VERY good value. Remember it's a paper printed book, not a book of prints!

Blurb are also quite responsive on quality issues and don't hesitiate to sort things out if you feel their product is not up to scratch. We are using them again for Volume 2.

[poloman]

Looks like they have done well for all of you. I just can't take a chance where my reputation or a client is concerned. First sniff of trouble and I'm out of there. I don't expect my clients to be forgiving of my bad decisions so I make every effort to avoid them. :)

[toneyw]

http://mpix.com/.

[idleberry]

Have you looked into using Lulu.com? From what I understand, you pay nothing, unless you want an isbn number for it. (In the UK, this is £80 - $160, but it's a lot less for those in the US). Then you can select things like layout, design, as well as type of binding, whether you want a soft or hard cover.

Let me know how you get on!

[superdiver]

I used Picaboo and liked it ALOT...

[SBCmetroguy]

Thanks for this thread. I used Blurb last night to create and order my first coffee table book. I just had to see how it was going to turn out. I still wish I'd done hardcover, but since I was trying to get expedited shipping it became really expensive... so I went with paperback.

[ClickClick]

Thanks for this thread. I used Blurb last night to create and order my first coffee table book. I just had to see how it was going to turn out. I still wish I'd done hardcover, but since I was trying to get expedited shipping it became really expensive... so I went with paperback.


Please post back on how it turns out.

[SBCmetroguy]

Please post back on how it turns out.

Without a doubt I will! :) They are showing the expected shipping date as 10-16, but I should have it just a couple days after that.