What I Want from Album Companies

I would like to "check out" a sample album from different suppliers to see their product first hand. With so many companies offering what they deem to be "high quality", I'd like to see for myself. I want to view the leatherette vs the italian leather covers. I'd like to see the thick pages vs their standard pages, etc. Yeah, I can order an album of my own but to do this for 5-6 companies to compare it would be a lot of $ tied thrown away on the ones I don't choose. I would be willing to pay shipping to and from my address. They could even charge me for it if I didn't return it in time.

I do know that I can buy a swatch sample kit from Millers of their cover options, but I'd like to see a completed book.

Does anyone else think this would be a good idea?

some companies offer sample books cheap or 1/2 price.

Maybe for a few like Millers since they have a phone number you could talk to someone, be really friendly and ask if they have any damaged/extra books laying around that they could send you.

ksbal wrote in post #17158226
some companies offer sample books cheap or 1/2 price.

Do you know which?

juicedownload wrote in post #17158730
Maybe for a few like Millers since they have a phone number you could talk to someone, be really friendly and ask if they have any damaged/extra books laying around that they could send you.

This is a good idea!

NewCreation wrote in post #17158734
Do you know which?

I'm not sure who might offer 50% off but I thought Millers was 30%? Kiss.us is 25% with sample stamped on the back.

juicedownload wrote in post #17158771
I'm not sure who might offer 50% off but I thought Millers was 30%? Kiss.us is 25% with sample stamped on the back.

Thank you.

Miller's occasionally has a sale on sample albums that are 50% off, I bought one in June. Not too many companies will give anything away, but you can buy all the samples you want!

Thanks for the tip. I'll keep an eye on my inbox.

Still, it'd be nice to just borrow until I know which company I'd like use

NewCreation wrote in post #17159257
Thanks for the tip. I'll keep an eye on my inbox.

Still, it'd be nice to just borrow until I know which company I'd like use

Sounds like you should print your own album of photos from all these companies and start offering to "rent" it out to others who also want to view all options and choose!

Ha! Maybe so!

I narrowed down my choices with as much research as possible then ordered a sample. I've been using the same company ever since. When I wanted to see their full product range I.e. in sample book format I jumped on a plane and visited their office. Doing that was much more cost effective than ordering lots of sample books.

Queensberry runs a promo twice a year (unofficially) for 1/2 price sample books. I think I got mine for around $260? They also sell a "sampler kit" but that's $450 shipped. http://www.queensberry​.com/starter-kit/

H&H often offers a 50%-off sample album sale. I've taken advantage of it twice in the past. I've been pretty happy with what I've received so far, so I need to just bite the bullet and order some samples of a few more different styles.

memoriesoftomorrow wrote in post #17160395
I narrowed down my choices with as much research as possible then ordered a sample. I've been using the same company ever since. When I wanted to see their full product range I.e. in sample book format I jumped on a plane and visited their office. Doing that was much more cost effective than ordering lots of sample books.

Considering some of the suppliers would be an international flight, I'm not going that route just yet.

tnguyen600 wrote in post #17160435
Queensberry runs a promo twice a year (unofficially) for 1/2 price sample books. I think I got mine for around $260? They also sell a "sampler kit" but that's $450 shipped. http://www.queensberry​.com/starter-kit/

That's cheaper than a flight.

nathancarter wrote in post #17160920
H&H often offers a 50%-off sample album sale. I've taken advantage of it twice in the past. I've been pretty happy with what I've received so far, so I need to just bite the bullet and order some samples of a few more different styles.

Guess I need to watch for sales. Thanks for the tip.

pictobooks will offer a deal when you are activated in their system.

I believe it was $200 for an 11x11 signature book, and a 10x10 bijou but I do not know the contents.

I've used ProDPI as well, but I just bit the bullet and bought a duplicate album of a wedding and use that as my demo which serves dual purpose. It allows clients to see what I deliver in terms of images throughout the day, and lets them hold/see/connect with the album itself.