Which photo book provider should I use?

28 Jun Which photo book provider should I use?

This has to be one of our most asked questions. Previously our answer was: Momento. We were deeply saddened by the recent news of the closure and liquidation of our beloved photo book supplier. This marks the end of a decade-long partnership and a twenty-year business.
We appreciate that you are all interested in our opinion on alternative suppliers, and we are actively exploring various options.

In the meantime, we have put together a list of factors you should consider when choosing a photo book supplier:

• Software type: online, downloadable or app only. With online, you will need to create an account and upload your chosen photos to their website. If you are a MAC user, you might want to try MILK books Photos app integration, to create your book within the My Projects menu within your Photo Library. We are seeing many new photobook apps for mobile devices pop up, but as professional photo book designers, we are looking for full functionality and control over design, which only comes with a desktop interface.
• Functionality: free form design or set templates only. Some programs offer set templates only, where you can’t edit the suggested layouts. Make sure you check out the software before you get too far in to designing your book.
• Cover materials: hard cover, soft cover, printed, linen, (faux) leather. Do you want embossing on the linen or leather cover? There are so many options when it comes to book covers. Many love a printed cover with a carefully selected stand out image displayed, which almost all photo book providers offer (some providers ONLY offer printed cover). If you like a linen cover with embossing (like me!) providers who offer this are limited.

• Size: Not all companies will offer a broad range of sizes and shapes. Chatbooks, for example, only offer square shaped books. Often, I hear clients ask for a supplier who prints A3 size photo books.
• Number of pages: you will need to consider the number of pages you want in your book. Some book styles have a maximum number of pages e.g. 100, or much less if you opt for flat lay or flush mount binding.
• Book binding: the options here are usually section-sewn or PUR (like a standard reading book), flush mount or lay flat. Lay flat and flush mount pages open flat, so there is no gutter in the seam where you miss part of an image if printed across a double page spread.

• Paper quality: are you after a particular type of paper? Or happy with the standard on offer? Do you prefer gloss or matte paper?
• Production time: do you need a book in a rush for a special event? Check out the production turnaround times and if the provider offers express post.
• Print quality: we have found from experience that print quality is directly in line with book price. The less you pay for a book, the less quality the printing will be. You get what you pay for!

And finally,

• Budget! Do you have a budget in mind for your book? Your budget and thus the photo book provider may change for each book you produce e.g. my kids annual photo book is a printed cover square book-bound book from a lower print quality provider. I am not going to pay top dollar for these books as my kids love looking through them regularly (that’s why I made them!) with their sticky, greasy fingers turning each page! I can always re-order copies if they get trashed, or order additional copies for the grandparents. Where my wedding album is a linen cover embossed book with thicker pages stored in a matching box – no sticky fingers allowed! I was happy to pay more for that one with Momento.

We are deep into researching, testing different providers, their software and collecting samples. We aim to publish a blog on our research results in the upcoming months.
But for those who want to go ahead with their own research we have the following short list;

• ClickOn Print (Brisbane)
• Albumworks (Melbourne)
• MILK Books (Auckland)
• Atkins Lab (Adelaide)
• Graphi Studios (Italy with Melbourne showroom by appointment)
• AsukaBook (Sydney)
• Canva (Australian owned).

Happy creating!

Jo