Where to make Photobooks in the UK?

11/29/2007 12:56:53 PM · #1

Hello,

My fathers is a championship walkingstick maker, I know it sounds a bit odd, but they are real works of art. Here is one of his, calved out of a single Ram's horn:

He has won the British & UK National Stickmaking Championship quite a few times (4 or 5 I think), and it is a huge part of his life. He isn't too well at the moment, and it doesn't look like he will be able to compete again.

This is where you come in! I'd really like to make a photo book of all his sticks (probably about 60 in total) with a few pages of text (e.g. a contents page), it really would make his day.

I have already taken a few photos of them, and he is always asking for prints. I think a book would be a really nice way for him to see all his work. A few other people would probably want copies, so I am thinking about 10 in total. I know it won't be cheap, I'd like to make it about A4 size.

I have looked on the Internet, but there are LOTS of companies, with greatly varying prices, and I worry about the quality. There is nothing like a recommendation instead of me picking at random! Any help would be really REALLY appreciated.

Thanks for reading
Mark

cpanaioti

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

11/29/2007 01:54:57 PM · #2

Here's a few I found....

Hopefully people will pipe in with personal experiences.

//www.kodakgallery.co.uk/PhotoBookOverview.jsp

//www.bonusprint.co.uk/pages/photo_books_digital_prints.htm?level=2

Forum from dpreview:

//forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1003&message=25584102

A little google goes a long way.

Anders

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G

11/29/2007 02:09:54 PM · #3

I have seen books printed by Snappy Snaps and they have turned out really nicely. Im sure they would be able to accommodate the text as well, my experience of the company has been very good (especially with regard to canvas prints)!

pix-al

Canon EOS-5D

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

11/29/2007 02:10:43 PM · #4

I've don a bonus print book - OK, but not great.
The book itself was OK, but my bottom of the range Canon Pixma printer does a better job of prints...

I've done another for someone else using Photobox. It was better, but nowhere near proper photo quality, which is what I would want!

I believe they are all "printed" rather than done like a proper photo.

11/29/2007 02:16:40 PM · #5

Thank you SO much guys, I really appreciate it! I did a bit of google and was slightly overwhelmed! I thrust the opinions of the photographers here.

I'll have a look at snappy snaps. Pix-al, you have kind of confirmed my worries! I was considering photobox. Probably best to do one and see how it comes out. Whatever happens I'll update the thread just in case someone else wants to know!

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

11/29/2007 02:23:58 PM · #6

need to add, cpanaioti you are a star! that dpreview link is great, apparently photo books are VAT exempt, and the US publishers look really nice. Particularly mypubllisher

ETA:
Blurb also looks great

Message edited by author 2007-11-29 14:29:51.

Mambe

Canon EOS-1000D Rebel XS

11/29/2007 02:44:21 PM · #7

Hello Mark ,

Haven't use them but mypublisher seems good.They often have discounts and they offer many possibilities (even dust jacket) ; for the prices please check mypublisher europe too.

Mambe

Canon EOS-1000D Rebel XS

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

11/29/2007 03:40:15 PM · #8

Just have received a mail from mypublisher announcing : Genuine 100% Imported
Leather Covers
FOR DELUXE & CLASSIC PHOTOBOOKS

That doesn't look bad ! ;-)

Message edited by author 2007-11-29 15:40:27.