Proofbooks

I would like to find a bound proofbook that offers around 9-12 proofs per page

that are labeled with my proof #'s automatically. I have seen these

books--where do I get them?

Hi Theresa- I use printroom.com- you just upload thumbnails and then choose a few settings for your book...it is spiral bound with a front and back cover (front cover has the option for you to add a picture and some text.) They are not incredible quality, but I give them with my less expensive packages and everyone seems to like them, plus they are very inexpensive for you!

Hello Theresa, there are lots of places to have books printed. As mentioned Printroom is

one, Shutterfly another, Kodak gallery (which I use), and on and on. The real trick to

making this a very quick and easy process is to create CONTACT SHEETS in Photo Shop. Go

to File - Automate - Contact Sheet. You then select the page size you want, usually a 10

inch width by 8 inch height for the typical book sizes. You can set how many photos you

want per page, and to have your file numbers printed under the photo. You select the

folder containing all your photos and PS will quickly create the pages. All you have to do

then is upload the contact pages to the book printer. MUCH easier and faster to upload 20

or 30 ready to go pages rather than 300 individual photos and having to 'design" the

book. As an alternative, on many of the sites you can send a CD of your photos and they

will put them on the site. But to me, the easiest way is to let PS create the pages

automatically and simply upload the pages to the printing site for the book.

I use White House Custom Color (WHCC) for my proofbooks.

Theresa,

When I used Printroom, I used their spiral-bound book as well and it was a nice product. I am about to have a bound proof book sample made by www.blurb.com. They're pretty inexpensive as well and have about the size you're looking for.

To add to Steve's Photoshop method, you can also use Lightroom's "print" feature. I'm just making a PDF through Lightroom and sending that to blurb to be printed. You can adjust the number of pictures per page, the spacing, and add the file name under each shot. Easy-peasy.

 

Sam

Try MillersLab.com I use them and don't put that many per page but they can do it. Great quality and reasonable price. You can do an order page as well if you want to do that.

 

Brooke

Hi Sam and Julie,

 

Could you tell me how much the proofbooks are per page? Say an 8x10 size? I can't get prices on there without signing up and I don't even know if I'm interested yet.

 

Thanks,

 

Rachel :o)

Mpix.com does what you need.

I second MPIX.

Rachel,

 

I randomly picked one of my galleries and it came to 43 pages with the cover, 10x13 landscape orientation, spiral bound, for $85.80.

 

Here's something to consider though. In my opinion, this only works if you use them for your print fulfillment. You would have to upload each file to their site to be printed. Same thing for Mpix as well. The advantage to blurb is that you print your PDF in Lightroom and upload those pages, not each thumbnail, so it doesn't take as long. Also, Printroom uses their own software for uploads (you may be able to upload by FTP, but I don't remember). I use Smugmug, so I don't want to have to upload all those pictures to another site just for proofs. Smugmug also has a "direct to blurb" option from withing your galleries, but I haven't checked to see if you can do contact sheets or not. If they do, that would be a couple-click process.

 

An 11x13 book from blurb with 43 pages is $65. 40 pages and under is $55. An 8x10 book with less than 40 pages is $30, 41-80 pages is $35.

 

Sorry for the long reply, but I was trying to explain things thoroughly so you can make the decision that's best for you. For me, since I don't use printroom for printing anymore, blurb is a better option as far as cost and ease of use (fewer uploads).

 

Sam

I do my own. I use contact sheet in PS to create them (I put 9 on a page) with the file names, make a nice looking cover in PS and then run them off on the colour laser at my lab (10 cents per side if I bring my own paper, which I do and get good paper for cheap at Staples). Then I add a heavy card on the back (I think it's actually the stuff that's made to put in comic books to preserve them), a clear platic cover on the front (again, Staples) and cerlox them. If I could I would spiral bind, but I don't have as easy access to a spiral binder. People like them, the quality isn't good enough to replace an album, so I think it serves it's purpose well.

Thank you so much for your in-depth response. I really appreciate it! I have already used blurb once and was not happy with print quality on their coffee table books, but I will definitely give them a try for proof books.

Rachel,

I've read a lot of good things about blurb, but haven't actually gotten a book yet (too busy). Having used similar companies like Shutterfly and Photoworks, I wouldn't use them for "albums", but I think they could serve nicely as proof books. I see them as another avenue for people to view and share their photos. I've considered putting a disclaimer on the inside flap of the dust jacket, the back cover, or the last page that these are "proofs" and not indicative of the color of a photographic print.

I do what Stefanie does, only a little differently. I print my pages to color laser, 4 images per page, double-sided. I think 9 per page is too small for proofs. I like my clients to be able to really see the images and I think they perceive and appreciate the additional value of more pages with bigger images. They feel like they're getting more. Plus, they often complain about other photo vendors who provide smaller images. I picked up a spiral binder with pliers from an Ebay vendor for around $120 (brand new) which absolutely rocks! Now, the spirals themselves require some investment in various sizes and you have to buy them 100/box, but they'll last you a LONG time. It's SO worth being able to spiral bind a book when I want to, instead of having to go to the FedEx Kinko's and pay them $5 a book to spiral bind (and stand in line sometimes when you're in a hurry).

 

I print the pages using ACDSee Pro 2, which is my digital image management software, which lets me lay out contact pages with header text, footer text, and image numbers. I have cardstock on each side of the book with a full color inkjet photo from the event on front and back, and then clear acetate covers to top it off. Clients love it, and it looks very professional.

 

I place the book and image disc in a Unikeep black plastic binder case (black plastic snap case with clear sleeve to insert a photo cover), which keeps it all together and makes it easier for clients to carry with them to show off to all their friends and family.

 

Being able to print these off at odd hours at my own convenience is really nice.