Very Specific Album Question

<p>I am doing a bit of event photography and normally i give albums from Adoramapix as part of the package. The albums have been well recieved.</p>

<p>I have a new client who wants a higher quality album and so started looking at my first professional quality album sources.</p>

<p>I looked at Asuka book, Finao, Forbeyon, Graphistudio, KISS and Leather Craftsman.</p>

<p>My preference is to have a book that supports gutterless (folded) panaromic spreads. That is an important part of my book design. When i looked at such options, I saw the following but I wanted opinion of people who print with these vendors to see if my understanding of the choices are correct and if in your opinion the book is much better quality - in terms of print quality, color correction support, quality of the binding, the over all feel of the book / delivery with respect to Adorama Pix (I am asking for comparison to Adorama Pix because that is the only album i have first hand knowledge of).</p>

<p>I would prefer the customer to have a feeling that the book exudes luxury feeling with good craftmanship. How do the photo covers look like on these? Any vendors i missed? Which of these solutions have an option to the have the sides on the paper gilded (if that is the right word) black.<br>

<strong>Asuka Book</strong><br>

Neoclassic - Only 8*11 size is gutterless. 10*10 size has a 3mm gutter.<br>

Zen Lay Flat Impact - Cover is not a photographic cover, but other materials.<br>

Zen Layflat Hardcover - Seems like something that I would like. From the photos it looks like gutterless but is not actually a folded page, but a cut page. Has the sizes i want (12*12 is the format i prefer)<br>

<strong>Finao</strong><br>

Flush Mount: One - Cant tell from the website if this is gutterless design. Also from the site I feel the quality is similar to Adorama Pix.<br>

<strong>Forbeyon</strong><br>

Flush Mount: Panoramic - I think this quality is less than the Adorama Pix. I looked at the picture of the Panoramic and the bend was very unseemly. I think the Adorama Pix quality is better but this is from photos. Any real life experience from both?<br>

<strong>Graphistudio</strong><br>

Wedding Book - I think this has true panaromic and the cover choices are plenty and some are what I would like to try.<br>

<strong>KISS</strong><br>

Doesnt seem like a step up from Adorama. To me it seems like a step down.<br>

<strong>Leather Craftsman</strong><br>

3500 Flush Series<br>

300 Hingeless<br>

For both the website talks about folded panoramics. I am assuming this is what I want, but any idea of the quality of the final output</p>

<p>I have only used leather craftsmen out of those and have not personally done the folded panoramics, only the hinged or with a black gutter, but they are awesome in so many regards. Their customer service is top notch. They offer just about every material option possible for the covers, although the top grain cowhide that is the standard is nice too. I find the 300 hingeless with the knobs on the side make it look extra luxurious and it has the gilded edges. When I open up the software provided by leather craftsmen, this is the image they give for the folded edition:</p>

 

<p>You should also take a look at Millers Lab.</p>

<p>Is MPIX from Millers lab? I did a lot of prints from MPIX in the past and liked the prints from them.</p>

<p>From the list of options that you are wanting I'd say that Leather Craftsmen would be your best bet. The quality is superior to the other companies mentioned and the folded panoramics and black gilding are exactly what you are looking for.</p>

Yes, MPIX is part of Millers.

Cost wise White Glove is about the most expensive. Besides Leather Craftsman there is a slightly less album I like called Art Leather.

 

Both companies will give you an album at 1/2 price to use as a sample.

<p>Hi All,</p>

<p>I am looking for Album suppliers too. Are there any suppliers similar to Finao or Forbeyon located in Europe?</p>

<p>Rgs,<br>

<br />Tonio</p>

<p>Black River Imaging is worth a look.</p>

<p>Tonio, Graphi Studio is in italy I believe. I really dont know if it is comparable to Finao or Forbeyon</p>

 

<p>I cuently switched to Artifex albums. They're are a new company but they're amazing because the quality is great for the price. I used Leathercraftsmen in the past. I also used Finao, KISS, and Forbeyon. Artifex's gutter is amazingly thin. and their folded panoramic is great too. Print quality is top notch. and they offer so many options. gilding options also.</p>