Q&A: How to choose the best photo book program to use?
[divider] Are you wanting to design your own photo book but have no idea how to begin?
You don’t even know how to select the best photo book company or program to use. This month’s Q&A will definitely help you out!
How to choose which photo book program should I use?
This is a great question and actually really influences the type of photo book you want … and the design process itself.
Are you looking for a no-fuss process? Do you want the fastest way to design a book? Are you looking for some creative choices but don’t want to be overwhelmed? Do you love having complete control?
Do you want a lot of photos in a grid layout? Do you want fewer photographs in a more specific layout?
Do you want to start with a clean / blank layout (think black or white backgrounds) or do you want a bit of design?
Every single one of these questions influences which company, process and program you should use.
The best single piece of advice I can offer: Spend a little time right now to decide what you want before you download a program. You’re more likely to get the results you want in the end, if you start with an intelligent choice in the beginning. Here are some options to consider.
First, start with the photo book company.
If you’re looking for a template to add photos to, check out Snapfish, Shutterfly or TinyPrints.
If you’re wanting to start with a basic background, white, black or solid color, look into Blurb, My Publisher or AdoramaPix Books.
How do you decide? Look for the specific design templates, page layouts and/or finish options that speak most to your vision. Look at the cover, the binding, the paper options.
[divider] Second, think about the design control you want to have.
Does the photo book company you are considering have an autoflow option (if you want a quick design) or a custom layout option (if you want more design control)?
I’m more familiar with Blurb so I wanted to outline the three options they provide to design a photo book.
1 – Bookify: This is purely an online, cloud-based, program. It does not have an application that you download to a desktop. This is great if you plan on working from various computers. You can not customize the page layouts and have to use the pre-designed templates. For simple books, chances are you’ll find what you want. These are great for autoflow books (where the program places the images for you automatically), especially if using instagram or facebook pics.
2 – BookSmart: This is an application that you download to your desktop. There are a variety of more advanced options that you can use to design layouts. There is an autoflow feature but you can also customize the page layouts. There are some restrictions to text – for instance size and rotation. But for the most part, you can be design a sophisticated book. There are layout options for full spreads (left and right side of the page) which is an awesome feature to have.
3 – Adobe InDesign Plug-in: Blurb provides a plug-in to be installed into Adobe InDesign in order to design photo books. All of the margins are established with the plug-in. You simply design what you want and upload it to their site. This option provides the maximum level of design and creative control. The only restriction is your knowledge and understanding of InDesign. I’m offering an upcoming workshop to educate how to design gorgeous books (and other documents) using this plug-in and InDesign.
Third, factor in cost. You don’t want to design your book and then realize the price is too high for you to order your book. Understand what to expect from the beginning.
There you go! My answer to help you select the perfect photo book program for you photo book project!
Do you have a specific request and want to hear my recommendation? Leave a comment below and I’ll let you know what I think may be the best option for you!
2013 Photo Book Cover Design Series
Today’s photo book cover design is for a Large Square photo book but could be easily adapted for other book types. The inspiration for this book cover was a cover design for Murakami’s 1Q84 novel. I’m not sure about the font that I ended up using for this example, but it was fun to try. For those curious, I created this in InDesign with the font Braggadocio.
Here is the back – spine – front.
The entire front cover.
And a detail…
Enjoy your weekend!
about my workshops
Take your photos from computer to photo book.Transform your photos into an editorial photo book with intention. WORKSHOPS Transform your photos in a beautiful photo book. IN 100 PAGES Use Artifact Uprising to design a book of your favorite photographs. DOCUMENT YOUR...2012 August Podcast
It is time for another video podcast! In this month’s podcast, I translate the outline from the previous video (see this link here to watch that video!) into an actual photo book structure. Using Adobe InDesign and the free software program from Blurb, I take you step by step as we create stand-in pages for the entire book. Once the structure is in, you will have a framework – or a to-do list – to begin filling in the pages.
And speaking of starting to fill in the pages with photos…stay tuned for next month’s podcast where I start that process. Looking for the easiest way to know when this podcast is released…sign up for my free weekly email!
Happy 4th
I hope everyone is having a fantastic fourth! Usually the Fourth of July is a busy holiday for us. They have an annual road race with the route right next to our house. So we wake up early and watch the runners…with our coffees! And for dinner we had to my in-laws for a grilled feast.
I thought I would share my spread from the 4th in my 2011 photo book. The layout was prepared in Adobe InDesign. Because there were so many events that occurred, I wanted a layout that allowed a lot of photos in one spread.
I want to hear from you in the comments below. What is one thing you will definitely do on the Fourth of July? Picnic? Pool? Movie? What are your traditions?
sleepy girl
Last week, I wrote about my daughter’s favorite blanket. But let’s be honest, sleeping – even waking up photos – are adorable and a must every year for your kids. I took several photos, maybe 30 and selected my favorites to include in my annual family photo book.
To make it easier to select which photos, I had my layout in mind. I knew I wanted four photos on the left hand side of the layout and one photo on the right.
For the left page, I wanted four different facial expressions of my daughter waking up.
For the right page, a detail of the blanket would keep the layout simple and to the point. About my daughter – her sleeping, waking up, and her blanket.
This layout was prepared in Adobe InDesign and has the signature design elements of my photo book, page numbers and a date to document when these photos were taken.
my terms and disclosure
Book This Project
BOOK THIS PROJECT, LLC
Terms and Conditions of Use
Date of Last Revision: September 5, 2012
Welcome to Book This Project! Our mission is to help you take and print more photographs. You take the photographs. We make the books. Our service organizes your photographs into a polished and beautiful photo book.
In order to protect our design services, it is important for you to read and understand our Terms of Use.
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Book This Project
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Date of Last Revision: September 5, 2012
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BOOKTHISPROJECT.com
End User License Agreement
Date of Last Revision: September 5, 2012
License
1. Under this End User License Agreement (the “Agreement”), BOOK THIS PROJECT (the “Vendor”) grants to the user (the “Licensee”) a non-exclusive and non-transferable license (the “License”) to use BOOK THIS PROJECT Products. By using these products you are agreeing to these terms and conditions. Violation of these terms and conditions will result in punishment to the maximum extent of the law.
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This means you may not:
-Sell these templates or executable presets to anyone for any reason in full or partial form.
-Claim these products as your own.
-Post any Product(s) or portion thereof or derived works to news groups, mail lists or electronic bulletin.
-Use products in any way not covered within these terms.
5. This Agreement grants a site license to the Licensee. The templates and/or software may be loaded onto a maximum of 5 personal computers in your home or photography studio. Your assistants or employees are not allowed to copy these products for their personal use.
6. Fonts: To edit text in these products you may need to purchase and/or locate additional fonts. Due to copyright laws we are unable to include the fonts with the products, so fonts used inside the products may not be available on your computer. You can find out how to download by emailing info@bookthisproject.com.
7. The BOOK THIS PROJECT’s Products may not be modified, reverse-engineered, or de-compiled in any manner through current or future available technologies.
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1. Book This Project’s Product(s) are provided by the Vendor and accepted by the Licensee “as is”. Liability of the Vendor will be limited to a maximum of the original purchase price of the Product. The Vendor will not be liable for any general, special, incidental or consequential damages including, but not limited to, loss of production, loss of profits, loss of revenue, loss of data, or any other business or economic disadvantage suffered by the Licensee arising out of the use or failure to use the Products.
2. File Format: All products are delivered as INDD files inside a ZIP archive. Please make sure you can open ZIP files and edit inDesign INDD files before purchasing.
3: Printer Compatibility: All products will be furnished in an Abobe 98 color space. If this does not match your printer’s required color profile, you can easily convert this. Instructions on how to do this can be found in our Frequently Asked Questions section. The Book This Project will not be responsible for poor printing due to negligence on the Licensee’s part (for not converting to the chosen printer’s print profiles, not adhereing to the printers bleed or size requirements, not checking with the printer before ordering, or any other reason.) Compatibility with every printer is not guaranteed nor warranted.
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User Support
E-mail support available by writing to info@bookthisproject.com with Product Name in the Subject Header.
Term
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