Toronto Photography Meetup Group

I've been doing photo on DVD for a while and while I don't ever plan on providing prints for weddings I shoot; I'm ready to begin providing flush wedding albums, as well as framed engagement photos, guest books and thank you cards.

The framed engagement photo's aren't really a big deal. What I am trying to learn about is printing wedding albums, as well as thank you cards. I have received a catalog as well as price list from http://www.leatheralbumdesigns.com/ however, these albums are in a higher price bracket and I wanted to have some choice. I was wondering if anyone new any place in Toronto that would facilitate something like this, and that would have some examples. Has anyone used Mpix?

Thanks,
Bart

You should check www.blurb.com

Or, perhaps, specifically: www.blurb.com/create/book/wedding_books

They seem pretty new to the wedding book game. I'm sure its not much different from the regular books they've been producing.

I think I may take a drive out to Richmond Hill this coming weekend and visit this place

http://www.photobookcanada.com

Much will depend on the style of book or album you want to sell, and what you price point is (both in terms of your own expenses, and your sale price to the B&G). Press-printed coffee table books with the magazine style pages are the least expensive, which is what you'll find at Blurb, Photobook Canada, Pikto, GTA, etc. Even within that category, pricing and quality will vary, and you really need to see several books in person to judge the difference. For example, a 12"x12" 40-page Blurb is $63, while Pikto's is $140. But you get more options with Pikto and (IMHO) a classier product.

Matted and flushmount albums using photographic or giclee prints tend to run a lot higher in cost, but are generally what most people consider to be a proper "wedding album" vs. a "wedding book". A 40-page 12"x12" album will cost you between $400 and $600 or so to produce, not including the cost of your own labour during in the design process.

If you're going to be up north of the city, swing by GTA Imaging (1140 Sheppard W, http://gtaimaging.com/) and check out the samples they have in their showroom. Ask if Andy is around and tell him Brian Tao sent you. They can do a wide variety of products, including press-printed books and thank-you cards, flushmount albums, canvas wraps, gallery mounts, etc.

Thanks Brian! I want to be able to offer a few different options ranging from $100 all the way up to $600, so it will be good to check all these places out.

off topic.. but do they do metallic prints?? im literally 5 min away from this place but have never heard of them... the website is impressive though

I have ordered with photobookcanada the books are of a great quality - have ordered both soft cover and hard cover - using templates and free formatting the whole thing.

They offer you alot more flexibility then some places.

Not affiliated with photobook canada, but i ever got prints from them, which I was satisfied with. I have not really compared it with any other printer, so I can't really say that they are the best or anything.

Anyway, they're having a 40% off sale with discount code 40JAN2011 till the end of January.

Oh, I'd say one thing about the photobook design programs though

you are able to design on 3rd party software and upload to pikto if im not mistaken... pretty sure im not!

+1 for endura metallic though lol



Oh, I'd say one thing about the photobook design programs though

yeah, i was tempted to do the design on PS before converting it to a large jpg, but design apps can be helpful and efficient for basic books.



Oh, I'd say one thing about the photobook design programs though

They will also accept PDF submissions, which is what I did for my latest Pikto book. I'm using InDesign to create the PDF, but I suppose it doesn't really matter what tools you use, as long as you follow the guidelines for bleed and gutter, etc.

yeah thats what i was getting at..

.. is it wrong of me to say that i love the iphoto 11 photobook templates??

well, since you asked, the answer is obviously...

yes!

[note to self: gotta go check it out one day]