Coffee table books

[DoctorWu]

I've seen a number of threads on coffee table books and from those I have a list of companies that print coffee table books, my question is, which is the best value?

Asuka books seems to get great reviews but Blurb's prices just can't be beaten, can anyone who has experience with both of these offer an oppinion?

This first book I'm doing is a gift for a friend who's daughter was just Christened. I was thinking softcover not too big.

Thanks in advance,

Cliff

[janetg]

i have no experience with azuka - but for personal type printing - blurb is the way to go - i have several and am very pleased with them.

[MarcoFromHouston]

I had a Blurb book printed.

7x7, soft cover, up to 40 pages

Less than $20 shipped

Preview my book here (pdf format)

[a2rob]

Another satisfed Blurb customer!!

[DoctorWu]

Does the Blurb logo print on the actual book like it does in the preview?

Reason I ask is that the secondary reason for creating the book is so I can have two printed so I can use one as a sample to show potential clients....

[MarcoFromHouston]

you can pay a few $$ more to remove the logo

[vibhav]

I have also got multiple books printed from blurb and they are really good...lately I have been having slight problems with the colors as they look muted and images look slightly soft...don't know if I changed something in photoshop or they are not performing as well... but all in all, I am a very satisfied customer...

[HotHolly]

You get what you pay for. Seen both - wouldn't use blurb. We use asuka and graphi.

[brad]

I use asuka and graphi for my album books... blurb for proof books. Biggest differences between blurb and asuka are the quality of the materials and color management. Colors are better on asuka than blurb IMHO .. and the materials (cover and paper stock) in blurb feel way cheaper than asuka. (The blurb book paper feels like magazine stock -- think Pop Photo magazine stock where the Asuka feels more like a photo book's paper -- and the upgraded Asuka stock feels really nice.)

[AndrewCCM]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

You get what you pay for. Seen both - wouldn't use blurb. We use asuka and graphi.

DITTO.

I use Blurb for fun little things...never to a customer. Not even proofs. I am just a snob I suppose as I don't care to have the Blurb book represent my business.

Having said that, they're not terrible.

[Wil_Bloodworth]

... Agree with Brad wholeheartedly. As usual.

- Wil

[DoctorWu]

Thanks everyone! After checking out the blurb software (easy to use but not flexible enough) and reading your advice, I'm going to spend the extra dough and go with Asuka.

Thanks again,

Cliff

[Wes]

IMHO, it depends on what you're shooting. I did a Blurb book for a baseball team and the parents absolutely loved it. Asuka would have been WAY out of the price range for little league parents. On the other hand, I couldn't see Blurb working out for a wedding.

[fran reisner]

I don't see any mention of Miller's or MPix here. They are doing a very nice quality prepress book now, and turn around is amazing... as is their customer service! Marathon Press does a nice book as well. They printed my Italy book last year.

[DoctorWu]

Originally Posted by fran reisner

I don't see any mention of Miller's or MPix here. They are doing a very nice quality prepress book now, and turn around is amazing... as is their customer service! Marathon Press does a nice book as well. They printed my Italy book last year.

If its good enough for you...Its probably way too good for me...
I will definately check them all out! Thank you so much for your reply.

Big fan of your work, thanks again!

--
Cliff