Latest economical book printers?

[boxofrocks]

I got a Blurb book about a year and a half ago, and it was so-so. I understand they've improved a bit.

I have an opportunity to do around 30-50 books of about 40-50 pages, and wondered if ther was a "latest and greatest" low cost book printer out there. This is being sold to parents of the football team, so I can't be charging 100 bucks a pop. Obviously, I need to keep production costs low.

Anyone have any good experiences lately?

Thanks!

Tom

[SCone]

Printed a wedding book at MYPUBLISHER.COM for about $40. It was about 25 pages I think. Good looking book overall.

[boxofrocks]

Anyone else have a suggestion?

Thanks!!

[Jenny Z]

I'm ordering a press-print book from Mpix sometime this week, I'll let you know...

[suzyjazz]

My brother-in-law made a Blurb book last year. The dust jacket really turned me off, but Blurb does hard covers with image press now, as does Mpix. However, for your price you probably want to do soft cover. Blurb books get you more pages for the money than Mpix. I think I was expecting too much -- I was disappointed with the contrast and color saturation in my Mpix book. The pages aren't photo paper, so I just didn't know what to expect. I think Mpix looks more professional than Blurb, though. I also don't like the Blurb software. It's too structured and complicated. With Mpix you can easily do whatever the heck you want in layout.

[Jenny Z]

I checked out Black River Imaging, they make a really decent photo book. They do fabric and leather covers, and the pages are much better quality than Blurb. I'll try to get some photos up later today for you.

http://www.blackriverimaging.com

[Jenny Z]

Ok, so I ordered a duplicate book, because I liked how the first one came out. I got it today, and it's got the right cover, but the pages are someone else's I called and they said they'd have it out by Monday, and send it overnight. I'll keep you posted.

Anyway, here's some pics of the first. Forgive the desk clutter.

[BeccaJ]

Jennifer, thanks for your post, id been looking into that company!

[3n-Out]

I ordered a book from Blurb just a week ago. It was a family photo album - 144 pages big. I ordered it on the new premium paper with the image wrap cover. It is my first ever book I have done. I was very happy with the final repoduction. I think their software is easy enough to use and there are many layout possiblities. Over all I give it turn around time a 10 of 10 and images a 9-10 and the cover a 10-10.

Now I would like to see what other print companies offer so I actually would have a base line for this comparision. But over all I think Blurb did a great job.

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Tom,

I know another photographer who has been using them quite a bit and is extemely satisfied with all of their products.

- Wil

[tresorph]

I've been using mypublisher for a my bit now on proof/engagement books. They have a soft cover book that starts at $12.95 and 50 cents for pages over 20 methinks. I think that would be a good fit for the project you mentioned. The print quality really wow'ed me for the price point. If it has to be hardcover, they print these exceptionally well - but the drag/drop software - does not offer you 100% full control on the design, just fyi. I get 20% off every order with my Costco membership. It's not a Costco company - and you won't be able to order them at their store - it's all through mypublisher, you just get a discount.