Get your FREE coffee table book here

[Mark McCall]

Just in case this hasn't been posted anywhere else on TPP:

Get a free Blurb coffee table book, complete with wraparound jacket. Regularly $29.95.

1. Download Bookmaker software from www.blurb.com
2. Design book, upload (the Autoflow feature of the software practically designs the book for you).
3. During checkout, use the code iusabook for your free book. You'll only pay shipping.

I visited their booth at PPA, and was completely blown away at the quality in such an inexpensive book.

Here's the best part.
I sold two of these books at our local bridal show to budget brides who couldn't afford my regular price list for a Renaissance or Bon Match album.
I got $2,000 and $2,500 respectively to deliver their photos in a Blurb book.
I was very surprised to find only minor differences between Blurb and Asuka. ($30 vs. $250).

One catch...offer ends February 4th.

[Daniel Bates]

Is there a time limit on this offer? I'd love to print a portfolio book but I don't have the images... yet...

[Mark McCall]

Opps, for got that info Daniel.

Offer ends Feb. 4th

[HOUSCOUS]

Thanks, gonna have one of this.

[smseeley]

I just ordered a 300+ page book from them last night. I've heard all good things about BLURB. Can't wait to get it! And now I will definately have to make another for free. Thanks for the code!

[gregjopot]

I recently used Blurb for the first time and was really impressed, considering the price. I made one for personal use, all my family photos from 2006, it ended up being a 430 page book! The software was really easy to use as well. They have told me that they are planning on making a larger book available soon, 11x13, I think.

[Paulo]

Thank you for posting, Mark.

[LoungeLizard]

Great...how flexible is the software? Specific questions:

1) Can you use existing layouts down with other software?
2) Can you do spreads that go across two pages?

[KeepsakeGirl]

$29.95 is for how many pages?

[smseeley]

I believe $29 is for up to a 40 page hard cover book. Check out the rest of their prices:
http://www.blurb.com/create/book/pricing

[Mark McCall]

Originally Posted by LoungeLizard

Great...how flexible is the software? Specific questions:

1) Can you use existing layouts down with other software?
2) Can you do spreads that go across two pages?

Yes on both counts.
Simply save your layout as a JPG in PS, then import it into Bookmaker.
To make a panorama (spread), you'll need to cut it in half before importing. Then place one half on the left page, then place the other half on the right page.

I uploaded an entire wedding album I designed with YSI.

Free book is up to 40 pages.
If your free book is more than 40 pages, you just pay the difference.

[Mark McCall]

Get this...
They offer a paperback version as well.
EXACT same book as the hard cover, just a different cover. Only $18.

The new sizes will be out around Feb. 14th or so. 11x14 and 7x7.

Another cool service they offer:
Design your book (cookbook, tutorial, art book, ect)., then place it in their online bookstore.
They'll sell your books for you, accept the credit cards, take out their $29.95, send you the rest.

[Gordon]

The wider format books looked really slick at Imaging USA. Compared to most of the other book companies there, blurb seemed very into the idea of helping you self-publish & sell small volumes of a book, rather than producing one-off wedding albums.

It is a subtle difference and I'm sure both types of books are well handled by many companies, but blurb seems much more in the low but more than 1 volume, words & pictures niche than many of the other print providers (like asuka or shared ink)

[brad]

Still seems like a too good to be true deal... what about color matching, color fastness, and long term durability of the book?

[Gordon]

Originally Posted by LoungeLizard

Great...how flexible is the software? Specific questions:

1) Can you use existing layouts down with other software?
2) Can you do spreads that go across two pages?

I talked to them a bit about that. You can do full bleed across multiple pages, but only by cutting the image by hand. Their software does understand the gutter margins needed to line it up, but there is a 1/8in cost around the edges that can consume text printed right up to the side.

Existing layouts can be pulled in as JPEGs, not sure about other means. They have some of the more flexible book layout software I've seen in this market space.