iPhoto Print Products (Photo Books)

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ahmad

1937 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#29911 23-Jan-2009 09:40

Does anyone have any experience with these? I posted in the Off Topic forum with no replies, but I refuse to believe that no GZer has ordered one.

How did you find the quality and service?

I'm a bit aghast at the asking shipping cost of $11 on a set of 3 mini books when a larger book costs $2 to ship, and even the heavy hardcovers are only $10 to ship...

Aside from this should I expect a good experience?

And how do the prices compare to local options? I've only seen a couple on Dunedin and they were around the $30-60 mark so the iPhoto prices including shipping were similar.

It's annoying that the shipping cannot be combined on these products, and yet they do not put a postage included price on their website (nor do they mention shipping costs or make it easy to find them on the site).

Update: My books apparently shipped yesterday, only 2 days after placing an order! They were medium spiral-bounds, 20 pages, 2 of the same book. Does anyone know what the real world delivery times to NZ are after you get the "order shipped" email?

JohnButt

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#191574 23-Jan-2009 15:02

for comparison, I printed mine to PDF and took the memory stick to a local printer last week, got three made - about 20 pages and it cost $60, and 30 minutes waiting. I did another before Christmas and it cost $100 for 10 (negotiating power

. Fantastic final products, be interesting to compare so I may just try the Apple product next time because I am sure there will be a next time having done it once and seen the reaction of friends and family.

ahmad

1937 posts

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Inactive user

#191575 23-Jan-2009 15:13

Ah I wasn't aware you could do that?

Any loss of quality in going to PDF? As I believe iPhoto uploads the actual images right? Or are these compressed too?

Where did you go to for your books and were they spiral bond/hardcover/etc.?

JohnButt

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#191578 23-Jan-2009 15:20

Just use your standard print command and on the bottom left is a print to PDF box. Make sure that the a4 choice is selected in all opportunities or you will pay for it in cutoff edges. The pdf file is going to be very big, because no loss of definition is made, ie mine was over 60MB.

I just went to my local printing company and had them spiral bound, stiff back and claer front, ie not hard bound, that would be expensive if they are not prepared, but try a local one.

ahmad

1937 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#191579 23-Jan-2009 15:21

Quite unsure who to try. Suggestions for how to look in the yellow pages? I'm in Dunedin and I know a local printer closed down last year or the one before.

warwickt

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#197108 21-Feb-2009 13:50

Hi there, bit late but fwiw...
I tried the Apple Photo Book service, ordered their top-of-range hard bound with cover, 28 pages, $65.86 incl. shipping.
Order was shipped after 2 working days, received in Wellington in less than the 7-10 working days advertised (approx one week).
Quality was excellent -- better than I was expecting, high quality materials and reproduction, couldn't see any corners being cut.
Verdict: Pricey but worth it. I haven't tried any local supplier for comparison.

JohnButt

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#197112 21-Feb-2009 14:13

Looks like 3 times the price of local printing, but I suspect 3 times the value if it included glossy paper with print quality pages and the hard cover - mine were with a softcover and ringbinder finish on plain, but high quality copier paper.
Must try it

Mark

1653 posts

Uber Geek

#197722 24-Feb-2009 12:29

I got a couple of ring bound books done (about $12 each I think), came out looking great .. good pressie for the grandparents! :-)