Outstanding quality, fast, phenomenal.
Written: Aug 07 '10 (Updated Nov 20 '11)
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I ADORE My Publisher! I will say that they can be pricey, but if you can sit on your finished project for a while? There is always an online coupon or two. Very often they offer 40-50% off of $100 or more orders. Likewise, there is 25% off orders of $50 or more. I often wait for these because I'll have semi annual photo books made of my son for ALL his grandparents and parents (six books in all).
I usually order the 11.25" x 8.75" classic hardcover book; it starts at $29.80 for the first 20 pages and costs 99-cents for each additional page. I'm sure you can see how quickly this can rack up.
They also offer paperback "pocket books" for $9.99 and cost 49-cents for each additional page. It measures 7.75" x 5.75".
There are also Deluxe Hardcover books that measure 15x11.5-inches. They start at $59.80 for the first 20 pages and cost $1.99 for additional pages. I ordered this one recently and was smitten. The paper is a nice thick stock with a slight sheen. Its coloring is just as nice as its smaller counterparts. For a cover, I had the photo finish cover where they print your photo directly onto the cover. For a photo, I chose one of my son and I and we look a little like we've had "work done" (LOL, I mean plastic surgery) so I'm not sure our images translated perfectly to the cover, but there is a nice soft quality to it visually. Likewise, you can have photo printed on the back. I held out for their 40% off to cut costs and it was worth it. The special had a small threshold of three days and was then extended for another two days. Despite this special, the shipping was extremely fast. I think it took just over a week for them to make it and ship it (I'm counting the weekend as well - nonbusiness days).
For the hardcover books, you can pay extra for a book jacket with one of your photos on it or you can opt for linen bound books or leather (which costs a little extra - and it should). There are also "photo finish" books with your photo printed straight on to the hardcover (a jacket would be removable versus this permanently printed hardcover cover).
They have their own software and it is EASY to use. Simply open the program and it accesses your photos. It's a simple matter of "drop and drag." When you have enough, click on "make book". Here the photos appear at the top of the book template. You can choose to have one photo on a page or up to several. Say you want five photos on one page - you click on an icon that says "five." A menu pops up and you can choose from many different layouts. They even let you choose backgrounds - some are more scrapbooky and others have Wedding themes (white backgrounds with subtle detailing).
When all is done, they have a preview function so you see it page by page. If you accidently left one blank, you can click on the menu at the top to "Remove Blank Pages". Why pay for a blank page, right?
You can opt to add captions. Sometimes a picture says a thousand words, but in some cases it only says a few and needs a little explanation. Sometimes it's a family album and you want to ensure that future generations know who's who. Or you can opt to NOT have captions. After all, sometimes that makes things look more cluttered. You can also have an intro page, explaining things beforehand. Here you can choose different fonts and sizes.
YOU have absolute control.
After you have ascertained that the book looks how you want it - and be absolutely careful here! You can NOT get a refund because you dragged and dropped the wrong photo or because you didn't type something right. You CAN get a refund if one of their employees splashed your book with chemicals and smeared everything or if there's a severe misprint from the printer. None of these things have ever happened to me, of course.
You can click the "purchase" link. Here it will tell you the price. Be fully aware that every time you add a page, it jacks up the price. Sometimes it can take you by surprise! A buck here, a buck there and you've got a $98.00 book! At the website that you are directed to, it may advise you that there are some things that appear to be spelled wrong. It could be something like someone's name that it doesn't recognize in its database or it could be a genuine misspelling. This is another safety net for you to go back and fix things.
The upload time depends on your computer and internet speed. I always try to do this late at night so I'm not irked, waiting to do some websurfing. You probably will not want to run other programs or have anything open that may slow this process or make the program freeze.
Once this is done and you have entered your credit card info and whatnot, you will be kept apprised of the book's progress. You will receive an email confirmation that they have your book. You will also be notified that you have so many hours to cancel. Then they will notify you when it's almost done. Then they will tell you when it IS done. Finally comes the email that it's on its way. Mine have always come within a week. Peak seasons such as the holidays may slow things down.
They offer online discounts here and there - in fact, I think they have a standing special of a free book for first-time users. I rely on the specials. Often the grandparents get the "Christmas" book in January when their post-holiday lull drums up some coupons because of the sag in business. They also offer some in November to beat the holiday rush. Of course, they offer SOMETHING all year long. It could be something small like free shipping or something heftier. I hold out for the 50% off $100 coupons, like I mentioned earlier because I order in bulk.
The quality is superb. Honestly, some look like coffee table books. The paper is magnificent and the print quality is outstanding. It is color-correct with no fading or dots or anything that detracts from the original. I once purchased a camera at Ritz in our mall and they offered me a coupon for a free book. Theirs was comparable in size and price to My Publisher's. They had sample books on their counters and you know? I never turned in the free coupon. I would NOT want something like THAT (turning up my nose) after seeing My Publisher's work. Not even for free.
Their customer service is expedient and accurate and I think the price is fair and jibes with the quality.
I give them two thumb's up. WAY up.
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Update November 2011:
I sometimes do wedding photography and have been doing wedding photos for friends and giving them a mypublisher.com book with their photos in them. I can't begin to tell you the thanks I have received - thanks in the form of VERY touching cards with heartfelt phone calls. The quality is amazing.
I have been getting the largest books and they have had an incredible special: free pages. Mypublisher.com continues to deliver fast service and exceptional quality. Two thumbs up. WAY up.
Recommended:
Yes
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About the Author
Member: Becki
Location: Pittsfield, MA USA
Reviews written: 96
Trusted by: 74 members
About Me: Worry looks around. Sorry looks back. Faith looks up.
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