I've been scrapping but not been printing... help!

norton94

norton94

Sweet Shoppe SugarBabe
Ok, all you organized folks, with books printed and projects complete, I need your advice. The last book I printed was about 10 yrs ago. It was an 8x8 Shutterfly book. I've heard people mention loads of different services over the years, but I have no idea what is currently making people happy/good quality yet affordable.

I've scrapped as kits inspire me to tell stories, rather than chronologically, so printing was on the back-burner. I've got some trips I'd like to get scrapped and printed now, so it's more manageable to tackle chronologically. I'm wanting to settle on a printing resource so that I know what size to work in. I've made a few square pages for the books, but could still journal at the bottom and leave white space if I was pivoting to 8x11, for example, and complete the remainder of the pages in the desired format. Does anyone know a resource for printed Traveler Notebook size books??

Please share what you've used and liked - and even if you have tips on paper or cover options. The options were giving me clues I was going to back-burner it all again, if you know what I mean :D
 
So, I assume you're looking specifically for printing bound books, yes? I use 3-ring binders in 12x12 size to store my one-off layouts (those I don't design specifically as part of a book) in a Library of Memories organization system. (Volumes for All About Us, People We Love, Places We Go, and Things We Do.) I have all those pages printed by Persnickety Prints, and I stock up on their print credits when they go on sale for $1.49 per 12x12 print. They do an amazing job, and I recommend them wholeheartedly.

For bound albums, I've used Shutterfly (they're okay for basic book printing, but nothing terribly special) and Photobook America (I did a giant 17.5"x12" book from them; their cover and paper options were impressive). I've also printed a few paperback-style photo books through Blurb, which turned out nicely.

Traveler's Notebooks are 4.25 x 8.25, right? (At least, that's what Traci Reed sizes her TN papers to.) I'm seeing a couple custom printers offering what they call "Pocket Book" size - 4.25 x 6.87 - or "Digest" size - 5.5 x 8.5 - but none at that Traveler's Notebook size.

Photobook America has a pretty wide range of sizes to choose from:
square 6"x6", 8"x8", 12" x 12", and 14"x14"
landscape 8"x6", 11x8.5, 14x10, 15x11, 16x12, and 17.5x12
portrait 8x11 and 14x20

And Blurb offers these sizes in photobooks:
5x5, 7x7, 10x8, 8x10, 12x12, and 13x11

I don't know if any of that is helpful...?
 
Krista... I am on the same boat as you, my friend. And with the shipping costs from US to here being ridiculous, I don't think I'll be printing soon :(
 
I've had 4 books printed from Shutterfly. Sadly, the last one was at the end of 2022. Seems like every time I put a little money aside in hopes of ordering another (or several more) books, something "more important" comes along to use that money on. Prior to having books printed, I was printing each layout myself as I made them and putting them in a 3 ring album with page protectors. I do like the photobooks better. And I like the 10x10 size. The 8x8 just seemed small but the 12x12 seemed too big. lol 10x10 feels great to me. I need to "get with it." I've got so many layouts that need to be printed and not just sitting on/in my computer.
 
I print individual prints for myself from Persnickety Prints. I buy print credits when they are on sale then after I have a bunch of layouts ready (about 100), I will print since the shipping is a standard price no matter how many prints. I use Creative Memories albums with page protectors for the prints. Since I started paper scrapping using Creative Memories albums, I just continued with them when I went digital. They look nice on the shelves.

For the books I do for my cousin, I use Shutterfly. I print 10x10 since those will fit on a regular bookshelf. And, I wait for the "unlimited" pages sale (up to 110 pages) to print. They've been very good quality and my cousin loves them. And, the one time I had a problem (over 10 years ago), it got fixed on their end for no cost.
 
I use to print all my books through Presto Photobooks, but they stopped carrying hardcovers in the 8.5x8.5 size I liked. I always found them to be nice and budget friendly. I used them from like 2009 until maybe 2023.

But I just looked and they do carry a "tall" portrait - 6x9, they have lots of different binding choices too, layflat, even a spiral bound, which must be new since I stopped printing there.

Here's a link to their books/sizes. And they should have a template to download for the cover.

norton94 said:
Ok, all you organized folks, with books printed and projects complete, I need your advice. The last book I printed was about 10 yrs ago. It was an 8x8 Shutterfly book. I've heard people mention loads of different services over the years, but I have no idea what is currently making people happy/good quality yet affordable.

I've scrapped as kits inspire me to tell stories, rather than chronologically, so printing was on the back-burner. I've got some trips I'd like to get scrapped and printed now, so it's more manageable to tackle chronologically. I'm wanting to settle on a printing resource so that I know what size to work in. I've made a few square pages for the books, but could still journal at the bottom and leave white space if I was pivoting to 8x11, for example, and complete the remainder of the pages in the desired format. Does anyone know a resource for printed Traveler Notebook size books??

Please share what you've used and liked - and even if you have tips on paper or cover options. The options were giving me clues I was going to back-burner it all again, if you know what I mean :D
Click to expand...
 
I print with Blurb because my yearly books are way over 300 pages, and I like having everything in one book. I have been happy with the quality, however, I’ve only ever printed 12 x 12. I hope you find somewhere that prints the size you want. Good luck!
 
angiekey said:
So, I assume you're looking specifically for printing bound books, yes? I use 3-ring binders in 12x12 size to store my one-off layouts (those I don't design specifically as part of a book) in a Library of Memories organization system. (Volumes for All About Us, People We Love, Places We Go, and Things We Do.) I have all those pages printed by Persnickety Prints, and I stock up on their print credits when they go on sale for $1.49 per 12x12 print. They do an amazing job, and I recommend them wholeheartedly.

For bound albums, I've used Shutterfly (they're okay for basic book printing, but nothing terribly special) and Photobook America (I did a giant 17.5"x12" book from them; their cover and paper options were impressive). I've also printed a few paperback-style photo books through Blurb, which turned out nicely.

Traveler's Notebooks are 4.25 x 8.25, right? (At least, that's what Traci Reed sizes her TN papers to.) I'm seeing a couple custom printers offering what they call "Pocket Book" size - 4.25 x 6.87 - or "Digest" size - 5.5 x 8.5 - but none at that Traveler's Notebook size.

Photobook America has a pretty wide range of sizes to choose from:
square 6"x6", 8"x8", 12" x 12", and 14"x14"
landscape 8"x6", 11x8.5, 14x10, 15x11, 16x12, and 17.5x12
portrait 8x11 and 14x20

And Blurb offers these sizes in photobooks:
5x5, 7x7, 10x8, 8x10, 12x12, and 13x11

I don't know if any of that is helpful...?
Click to expand...

WOW Angie that is very helpful - I think you staying up on printing was very smart! I wish I had done this as it would have helped me see what I needed to fill in too.
Sheri told me about Photobook America too - and I'd never heard of them previously. I appreciate all the sizes offered.
Thank you!
 
nietis said:
Krista... I am on the same boat as you, my friend. And with the shipping costs from US to here being ridiculous, I don't think I'll be printing soon :(
Click to expand...
Yikes - I can imagine and it's already so much. Are there not any printers where you live?

SweetChar said:
I've had 4 books printed from Shutterfly. Sadly, the last one was at the end of 2022. Seems like every time I put a little money aside in hopes of ordering another (or several more) books, something "more important" comes along to use that money on. Prior to having books printed, I was printing each layout myself as I made them and putting them in a 3 ring album with page protectors. I do like the photobooks better. And I like the 10x10 size. The 8x8 just seemed small but the 12x12 seemed too big. lol 10x10 feels great to me. I need to "get with it." I've got so many layouts that need to be printed and not just sitting on/in my computer.
Click to expand...
!! Isn't that always the case Char... rob the fund since it's not critical. I too felt that the 8x8 was on the small size. I was disappointed to see the 10x10 went up so much in price (and wasn't that much less than 12x12 but was substancially more than the 8x8 - seemed to not make sense but I'm sure it's a waste issue or which machine is used etc).
 
HavaDrPepper said:
I print individual prints for myself from Persnickety Prints. I buy print credits when they are on sale then after I have a bunch of layouts ready (about 100), I will print since the shipping is a standard price no matter how many prints. I use Creative Memories albums with page protectors for the prints. Since I started paper scrapping using Creative Memories albums, I just continued with them when I went digital. They look nice on the shelves.

For the books I do for my cousin, I use Shutterfly. I print 10x10 since those will fit on a regular bookshelf. And, I wait for the "unlimited" pages sale (up to 110 pages) to print. They've been very good quality and my cousin loves them. And, the one time I had a problem (over 10 years ago), it got fixed on their end for no cost.
Click to expand...
I would like to finish my kid's baby books (in their CM albums I already have) so the Persnickety prints is a great suggestion!!
Oh that is good to know that they do have unlimited page sales... I'll have to watch for that!

nesser1981 said:
I use to print all my books through Presto Photobooks, but they stopped carrying hardcovers in the 8.5x8.5 size I liked. I always found them to be nice and budget friendly. I used them from like 2009 until maybe 2023.

But I just looked and they do carry a "tall" portrait - 6x9, they have lots of different binding choices too, layflat, even a spiral bound, which must be new since I stopped printing there.

Here's a link to their books/sizes. And they should have a template to download for the cover.
Click to expand...

Oh that's a new one to me! Thank you - I'll check them out too! Love that they do a tall one for the travel books - kinda fun to differentiate.

I'm curious what you plan to do for printing now that they don't have your old size. Will you still use that company and change sizes?
 
LynnZant said:
I print with Blurb because my yearly books are way over 300 pages, and I like having everything in one book. I have been happy with the quality, however, I’ve only ever printed 12 x 12. I hope you find somewhere that prints the size you want. Good luck!
Click to expand...

WOW that's a thick book! How cool they can print so many pages in one book! Very good to know for the annual books once I get through a year of photos in complete batches! I've bounced around so much with scrapping for CT work that I have partial years scrapped from 2003 to current. I really should focus and get a full year done! HA! Thanks!
 
I’ve been using Mixbook, they have the 8.5x8.5 size I like. They are a little pricey, but they usually have a 50% off code.

I really like them.I’ve probably printed 6 books with them since I switched.


norton94 said:
I would like to finish my kid's baby books (in their CM albums I already have) so the Persnickety prints is a great suggestion!!
Oh that is good to know that they do have unlimited page sales... I'll have to watch for that!



Oh that's a new one to me! Thank you - I'll check them out too! Love that they do a tall one for the travel books - kinda fun to differentiate.

I'm curious what you plan to do for printing now that they don't have your old size. Will you still use that company and change sizes?
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
I still use shutterfly and blurb over the years. So far I'm satisfied with them. People say that if there was an issue with their printed book, just contact shutterfly and they will re-print it for you. But I'm also exploring some other companies
 
cherrygutz said:
I still use shutterfly and blurb over the years. So far I'm satisfied with them. People say that if there was an issue with their printed book, just contact shutterfly and they will re-print it for you. But I'm also exploring some other companies
Click to expand...
Good to know they stand by it too! Thanks!
 
I used to print with shutterfly but since I've moved to Australia, I haven't printed any because of similar reason as Sherly. The shipping cost is too much, but to be honest I haven't checked lately.
I'm going to look at all the options suggested, thank you for this thread Krista

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I have found that Shutterfly’s printing quality has gone down in recent years. The colors look dark and muddy to me. Maybe what they used to give for free is now the premium upgrade paper, I’m not sure. I am going to give Mixbook a try for my next book.
 
DawnMarch said:
I have found that Shutterfly’s printing quality has gone down in recent years. The colors look dark and muddy to me. Maybe what they used to give for free is now the premium upgrade paper, I’m not sure. I am going to give Mixbook a try for my next book.
Click to expand...

My Shutterfly books still look great. Colors are clear and bright. I wonder if it the processing facility for your area.

I have a program that the developers put the manual into a book and it is for sale on Amazon. In the FB group for the program, there were complaints about the printing of the book by quite a few people. But yet others had no complaints at all. Turns out Amazon contracts with printing companies in different areas to print them. There were a couple of printers that were the problem.

So I wonder if Shutterfly is the same way. The printing of the books done in different places that serve specific parts of the country so that the books get to the customer faster.
 
I am in New Zealand and use Photobook. Their service is great the printing is done in Malaysia and I love what they do.
 
I have 30ish printed albums all from Shutterfly. They are almost all softcover 8x8 albums which are $20 with the unlimited pages sale that they run quarterly(ish). Since I create between 200-300 pages a year, I have at least 2 volumes per year with each volume being capped at 110 pages per book. I do create edge-to-edge so some of my stuff + journaling occasionally gets cut off. This does not bother me enough to change how I scrap but you could put all of your pages on a slightly larger all-white background to avoid that.

At the same time that they run the unlimited pages sale they usually have a free shipping over $79 sale which you can stack together. You're going to want to do that because their S&H is ridiculous (like at least $13 to start) but the $79 has to be before taxes and S&H so I usually end up printing a complete chronological year + two shorter albums. The second shorter album will usually end up being the same amount as S&H would be if I didn't throw it in there. They ship these via USPS Slow-as-Heck from their HQ in NC so it takes about 2 weeks to get here from there.

I have never had a quality issue or anything get lost in the mail. I do often get a tiny icon on an individual page that says that the resolution is not good enough to print but I know that it's a 300 DPI version so I guess it's just a quirk of their software? You also have to make sure you turn off their "auto-correct" on each page after you upload or they could color-correct and make your page look different than it should.

HTH!
 
Ladies, I love reading all your different approaches to printing out your scrapbooks. This has been super helpful, as I have two smaller, themed albums I'll be printing before too long. Thank you all for sharing!
 
Thank you all!! FYI I read Shutterfly said to start creating with lots of pages - so I think their unlimited pages sale is coming... just a heads up. I'm just not quite ready to print an annual book and this would be how I would use this, so I'm not going to take advantage this time.

I want to try the Presto soft book for the travel books for my kids to have a copy themselves - so reasonable. I'm also going to try Photobook America and/or Blurb for my next annual books due to the options and number of pages you can add... depending on how many pages I have...

Finally I'm going to order single pages to add to my kid's Creative Memories albums to finish up the baby books.

It's a variety platter :D
 
Good for you, Krista! It's nice to have a plan.
I'm giving myself until the end of this month to finish 2023, so I'm ready when Blurb has a sale. I see 20% off right now, but I'm hoping for a larger discount soon. I'm not sure if they have 50% more than once a year, but I'm hoping.
 
I need to print about 3 Graduation albums this year, plus I want to print our Disney Cruise album before our next cruise! So, thank you all for your suggestions and ideas! I usually print Shutterfly when they have the flat rate sale, but am willing to try someone else if they are cheaper in the end!
 
I am so far behind in printing. I don't scrap chronologically but as the photos inspire me.

I have started my book for my trip to Ireland. . . . . back in 2017 but am unable to decide how I want it to look so I have started it, started it in another version and then started it again. Currently at three versions but the same amount of pages. Scotland from 2022 photos are not even picked and England this past summer not even edited. :o
 
jaye said:
I have started my book for my trip to Ireland. . . . . back in 2017 but am unable to decide how I want it to look so I have started it, started it in another version and then started it again. Currently at three versions <snip>
Click to expand...

LOL ... I started and restarted my 2013 Disneyland trip ... three incomplete versions. I really just need to get it done. :D
 
LynnZant said:
Good for you, Krista! It's nice to have a plan.
I'm giving myself until the end of this month to finish 2023, so I'm ready when Blurb has a sale. I see 20% off right now, but I'm hoping for a larger discount soon. I'm not sure if they have 50% more than once a year, but I'm hoping.
Click to expand...

If I see something good I'll let you know!
 
aussiegirl said:
I need to print about 3 Graduation albums this year, plus I want to print our Disney Cruise album before our next cruise! So, thank you all for your suggestions and ideas! I usually print Shutterfly when they have the flat rate sale, but am willing to try someone else if they are cheaper in the end!
Click to expand...
Did you see they have an unlimited page sale now at Shutterfly? Jennifer posted the code above!

jaye said:
I am so far behind in printing. I don't scrap chronologically but as the photos inspire me.

I have started my book for my trip to Ireland. . . . . back in 2017 but am unable to decide how I want it to look so I have started it, started it in another version and then started it again. Currently at three versions but the same amount of pages. Scotland from 2022 photos are not even picked and England this past summer not even edited. :o
Click to expand...
Awww at least you have some good material! You'll be glad to get it printed. Good luck deciding!


--------------------

Ok ladies - I think my phone was listening to my thoughts and I got a video from Chat Books. They looked good with 300 pages. Has anyone used them?
 
I've used Chatbooks but only for their small books with just photos. I was happy with the ones I did though!
 
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