Blurb is really fun to use. You just download their program and drag and drop images where they need to go. They even warn you when you drag something and want it to be beyond the image's resolution.
I should say that the first step is getting your images photographed professionally at a high resolution. It might be expensive, but if you have a good photographer, like I do, and they actually make sure the images print out the way they look in real life, they have done all the hard work for you. If you are in the Keene area - try my photographer, Mark Corliss. I have been so pleased with his work, and believe me, I tried elsewhere and not only were the images bad, they pretended that they included my Kodak Color strip and had added it later with photoshop, in the wrong scale even so it was obvious!
So back to my Blurb book. It is just a portfolio book, so no words. You can take a look through the first pages below. I decided to put it up publicly so if anyone would like to purchase a copy they can. I did not mark up the price to get a profit, I left it at the baseline price, because it is promotional material for me. The more people see it the better I figure and earning a few pennies on each book won't help as much as getting them out there. So the price is $12.95 for a 40 page softcover.
I still plan on making pamphlets too because sometimes I'll need to hand out more information, but I am trying to decide between sticking with the tri-fold idea or going with a flat 8.5 x 11 glossy sheet. Opinions on that are welcome!
You can click on the image below to get a sneak peak of the first pages of the Blurb book!
So often when I'm handed a full sheet I glance at it and fold it and stick it into my bag where it joins other wrinkled papers. But a tri-fold is already handily folded and seems more important somehow, subtly informing me that the producer cared enough to think about how I would handle it. Good luck with your project.
ReplyDeletehttp://joreimer.com
Great idea, Nicole! And the book looks really clean and professional. I think it's a good idea to show close ups of the full size art. Good luck with these.
ReplyDeleteThe book is a great idea Nicole, and looks perfect so far (it helps that you have such beautiful work!).
ReplyDeleteI like the tri-fold idea. Classy.
I love Blurb! I made Christmas books for the whole family last year, and some small portfolio books the year before. I think the look is so professional! Love the look of yours - Good luck with it.
ReplyDeleteah, because of you I spent 1/2 the day and 3/4 a night playing in that book making thing, rofl...
ReplyDelete...been very happy w/ the results so far though :D It's even better than what I was looking for actually, so the timing was great.
Exact ditto on Jo about the trifold though ;)
Hi Nicole, Always interesting postings on your blog. I've been happy with the 3-fold; they're easier to put in information display cases, ie. at the Visitor Info center or at business. Plus, people seem to take them. I like the book idea. We did a hardcover one using snapfish and left it with a gallery I was in. Worked well and the gallery owner liked it. Your work is great.
ReplyDeleteThanks ever so much for sharing this Information!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the book. It would be interesting if you'd be kind enough to post a little about the response you get after a while. I love the interesting compositions.
ReplyDeleteHi Nicole, I just received the grapes still-life cp kit of yours I ordered from the Ann Kullberg website. I love your process. I know you've heard this before, but a cp how-to book would be nice too!
ReplyDeleteHowever, your blurb book is wonderful. That cover portrait has amazing colors!
Good idea with the Blurb! I have purchased too a book from Blurb and I can say that it worth. Is printed with a high quality, and you are wright.. is fun and easy to use their softwere.
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