thinking of getting the Mrs one for christmas. has anyone got any recommendations for which services to use/avoid?

We use Bobs books and so far they have been fantastic. We always go for the non cheap option of photographic hardbacks.

I am sure you will find some discount codes on HotUKDeals.

Books made with your own photos? Try Blurb. The interface is very easy to use and I was very pleased with the results of mine.

We have used Photobox for the last few years to make books of family holidays. Interface is good enough, enough control to make it non-annoying.

Very happy with them.

http://www.cewe-photobook.co.uk is my preference at the moment – purely because it has a good editor.

Did one with albelli last night for my mum. Very straight forward to use. It won the top 5 on the Gadget show.

Photo box again. Very classy…

I made one for my mum’s birthday using photobox, chose them mainly because they offered me a free one (just had to pay postage), was really happy with it (as was my mum) – would definitely use them again!

I’ve used the cheapest option at photobox and it was ok but I should probably have gone up a level or two. Two bits of adivice

Don’t involve anyone else in creating the book or it will take forever. You can get them to select photos though

If you use photobox and don’t have a special offer then just create the book and leave it set up for a few days and they will start sending you special offers 😀

i just got an albelli one made as well. it’s extremely good quality, and the options for configuring it are really good as well. recommended.

One thing with photobox. If you upload a shed load of photos it’ll make a photobook for you automatically. If you like the layout you can choose to buy it, otherwise you can rearrange.

Don’t involve anyone else in creating the book or it will take forever.

There’s no real evidence for this, but it is scientific FACT.¹ Having put together books with ‘help’ it ends up in frustration. Much better just to get it done, and then get someone else to proof read the captions.

¹ Brass Eye 2001.

I’ve used CREWE via jessops for a couple and been very happy with the results.

Avoid Vista Print at all costs! The wife has been battling with the bastard for the last 2 evenings. Dog slow upload, save feature not working, poor editing and a mind of its own at times.

She only used it because she had done some calenders (which were ok) and wanted to bundle to save a few quid.

cool, cheers for all the responses. have had a look at photobox but found it a bit of a chor, so going to give albelli a look.

roughly how long to deliver??

I have only used Photobox and that is very good.

I have no other point of reference however.

Depends on what you want to pay. Shitsta Print, as they are now known in our house, said 22nd December when we ordered the other day on standard delivery. I suspect you are going to have to pay for the quick service now.

IIRC with Albeli you download the software and create the book on your machine then upload the results so you are not editing on-line.

60% off photo books at the minute at Photo Box. I’ve just finished ordering one and found it a relatively enjoyable process and I’m computer illiterate.

in reference to harry’s point about albelli, you can either do it on your desktop or online through their site.

albelli is the choice to make, seriously!