I am one of those few that really enjoy Pictage, but at the moment its just too expensive for me. Maybe because I am only NOW getting events uploaded to pictage (havent been busy until now), but I just cant justify the 100 a month unless I was absolutely certain that money would be coming in. I am actually thinking of StudioCloud for part of the solution (but havent heard or seen any reviews on them) so if anyone has 2cents for me on that one I sure would appreciate it!

My main question is this:

The only thing I will really miss from Pictage is the proofbooks (which again, I really appreciate)... are there any other places that do proofbooks similar (or better) to the ones Pictage offers (their own and the Willowbook)?

Ultimately I don't mind filling out orders locally here, and I will be dealing directly with Leather Craftsmen, but proofbook from alternative companies are something I really would appreciate some feedback on.

Thanks everyone!

Blurb books!!! They are inexpensive and hard bound books!

If you need more info just PM me. I love them!

-mary beth

I am starting to use Shared Ink - http://www.siphotographer.com/ - as my goal at WPPI was to find a replacement for the Pictage proofbook, the only thing I was still using Pictage for. Silly to pay $100 a month to get proofbooks. Shared Ink gave me an instruction sheet on how to create the pages using PhotoShop, and their covers are great! I love having so many options!

Blurb books are nice too, but I love the weight of the Shared Ink pages. I'm actually considering replacing my Asuka books with them too!

For the magazine style, WHCC has nice spiral bound proof books. I'm in the process of phasing out Pictage too... The only thing is that if you wanted the leather cover - it doesn't quite fit the same as the one you get from Pictage.

Have you tried Technicare? http://www.technicare.com.
They have a few options for proof books and there is a lab in Burnaby. I use them for all of my prints (the Edmonton lab) and i'm content.

I am really liking the Shared INK stuff.... from what I have been reading anyways... I'm gonna give them a call tomorrow!

All I can say is, "Congratulations"

I, too, was in the same situation as you. I'm getting my proof books done through Lulu.com. I tested out the Blurb books, but liked the overall print quality of Lulu better, prices were a little better, and the turn around time was MUCH better. Blurb also used a different printer for the pages and the cover, so therefore the color on the cover was totally off compared to the pages. Very frustrating. I got this cheap software called "Image Buddy" to create and customize my pages in batch scripts. Typically for a wedding, 4 thumbs with filename per page. It'll add keylines, my logo, you name it to the pages. Then I compress them into a large multi-page PDF and FTP them up to Lulu.

We left pictage ages ago, and we LOVE Digilabs. They have lovely proof books, lay flat books very similar to Asuka Books, but they have a cool lay flat feature, so no gutter loss. And you can choose how much fulfillment they do. They can do it all, or just take online orders and process credit cards....check it out.

+1 for digilabs

Hi Erin, we never post here, and here you are too. Nice to see you.

Jessica

Nice to "see" you too!

I think I am the same as you. I will miss Pictage, but my business is too seasonal to justify the $99 per month. I guess, according to Jason, I don't qualify as a true professional if the $99 is too much for my business.

Maybe because I am the primary care giver and secondary income, maybe that means my business isn't qualified to belong to Pictage. I have spent $1000s of dollars, but the $99 doesn't fit in my budget when there are so many free and less expensive alternatives.

Free web proofing

Free forums Thanks, DJ!

I just can't justify it, especially when discussing family expenses and business expenses with my husband. He is the main reason I quit Pictage.


I'll miss them. I know I am the only one, but it is true.

Any other feedback here? I think I've been on the same fence as the OP (even though I think I like the PicBooks too, not to mention the forums) -- don't really want the ring binder look and I'm not comfortable offering a product my clients have accessibility to (Blurb). Just wasn't impressed with their service and quality.

Does anyone know what the boutwells use? Their proof books in the photos look awesome.

Hey Dude.
I'll email you, but wanted to post here as well. I have just changed in the last month from pictage to digilabs. I don't have enough experience with them yet to give a full evaluation, but my experience with them thus far has been a big thumbs up.
The only thing I will miss about pictage are the forums and the PUG's, because I have met a few super cool people through them (like you). That's hard to put a price on, but still, I need to move on from it.
Also, I wanted to bump this thread as I think there are still more proof book sources, and I want to know what they are
Michael

And another bump! C'mon, more proof book info

Hey Michael,

You said you were "thinking" of leaving Pictage? Did you? I have to write in to defend them here. I know they have their issues like any major fullfillment company, but Pictage has made my life so much easier with their streamlined post/design/print/bind interface. And the quality of their books & albums is great. And I have to say now that I'm in full swing of the season, my clients are placing tons of orders too I happy to report (and it's not even the holidays yet!!)

But, I totally get your frustration too. Have you expressed to Pictage that you would like to see the fee dropped? I have. I think it's a valid point to raise to them. It's just not competitive, especially with their very high printing prices.

Just my 2 cents! But whatever lab you end up going with, good luck to you!!

Best,

Geneve

Hi there Michael!

+1 for WHCC. You may want to look into ProDPI

I too was with Pictage for the 6 months and left. The $99 is a bit too much when you're a newbie and starting out.