Do any of you have experience with BOTH of these books? I'll even take feedback from people who only have experience with one!

Looking for 10x10s... these two seem pretty similar, comparatively priced, both offer crazy color covers that I like. I am leaning toward Laguna, since they offer non-leather covers, and I've had more people specifically ask for non-leather than vice-versa. Also, they offer even MORE crazy color covers.

So I guess now it comes down to in-hand quality and customer service, neither of which I have experienced yet... any helpers?

We're very responsive.

KISS has some of the best customer service in the industry. I couldn't get a black tone just right like I wanted and Kevin totally just fixed my file to what he knew I wanted and it came back beautiful. And they were incredibly responsive, nice, cheery, and just a joy to work with.

+ for Kiss...you just can't beat the ease of order and wonderful follow-up

they inspire me to make my customer service better

oh? responsive indeed.

I'm considering ordering a Kiss sample, but I realllllly wish they would offer fabric cover choices. I go out of my way to avoid buying leather (yep, I'm a veggie) so it would be nice to have that option.

Jared at Laguna Albums is very responsive, too. I love the quality of their prints. The colors are rich and vivid. And the binding looks very polished. I love Laguna!

I know. I also realllly want fabric... or pleather, but preferably fabric. (hint, hint Mr. Responsive!)

Customer service is not simply a core competency for KISS; it's a passion.

Inspiring indeed, especially in an industry with so many vendors to sift through. Finding ones that engender loyalty by sincerely caring about their customers is refreshing!

How thick are the Laguna pages? That's one thing I like about the Kiss books is the 2mm page. I know there are varying opinions on the thick vs. thin issue, but I myself like 'em thick.

Well.. while we'd love to accommodate our clients, we also have to stay true to our core. If we were so responsive that we incorporated all the options our clients requested, we'd end up being just like every other album company on the market.

As we say: 1 product, 3 sizes, 6 colors, and no options.

I hope that makes sense. We're not trying to be everyone's album company, but the folks we serve are very happy with 45 second ordering, 10-day turn around, the leather, the binding, the printing, and the service. Our books are also made right in Fullerton, California! Very few album companies manufacture here because it's so much cheaper to build overseas. If you want options, though, we're probably not a good fit.

I do appreciate your guys' stand to keep your business values consistent with your personal values--that's commendable. Shaun (shaun@kissweddingbooks.com) has the ability to make cloth covers with another book company he's using the KISS equipment for. You may hit him up for details.

Big KISSes!

I know, I know... "the new math" and all that

I must say it again, you are indeed responsive.

Although I like Kevin, and the KISS mentality... my clients like options.

So LAGUNA is my primary book maker, along with Graphi and PhotoBookPress and Couture etc... it all depends on my client and their style.

Jared at Laguna is super cool and easy to talk to.
He is fast to any CS questions and the books are done in a timely manner.
The bindings are nice and tight, the page thickness is great and I love the print quality.

Oh, and I love their covers & options (sorry Kev).

I have yet to order a KISS album, but that is simply because for my clients needs and tastes, it is too simple.

But dang, you're such a good fit in every other way!
It's such a tough call... I realize that my clients will likely prefer leather, and I am not going to try and impose my values on them (not my style) but I would like if I personally didn't have to buy and own the leather. I emailed Shaun and will see what he has to say. I might cave if that's not the right fit, because I really love everything else about Kiss so far. :/

I spent a while trying to find the perfect album for my own wedding, and I personally loved the Kiss books, and the lightning fast email replies to any questions I had on anything. Their customer service is a good role model for how most businesses should be run. I highly recommend them, however it is a unique style that you should feel comfortable with, however you won't be let down

Lagu-who? KISS is my one and only option. My clients don't ask questions. All I offer are KISS books. Kevin and Shaun kick ass, and that reflects in the quality of their products. As Kevin said, if they offered every option that every other album company offered, they'd be just like every other album company. I encourage you to at least order a sample album from KISS - their books are absolutely top notch, and you'll be blown away when you get one... I guarantee it.

I'll second what Rachel said. Customer service is a PASSION for these guys, and it's inspired me to work on the same for my new company.

I'll also say that, for those of you who don't mind leather, the leather on these books is AMAZING. Some of the best I've seen out there yet. Though the books are made in the States, they're importing the leather from Italy.

Wow, thanks to all of you for the great responses - you guys rock!

It's nice to see so many peope passionate about the service aspect, in a time when customer service seems to be sooooo lacking across the board in almost every industry.

I think maybe I'll do a sample of each company... Now I'll be as excited as the bride for this next wedding coming up - I hope the pics are sample worthy

Have you heard of Forbeyon. You could try them also. There have great non-leather materials. Here is the web-site: www.forbeyon.com. If you shoot a email just let them know that Ben sent you. Hope all works out.

well....the KISS guys are "HOT" plus they have great customer service!!!!

Veggie here too - and I have sent a friendly suggestion/request to the guys at KISS to offer at least an animal friendly cover option - but it doesn't look like they'll be doing that *sigh*

I ordered two sample books from KISS to show clients who may want a leather option (a 12x12 in black and an 8x8 in green - both are stunning). But, I have not had one client opt for the leather cover album. I love their customer service, turn around time is insane, and the quality of the books is simply beautiful! But, I do offer other options to leather and my clients seem to prefer them too.

I haven't ordered a Laguna album yet, but I will probably order a sample soon to try them out. It's good to see so many positive comments regarding them here too.

[quote name='JaNae' date='May 30 2008, 12:34 PM' post='336070']
I ordered two sample books from KISS to show clients who may want a leather option (a 12x12 in black and an 8x8 in green - both are stunning).

JaNae, how would you classify the green now that you've viewed it in person - it looks like either avocado or spearmint on the website depending on the pic, and I've heard another photog talk about the "lime green" cover. Is it closer to a lime green in real life? It's so hard to tell colors from a monitor!

Ok first off the customer service is insane (in a good way).. Kevin was on the phone helping me one night put a layout together ( hence why now I hire people to do layout for me)
Every client that I have meant since i got my sample album (last month) has bought this album.. Thats all I have to say.. I am very pleased and currently ordering my second sample album.

Thanks friends you have me conviced!!! To KISS it is!!! I really like their quality and will get a few samples. Thanks for all the imput.