Why use MP instead of others

[pmccabe0113]

I am debating between using MP and other options such as Kodak, Blurb.com, shutterfly, picaboo, etc. Unfortunately, I'm having trouble choosing between the options.

What I'm really looking for is a high degree of flexibility that permits me to create tons of different layouts without having to use photoshop (since I have no photoshop skills whatsoever).

In particular, I'm planning to start with a wedding album, so if anyone has any advice to give, I would appreciate it.

[mypublisher]

Well for your wedding book I can tell you our print quality is the best. I think our wedding book style is great. I used it for my own album. The templates were design by a top design firm!

[Rachel0814p]

Don't waste your time with Picaboo! MyPublisher's products are much better looking and are better made. Picaboo books look, feel and small--yes, smell--like crap. I think Picaboo is actually a bit more expensive than MyPublisher, too!

[Rachel0814p]

One other thing...Picaboo's customer service sucked. I was VERY disappointed with the first (and only sample) that I ordered--especially the poor print quality--and Picaboo's customer service just did not care.

I had an issue with my first MyPublisher book not printing exactly as it should have (the quality of the book was great but there was a problem with the software not saving text or something at that time--an issue since resolved) and right away customer service responded and issued a coupon code for the full value of the book plus shipping so that I could have it replaced. (And I meant "smell", not "small" in my above post. The Picaboo book was the same size as the MyPublisher book, but the Picaboo had a very bad smell...like a roadkill.)

[mick@caribbeandesigngroup.org]

Save your time and energy..MP is hands down the best out there. I see you admit to being a photoshop novice..Not a problem with MP but it would certainly help to get a few PS skills so you can create your own page layouts. As far as quality..MP is outstanding. I shoot Weddings for a living and whatever images I upload meaning color, saturation, resolution, black and whites, soft focus filters whatever I throw at MP the books come back exactly the same..spot on!

MP makes me look good to my clients..As a matter of fact for the 2008 season I'm not going to offer prints with my Wedding Photo packages..Just a hardcover coffee table book from MP..

[ihearttodd]

I've used blurb and I liked the quality. I just made my wedding album with MP more for the coupon than any other reason. I haven't received it yet but I felt like the MP program was easier to use than blurb for a newbie like me.

[jmylaw]

I have ordered from MP, Shutterfly, Picaboo, and Blurb. MP does win on quality of printing, but I think Shutterfly is a better choice for most books. If you want a really big book, you have to go with MP, but other than that, here is why I think Shutterfly is better:

1. There are no issues with the size of the pictures--you don't have to worry about a file size being too large. With MP, you can't use a picture larger than 7MB or so, and most of my wedding pictures were that size or larger b/c our photographers used good equipment. With Shutterfly, the program will convert to the proper file size for you. A couple of my pictures in the MP book are pixelated b/c the file size was too big. No issues there for Shutterfly.

2. Layout Options. Shutterfly has many, MANY more layout options than MP. And you aren't limited to "wedding" options in the "wedding book" or "travel" options in a "travel book"--you can use all the layouts whenever you want.

3. Background Options. Again, Shutterfly has many, MANY more than MP. I didn't want to just be limited to six pictures for page for some of my pages, and then you're limited to a black, gray, or white background. Wow, that's not very exciting. Shutterfly lets you use all the backgrounds all the time.

4. No software to download, but you do have to upload your images. But then you can work on the book from any computer.

In the end, I really think unless you're making the Deluxe size book or are making two of the *exact* same books and can use the buy one-get one coupon, Shutterfly is better. When MP offers more layout and background options (and that will be when, exactly?) I'll likely revise that recommendation.