A little while back a new photo book printing service called Albelli sprang up. They gave us some coupon codes for a free medium landscape photo book. You used those codes and made your books. And the general consensus? Meh.
Have you used a photo book printing service that you love (or hate)? Please tell us about it in the comments below!
As for Albelli, here’s what some of you thought of the service:
Dan wrote:
I wanted to wait until I received the book before I wrote a review. The review is still in development but I’m glad I waited because the book arrived with some problems in it. The software also has some issues that should be resolved, which I’ll mention in a comment on the blog post.
The real problem I have is that four images printed incorrectly. Two were badly skewed/stretched, one had a handwritten press through from paper on top where I can see a handwritten “43” (it looks like a ballpoint pen was used with only a thin piece of paper on top of the photo for some reason) — and that’s on the first photo! Also one photo in a collage became nearly completely covered by another photo.
I already sent an e-mail to albelli‘s service line with photos of the book and screenshots of the application showing the pages that are screwed up. Here are links to the photos/screenshots I sent them.
I just received the book last night — shipping was fast since I placed the order on Thursday.
p.s. I used the code but ended up getting a L version (8.5″ x 11″) book with over 60 pages in it, so I ended up paying albelli $45. Even if a replacement comes, I’m not sure it’s worth it vs. photobooks I’ve done with Shutterfly and Snapfish in past years.
Alissa wrote:
Well, if there’s one thing I can say for Abelli, they’re fast! I ordered my book on Tuesday evening, and it was waiting for me when I arrived home today!
The software for designing the book was simple and quick to use. There weren’t quite as many layout/design options as with Shutterfly or MPix, but the prices are lower in comparison. For some reason 3 of the photos I chose to upload would not go. I have no idea why–they were taken at the same time and with the same camera as all the others. That was annoying, because then I had to go back and choose new photos.
The book is nice. Smaller than I expected for a medium, but the printing is very nice quality and it’s bound well. The one very negative thing was that apparently there is a text limitation on the cover. I was unaware of this and chose the title of “********* Family Vacation” and the front of my book is printed with “********* Family Vac” This I do not like, and if I had paid for the book I would have asked for a reprint. However, since it was free, I’ll keep it 🙂
Overall, I’d use them again for smaller sized photo books, especially if I’m in a hurry. The quality is good and they were super speedy and quite simple to use, and the prices are very reasonable—even shipping. For larger, more complicated books I’d probably stick with MPix, simply for the greater variety of design options.
Justin wrote:
I’ve been working with Albelli support since I got the coupon. So far, no luck. The app perpetually uploads my pictures, never finishing. 🙁
And later…
The latest software updates from Albelli seemed to fix most all of my problems. I was able to upload my photos, and I’ve gotten the book in the mail.
I agree that the book is small then expected. But it is the advertised size. I almost feel like they should warn me when I put four photos on the same page.
The book seems well bound to me, and I must say that I’m happy with it. However, the printing could be a little better. The pictures look a little grainy too me. Either my pictures are too small or the dpi is not high enough. Also, I’d like the option for glossy versus matte.
Thanks again for the coupon!
Brian wrote:
Like a few other here, the software took forever to load. My last email to them was April 24th, and I finally got a reply TODAY – 20 days later!
At least they apologized for the delay.
I’ll try it again as soon as I can, but I’m turned off already.
Ryan wrote:
Well finally got around to it, just terrible.
Bad software with very limited options. No option to put a picture on the cover. Cropping and fitting images in the software basically does not work. Integration with flickr and smugmug works good, but that about it. I would not use the site again until the design aspect is beefed up, this does not come close to the other photo book companies I have used.
Thanks for sharing your opinions. There are a few more comments and mini-reviews in the comments section of the original post we made about Albelli.
