While I love taking pictures and putting them into scrapbooks, I've been looking for an easier (and more cost-effective) method of scrapbooking. I came across the Blurb Company while Pinteresting.
yay pinterest!
The Blurb Company is pretty neat. I did a trial-run scrapbook, if you will, of a hodge podge of photos taken while my husband and I were dating. Here is the overall process:
1. Download BookSmart. This is free software provided by Blurb. It is very easy to use and user-friendly.
2. Create your book.
For a new book, you'll complete this prompt. Everything can be edited later, though, so no worries.
Then you can continue with the prompts or just "wing it." That's what I did.
After completing the prompts or deciding to "wing it,"
you'll get to the BookSmart interface which looks like this:
The software it pretty user-friendly. As you can see, all of the pages are on the bottom of the screen, your pictures are sorted to the left of the screen and the layouts are above the pictures on the left.
Note: the pink edges highlight the area that will either be cut during
production or hidden in the binding -- aka keep photos/text out of this area.
There's a drop-down menu with lots of preloaded layouts.
You can edit an existing layout and then save it to your page layouts to reuse.
You can preview your book at any time.
3. Once you are all done, then order your book.
Your book will be uploaded to the Blurb server and will stay there for (I think) 15 days. When ordering your book, you'll have the option to get a PDF version for $5 within a few minutes after your order. This is an easy way to share your book with friends and family. Also, your friends and family members will also be able to purchase the book (if you so allow) within those 15 days.
I was really pleased with the quality of the book. Here are some pictures:
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I went with the image wrap cover option. It's only $3 more and so worth it!
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This book is 138 pages on "standard" paper.
The standard paper is like thick magazine paper - glossy and smooth. There is no additional cost for standard paper. I'd say it's good quality, but can see why it's the standard. If I was going for more of an artys look, I would pay to upgrade. I remember Blurb offering 5 different paper options.
The standard paper is like thick magazine paper - glossy and smooth. There is no additional cost for standard paper. I'd say it's good quality, but can see why it's the standard. If I was going for more of an artys look, I would pay to upgrade. I remember Blurb offering 5 different paper options.
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Inside Front Cover. |
There are also different options for the inside covers. This was the
standard, no additional cost option. I think changing the color was $2 or something.
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Page Numbers and Headers can be added to every page with a click of one button.
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Blurb is going to add their logo to the bottom of the back page (as shown).
If you'd like to remove it, the cost of your book will increase by 25%.
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Back cover - image wrap
The book came to about $50 dollars (including tax and shipping). It would've been $60 dollars but I googled "Blurb Coupons" and found a code that gave me $10 off. Again, 138 pages on standard paper with the image wrap cover option.
I was probably 3-4 hours of my time. Traditional scrapbooking can take HOURS since you're having to cut, glue, wait, turn page, repeat... And there's lots of mess involved. Forget it if you have critters and someone eats something while the assembly line takes over your dining room table.
I ran some rough numbers to give you an idea of what a traditional scrapbook can cost. I have no idea how many photos are in the album shown above, so the 200 and 100 numbers used are just guesses.
I ran some rough numbers to give you an idea of what a traditional scrapbook can cost. I have no idea how many photos are in the album shown above, so the 200 and 100 numbers used are just guesses.
Of course, you have to factor in buying an album
(at least $20) as well as paper with traditional scrapbooking.
Here is a behind the scenes look at the Blurb production line: http://www.blurb.com/video_stories/behind_the_scenes
And here is the blog that I found off pinterest.
They've ordered 14 books and have a wonderful FAQ section:
