Post by thunderguy on Mar 16, 2021 16:10:53 GMT
First, let me say I am glad to be here. I hope this remains a user-friendly experience. I know that boards, like Facebook, can attract a lot of negativity, and I hope that isn't the case here. I generally have the assumption that I don't know anything that other people don't; or at least, if I know it and they don't it probably isn't important to them. But from time to time I stick my head out of my shell and see if I have anything to offer. Let's see!
IMPORTANT: My references to Lulu are basic Lulu services. I have no experience with Lulu Xpress. Also, I don't work for or have any stake in Shutterfly.
Lulu does a pretty good job with photo books, I've recently ordered a few and I have no complaints. They looked almost as good as Shutterfly
If you don't know, Shutterfly is a company that specializes in customizing everything. Books. Greeting cards. Bottle openers. Blankets. Dog bandanas! And on and on. My experience with them is photobooks.
They offer books in various sizes. Up until recently that included 9 x 7 landscape. (I still mourn that loss.) They offer upgrades, better paper, six-color printing, hardcover, matte finish, media pockets.
The book page limit is 111. And that's certainly plenty, but Lulu landslide wins there, with a maximum 800 page capacity.
Now here's the interesting thing... and you have to check regularly or you'll miss out... about 4 or 5 times a year (or more), Shutterfly offers "Free Unlimited Pages." Which means you'll get up to a 111 page book for the cost of their basic 20 page book. In addition, this usually includes a 30% to 50% off coupon. By signing up for text messages, I even got a 55% off coupon. To sweeten the deal, they'll also ship free if your order is above a certain amount - $39, $49, $59... it varies.
The downside of Shutterfly's free shipping is they may use a paperboard envelope that has to survive UPS and USPS. Unless it's a large order, or hardbacks, and then they may ship direct to you in a sturdier corrugated container. That's where Lulu again edges them out - all my Lulu orders arrive very well packed, shipped directly to me.
Right now Shutterfly is again offering their unlimited free pages good through March 21st. My experience has been this usually (but not always) gets extended. And there's an additional 20% coupon being offered. So, right now if I were to purchase one perfect-bound book, 8 x 11 in size (portrait or landscape) that cost, with tax and shipping would be:
$25.66 ($8.99 of that is shipping)
A similar book through Lulu would cost (using their perpetual 15% off coupon, message me if you don't have it):
$23.22
I'd have to bump my order up to 4 books to get free shipping at Shutterfly, bringing my per-book cost down to:
$16.05
Those four books at Lulu would be:
$20.08
Pretty close, eh?
I suppose Shutterfly uses the "Kohl's" principle... high prices make it easy to entice people with coupons and sales.
So, pros and cons...
Shipping: Free at Shutterfly, better protection at Lulu. Shutterfly usually ships in a few days, Lulu can take weeks.
Guarantee: Both will make it right. I've had issues with books from both, and they were promptly reprinted.
Distribution: Shutterfly has no distribution, designed for personal use.
Quality: Shutterfly has a slight edge, IMHO, plus upgrades such as lay-flat options and six-color printing. "Auto enhance" is set by default, which does seem to help.
# of Pages: Shutterfly maxes at 111, Lulu 800
Black & White vs Color: No price difference at Shutterfly. Lulu 110 page 8x11 is $14.30 cheaper than the same book in color.
Layout:
I don't think Lulu still has their basic photo layout program. Advise me if I'm wrong. My recent orders required me to upload a PDF.
Shutterfly has a number of layouts and additional ribbons, stickers, metallic inks. All pages can be customized.
Communication: (We all know the answer to this one, right?) Days to get a response from Lulu. You can call or online chat with Shutterfly.
Price: Without the unlimited pages special, Lulu wins. But if you need a lot of copies and can wait, Shutterfly is better.
Obviously Lulu is the way to go if you're publishing photo-books for profit. But if you are looking to create books for church groups, schools, sports teams, and timing isn't an issue, Shutterfly has a bit of an edge. Shutterfly also offers free book design services. Upload your photos, select the size and style and within a few days you'll be alerted your book is ready. You can continue to customize your book if you don't like everything that was done.
I am sure this information won't be that useful to most people, but if one or two gained enlightenment then I am pleased. Like others, I have been creating my own books for a long time - my business started 28 years ago. I'm not new to the game. I would LOVED to have the services and group support back then that is available today.
Be kind, be at peace, be safe.
