4 Advice to Choose a Photo Book Printing China

13 May.,2024

 

China Professional Photo Book Printing Service

Photo Book Printing

You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.

While digital photography has made it easier than ever to share our images online, there's something truly special about holding a physical photo book in your hands. BookPrintingChina has over 20 years of book printing experience. We provide various of photo book printing services for photographers and self-publishers. Such as boudoir photo book printing, softcover photo book printing, leather bound photo book printing , hardcover photo book printing , etc.

I felt a bit worried getting my first 500 books printed as it was my first time printing a book and with an overseas supplier, but Ella was super friendly, patient and all-round awesome through the whole process. The book had some complexities as pages were to be cut in half and there is a hole punch that goes through them (it's a mix-and-match board book) and still Ella and the production team got it absolutely perfect. I would definitely work with them again.

Excellent customer service from Ella, so happy with the quality of my books. Will definitely use afain.

I wrote a biography of my mother's life with an online biography company that included 1 copy as part of the subscription. Upon completion, multiple copies were very expensive so I contacted Bookprintingchina.com. My experience was excellent from quotation to payment options and courier delivery. I only wanted 15 copies but my treatment as a customer was top notch. You are assigned an agent, in my case Ella who's English was excellent and who always replied to my enquiries within a day. The quality of the final product was excellent with a choice of paper quality that the initial biography company did not offer. The cost was about 30% of said company. A sample was printed for my approval before the final run and a high definition video was sent to me for viewing showing every page. If you need printing do not hesitate in trusting BookPrintingChina.com.

Winnie was the absolute best. It was an absolute pleasure working with them. The entire process was seamless. Winnie ensured that the quality was exactly how I intended the books to be printed. I have worked with other manufacturers, this is by far the best that I have ever used. I was updated throughout the entire process. Due to the high demand for my book, I needed to have 200 shipped via air, Winnie was very accommodating and even reached out to make sure that they arrived. I will be using them for every book printing from here on out.

Easy to work with and gave a great product as well! Will use again!

Winnie was great to work with and happy with everything. Thank you!

This was my first time printing internationally so I was pretty nervous but the prices with BookPrintingChina were just too good to pass up. And working with Ella was a pleasure.

Excellent workmanship on the end product. Very easy to deal with and great communication. Will definitely be using again here very soon for another large catalogue order

With the high quality at an affordable price, we always satisfy our clients with our book printing quality and printing services. We can give our customers more printing suggestions that any other service provider. This will help them a lot when they create and design their artwork for the photo books. Meanwhile, we also provide free file checking, which will ensure to make the high quality book printing.

 

Paper Stock and Weight

Cover material

One of the most commonly used materials for cover of custom book printing is paper. We offer a wide range of paper options, such as coated paper, special paper and more. Coated paper is known for its smooth and glossy finish, which gives the books a sleek and modern look. On the other hand, special paper offers a unique texture and can be customized with various patterns or designs to add a personal touch to the book cover.

When selecting the paper material for your book cover, it is important to consider the weight and thickness of the paper. A heavier and thicker paper will provide better protection for your books.

For those looking for a more elegant and luxurious option, we also offer cloth materials for custom your book cover. Cloth cover are often preferred for art books or photo books, etc, as they add a touch of sophistication to the overall presentation. Our cloth materials come in a variety of colors and textures, allowing you to choose the perfect option to complement your book’s design.

If you’re seeking the ultimate in luxury and durability, leather covers are the perfect choice. Made from premium quality faux leather or leather, these book covers exude elegance and sophistication. Leather covers are not only visually striking but also offer superior protection for your books.

Interior paper

Since photo book often focus on the photos, and with some text. So we usually recommend use glossy/matte art paper for custom professional photo book printing services. A matte finish gives a more subtle and muted look, while a glossy finish provides a vibrant and shiny effect.

When it comes to selecting the right paper stock for your custom photo book, there are a few factors to consider. First, think about the overall look and feel you want to achieve. If you prefer a more luxurious and professional finish, opt for a higher-quality paper stock. For a more rustic or vintage aesthetic, a textured paper might be the perfect choice.

Next, consider the weight of the paper. The weight refers to the thickness and sturdiness of the paper, usually measured in grams per square meter (gsm). For a durable photo book that can withstand frequent handling, a heavier paper weight, such as 200gsm or more, is recommended. However, if you're aiming for a lighter and more portable photo book, a lower weight 128gsm should suffice.

Hard cover

  • 157gsm/58 lb coated cover paper wrapped on 2mm/2.5mm/3mm gray board

 

Soft cover

  • 200gsm/74 lb coated cover paper
  • 250gsm/92 lb coated cover paper
  • 300gsm/111 lb coated cover paper
  • 350gsm/129 lb coated cover paper

 

Inner paper

  • 128gsm/86 lb coated text paper
  • 157gsm/106 lb coated text paper
  • 200gsm/135 lb coated text paper

 

Remember, the paper stock and weight you choose will greatly influence the overall look and feel of your photo book. So take the time to explore different options and find the perfect match for your vision.

 

Photo Book Size

The size of your photo book is another crucial aspect to consider. The most popular sizes for photo book printing vary depending on personal preference and the specific purpose of the book. However, there are a few standard sizes that tend to be widely used.

One of the most common sizes is the 8 x 8 inch square photo book. This size offers a balanced layout and is ideal for showcasing a mix of portrait and landscape-oriented photos. Another popular option is the 11 x 8.5 inch landscape photo book, which provides a wider canvas for panoramic shots and landscape photography.

If you're looking for a more compact and portable option, consider the 6 x 4 inch pocket-sized photo book. This size is perfect for travel photo albums or as a gift for loved ones. Ultimately, the size you choose should reflect your artistic vision and the intended use of your photo book.

Common size for photo book printing

Square size: 8" x 8", 10" x 10", 12" x 12"

Portait size: 6" x 9", 8.5" x 11", 11" x 14"

Landscape size: 11" x 8.5", 14" x 11"

 

Goto Heao Printing to know more.

Binding Ways

Choosing the right binding for your photo book is essential for ensuring its durability and professional appearance. There are several common binding options to consider, each with its own unique benefits.

Perfect binding

One of the most cost-effective binding methods is the perfect binding. This method involves gluing the pages of the book together at the spine, resulting in a clean and sleek finish. Perfect binding is ideal for softcover photo book printing and offers a professional look that is commonly seen in coffee table photo books printing, boudoir photo book printing, family photo book printing,etc.

 

Hardcover

The high-end and most popular binding option for printing photo books is the hardcover binding. Case bound involves sewing the pages together at the spine and then gluing on a hard cover. This method is a more high end and durable option for custom print photo books. Such as art photo book printing,coffee table photo book printing.

 

Spiral bound

Spiral bound is another popular option for portfolio or sample work(like wedding photo book). This method allows the pages to lie completely flat when the book is open, making it perfect for displaying panoramic photos or full-page spreads. Spiral binding is often preferred by professional photographers and artists who want to showcase their work in a visually stunning way.

 

Finishing Options

To add that extra touch of elegance to your custom print photo book, consider incorporating some popular finishing options. These finishing touches can elevate the overall look and feel of your photo book, making it truly stand out.

Lamination: Lamination involves applying a thin layer of plastic film to the cover of the book. It provides protection against stains, fingerprints, and general wear and tear. Lamination is available in glossy or matte finishes.

Embossing/debossing: Embossing/debossing creates a raised texture on the cover of the book, adding a tactile element. It is often used for titles, logos, or special designs. Embossing can be combined with other finishing options to create a unique and eye-catching effect.

Spot UV: Spot UV is a technique that involves applying a glossy coating to specific areas of the book cover. It creates a contrast between the matte and glossy areas, adding depth and visual interest. Spot UV is commonly used for logos, illustrations, or other design elements.

Foil Stamping: Foil stamping involves applying a thin layer of metallic or colored foil to the cover of the book using heat and pressure. It adds a luxurious and elegant touch to the design. Foil stamping is often used for titles, borders, or decorative elements.

 

Artwork Tips

Now that you have a solid understanding of the various aspects of photo book printing. Let's dive into some helpful tips for preparing your artwork.

First and foremost, ensure that your images are high-resolution. Low-resolution images can result in pixelation and a lack of detail when printed. Aim for a resolution of at least 300 dots per inch (dpi) to ensure crisp and sharp prints.

Before sending your artwork to us, carefully proofread your text and double-check the layout. Make sure that all the text is legible and properly aligned. Pay attention to the margins, bleeds, and trim lines to avoid any unwanted cropping or misalignment.

To ensure accurate color reproduction, consider calibrating your monitor and using a color profile that matches our specifications. This will help you achieve consistent and true-to-life colors in your printed photo book.

Convert your artwork to a print-ready PDF file, ensuring that all fonts are embedded, images are high-resolution, and colors are correctly converted to CMYK.

Lastly, don't forget to contact us to get a sample copy before custom bulk photo book printing. This will allow you to review the final product and make any necessary adjustments before committing to a larger order.

Whether you're looking to create a boudoir photo book, print a collection of your favorite landscape shots, or showcase your art photography, explore the possibilities of photo book printing. Create something truly special that will be treasured for years to come. Start your photo book printing journey today and turn your digital memories into tangible works of art.

Contact us for professional photo book printing services and let us help you bring your vision to life.

How I Found a Reliable Overseas Printer

2. Sifted through the quotes

Between the quotes from Print Industry and the other quotes I requested, I received 8 to 10 quotes. I looked through them, primarily checking:

  • if the printer understood our project

  • how the printer’s price compared to the others’ prices.

I tried not to take into account the less-professional face of the Asian companies (their logos, websites, URLs and graphic design don't usually convey the Western idea of quality), but if their English was difficult to understand, I took that as a red flag.

If there was a printer that I felt didn't understand what we were asking for, but I wanted to give another chance for them to provide a quote, I wrote back with a request for adjustments to the quote.

3. Narrowed it down to the best prospect, a printer in China

In communication with my client, I eventually picked a printer who seemed to have understood our request and whose price was competitive, and started to communicate with them by e-mail about the project. 

4. Communicated regularly by e-mail with the printer in China

It was important to me that this company on the other side of the world be able to communicate clearly in English. Some overseas suppliers I’ve worked with can’t really understand and reply to specific questions and are not able to describe a problem or what they need. But we realized that we had found a professional guy with good English, who responded within a day or so to emails, and answered questions specifically. Green light!

Next, we wanted some proof that the company was real and that they were capable of doing the kind of work we needed. They offered to print a sample for us of the full-colour book file, and to send it to us with some other samples of their work and paper samples. The printing company requested $100 to send us two full-colour samples of our book, other book samples, and paper samples to two addresses (one in the USA, and one to me in Germany). The packages arrived quickly on our doorsteps and the quality of the printed samples was excellent. The cover paper samples they sent us matched the texture of our cover from the last printing.

We always had good communication with the printer. Over the months that we worked together, we had to change some deadlines and request new quotes, but our rep was always good to deal with. If at any point he had become difficult to deal with or hard to get an answer from, we would have taken that as a definite red light and looked for a new printer, but there were no such warning signs.

5. Committed to the printer in China

When the project was finally ready, we pulled the trigger. The client paid the first lump sum to the printer in China. I think the printer asked for an $800 downpayment to order the paper for the project, and then 50% of the balance before the printing began, and 50% before the books were shipped. 

The project experienced various delays on the client’s end, and when the files were finally print-ready, it was Chinese New Year and the factory was shutting down for two weeks for the country’s biggest celebration. This was a significant delay at the end of the project, but it was not the printer's problem, because we had expected to have the book done months before. This was the first time my client spoke on the phone with the rep in China (previous communication had always been by e-mail), and he spoke great English, was apologetic about the delay, and did his best to push the book through as quickly as he could once the factory was running again.

6. Received the printed books from China

We had 500 books sent by air to the USA (about a week for delivery) and the final 4,500 books sent by sea to a port in the USA (about five weeks for delivery). The client had to handle getting the books from the port to the company warehouse, but there may have also been a way to have the books delivered to the client’s doorstep. All in all, we were extremely satisfied with the final product and with the price, which was about ⅓ of what the project would have cost at the printer we used the year before. 

I hope this play-by-play is helpful to you if you're looking for a reliable overseas printer. If you use a bit of caution and common sense, you may find that an overseas printer that fits exactly what you're needing for a particular project.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Photo Book Printing China.