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Shutterfly Book quality

Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 12:13 pm
by MOM2SNOX
Keling's post prompted me to open an account with Shutterfly and then I decided to create an album using Z's Disneyland pictures. I really like the way it turned out but $109 is a lot to spend on a book! For those who have purchased albums from them in the past, how is the quality? When I view the album in full screen some of the pictures look blurry when I know they're very clear. Do these appear blurry in the actual book? Appreciate your feedback! And if anyone knows of a good coupon like Keling's 50% that's available, let me know!! Thanks!!!

Re: Shutterfly Book quality

Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 1:21 pm
by SarahA
Wow- that does seem like a LOT. How many pages is it?
I have ordered many calendars from them, and the quality is always great. My bff orders books from them often and they always look nice, too. Very sturdily bound and good paper and cover quality. If a photo I uploaded was not high enough resolution, there would be a little yellow (!) on the photo when you view it on line.

Re: Shutterfly Book quality

Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 2:28 pm
by cathy h
I have never been happy with the quality of anything from Shutterfly. I use My Publisher quite a lot and the always have coupons so you get a good price. Good Luck!

Re: Shutterfly Book quality

Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 3:21 pm
by nun69
how big is the album to be the expensive? I would say if it looks blurry in the screen it will be blurry in your book. I am impressed with their quality but not their prices. I presonally like Inkubook much better, but that is personal taste. I ahd the same exact book {Sam's Paris book} printed at Inkubook and Shutterfly and I like the Inkubook one better but my DD like the glossy front on the Shutterfly one.

Re: Shutterfly Book quality

Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 3:52 pm
by MOM2SNOX
The album is 100 pages. I know that's a lot but it covers 6 days of Z's birthday in DisneyLand. The link to the album is in the first post for those who would like to see it. Let me know if you think there are any blurry pages!

Thanks so far for the suggestions! Definitely going to look at other avenues. Inubook for one!

Re: Shutterfly Book quality

Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 4:47 pm
by Charleneanne
I have received and seen several at the 8x8 size and they have good quality and no blurriness. I just received a g/c to Shutterfly for mother's day and am about to try my first digi book from them. But not 100 pages. Probably more like 10-20.

Re: Shutterfly Book quality

Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 5:55 pm
by PezKat
I did a 5x7 & love it, really nice quality. As for discounts... If you go through FatWallet you can get CashBack from them. If you use Discover card, they're one of the options for a CashBack bonus gift certificate. And Google "Shutterfly coupon code" and you'll likely get several more resources. You can start thru FatWallet & then still use your coupon code so you can get both.

Re: Shutterfly Book quality

Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 6:00 pm
by nun69
Trish some of the pictures look blurry to me....

Re: Shutterfly Book quality

Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 6:14 pm
by Queen Mum
DANG! That's expensive

Re: Shutterfly Book quality

Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 6:30 pm
by TraciL
I've made one on snapfish before it was ok

By any chance do you do mycokerewards? - They have an offer right now for 285 points you can get a free 8 x 11 classic photo book for just shipping.

Maybe you could try that and see how you like it first.

If you don't do my coke rewards I'd be willing to get the certificate for you and give it to you to use. I think it would work I think you just get a code to use on-line.

Re: Shutterfly Book quality

Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 7:33 pm
by Keling
I've been happy with both Snapfish & Shutterfly, and Tesco in the UK...

Is that the before or after coupon price? I tend to go with 8x8s when I print books, although I scrap 12x12...

Re: Shutterfly Book quality

Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 8:59 pm
by scrapscot
I did an 8x8 for my son's wedding photos as an anniversary gift for them, but it only cost me $30 or $35. I thought it looked great; was very pleased. I wouldn't have done for $109!

Re: Shutterfly Book quality

Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 9:06 pm
by ScrapEgypt
I've never used Shutterfly for albums, but I have done graduation announcements and Christmas cards with them and been very happy with the quality.

Re: Shutterfly Book quality

Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 10:13 pm
by sarahwhithers
I've had one shutterfly album done and it was in 8x8 and it turned out well. The only thing I had a problem with was the pages I made went into the middle binding and I lost out on some of the words and stuff. But the quality was good.

ANd I'd say if the image looks blurry, than chances are it will come out that way.

I've used artscow.com for the rest of my books since, they often have freebies for their photobooks (and lots of other things too!), so all I have to pay is the shipping. They have always turned out pretty good. One book, the colour did seem a bit off, but not so off that anyone else would have noticed. I've also ordered calenders, blankets, coasters and mouse pads from them, and everything turned out great! :-D

Re: Shutterfly Book quality

Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 10:57 pm
by Nikki_E
I love Shutterfly! All the books I have gotten have been great, I have never had any problems with them.

Re: Shutterfly Book quality

Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 11:52 pm
by Mommybruno
Like Jenn said, I would have to recommend Artscow. I get all my photo books done there now. They give out lots of coupons, and when you first sign up you get tons of free stuff.


I just ordered a 40 page book, 12x12, and with the coupon I got it only cost me $34 - free shipping. Sweet! Only problem I have is that you really need to pay close attention to the page amounts they allow. I wanted to add two more pages to my book, but couldn't. And the next size up from 40 is 60. But that's been my only problem, and the quality is really good otherwise.



When you preview the book it's a bit blurry, but the printed copy is normal. Might be that way on Shutterfly too.

Re: Shutterfly Book quality

Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 12:24 am
by Ayla
I have 2 coupons for free shutterfly books from buyiing a computer and a digital camera at Best buy. Will keep an eye on how they turn out.

Re: Shutterfly Book quality

Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 8:54 am
by -Kami-
If you pages look blurry on the screen, they will more than likely print that way. If I remember right, I thought Shutterfly flagged you somehow if your image was poor/low quality. I actually use Snapfish quite a bit and have been 100% satisfied! Shutterfly did disappoint me a few times with the quality. And always be sure to search for discounts and coupons on the internet before placing your order. It can be expensive otherwise!! And perhaps you might want to consider reducing the number of pages in your album to lower the cost. You can change the number of photos per page, you will have to do some rearranging, but if it will cut the cost down it is worth it. Good luck!!

Re: Shutterfly Book quality

Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 12:38 pm
by scrap-o-holic
I have ordered many photo books from Shutterfly and have always been pleased with the quality. I don't think I've ever paid full price for a book though. They usually have some type of sale going on...maybe they'll have one soon with graduation and father's day coming up. I would suggest you reduce the number of pages; maybe split it up into two books....two books will probably cost less than one. Another company I want to try is Smilebooks. I haven't used them yet so can't give you any feedback. I continually get emails from them with coupons. Might be worth checking out. Good luck!

Re: Shutterfly Book quality

Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 5:53 pm
by MOM2SNOX
Thanks for all the feedback gals! I know my original pictures are clear and sharp, so I'm not sure why they would be blurry in the book. I will keep the project saved there but look for cheaper and higher quality sites! Artscow.com sounds interesting!! Thanks again!!