|
I like Scrapbooks to Share (sbtoshare.com). Their website says "Our signature service is the copying / duplication of scrapbooks and/or photo albums. We are also able to print digital scrapbook pages." I think this is an interesting concept, and a great service. Here is a summary, from their website, of the 3 different types of paper they print on: Matte – 80lb text paper that is acid and lignin-free. This is an excellent paper with a matte finish. This is the paper of choice for our paper-based scrapbooking customers who typically put them in a scrapbook album in page protectors. This paper choice is $.75 for pages that are 8.5" x 11" or smaller while pages larger than 8.5" x 11" are $1.25 per page. Glossy – 100lb text paper that is acid and lignin-free. This is a great paper with a glossy finish. This paper is frequently used by scrapbookers that plan on having the printed pages bound. This paper choice is $1.00 for pages that are 8.5" x 11" or smaller while pages larger than 8.5" x 11" are $1.50 per page. Glossy Cardstock – 100lb cover paper that is acid and lignin-free. This is a premium paper that is thick with a very glossy finish and the paper of choice for digital scrapbookers. This paper choice is $1.25 for pages that are 8.5" x 11" or smaller while pages larger than 8.5" x 11" are $1.75 per page. Scrapbooks to Share will send new customers a sample of one layout, printed on the 3 different kinds of paper. This way you can compare their quality, texture, etc, side by side and make a decision about which paper you want to order prints on if you choose to use their services. Holding the samples side by side, I didn't really SEE a difference between the glossy paper and the glossy side of the cardstock. But for some reason the flimsiness of the two kinds of paper makes me prefer the cardstock. I WILL say that I prefer the look of the prints from Scrapbooks to Share better than the ones I've received from Shiny Nickels. The blown up photos from Scrapbooks to Share are clear and crisp and the skin tones look correct and natural. When all 3 of Scrapbook to Share's paper options are placed next to each other for comparison, the matte paper does stand out as slight more flat. Then again, it's matte . . . so I guess it's supposed to? LOL. I personally don't like the matte paper. It feels just a bit thicker than a regular piece of computer paper, and looking at the pictures, they don't seem like photo prints to me -- more like an "it'll do" version of a photo. I mean, it doesn't look BAD, especially just at a glance. I also don't like the way either of the paper options feel because they're so thin . . . then again, when my pages are in an album, who's going to feel them? I guess this is why Scrapbooks to Share offers a free sampling of their papers -- so you can see the quality for yourself and decide which one you like the best. The order came packaged in cardboard -- not a box, but a big piece of cardboard folded to fit, which accomplishes the same thing. Then the layouts were in a plastic envelope inside (which I REALLY appreciated.) Shipping and Handling (standard shipping in the US) is $5 an order. The cards? I am IN LOVE with! At $1.50 a piece (or $1.25 for 50 or more), they are a great deal -- and still much cheaper than a store greeting card. It feels almost just like the paper and weight of a regular greeint card. Matte on the outside, glossy on the outside, with a personalized message inside. There IS a logo for Scrapbooks to Share on the back of the cards. If you can plan ahead enough to make a card, order it, and then send it yourself, this is a great option for personalized cards. Here's more info on their cards: Scrapbooks to Share also prints 5.5" x 5.5" or 5" x 7" folding greeting cards made from digital or traditional scrapbook layouts that include a personalized message on the inside of the cards! Greeting cards are $1.50 a card for less than 50 and $1.25 a card for 50 or more and include the envelopes. From a design standpoint you'll need to plan ahead for full-bleed so nothing gets cut-off (i.e. I would suggest a 1/4" area around the layout that doesn't include anything that couldn't be cut-off). On the postage thing, the square cards are an extra $.13 to mail since they are square. Our 5x7 cards are normal 1st class mail. I think my only complaint right now about Scrapbooks to Share is their process for file "upload" and payment. You have to get your files to them by either e-mail, disk, or YouSendIt. They then give (though e-mail) you a cost estimate and will "send a payment request using Paypal after we total your order." Perhaps as time progresses they will incorporate an upload and cart system to their site. Bottom line? Definitely worth checking out -- and the selling point for me is this very well could be the perfect way to get high-quality, low cost 12x12s, which until now has been challenging. ----------------------------------------- Here are some reviews from other scrapbookers: 1. I've printed 30+ pages through them and I'm very happy with the quality, but most of all the service is fantastic. With my first order I was having trouble with yousendit (bits & pieces were making their way - but not full packages) - and I got 3 personal phone calls to let me know the status - and that the 3rd time they finally all arrived.
Yes, the yousendit option is a bit of a pain - but Mike had mentioned to me during my first order that they knew they had to make a change and were exploring options. I also like the cardstock option - even though, I didn't see a difference in the paper options. I guess I just like the weight of the cardstock. -Melanie Hardy 2. I love the fact that you get to try their product with free samples before actually having to buy product first. They will send you 1 of your layouts printed on matte, glossy, and glossy cardstock. To place your order you need winzip and then you upload to www.yousendit.com. At the time I placed my order I sent in 10 layouts to be printed on the glossy cardstock. It took about 10 days to get my order from the time I placed the order. On the paper: I prefer the glossy cardstock because it has a little bit of thickness to it. This is just a personal preference. I don't feel that the matte and glossy would hold up very well they seem pretty thin to me. One thing that I love that they do with your layouts is that they put an 1/8" border on your layouts. This way none of your layout gets cut off when it is printed. There is an $5.00 shipping charge with all orders. The customer service that I received was excellent. I received an email when they received my order. I then also received an email saying that they had my order printed and needed me to pay before shipping. After the order was shipped I received an email saying that my order was shipped. Pricing (from their website): DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK ORDERS | | | Printing per Page Matte Paper - Larger than 8.5 x 11 | $1.25 | | | Printing per Page Glossy Paper - Larger than 8.5 x 11 | $1.50 | | | Printing per Page Glossy Cardstock - Larger than 8.5 x 11 | $1.75 | | | Printing per Page Matte Paper - 8.5 x 11 or smaller | $0.75 | | | Printing per Page Glossy Paper - 8.5 x 11 or smaller | $1.00 | | | Printing per Page Glossy Cardstock - 8.5 x 11 or smaller | $1.25 | | | Shipping and Handling (standard shipping in the US ) | $5.00 | | PAPER-BASED SCRAPBOOK ORDERS | | Scanning per Page Side (required for duplicating and archiving) | $0.50 | | Duplication per Page Side Matte Paper - Larger than 8.5 x 11 | $1.25 | | Duplication per Page Side Glossy Paper - Larger than 8.5 x 11 | $1.50 | | Duplication per Page Side Glossy Cardstock - Larger than 8.5 x 11 | $1.75 | | Duplication per Page Side Matte Paper - 8.5 x 11 or smaller | $0.75 | | Duplication per Page Side Glossy Paper - 8.5 x 11 or smaller | $1.00 | | Duplication per Page Side Glossy Cardstock - 8.5 x 11 or smaller | $1.25 | | Archive DVD of High-Quality Image Files | $10.00 | | Shipping and Handling (standard shipping in the US ) | TBD | | GREETING CARDS | | Greeting Cards - 5.75" square including envelopes (less than 50) | $1.50 | | Greeting Cards - 5.75" square including envelopes (50 or more) | $1.25 |
When I received my order: The layouts looked great and I loved the thickness of the cardstock. I will definitely be using them again. -- Brandie Hurst~ Mnchknbrat1982
|