Digital Scrapbookers: Where do you print?

[BurtsGirl]

I'm just getting into digital scrapbooking. I use to paper scrap but have found that digital scraping is a lot faster, less mess, and more convenient for me.

My problem, and question, is on printing your pages. Where is the cheapest place to print and what size do you normally make your pages? I prefer a matte finish, does your printing place have this option? What can I expect to pay for each sheet? Is it worth it to print from home?

[crittersmum]

:

[jrabbit]

I've made calendars in the past - printed at the "copy shop" - not Kinkos. I didn't like the calendars that they offered, so I made my own - collage style just with MS Publisher. They weren't cheap, but they were NICE! I can't remember how much, but I'd have to guess that they were about $1 per printed page. So, double-sided, that's $26 plus wire binding per calendar. since we were giving them as gifts, that added up fast.

Home-printing - you'll need a good quality ink jet, I would presume, but I'd always worry about the ink getting wet and running.

I'm working on a digital album from Snapfish right now - don't know how it's going to turn out, but it's very simplistic - and if I had my druthers, I'd make it myself. I have seen bound books from Blurb.com - and they are beautiful! And affordable. Next year, I'll probably do that. But I haven't looked into it too much to see how much creativity it affords.

So, I've never actually done a scrapbook that way, but of my options, I'd say the copy shop was the best bet for DIY creativity.

--janis

[BellaClaudia]

I tried kodakgallery.com but it was horrible..
paper was a mess and everything was off..

good thing about them is that you can get refund.. minus shipping
unless it is defective..

it was few years ago but worth trying now , they have better stuff so it seems..

you might try it and if you won't like it you have option.

other then that probably home printing is best. you have choice of all paper option and you are the boss of what looks waht..

[BurtsGirl]

Good point Bella

[LilLala]

I've just started digital scrapping and I haven't actually had anything printed yet. But, I am working on a photo book at shutterfly.com. It's more like an actual book (I think). You just add your scrapbook pages to their "template".

I think they will make photographic prints of your pages, too. If memory serves, it's something like 3.99 or 4.99 per 12X12 print. I'm not certain of that, though.

I'm subbing to hopefully get more ideas...

[wombatclay]

I used snapfish last year and it came out really well (for a digi-scrapbook ). I've used snapfish for a lot of stuff over the years and the quality is generally good... not off the charts amazing, but only once have I emailed them with a complaint (and they replaced the item and gave me a store credit without quibble). I like that they maintain the items you make so you can always order more... I made one scrapbook for my dad and then decided it was pretty cool and had them create three more photobooks for the other grandparents.

That said, you are sort of limited to their built in options and those may not suit your style.

For more "home made" digi-scrapbook style projects I've made things using Illustrator and then printed them/had them bound at kinkos. But at least the kinko's here is horrible in terms of getting things lined up... I usually plan on TWO returns to the store before the final product is something I'd give as a gift. On the up side they've never tried to charge me for the corrections, but it's still a waste of time/paper. But other kinkos may be better! It wasn't a lot of money and they did have matte finish options.