Printing for Photobook Creator

[omio]

Okay, I must be doing some stupid little thing. I'm making my first book, and I'm printing for an 8x8 cover which measures about 8.25" square. If I do print at 8x8, though, I'll lose part of my LO in the binding, which I don't want to do. Suggestions on size to print so that I don't lose part of the LO?

Paper -- I got double-sided matte paper at Staples but my colors look very dull. I'm using Mac OS 10.4 and an Epson RX 600. (I usually print on premium glossy and am very happy with the colors but couldn't find double-sided.) I plan for this to be a children's picture book.

I'm sure there are threads about the Photobook Creator in the forums but I seem to be doing a poor job of searching. Help! :doh:

[Margie]

the cover is bigger, but the pages should be 8x8. i always keep things away from edges anyway, so i've not had trouble with losing things in the spine. you could shift the layout to the right a little (for right sided pages, left for left sided of course). but print one or two and put them in the spine to see how much you actually lose.

[omio]

Thanks, Margie. Of course I have other questions (if/when you get a chance):


If you create a 12x12 canvas, how far away from the edges do you keep the actual LO? I take mine all the way to the edge so it will print without a border. No? (Well, obviously no for the book. :doh: )

Since my LO is already finished, could I just print at 7.75x7.75 to get a border for the book?

How do you trim the pages evenly enough for a book?

Do you used double-sided paper? If so, what kind?


Think my biggest problem is that I only have an hour or so every few days to work. Kind of hard to do trial and error that way. :yes:

[Margie]

i don't keep the layout away from the edges, i just keep text away from them. about 1/4" usually. that helps with general printing too. mine are all borderless.
yes, you can print your pages a little smaller and add a border to the side, just be careful they don't show. i just print to the edges though, the spine doesn't hide that much. i attached a screenshot of a 12x12 book.
my 8x8 books i just trimmed with a cheap paper trimmer. my 12x12s didn't need trimming of course since i used 12x12 paper.
i used epson premier art matte for the 12x12 and hp brochure paper for the 8x8 (it's 8.5x11).
hth!

[omio]

It does help -- thank you very much!

[pollylord]

My setup is very much like yours - Mac 10.4.9 and Epson R1800. I have been experimenting with different types of paper. I have tried 11 different papers and so far my favorites are Canon Photo Paper Plus for glossy and Epson Premier Art for matte. Both are double sided. The Canon paper gives wonderful color, while the Epson paper is a little less true. This could just be the difference between glossy and matte. Have you found a double sided Epson glossy paper?

Polly in Houston

[omio]

Have you found a double sided Epson glossy paper?

Not in the stores, Polly. Found this site in a quick search but it doesn't mention Epson: http://www.inkjetart.com/photo_papers/.

Thanks for the info on paper you use -- especially since we have similar setups. No time to experiment right now so it's frustrating. :yes:

[suvgal]

I use the staples photo matte double sided and the colors are fantastic. I have a 9800HP. I set the printing for borderless matte, best color, and print out 8x8. I keep my printing and pictures, etc about 1/4 from the edges that way I don't loose anything.About 1/4" fits in the spine. As far as borders, I don't think you loose that much. I've made several books and they came out great. I have even added pages to books already made.I use the matte paper to keep the finger prints from showing up on the pages.