I just received my first AsukaBook. I ordered an 80 page 15x10" Lay-Flat book with the faux leather cover. Included is a hard felt lined case with CD holder. I'ts a gift for my parents for Christmas. The pictures are of the European cruiser that we went on that spurred my DSLR purchase back in the summer.
The fit, finish, print quality, and overall feel of the book is worlds above anything I could have ever imagined. It was worth every single penny. I'm beyond anal about printing and the quality that the HP Indigo presses that they use is gorgeous. Every single detail is present in these 5D2 shots after correctly output sizing and sharpening them in CS5. Color is [I]spot [/I]on with my calibrated IPS display and they are nearly identical to the soft proofs.
For those of you who don't know, they're printed and white-glove inspected in Japan then shipped back to the US. All told it took nearly 3 weeks even when I purchased "rush" processing.
The reason they don't publish prices is they don't want savvy brides to be able to Google and find out how much their books cost. They want you (the photographer) to set your price to the bride.
I understand their policy as well. And maybe I am not their target market.
I tend to do a book a year. Generally for family. But I will not go the extra time to register to get a ballpark idea of the costs.
I suppose there is always something to complain about.
There are MANY cheap options out there. Not many of them as good as AsukaBooks, but they are available. AsukaBooks do businesses with others who are in business. Soooooo, you can't get their pricing if you're not running a business. This isn't any different than any other direct sales company. Have you EVER purchased a vehicle directly from the factory?
it's "You're" not "your" and it's not Christmas yet...but the holidays are here. Christmas is on the 24th, mark it on the calendar so you don't confuse yourself.
The long lead time is why I switched to Zookbinders for my albums and photo books. They turn around an album or book in two weeks with no special charges. Often get an album back in less than 10 days. They also will do a print to bind for a higher end product that is a great value.
WHCC.com also does excellent photo books with much faster turn around times and for a book with a linen cover Sharedink.com is excellent.
Asuka's us representative in the USA also closes down for a couple weeks multiple times during the year and this includes the holidays. They are the slowest and most expensive of any company providing photo books.
eskimochaos wrote:
I just received my first AsukaBook. I ordered an 80 page 15x10" Lay-Flat book with the faux leather cover. ...
FAUX leather I hope you didn't pay too much for it. It sounds like you did. I just ordered a book from Costco (real leather) with lay flat pages and it is GORGEOUS.
I am familiar with Asuka Books and yes, they are certainly at a level up, but for the money, FAUX leather
And I still don't know why you won't share the price you paid. Help out fellow photographers...
gheller wrote:
And I still don't know why you won't share the price you paid. Help out fellow photographers...
You can simply register with them directly to get your price list. The process does require some form of indication of your professional/business photography endeavors. This is simply to assure them that they are dealing with a photographer ... not some non-photographer trying to undercut photographers' retail market.
Business card
Web Site
PPA, etc. Membership
The three items above are on the most obvious items they accept as indication of your professional photographic endeavors. Not all are needed, but they are the most readily accepted forms of verification that you aren't non-photographer trying to undercut a photographer's product offerings (as evidenced by your own photographic capabilities).
I registered ... they had a question about my website being "under construction", I explained my situation to them ... registration complete.
If you have any degree of seriousness vs. simple curiousity/"Looky Lou" ... the registration process is pretty easy.
Even if you don't immediately purchase their product line ... simply being able to offer "Top Tier" products to your clients, suggests you are "Top Tier". Also, comparing their offerings with your "Middle Tier" offerings ... your clients may not "Gulp" as hard at your "Middle Tier" pricing structure any more. Having them in your arsenal can be an asset ... even if you only utilize the "Status Symbol" aspect of it.
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. Your Funny.
I hope you didn't pay too much for it. It sounds like you did. I just ordered a book from Costco (real leather) with lay flat pages and it is GORGEOUS.