I've used Mag Cloud for 6 books - they were created for family and friends and all were reasonably priced. Perhaps my expectations were low and that's why I was satisfied. All were essentially one-off projects to commemorate an event or series of events and all were well received. All were 12X12 Spiral Wire-O bound on decent quality paper. I'll probably try a magazine layout next which is even more reasonably priced. Always appreciate your opinions. Thanks
I am absolutely discussing relative quality. The two areas I find Magcloud lacking is comparatively dark/lower contrast shadows when I compare similar products with similar CMYK digital press produced products on similar paper. Also they seem to perform worse in my banding torture test which brings out the worst with just about anyone using similar processes to produce their product. Typically that's worst case. The interior paper seems to be okay from a bleed through point of view (as compared to competitors) but I speculate it might also be the reason for the lack of comparative shadow separation. I am not "unhappy" with the price performance. I'm sorry if I gave that impression.
The big but is... some products at similar price points might produce better this or better that from my brief survey of similar products.
Stay tuned for part 6.
Your use, specifically one-off copies are perfect for MagCloud. I use them for the same thing.
I admittedly hadn't been back there in a while and I see they now have large landscape (17X11) Wire O bound books available which is great. Again you admittedly have to step up in price - significantly for better quality but the layout options and the ability to use Lightroom book module was a real plus for me at the time, particularly since I put the last one together in a few days. Thanks again - I'll keep reading.
I have been using MagCloud for 10 years to print a book I sell on my website. It is a travel guide to US Route 89 between Canada and Mexico. I have always been pleased with the quality of what I am producing. It is not intended to be a showcase for my photography. I also produce an annual calendar of my photographs which has also been more than satisfactory. I agree that MacClouds customer service is terrible but they have almost always resolved the issues I have brought to their attention. I have looked for alternatives but have not found another company that does order fulfillment. I sell 10 to 20 US Route 89 Road Trip Map Books a month and receive payment for my markup right after the first of each month. I'm glad to not have the hassle of stocking inventory and doing fulfillment myself. The website is usroute89.com. Thanks for writing this series of articles about self-publishing. I am in the process of designing a book of photographs and your articles are helping me think through the various alternatives.
Ps. thank you so much for being part of our community here.
Keep an eye out for my Part 5... IF you have don't need a fulfillment service baked into the on-demand part (which I understand is a big deal, hence I highlight it for MagCloud and KDP) for projects that may not need that.
This is a PERFECT use of MagCloud (or possibly KDP depending on various factors). It's exactly the kind of thing that is so great about the lower cost one-off on-demand services. It's a great way to use your photography to tell stories and showcase projects at an introductory level to a consumer audiences. Beautiful books, fantastic fine art prints, portfolios, and exhibitions all have their place in the photographic food chain but I think too many photographers miss out on the wide audience, especially when coupling their photographs with additional content in various contexts.
I do plan on putting out a "how to use" on-demand services for typical photographic related purposes and couple that with other venues like exhibitions, etc. I'm still working on that. Labor of love kind of thing so it takes a bit of a back seat. ;-)
Stay tuned IF you can find another fulfillment option.
I have used Mag Cloud for several books, and have always been satisfied with their work. I once had an issue, but I contacted them, and they resolved the issue. Considering the price, and their occasional discounts they offer I recommend them to anyone who just needs to make a couple of books from their images. I use InDesign to create my book which gives me complete control. If you're interested you can check out my books from my website:
I've used them in the past. I'm glad to hear you're satisfied. Just to be clear I would, and will use them where appropriate. I'm trying to level-set expectations. I also use either InDesign or lately Affinity Publisher more and more (unless I need a very specific feature like previewing color separations).
Curious, looks like you use MagCloud for order fulfillment. Is that a primary driver for you? Ps. your books look really cool. I'll have to grab one.
As I said stay tuned for the next installment if you've got a project for 10 or more copies at a time. In my 2021 survey I included a service I've not used before (they've only operated in the US for 2 years or so) I think they are a step up in terms of service, support, quality, and some interesting options without going custom print shop and high volume. You might want to give them a try sooner or later. I'll try to get that review finished and up shortly.
How can I get access to the previous articles?
Also there's an archive link at the bottom of that page, it takes you here:
https://paperarts.substack.com/archive
Hi Douglas,
You should be able to get them here:
https://paperarts.substack.com/
Let me know it that works for you.
RB
I've used Mag Cloud for 6 books - they were created for family and friends and all were reasonably priced. Perhaps my expectations were low and that's why I was satisfied. All were essentially one-off projects to commemorate an event or series of events and all were well received. All were 12X12 Spiral Wire-O bound on decent quality paper. I'll probably try a magazine layout next which is even more reasonably priced. Always appreciate your opinions. Thanks
I am absolutely discussing relative quality. The two areas I find Magcloud lacking is comparatively dark/lower contrast shadows when I compare similar products with similar CMYK digital press produced products on similar paper. Also they seem to perform worse in my banding torture test which brings out the worst with just about anyone using similar processes to produce their product. Typically that's worst case. The interior paper seems to be okay from a bleed through point of view (as compared to competitors) but I speculate it might also be the reason for the lack of comparative shadow separation. I am not "unhappy" with the price performance. I'm sorry if I gave that impression.
The big but is... some products at similar price points might produce better this or better that from my brief survey of similar products.
Stay tuned for part 6.
Your use, specifically one-off copies are perfect for MagCloud. I use them for the same thing.
I admittedly hadn't been back there in a while and I see they now have large landscape (17X11) Wire O bound books available which is great. Again you admittedly have to step up in price - significantly for better quality but the layout options and the ability to use Lightroom book module was a real plus for me at the time, particularly since I put the last one together in a few days. Thanks again - I'll keep reading.
I have been using MagCloud for 10 years to print a book I sell on my website. It is a travel guide to US Route 89 between Canada and Mexico. I have always been pleased with the quality of what I am producing. It is not intended to be a showcase for my photography. I also produce an annual calendar of my photographs which has also been more than satisfactory. I agree that MacClouds customer service is terrible but they have almost always resolved the issues I have brought to their attention. I have looked for alternatives but have not found another company that does order fulfillment. I sell 10 to 20 US Route 89 Road Trip Map Books a month and receive payment for my markup right after the first of each month. I'm glad to not have the hassle of stocking inventory and doing fulfillment myself. The website is usroute89.com. Thanks for writing this series of articles about self-publishing. I am in the process of designing a book of photographs and your articles are helping me think through the various alternatives.
Ps. thank you so much for being part of our community here.
Keep an eye out for my Part 5... IF you have don't need a fulfillment service baked into the on-demand part (which I understand is a big deal, hence I highlight it for MagCloud and KDP) for projects that may not need that.
James,
This is a PERFECT use of MagCloud (or possibly KDP depending on various factors). It's exactly the kind of thing that is so great about the lower cost one-off on-demand services. It's a great way to use your photography to tell stories and showcase projects at an introductory level to a consumer audiences. Beautiful books, fantastic fine art prints, portfolios, and exhibitions all have their place in the photographic food chain but I think too many photographers miss out on the wide audience, especially when coupling their photographs with additional content in various contexts.
I do plan on putting out a "how to use" on-demand services for typical photographic related purposes and couple that with other venues like exhibitions, etc. I'm still working on that. Labor of love kind of thing so it takes a bit of a back seat. ;-)
Stay tuned IF you can find another fulfillment option.
I have used Mag Cloud for several books, and have always been satisfied with their work. I once had an issue, but I contacted them, and they resolved the issue. Considering the price, and their occasional discounts they offer I recommend them to anyone who just needs to make a couple of books from their images. I use InDesign to create my book which gives me complete control. If you're interested you can check out my books from my website:
mostcool.net
I've used them in the past. I'm glad to hear you're satisfied. Just to be clear I would, and will use them where appropriate. I'm trying to level-set expectations. I also use either InDesign or lately Affinity Publisher more and more (unless I need a very specific feature like previewing color separations).
Curious, looks like you use MagCloud for order fulfillment. Is that a primary driver for you? Ps. your books look really cool. I'll have to grab one.
As I said stay tuned for the next installment if you've got a project for 10 or more copies at a time. In my 2021 survey I included a service I've not used before (they've only operated in the US for 2 years or so) I think they are a step up in terms of service, support, quality, and some interesting options without going custom print shop and high volume. You might want to give them a try sooner or later. I'll try to get that review finished and up shortly.
Thanks so much for being part of our community.
Just a note regarding the picture at the top. Note that it is the same spread as seen in the screenshot of this layout in a Part 3
https://paperarts.substack.com/p/become-a-better-photo-editor
Not a super precise way of evaluating color but should give one an idea. The WB for gray is absolutely neutral on the above picture.