Blurb.com Results: What Users Are Saying

When evaluating a service like Blurb.com, hearing directly from users provides invaluable insights into its real-world performance and impact.

Across various platforms and testimonials, a consistent picture emerges regarding Blurb’s strengths and areas for improvement, largely aligning with the features and benefits they promote.

Positive Feedback Highlights

Many users express satisfaction, particularly concerning print quality and ease of use for certain projects.

• Exceptional Print Quality, Especially for Photos: This is perhaps the most recurring positive comment. Photographers and artists frequently laud Blurb for producing books with vibrant colors, sharp details, and overall professional finish.
  • “The quality of the books is incredible and everyone is just in love with how it’s all turned out!” – RABE x BIRCH Design studio (from Blurb’s homepage). This sentiment is echoed by numerous independent reviews.
  • Paper and Binding: Users often praise the feel of the paper and the durability of the binding, noting that the finished product feels premium.
• Ease of Use (for BookWright and Simpler Projects): Many first-time authors and individuals creating personal photo albums find BookWright intuitive and easy to navigate.
  • “The design program is incredibly easy to use and there is so much freedom in the design process…” – Hike Oregon (from Blurb’s homepage). This highlights the accessibility for non-designers.
  • Templates: The availability of customizable templates is often cited as a major help in getting started quickly.
• Professional Tool Integration (Adobe): Users who work with Adobe Creative Suite appreciate the seamless integration.
  • Streamlined Workflow: Professionals find that the InDesign and Lightroom plugins save considerable time and ensure print-ready files.
  • Full Control: The ability to maintain granular control over design within a familiar environment is highly valued.
• Effective Distribution Channels: The ability to sell through Amazon and Ingram is a significant draw for authors.
  • Expanded Reach: Authors report satisfaction with their books being available in major online retailers and even physical bookstores, which broadens their audience.
  • “Blurb can help you sell to retailers like Amazon and big bookstores like Barnes & Noble which is great!” – Hike Oregon.
• Transparent Pricing and Royalties: The clear pricing calculator and the fact that Blurb doesn’t take a commission on print sales are often highlighted as fair and beneficial to authors’ profitability.
  • “I could still keep the price under $20 and get a little royalty on each copy. I don’t think a traditional publisher could’ve matched that.” – Stefan Bucher, author of 344 Questions (from Blurb’s homepage), emphasizing the financial viability.

Common Criticisms and Areas for Improvement

No service is perfect, and Blurb also faces some common points of critique from users.

• Cost for Single Copies/Small Runs: While volume discounts are praised, the per-unit cost for just one or a few copies can be perceived as high, especially for personal projects where budget is tight.
  • Proofing Costs: The expense of ordering a physical proof copy, while essential, can add up if multiple iterations are needed.
• Customer Support Responsiveness: Some users report that customer support, particularly email-based, can be slow to respond or sometimes unhelpful for complex issues.
  • Lack of Phone Support: The absence of readily available phone support can be frustrating for urgent matters.
• Learning Curve for Advanced Features/Troubleshooting: While BookWright is easy, getting perfect results when pushing the boundaries of design, or troubleshooting specific print errors, can be challenging without prior knowledge.
  • File Preparation Nuances: Some technical specifications (like bleed, safe zones) can be tricky for newcomers to get right.
• Shipping Times and Costs: While estimates are provided, international shipping or expedited options can be expensive, and occasional delays are reported, especially during peak seasons.
• Flexibility for Highly Custom Projects: For extremely niche paper types, binding methods, or unique finishes not offered as standard, users might find Blurb’s options limiting compared to specialized custom printers.
• Ebook Conversion Limitations: While possible, the tools for eBook conversion might not be as robust or feature-rich as platforms solely dedicated to digital publishing, leading to occasional formatting issues for complex eBooks.

Overall User Sentiment

The overall sentiment from users is largely positive, particularly for those whose projects align with Blurb’s strengths: high-quality visual books and authors seeking broad print distribution.

The platform is seen as a reliable and professional service for tangible book production. fibrenest.com Features

While there are areas for improvement, such as customer support speed and pricing for very small orders, the core offering of quality printing and effective distribution consistently stands out as a key reason users choose and recommend Blurb.

The testimonials highlight that for many, Blurb has successfully enabled them to achieve their publishing goals with a product they are proud of.