Aperture Book quality

Hi all
I am using the A3 and want to print a book, but I am not sure about the quality, according to the Apple website, sure they mention PROFESSIONAL quality in text and images. In the real world, is it true professional quality?
I did some research on Web and some people say good and some people are disappointed. Most people, who are saying good, are in Europe. I am in Australia, not quite sure about it. I went to Apple Store in Sydney and asked to have a look on the sample books. Yes, they were true professional quality photo book...
Anyone has experience on this?

My wife and I recently had a book made from Aperture 3. It was the Large size with 100 pages. The first copy we received had a registration problem that caused white type on a black background to have a magenta tint. It was very noticeable so we submitted the problem and they sent another book that was much better.
Colors in the book are a close match to the colors on my wife's 27" LED iMac. However, the detail of the printed images is not as good as I would have expected and falls short of what would be considered 'professional' printing. I haven't measured the 'screen ruling' that is used in the digital press but I do not believe that it is very high. Looking closely at a printed page, you can see the printed dots with the naked eye. Note, all the images in the book were high resolution images that exceeded the requirements specified by Apple.
I've asked the Apple book support group for answers to the printing resolutions but they do not have those answers. Any professional book printing place would be able to tell you what screen ruling is used for images and what resolution is used for text. Note that black text all looked good.
Our next book will not be with Apple unless we can get answers.

Similar Messages

Aperture book quality - worse than before?

Hello everyone,
My photo studio has been using Aperture for 8 months now and we are very happy with it. We love the organization, web output, etc. We also LOVE the book design layouts, but the quality of the book printing has been degrading over that past few months.
The first books we printed with Apple (around Nov/Dec 2006) were great, then about 3 months ago, we noticed the labels on the hardcover books went down in qulaity (almost like they were just using a color laser printer), and today we received five books in the mail and the quality is terrible. Also, two of the books have the "Made on a Mac" page in the back (like iPhoto).
It seemed to me (since I have had books printed by both Aperture & iPhoto) that the older Aperture books were of higher quality than the iPhoto books. Now, it seems as though they are one-in-the-same and our studio cannot have this lower quality book - it is not up to our standards.
I would gladly use another manufacturer, but every other design software out there for each respective company is terrible and takes three times as long for us to design a single book. I LOVE the integration of the books in Aperture and it makes our timeline two weeks shorter with our clients and that is what sets us apart from other studios in this town.
Has anyone else had these problems or noticed the change/degridation in the quality of the books?
Thanks!

C'mon Apple,
There is no way you don't know that the quality of your "sticker" covers is horrible. Maybe when you first launched your book service, but it has now been years. I just received three books, and all three have tacky, peeling front stickers.
Please give us an alternative, even if it costs more, that allows us to show our work with pride. After spending thousands and thousands on computers, software, cameras, lenses, etc., the cover of the books drags that first impression into the ground.
Thanks!

Aperture Book Quality is Very Very Very Low

I just wanted to warn others about the quality of the Aperture books. I ordered a few from Apple. The printing quality is so poor I was shocked. I can't believe they would have a "professional" program with such a poor service.
Shame on Apple.

IMO, the book tool was only included as last minute "yeah we have that" thing.
LR lacks a book tool, but c'mon who in their right mind would actually sell Aperture books to a wedding client?
The quality of those books is like showing up to a wedding with a 3 megapixel compact point and shoot camera.
I do recognize that they do serve a purpose, it just is not in the same class as real albums.
Heck the books from SharedInk are the same price and they blow the Aperture books outta the water.

Iphoto vs aperture book quality

I realize that aperture gives much more flexibility, however, is it the same printing service? I use iphoto, but there was a write up on aperture in a photo magazine giving it high marks. How different from a printing service standpoint are the two applications? Anyone know?

Diana Phillips wrote:
Are books from aperture and iphoto printed using the same quality paper,printers,inks etc????
OR is aperture better. I am not referring to the layout options just print quality.
Sadly, it appears that there is a bug in Aperture 2.1, and images printed from books within Aperture, whether by Apple or on your own printer, have serious colour management issues. This only affects images printed +from books+ within Aperture.

I need to print my Aperture book locally or myself - How do I do it?

I ordered a book directly from Aperture; however, it will not be shipped in time for my client. So I'm desperate!
Can I go to a local printer/photo developing place/Kinkos/National Camera - I don't care where...
and have them print front & back pages with the same/look quality as the book that I ordered from Apple?
I would even try printing myself, but I'm not sure what paper to buy...how to imitate the look of the pages...
Either option...will they print full-bleed?
Has anyone done this? I could buy a printable book set from Best Buy or something (I know Epson makes some, but I would really like a 11x8.5...just like Apple's so I don't have to re-size)...Any ideas?
Or can I just buy acid free 100# premium matte paper & have a local printer or photo place print it front & back & then I can put it in a cover?
But how would they do that? Do I hook up my Mac & upload it to them? Do I save as a PDF & if so, will my quality deteriorate?

Oh dear. Only advice I can offer is to get on the phone, ring the Aperture print service and offer $$ for urgent delivery.
I've never done an Aperture book, but remember being able to get a .pdf of a book layout from iPhoto, so you may be able to do the same. You can try taking that .pdf to a local printer, but my .pdf's have all been rgb files, when they need to be cmyk to print "properly". try it though, and let us know what happens?

Icc profiles for aperture book printing...

Do the Aperture Book Printing folks provide icc profiles so I can soft-proof the images beforehand?

Please note that monitors provide fairly accurate color when the images are saved in an sRGB color space, however, presses are not as reliable...
Well, Mike, thanks for sharing the info here.
At one point, in Mark's email to you, as mentioned above in his email from Apple, I have to say I am a little surprised about his statement re: monitors provide fairly accurate... when the images saved in an sRGB colour space...
It is very tricky statement where it depends on how we define the term "fairly accurate" in monitors. What we don't know if Mark meant by when monitor has been "properly" set up as profiled and calibrated with high-grade calibration hardware. Unless IF the monitor has been proper profiled and calibrated, then his statement would be correct. But IF not profiled or calibrated at all, I am afraid that his statement is incorrect.
Now these days with newer monitors and newer Apple laptops with better monitor technology, it is still need to be properly profiled and calibrated. It just depends on individual's preference, desire and the purpose of such project whatever someone is working on. While majority of Aperture users' are probably mostly professional photographers or those who are into photography savvy, then colour-managed workflow is a norm. For me, it IS absolute A MUST colour-managed workflow.
Although, I do a heavy post-production workflow on MacPro where I always have my monitors calibrated. I don't typically calibrate my laptop, though. Because sometimes I forgot to turn off the automatic ambient light in System Preference in Display section. It is a little inconvenience in that case. Unless if I am being away on photographic trips far from Canada abroad, then it is a different story. But not always bring my calibration device with me. Too inconvenience to haul it around at the airports etc. So colour-managed workflow is a must with MacPro in my studio.
However, other individuals have their own preference, comfort zone and the purpose of such project. Perhaps their workflow set up differently than yours or mine, that is ok.
But in that email you received from someone at Apple didn't make it clear about that statement about 'fairly accuracy'.
Then something else is something else actually--when Apple guy said presses are not always.... Again, that is why it is important that you get monitor properly profiled and calibrated. Once it is done properly, then it is all good. But remember, you need to re-calibrate monitor once a week or every two weeks or once month. In order to get pretty close to printed output, always a good idea to soft proof. If needed to make slightly conservative adjustments to your satisfaction or level of expectation, the output would be fairly close to what it is appeared in monitor. When I mean "fairly close" in comparing the output to what you are seeing in monitor with these post-production images used in that output, in fairness, I would estimate fairly close in terms of anywhere in range between 92 to 95 percent - that is very fair conservative perspective on how close in the output vs monitor. It is truly, really, truly rare to get the output 100% as obvious and precise as you are seeing in monitor. If that is the case, and if that is true FOR that person achieved this, this probably means takes that person many years to perfect his/her colour-managed workflow for that matter. Never has been that pretty close, but I'd be shocked if I see mine aced right on spot. I'd be lying to you if I get all output perfect as appeared in my monitors. If I did, that would be incorrect statement.
It seems a lot of factors and things to do and things need to require in a thoroughly colour-managed workflow production, it is how it is done. But this can also means save money, effort and time if done properly right from the beginning.
In fairness, I would really wish that guy from Apple should have said a little more obvious and precise with his definition of fairly accuracy with monitors. It doesn't says what kind of monitors he refers to. Low quality, cheap monitors deliver good results? Lot of factors need to be looked at for consideration for yourself.
Of course, as you can tell that colour management topic is pretty heavy, highly technical and everything in deep thinking with world of colours. It takes years for an individual (both pros and non-pro individuals) finally understand what it is all about. Again, technologies evolve rapid for the better in many cases for new monitors, commercial print equips, advanced ink technology, advanced paper production technology... That goes on effortless endless, actually.
Hope some of thoughtfu perspective and experience be of some interest, and it is obvious that this discussion probably will attract some more excitement discussion, the more the better. So that every other Aperture users who have the similar issues, they'll definitely want to come to here... And learn and share.
I also use Blurb too. They are getting better than it was once a couple years ago when Blurb first started. As they add more variety of book sizes, types of paper stock and things like that. This also give someone some flexibility in choosing workflow production using Blurb software or online bookmaking or using PDF to Book service for those who are advanced users that use InDesign layout design app. In that case of PDF to Book, the advanced users would need to download Blurb's preset plug-in to put in InDesign in order to export the PDF output to meet and integrate into Blurb's Preflight Checklist at the time of upload. I use PDF to Book service with InDesign, etc. It is fairly self explanatory and easy to follow steps. Also slightly off topic, but when making Blurb book, to get most out of their product and service with Blurb, in that case, they came up with brilliant resource called Colour Resource Centre designed for making more beautiful books. In that resource centre, it is easy to read and follow.
I would think this probably shed some insights and understanding the basics of colour management, the whole thing all about this, that and the other all together.
I would also want other high-powered hard-core Aperture users share their experience with Aperture Book printing service. I'd be happy to share my experience about making Aperture Book vs. Blurb Book through PDF to Book service. However, I would think the export to PDF from Aperture probably has it's own different setting or slightly different configuration inside the PDF engine on Mac for Blurb book. There has been some discussion about wanting a Aperture Plug In for Blurb Book. blurb has been quiet on it, I take that they probably will not develop a special plug-in for Aperture Users. Sorry if it is a little off topic. But somehow someone in the discussion mention Blurb. so...
Anyhow, hope that helps.

What is the best way to create Aperture book from Pages '09 document?

What is the best way to create Aperture book from Pages '09 document?

There is no way to import pages documents to Aperture and convert them to an Aperture book. Aperture books can only be created by manually adding images and text to the pages of a book, and using the layout of the predefined templates.
The best you could do, would be to print your pages document to pdf and import the resulting pdf file into Aperture as a new project. This will create one image for each page. Then select the page images all at once and create a new book. Select a theme with fullsize page images, like "picture Book", and then add the images of the pages to the empty pages of the book.
But probably would you get a much better quality and layout, when you recreate your pages document in Aperture, by starting with an empty book and copying and pasting the text from your Pages document. But don't paste the photos from the document - try to use the originals of those photos.

I am creating an aperture book from my photos. How do I change the default map provided in the theme to one of my choice e.g. satellite view?

I am creating an aperture book from my photos. How do I change the default map provided in the theme to one of my choice e.g. satellite view?

Kyle,
Thanks for your response. To be clear, the way I am importing the PDF is by going to New in LiveCycle, and selecting Import a PDF document, and selecting Create and Interactive Form with Fixed Pages.
I cannot change the forms or pages, as they are created by our local Board. In otherwords, I have tryed used the flowable content, and upon import, not only are the fonts slightly different, but all the important artwork (trade-related) is gone, and is not in the exact positions it was in. The forms must meet the standards to which they were approved by the regional board, and there are state-mandated forms as well.
What surprises me is that you say this method of Fixed Content isn't used much any more. I would think that a lot of people would have PDF files they would wish to make into fillable, interactive forms without needing to reconstruct the entire document. Perhaps a company that has always done things on paper, and now wishes to use those exact same forms on the computer, with no deviations to looks so they can be printed and match up perfectly.
I thought about using Acrobat's internal form creation system. However, some of these forms have sophisticated options and the calculation scripts and systems within LiveCycle are very useful. Not to mention that it has a much larger scalability, should we chose to utilize it.
Any other suggestions? I am so confused why Adobe would force medium-quality import of a PDF, but be so incredibly flexible about every other option in their program.

JPEG or TIFF format for an Aperture book

I have some top quality TIFF files that I would like to make into an Aperture book. Does the TIFF format work? Or do I need to turn them into JPEGs to reduce the file size?

Hi,
from my experience it does not matter what format you use internally.
What will get send to Apple is a PDF file with all images converted and compressed.

When will Aperture books truly be "custom"

I have already designed a book in Aperture, and do like the creative possibilities.
However, when will we be able to change the page sizes, so that we can have PDFs printed elsewhere?
I would love to be able to go with 12 x 12, 8 x 8, portrait orientation, etc.
Any thoughts?

I totally agree with this thread, and I hope Apple realize that their current offer for books is good only for the iPhoto user (family, fun, amateur...) not for the Aperture users that need profesionally printed and good looking books.
As is now the only use I can give to the Aperture books are for giving a proof book to the bride/mother. For profesional looking books I have to take the pain of exporting and assembling a book externally and send it to Asukabook or Graphicstudio.
Apple needs to solve this matter as soon as possible, offering more sizes, more covers (quality ones), more page finishes (varnished, glossy...) AND more freedom for the templates.
I know all the above could take time to develop, but if they just allow us to freely choose the size of the pages, at least you can print a PDF and send to your prefered printing service.
Aperture is excellent, in my opinion better than Lightroom, and also will be much better in the future, but the book part needs a lot of improvement. If Lightroom (or another new tools) adds a really good book development and printing module, then Aperture will loose customers quickly (I will).
Regards,

Very disappointed with photo book quality

I created and ordered a photo book using Aperture and am extremely disappointed with the quality. The opening page has a spot of red ink on it with vertical red banding through the center of the image. Many other pages also have the banding.
Most of the images are also very grainy. I know the source images are not at fault, they are very smooth and look nice on my monitor and when I print them. In fact I ordered a few prints through Aperture and they came out really nice. The grain pattern is the same for both full page prints and those that are sized down to about 2x3.
On top of that, the paper quality seems worse than previous books I have created using iPhoto. I was always happy with those books, and I assumed Aperture would be the same if not better.
The books I created with iPhoto were with jpeg images from the same camera, a rebel xt. The only difference this time was most of the images were shot as raw. There was also a small handful jpegs shot with a point and shoot and these have the same grainy pattern as the the raw images.
I sent an email to Apple support, but are others still having book quality issues with the latest version of Aperture 2? This is unacceptable, especially for the amount that is charged. Would it have been better if I exported the images as jpegs, imported them into iPhoto and created the book there?

Hi guys,
I got a real trouble with aperture book printing.
The cover is Ugly it looks like it's scratched over some miles. It's Mate. And it looks printed with a poor inkjet printer.
Inside the book the photos looks almost correct but in the skies we can see some vertical line. I'm fully unsatisfied I got better result with iphoto books !
Please Apple do something. I ordered this book from France. Ans I saw on different forums that they can get better quality than this outside France.
The paper looks very light.
I'm considering ordering books from blurb. And I feel sorry cause aperture tool to create a book is awsome.
Did any french photograph experienced this ?
Regards every one.
Bye.
PS : I printed the pdf and checked at 100% the photos looks great.

Aperture book v Asuka book

Hi,
I've said similar to this recently in another thread, but I'd like to obtain some info from somebody who's used Asuka Books for a top end product, and who knows how to get the best from their layout template.
I have used the iPhoto and Aperture books and they are great, just as long as you want a good quality proof book to show a client as an interim update on their job. The final result needs to be higher res and spec, and this is what Asuka Books offer (so I've been told).
Both have a definate place in my workflow, but please can somebody just tell me some tips on preparing an Asuka layout in CS2 prior to placing the final order. Stuff like ....
- res (leave it at their dpi)?
- jpeg compression on the page (I assume highest)?
- tips on the best tweeks when importing the files to the layout
- etc
Aperture is perfect for me to edit down and prepare for the proof book, then produce the Asuka book. Sorry Adobe, Lightroom looks fine, it'll be a great way to spur Apple on to make Aperture better (in my opinion) - which suits me!
Thanks to anybody who can help,
Mark

Hi Mark,
I am the US rep for Asukabook, so my opinions may be biased (yes, I think they're the best available , but I will shoot you some straight information on the best ways to setup you files for an Asukabook.
1) Start with the asukabook blank photoshop templates and place or copy/paste your images into it. Do not ever change the resolution of the templates. It must stay at our exact specifications or they won't make it through the file checker program. When you place or copy/paste images to a PS page, the resolution will automatically be made to match the destination, so you don't really need to worry about this.
2) I, too, was hoping that the Aperture layouts would be flexible enough to allow for sizing the books for other companies, but unfortunately you can't - yet (are you listening Apple?). Professionals shouldn't be forced to order only iBooks.
3) JPG compression on the finished page should be at the highest possible quality setting (12 in PS)
4) If you are using PS CS2, you're in luck. Use the FILE: PLACE command and point to your finished images to bring them into your layout. By using the PLACE command, you bring the image in as a "smart object" which allows you to place with the sizing as much as you want. It doesn't rasterize the image until you finally flatten the layout or save it out as the final JPG. This maintains the best image quality throughout your design process.
6) Some people ask about using other programs to create layouts, and this is possible as long as the output size and resolution are EXACTLY the same as our templates. Page Gallery (from Yervant) is being updated to support the Asukabook page sizes - hopefully by March or April. Our own AutoAlbum software (from www.KubotaImageTools.com) also builds compatible pages that can be Placed using the technique I described above (except you place the entire finished layout that AutoAlbum creates, instead of single images)
Other album builder software packages are also being updated to work with Asukabooks directly.
With some hand tweaking, you could take your Aperture generated pages and place them into an Asukabook layout as well, although we haven't tested this thoroughly enough yet to provide specifics or a solid recommendation.
Hope that helps,
Kevin Kubota
Quad G5, Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.4)

How do I use metadata text box in Aperture Book

When I hit the button for a text box, I get a text box. Likewise for a new photo box. What I really want is a metadata text box and when I hit that button nothing happens. I have tried it with a photo selected and on a blank page.
How do I use the metadata text box in Aperture books? BTW I am working on a small sized soft cover book.
Powerbook G4 1.5 Mac OS X (10.3.6)

Do you have a copy of Illustrator installed?
Then just begin at page 1, read it and practice what you read. Step by step.
If you don't understand parts of it, dive into the manual as well or ask a question in this forum. But mind that not everybody has a copy of the Classroom in a book. So you need to ask your questions precisely and post screenshots of your artwork.

Aperture book copyright question!

Hey...I was wondering if it would be allowed to make Aperture books and resell them....obviously if I do not own the copyright then I a cannot...but let's say I take a bunch of pics of my hometown and make a book and ask Apple for copies of this book...would I be allowed to sell it then?

Your images, your work, your creation -> your copyright. Aperture is just a tool and the printing service is just a service. If you write a novel using Microsoft Word, you still own the copyright and Microsoft has no rights over your work, no matter how many fancy fonts and formatting features you use. Aperture is no different.
I'm sure Apple would love you to sell as many copies as you can - especially if you are using their printing service. At worst, they sell more printing services to you as you buy more books. At best, your customers are so impressed that they use Aperture or iPhoto to print books themselves, and Apple sells lots more books.

TS3946 Aperture Book: images look fine in Aperture but not in PDF preview. OS 10.9, Aperture 3.4.5

Aperture 3.4.5, OS 10.9. When making a PDF prior to ordering a book, I note that images look fine within Aperture book module, but about 10 out of 100 images look terrible in the PDF. Shall I ignore this and go ahead and order the book?

Hi,
Strangely I'm now having exactly the same problem all of a sudden. I've been building the book for about a month now (I've made about 6 before without any trouble) and along the way have been producing a pdf of the book to see how it will look. Yesterday I noticed some of the images seemed to have lost colour when looking at the pdf version and then today, many pictures all of a sudden look exactly like the example you've supplied above.
I've tried shutting down my imac and restarting thinking it was a memory issue, have checked if I had any filters activated (which I don't and I haven't used filters in books before either), have tried repairing then rebuilding aperture, copying the book to a new library, new location, opening on a different mac and then printing again but none of this had any positive effect.
So from what I understand from your last post, the workaround you came up with was to revert to the original of each image that had the problem and then make the adjustments again?

Aperture Book quality

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