Bob Books | Frequently Asked Questions

1 INSTALLATION

1.1 How do I install the Bob Books calendar software?

First, download our software from the Bob Books website or follow the link http://www.bobbooks.co.uk/download/ and select your desktop as your download destination. It will take a few moments to download the installation program. It is recommended that you have a broadband internet connection or equivalent. If you are using wireless Internet, please try to connect directly to your router or download the software nearby the router to gain the best signal strength for the download.
To start installation, double-click the Bob Books photobook icon on your desktop. The installation wizard will lead you through the process. Once successfully installed, you can instantly start using the Bob Books photobook software. To run the program, double-click the Bob Books photobook icon on your desktop. Now you have the option to start designing your photobook straight away.

1.2 I can't download the Bob Books software?

Installation problems are usually caused by your firewall or security settings. Firewalls restrict information accessing and leaving your computer. As such, this may interfere with successful download of the software.
If you are attempting to download the software on a work place computer, the security settings in place there may also interfere with a successful download. It is recommended that you request authority to download the software from the respective department before continuing.
You can safely temporarily disable your home firewall by following the below instructions. However, it is highly important that you reactive your firewall once the download is complete.
To safely disable the Windows firewall, follow these instructions:

Click on the Start menu and select the control panel.
From the Control Panel select Security Centre icon
Once inside the Security Centre select Windows Firewall
Turn the firewall to Off and press OK
Your Firewall is currently disabled.

Once the download of the Bob Books program is complete, please ensure that you reactivate your firewall by following the above instructions, however ensuring you select ON then OK.
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2 REQUIREMENTS

2.1What are the system requirements?

The Bob Books photobook software is compatible with all Windows® operating systems (from 2000, NT 6.0, XP Home Edition to Professional) and on any Intel based Mac running a Windows operating system.
Requirements for Windows
Download Size: 7.4MB
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 2000, XP and Vista
Memory: 256 MB minimum, 1 GB or more is recommended (though 500MB will allow you to design)
Processor: 1.4 GHz minimum, 2 GHz or faster recommended
Disk space to install application: 67MB
Disk Space per Average Book: 100MB
The calendar software cannot be used on any other operating systems (e.g. Mac, Linux). If the Bob Books calendar software takes a long time to start please check that your computer meets our system requirements. Older computers may struggle to perform at the required processing speed.

2.2 Do I have to have an Internet connection?

Internet access is required for downloading, updating the calendar software and to order your completed Bob Book calendar. You must also have an Internet connection for the initial start-up of the calendar software. It is recommended that you have a broadband Internet connection or equivalent. If you are using wireless Internet, please try to connect directly to your router or download the software nearby the router to gain the best signal strength for the upload of your Bob Book calendar design.
You will require an e-mail account so we can keep you that you can be informed about the status of your calendar order, though this is not necessary.

2.3 a) Can I use my digital photographs?

There are many advantages to digital photographs – you can view the pictures on your PC or e-mail them to friends. However not every digital image is suitable for printing. A photograph that looks good on screen may be difficult to print. If the resolution is too low it will affect the printed quality. We suggest that your digital photographs are always taken at the highest resolution to ensure the best standard of print.

2.3 b) Can I use non-digital images?

You are certainly able to use non-digital photographs. In order to do this, you will need to scan these photo's into jpeg or tiff format and at a resolution of 300 dpi. Once you have done this you will easily be able to integrate these into the software.
Any image that does not meet these requirements will be "flagged" by a red or yellow warning box. If you do use images that are of a less resolution, the software will alert you to this when you order. You will be required to "over-ride" this function. You may find that your scanned images will be met with this warning system,
This function displays how your layout will be produced in print; the images that you see in this preview are low-res so they are able to be viewed in preview. What you see in the canvas/workspace area of the software is how your image will be printed, if your scanned images do receive the warning, please assess the images quality in this area. Anything images that has been flagged with the warning will be printed, though it is at your discretion as to whether you choose to use these images that have been "flagged".

2.4 Are my images of a high enough quality?

Bob books calendars are printed at 300 DPI. Therefore the resolution of your images must be 300dpi. Using images with a larger dpi will not improve your book as our printer is set to print at 300 dpi.
When using the Bob Books calendar software to create your Bob Book you may use photographs from a digital camera or photos that have been scanned. For the images to be useable they should be scanned in at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi and saved in the RGB format, ideally as JPEGs. Scans of 150 dpi and 72 dpi will be too low in quality to be used, however will still be printed. Due to the nature of the original image, you may find the Bob Books photobook software will warn you if you use a low resolution image. The image box frame will turn yellow if the resolution of the image it contains is bordering on being too low or red if it cannot be used. If so, you should either replace it with a higher resolution photograph or resize the image box.

2.5 What colour format/space should I use?

Colour reproduction changes from screen to screen therefore the colours in the printed book may differ slightly to your digital photographs. You may also notice differences between different manufactures and medium of print.
Please use the RGB or sRGB colour format to ensure that the colours will remain as close to your digital photograph as possible. If your photographs are in the CMYK mode, please convert them to RGB.
Bob Books recommends all of your images to be in RGB or sRGB format/space. If your images are in CMYK, please convert them to RGB. We are unable to offer colour or ICC profiles, however, we are able send our customers an RGB and Greyscale swatch colour tool to help with colour management. Please contact us at info@bobbooks.co.uk to request this sample.

2.6 Which image format should I use?

You can use images saved in all established formats (BMP, JPEG, TIFF, PNG), however TIFF files with LZW-compression cannot be used. We recommend saving your files as JPEGS to avoid complications.
Currently we are unable to accept PDF files that have been design externally to the Bob Books software. You will need to complete your Bob Book exclusively with our photobook software. However, if you wish to follow our design guidelines, you are most welcome to download the design brief XXXXX, or please contact us at info@bobbooks.co.uk for more information.

2.7 Can I use any font?

The Bob Books calendar software lets you add captions to your photos, even text or poems. You can create your text in any size or colour. To enable correct reproduction, the fonts that you can use are limited to the fonts supplied as standard with the Bob Books software. It is currently not possible to use different fonts, particularly Cyrillic or Arabic fonts. If you wish to use another font we suggest that you convert it into an image and add it as an image to your individual calendar.

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3 USING THE BOB BOOKS PHOTO BOOK SOFTWARE

3.1 How do I get started?

For a more detailed explanation please refer to our Help section in the Bob Books calendar software. Imagine that the workspace in the middle of your screen is your desk. In front of you lies a double page spread; this is the main design area for your calendar. On the left hand side you will find your photos, on the right hand side are the design templates. The calendar page overview is located underneath the work area. Here you can quickly move between the pages of your calendar. There are many layout formats to pick to best compliment your photographs. We suggest that you keep all the photos you wish to use in one folder and keep it in an easily accessible place such as your desktop. This way you can view all of your available images at a glance. Once you have started your calendar, make sure you save your work. Please ensure that you save your work intermittently throughout your design.

3.2 How do I arrange my images?

The calendar software provides layout templates so that you can easily arrange your pictures and text. You can use different templates for every page and adjust them how you wish. All the templates and backgrounds are available on the right hand side of the main design area. Simply drag the desired template onto the page using the mouse to start working with it.
You can also design your own layout and use this throughout your design.
If you wish to have your external design printed, please contact us at info@bobbooks.co.uk for more information.

3.3 Which Calendars can I make?

Bob Books calendars are extremely versatile and can cater for every idea you have. Choose your own personal cover and the month you need to start from. We currently have four variations of calendars. Below you will find their dimensions.
Calendar
A4 Landscape
A4 Portrait
A3 Landscape
A3 Portrait

3.4 Can I scan images?

You can scan paper prints, slides (if your scanner has the ability) or even sketches and drawings. Scan the picture in at 300 dpi and roughly to the scale you would like it to appear in your Bob Book.
A hint for professionals: Please use only images within RGB-colour scale with a picture depth of 12 bit. LZW-compressed TIFF images cannot be processed.

3.5 How do I update the software?

The current version of our Bob Books calendar software is v1.5.0.5. The Bob Books software will always automatically check for updates. If an update is available, our Bob Books will always ask for your permission before downloading.
Please refer to the support menu in the Bob Books software to see what version you are creating your calendar with.

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4 ORDERING MY BOB BOOKS CALENDAR

4.1 How do I order my Bob Book?

After you have finished designing your Bob Book calendar, you can either choose the order icon in the menu bar (the shopping trolley) or select order form the menu. The order wizard will lead you through the process. The wizard will check if anything has been forgotten and whether the image quality is suitable for printing. Upon completion of delivery details and payment, the software will upload your file via the Internet and send it to our factory to be made. Opting to order your Bob Book calendar to CD, whilst not necessary, can be done. Please enclose a cover letter with your CD.
You will be notified of your order status by e-mail and again when your order is nearing completion and is being prepared to ship.
Production and delivery time of an order will take 10-12 workings days.

4.2 Will I be notified of my order?

As soon as your calendar order is received, you will be informed via e-mail of you order. When your calendar order is nearing completion, you will receive a secondary email informing you of this.

4.3 When will I receive my calendar order?

The average processing time for your calendar is 10-12 working days. Unfortunately, a guaranteed time of delivery on a requested date is not possible so please place your calendar order in plenty of time. For delivery to Europe please allow an additional four to five days and for delivery outside Europe please allow and additional five to eight days for delivery time.
Your calendar order will be sent out First Class Royal Mail. However, if your order is over 2kgs, it will be sent via Parcel Force 48. Deliveries outside Europe will be sent via Royal Mail International Signed for.

4.4 What if I am not happy with my Bob Book?

We want you to be completely satisfied with your Bob Book calendar. We therefore welcome all your suggestions. If you have questions on designing your calendar or using the calendar software please contact us at support@bobbooks.co.uk.
If your Bob Book calendar has been damaged or you are not completely satisfied, please contact us at info@bobbooks.co.uk explaining the issue, within 7 days of receipt of your order. We will investigate your complaint and may ask for additional information from you to help with the investigation. If your objection is warranted we will immediately arrange a free replacement to be printed, this will be sent out standard post. Pending the outcome, your original calendar must be return to us in the packaging your replacement is sent in this will allow the return postage to be charged back to us. Please note we will not be able to refund postage for calendars returned to us by any other means.

4.5 What if my Bob Book calendar is not what I expected?

If you have delivered your images at the required resolution but the print quality of your final calendar is not satisfactory, please contact us at info@bobbooks.co.uk explaining the issue, within 7 days of receipt of your order. The staff at Bob Books will investigate your complaint and, provided that no warnings by the Bob Books order wizard were overlooked, we will immediately arrange a free replacement to be printed. You will need to return the faulty calendar to us in it's original packaging so as the postage will be recharged to us.

4.6 Are there any discounts available?

The nature of the manufacturing process means that there are no savings to be made by printing multiple copies. However, we do offer a 5% discount for orders of five or more copies of the same calendar. Postage on two or more calendars decreases to £1.00 for the second book. Postage of 10 or more or the same calendar in one order will attract free postage within the UK.
Due to the nature of the manufacturing process, we are unable to ship and package different orders together.
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5 IMPORTANT INFORMATION

5.1 How do I contact Bob Books?

You can contact Bob Books by phone, Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm on +44 (0)20 7243 7404 or via e-mail: support@bobbooks.co.uk
You are most welcome to come and visit us, though this is by appointment only. Please contact us on the above details.
Please note that we do not offer a design service and will not be able to offer design support.

5.2 What happens if I use low quality images?

The Bob Books calendar order wizard will check that all images have the required resolution, that the text used is not over its allocated limit and that there are no empty image boxes. This ensures that you will be satisfied with the quality of your photobook. If you are warned of possible problems, the order wizard will also provide you with instructions on the best action to take. Please take the advice seriously and check the pages it highlights carefully. Please be warned that after sending your order, your calendar cannot be amended.

5.3 Is my data protected?

There is always a risk exchanging data via the internet, as data may be lost due to viruses. Protect your system with an updated virus protection program and a firewall and regularly save data on an independent data medium such as an external hard disk or DVD-RW.

5.4 How is my Bob Book made?

Your calendar is manufactured using the latest digital printing technology and is bound together by the ring-binding process. The cover is a clear plastic cover to increase durability and protect your calendar.

5.5 What paper does Bob Books use?

All of our calendars are printed on Silver Digital Paper and is a Silk finish with a weight of 200gsm.
The end papers used to join the cover of your book to the inlay are 120gsm. As this is stock paper, we can not print on these pages.
With appropriate storage and careful treatment papers of this kind your Bob Book will be age-resisting.
Our Bookfactory is certified by the PEFC the Finnish Forest Certification Council.
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Any questions? Here you can find answers to any questions you might have about Bob Books.