Design Service FAQ
1. Why should I choose the Bob Design Service?
Our Designer Service is ideal for people who do not have the time to create their photobook and would like a professional designer to create it for them. You choose the type and format of your book, your book style, upload your photos and then just wait while our designers work on your photobook. You can make as many changes to the design as you like; you only pay for the book once you are happy with it.
2. How much does the Bob Design Service cost?
Prices for the Design Service start from £9.99 for a 26 page photobook. The design cost per every additional 8 pages is £2.50. The number of pages available varies depending on which format and product you choose. All of our books start from 26 pages and increase in 8 page increments to maximum 154 pages. This design cost is added to the price of printing the photobook which starts at £26.49. So, a 26 page hardback small square photobook using the service would cost £41.48 (excl P&P;). This price includes the first design and up to 3 further edits based on your feedback.
3. Do you offer all formats with the Design Service?
We currently offer the following formats:
- Hardback photobooks- Large Square 30x30cm, Portrait 21x28 cm, Landscape 28x21 cm, Square 21x21 cm.
- Photographic paper photobooks- Large Square 30x30 cm, Landscape 28x21 cm, Square 21x21 cm
All other formats and calendars are not currently available with the Bob Books Design Service.
4. How do I make sure my designer uses the design I like best?
We have three great design styles, Classic, Portfolio and Reportage, each with its own layout and feel. You can choose a style that best fits the story you are telling. Our Classic style is perfect for portraits, family albums and weddings. If you are a photographer, artist or designer wanting to showcase your work, our Portfolio style is ideal. Our Reportage books are great for adventurous trips or busy events. If you have so many photographs you simply can not choose from, this style is the one for you.
5. Do I get to review my photobook and make changes?
Absolutely! That's the idea, you send us your photos online, and we will design the first book and show you an online proof. You can then make comments and give feedback so our designer can make the changes. Remember, you only complete your order when you are happy with your book.
6. I have hundreds of digital photos; can you help me select the best photos? How would you choose for me?
We can select your photos for you for just £9.99. You simply need to tell us just a little bit about your images, is there an image you really like to be featured on the cover or text you would like in the book? Our designers will look at your photos, check if they are in any particular order and put together your book studying all your photos. Once we have the story line that seamlessly flows from first to last page, we can select the best photos, focusing on the most positive and lively expressions, the scenery and the environment.
If you have lots of images per page, we suggest you make a longer book so we can make sure the layout works well.
Some of the selection criteria we use are:
- Emotions expressed in the photo; we will go for the happy faces unless the story tells us otherwise.
- We choose photos that best fit the story board. Every page has to make sense, have continuity.
- We don't use duplicates unless you tell us to.
- We pick the photos with the best quality depending on brightness, focus, shadow detail etc.
- We don't use patterns, motifs, textures, image fades or Photoshop filters.
- We do not place images at an angle, or overlay photographs.
7. How long does the process take?
Within 3 working days of sending us your photos, your photobook will be ready for your online review and feedback.
Once you approve the final design and completed your payment, your photobook will be delivered to you within 7-10 working days. Photographic paper books please allow 10-12 working days.
8. Can I provide text for the various pages? If yes, when do I do this?
Yes, you can provide text and notes for the pages in your photobook. When we have finished the first design draft for your review online, you can enter your personalized text for each page and cover. We include the text with a font that is keeping with the chosen style.
However due to the styles of the books, we recommend to have very few text on the pages, to keep it simple, not to overcrowd the page. However due to the styles of the books, we recommend to have very few text on the pages, to keep it simple, not to overcrowd the page.
9. How can I order multiple copies of my Photobook?
After we have designed your photobook, you get a chance to review the photobook online and select multiple copies. Please note, you only pay for the design service once per book design, multiple copies won't be charged more then once.
10. What if I don't like the design?
Once the designer has completed your book, you will be able to review it online. During your review, if you feel that the design of the book is not right, you can easily provide comments through the online service. Your comments will be reviewed by your designer, who will then modify your book accordingly. Within 3 working days you will be able to review the modified design online.
11. What if I forgot to upload some photos and need to add them later?
If you have not yet completed the upload process and sent the images to the designer, you can upload additional photos. Once you have uploaded your images and the design process begins, we are no longer able to accept additional photos. Should you want to add extra photos, you will have to cancel the process and start over again ensuring that all the photos you need are uploaded at the beginning of the process.
12. Can I upload additional photos after I review the first version of the design?
Unfortunately, once the design process begins, we are not able to accept additional photos.
We start the design from the photos you provide. As every picture is part of a sequence, we will not be able to re-design the book with new additional images.
13. How much time do I have to review the book?
You will receive an email once the book has been designed and placed online. You will then have seven days to review the book. The book will be removed from the server if you do not view the book and either complete the purchase or request further amendments within this time.
14. How many revisions can I have on the design?
The majority of our customers go ahead placing their order after the first design. Of course, if you would like to alter the design, we will be more than happy to work with you to get your book right. Our designers will redesign your book on the basis of the feedback and comments provided by you. We offer up to three revisions of your book. Please note you can cancel your design service at any time before completing your order.
15. How long does each revision take?
Each revision based upon your feedback will take up to 3 working days.
16. How long does it take to receive the book once I have approved and ordered my book?
Once you have approved the design of your photobook and have completed the online payment process, your book will enter production. Your photobook will be delivered to you within 7-10 working days. Photographic paper books take 10-12 working days.
17. Once I have submitted a revision request, can I edit or add my comments?
Once you have submitted the book for revision, you cannot give further comments for that version of the book. However, you will be given a chance to make additional comments once the revision comes back to you.
18. Can I change the number of pages or photos in the book?
You can reduce the number of pages during the review process. You can also increase the page numbers of the book by requesting changes to the number of images used per page.
If you have provided a lot of photos and the designer hasn't used them all, you can simply request the designer to add more photos, but only from the originally uploaded images. You cannot upload additional images.
19. Can I get several copies of the same book shipped to different addresses?
Your photobook will be sent to the delivery address which you provide at the time of purchase. You can order additional copies of your books and specify one delivery address for each order.
20. Can I have the same book printed in different sizes or with different covers?
This option is not available with the Design Service.
21. Can I share the final digital design on Facebook with my friends?
Yes, you can. Once you have purchased your book you will be able to publish your book on our Bob Bookshop and then make it available on your Facebook page.
22. Can I upload pictures from my Picasa or Flickr account?
In the order process, you can upload photos from your Picasa account. At the moment, you cannot upload images from Flickr, however, this is something we are working on and will be available in the near future.
23. Can I use my Bob Books Gift Voucher for the Design Service?
No, Bob Books Gift Vouchers can only be used towards order placed through the Bob Designer 3.0 Software.
24. How do I cancel my order? How long do I have to cancel?
You can cancel your order anytime up to the time you complete payment with your credit or debit card. As with all our other photobook orders, once the order enters production, we are unable to make any changes or cancellations.
25. I'm am creating a book for professional use, can I use the Design Service?
This service is available to all customers. Please note that all books created through the Design Service will contain the Bob Books logo on the last page of the book.
26. Not all of my digital photos are in the JPEG format, what can I do?
You can use images saved as JPEGs only. We recommend saving your files as JPEGs to avoid complications. We cannot accept TIFFs, PDFs or any other type of file.
27. What size of file can I upload? Can the files be any size?
The JPEG files you upload must be at least 100KB in size and can not exceed 7MB.
28. Are my images of a high enough quality?
Bob Books are all 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.
29. What colour format/space should I use?
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.
30. I could not upload images due to some technical issue, what do I do?
Please try again. If you have tried several times and the uploading process isn't working then the issue is most likely with your computer or your internet connection.
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 to gain the best signal strength for the upload of your Bob Book design. Please note that it can take up to several hours to fully upload all of your images because the files are not compressed.
31. How do I find out the status of my order after I have completed the payment?
Simply log-in to the Bob Books order tracking to check the status of your order.
32. Can I order additional copies of the book after I have checked out?
Yes. You can order additional copies by publishing your book in the Bob Bookshop and purchasing copies as needed. You can set the book as Private, if you do not wish it to be available to the public.
33. Can I talk to my designer?
To keep your costs down, our designers can only respond to emails. Please email all your queries and suggestions to designservice@bobbooks.co.uk
For any general Bob Books customer care queries please contact us by email
