Not to doubt you, OP, but I got the email 2 weeks ago with this same code, and it was due to expire today (10/7).
Are you sure that it goes through the 21st? If it does, that'd be great.... I was trying to put a book together for today, but was going to fall short. Another two weeks would be just what the doctor ordered....
I've looked at the website and I see the code (the same offer), with no indication of an expiration date.
I hope it has been extended. Please advise if possible.
has anyone ordered one of these before? Would love to see what they actually look like ina larger photo cant seem to locate one on thre site? Also do they put there logo on it?
greekie said: has anyone ordered one of these before? Would love to see what they actually look like ina larger photo cant seem to locate one on thre site? Also do they put there logo on it?
My brothers and I made a book last time this deal was around, and we presented it to our mother for Mother's Day. I haven't personally seen the book, since I live faraway from them, but everyone was very impressed with the product, and I wouldn't say that they are the sort who are easily impressed.
I don't know whether Winkflash puts their logo on the book, but my impression is no (I think my brothers would have commented on a logo, had their been one).
Our takeaway from the experience time was that (1) Winkflash's software is very frustrating to use; I'm talking about the software to submit the photos and do the page layouts; but (2) the low price and satisfying end result more than make up for the difficulty of using their software.
Does this apply to the classic window cover too? There's no difference in the original prices...
ttt16
New Member
posted: Oct. 8, 2009 @ 6:20p
I've used this deal to create multiple 100 page books on Winkflash. All told, I must have used around 800 to 1000 photos. The books look great (plain cover) but I agree that the UI could be a lot better. If you decide to use them, here's a tip: decide as best as you can what photos you want to use in the book and make sure you use photoshop or picasa to clean up the photos ahead of time. Then upload them to Winkflash.
Dotbody said: Does this apply to the classic window cover too? There's no difference in the original prices...
The promo page I saw stated "10 x 8 Classic Cover books only", so I presume not valid on classic window cover. Not 100% sure, but that would be my impression.
greekie said: has anyone ordered one of these before? Would love to see what they actually look like ina larger photo cant seem to locate one on thre site? Also do they put there logo on it?
I did one of these during their sale back in January, I think. I don't remember the software being as bad as others have stated, but it is certainly possible. I remember having difficulty just doing the project between canvassing my picture archive for all the pictures I wanted and then organizing them into the photobook. It is a VERY time-intensive process to complete this, especially if you're going after the full-effect - that is, taking advantage of the 100-pg free part.
That said, the results were amazing. The book was just awesome. There may be a Winflash logo or something like on the back cover... I do not recall... but if it did exist, it wasn't intrusive and garish. Certainly nothing on the pages with the photos.
I had gotten an email with this promo a couple weeks back, and it was good for 2 weeks until the 7th. I wanted to put together another book for a Christmas present, but just could not make it happen - like I said, it takes a LOT of time to do it right. However, with this extra two weeks until the new promo ends on the 21st, I'm confident I can get it done!!!
Schorschi
New Member
posted: Oct. 13, 2009 @ 8:58p
I just called Winkflash's customer service tonight to ask about their exact deadline, since I had received an email a couple of weeks back with the promotion running until 10/14/2009.
I was told by the rep that the promotion was extended until 10/26/2009 ("twenty-six").
Dotbody said: Does this apply to the classic window cover too? There's no difference in the original prices...
To "correct" what I wrote several days earlier :
Contrary to what the coupon says (and the banner on the top of the screen at Winkflash), I changed the cover type of my 100 pg photobook to Classic Window, and with the coupon aplied, the cost went from $59.xx to $19.xx, the same as with the Classic Cover... so I think you can get either type.
I did change mine back to Classic Cover (because that's what I ultimately wanted for this particular book) and the total was $25.xx shipped.
Very nice. Now to get cracking on the other book (Christmas present!!)
I've made these a few times. And... you know, for 100 prints for $20, they aren't bad. I usually just set almost all of the pics to full page, and do 1 pic per page.
However, the print quality often looks pixellated, the interface on the website is horrible... the website slows to a crawl just before one of these coupons expire. So get them done early.
If you're expecting high quality prints, you're really not going to get it here - they aren't as nicely done as a Shutterfly photobook... but they're a heck of a lot cheaper for 100 pages.
Labpet said: I've made these a few times. And... you know, for 100 prints for $20, they aren't bad. I usually just set almost all of the pics to full page, and do 1 pic per page.
However, the print quality often looks pixellated, the interface on the website is horrible... the website slows to a crawl just before one of these coupons expire. So get them done early.
If you're expecting high quality prints, you're really not going to get it here - they aren't as nicely done as a Shutterfly photobook... but they're a heck of a lot cheaper for 100 pages.
Not trolling here... this is an honest question.... several people have mentioned the interface is a disaster....
1) What is wrong with it? 2) Can you give an example(s) of one that's implemented better?
I just finished a book last night (as I posted). I had done one in January as well. These are my only experiences doing this type of project.
I am not thrilled with the interface - my biggest complaints are : 1) most layouts are covered, but some are missing - for example you can put 1 horizontal and 1 vertical pioture on the same page like thia : -| .... but not the other way : |- [I could have them backwards, not sure which it is] 2) I do not like their selection of background colors/patterns - a large number I would never use because they clash with the pictures I'd use.
But nothing that would make me say the interface is horrible.
So if anybody would like to defend such comments, I'd be interested to listen.
With some of the photo book providers, you can upload a pdf file of your book, which means you can use InDesign or other similar software.
I'd love software with the flexibility to do magazine-style layouts -- text wrapped around photos. When I go on trips, I tend to keep a journal of the places we see, the people we meet, etc. Winkflash lets me put up a picture and then run a column or row of text beside or below it, but I'd love to flow text around photos.
I'd also love to be able to use a single photo as a full-page background (perhaps screened back, or black/white) and then superimpose numerous smaller photos on top of this photo in a collage.
Someone else mentioned the limited number of backgrounds. It would be great if they allowed you to upload your own background.
So those are just a few things. If Winkflash allowed uploads of pdf files, it would all be moot, because I could sit here and design the whole thing at home using my own layout software and then upload it. With a 100-page book, file size might become an issue for uploading, so it might need to have the ability to upload in multiple parts (10 pages at a time, maybe).
b100 said: With some of the photo book providers, you can upload a pdf file of your book, which means you can use InDesign or other similar software.
I'd love software with the flexibility to do magazine-style layouts -- text wrapped around photos. When I go on trips, I tend to keep a journal of the places we see, the people we meet, etc. Winkflash lets me put up a picture and then run a column or row of text beside or below it, but I'd love to flow text around photos.
I'd also love to be able to use a single photo as a full-page background (perhaps screened back, or black/white) and then superimpose numerous smaller photos on top of this photo in a collage.
Someone else mentioned the limited number of backgrounds. It would be great if they allowed you to upload your own background.
So those are just a few things. If Winkflash allowed uploads of pdf files, it would all be moot, because I could sit here and design the whole thing at home using my own layout software and then upload it. With a 100-page book, file size might become an issue for uploading, so it might need to have the ability to upload in multiple parts (10 pages at a time, maybe).
For the price, I'm not complaining.
Thank you for your comments. Actually your discussion of the missing pdf import capability reminds me of another of my wishes... : I wish they let you print out the book in pdf format. The actual hard-copy of the book is fantastic, but that's only for 1 instance. It would be nice at the same time to be able to haev an electronic copy you could forward around to those who aren't local to the book's ending location. The book I did earlier in the year was for a distant friend, but it would have been nice to have a "copy" for myself to look at...
What is your "own layout software"? I searched for "create pdf photobook" online and the results were sketchy and not clear. Apparently you can do this with Photoshop. What else? Who do you use? Thanks for sharing.
I just called up to confirm the ending date/time of this promotion and was told it's been extended again to Tuesday the 27th at 11pm Eastern Time.
What is your "own layout software"? I searched for "create pdf photobook" online and the results were sketchy and not clear. Apparently you can do this with Photoshop. What else? Who do you use? Thanks for sharing.
The software I use isn't just for photo books -- it's layout or page design software for books. I'm an old man and waaay behind on software, so I still use Adobe Pagemaker (10 years old at this point). I should be using InDesign by now. This is software that's used to lay out books, magazines, catalogs, etc. Back when I was doing this for a job, the big software was Quark and Pagemaker. Apparently InDesign is now the best software to use. I don't know if there's cheap/freeware that does the same thing.
BTW, if you don't get around to completing your book in the next 7 days, you can catch this deal next time around -- Winkflash has done this 2 or 3 times a year for the last several years.
Boo! Appears to be dead. Just finished up the work-related project I've been working on for more than a week, so now I can turn my attention to making my book. Just for fun, I tried making a 60-page book with a 8x10 on each page. When I got to checkout, I typed in the code "FLATRATE", but the price did not drop. In the messages above, it looks like one CS rep said the offer ended on the 26th, and another said the 27th. Apparently, the 26th was the correct answer.
BamaGirlG
New Member
posted: Nov. 3, 2009 @ 8:24a
I found this page while searching for (and hoping to find) a current Flat Rate deal from Winkflash. Seems that there are no offers going right now, but they tend to run them frequently, so I'll go ahead and start working on my book and just wait till they have the sale again.
Just thought I'd share my thoughts on Winkflash books. I've ordered them many times. Yes, they are very time consuming to put together and the interface can be tricky and slow. For the price, though, it's worth the effort. I made one for my parent's 50th anniversary and we had it displayed at their party. I had SO many people simple rave over it-- they were absolutely amazed! I have a collage program that I use to put my pictures together, add text, etc, (making sure to use the correct layout dimensions) and then upload the pictures as full pages. I've used both digital images and scans of old photos.
Anyway, I love their books. They may not be absolute top quality-- but I don't think you'll be disappointed-- especially at this price.
Also, I don't recall there being any logo of any sort on or in the books. And, be sure to notice that you can have a title embossed on the cover-- pretty neat. You just have to be extra careful to make sure you have the option selected. I always add one to mine, but accidentally left it out on one of my orders. So, when you're finished editing the book, just look over all the options VERY carefully to make sure you have it just like you want it.
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