Monday, February 28, 2011

Viovio Photobook Review and Giveaway

*The giveaway part of this post is now complete.  See below for the winner.*

When I was contacted by someone from Viovio to do a review on my blog, I must say I was a bit nervous to accept their request.  You see, I have a (expensive) company that I swear by for all my photobook and digital scrapbook needs.  I have tried a few of the most popular and less expensive companies and have not been impressed with the quality of their products or the options they provide.  What would I do if I accepted Viovio's request for a review and I was unhappy with their product too?  After all, I had never heard of Viovio until they sent me a review request a little over a month ago.
 I checked out Viovio's website and was immediately intrigued.  They offer 36 book sizes, 6 binding options, and 3 paper types to choose from!  There are so many options, it's actually a bit confusing to figure them all out.  I had a hard time deciding which binding option and paper type were best for me.  Once I dug through their website some more, it all made sense. 

Next came the actual book-making process.  Viovio's process is similar to other companies.  It's an easy drag-and-drop format.  There are free templates, templates you can pay for, or start from scratch options.  I checked out both the free templates and pay for templates (which are pretty nice) but ultimately chose the start from scratch option because I made a very basic book.  I chose to make a book of all the macro photography I've been doing with my macro lens.
I sent my book to print on Feb 11th and received it in the mail on Feb 24th so it took two weeks. I chose the two day shipping option though so it will take longer if you choose the regular shipping option.  When the box showed up at my door I was so excited!  I opened it and discovered this:
An absolutely beautiful 11"x8.5" Dustjacket Hard Cover, Premium Photo Printing, Black Suede book!  They say first impressions are everything and I was definitely impressed at my first glance!   
I was amazed at how my photos popped on the pages and how beautiful they looked!  The paper and cover quality are comparable to the expensive company I usually use and my book totally looks like it could be a coffee table book from a professional photographer!
There's a little Viovio logo on the back of the book, but it is removable for a little up-charge. I personally don't find it all that intrusive or even noticeable.
The ONLY real difference I could find in the quality of the Viovio books versus the company I usually use is the binding.  The company I usually use not only glues, but stitch-binds their books.  I did not find a stitch-bind option on Viovio's website.
However Viovio's binding does appear to be good quality and seems like it should last quite a long time.  The binding of a bunch of my girls' reading books aren't stitch-bound either and those books have lasted years of abuse!

Other super cool things about Viovio:
1) You can link directly to your Flickr account and also print from PDF.
2) Nice privacy options.
3) You can purchase a Retail Membership that allows you to sell your book to other people and make money!  (If I were more confident with my photography skills I might consider this.)
4) Bulk printing options if you want to make large quantities of a book. 
5) You can print cards through them.
6) You can use Viovio for self publishing!
There's more but you'll just have to check them out for yourselves!

One lucky Mommy's Camera reader will receive a promo code from Viovio worth $25 toward a book of their own!
Belive me, $25 goes a long way at Viovio!

Mandatory entry: Leave a comment telling me what type of book you would make if you won a Viovio book.

Additional entries (please leave a separate comment for each additional entry):
1) Tweet this (highlight and copy it):  I just entered to win a @viovio photobook from @mommyscamera! http://bit.ly/fgpf92 #photobook #giveaway
(Following @mommyscamera and @viovio is NOT required but would be appreciated)
2) Post about this give away on your Facebook or Fan Page. (Liking MommysCamera and Viovio is NOT required but would be appreciated)
3) Two additional entries for answering this question in the Mommy's Camera Community(Go ahead and check out the rest of the community and ask a question of your own if you feel like it)

This giveaway ended at 1159pm (CST) on Friday, March 4, 2011.  The winner is:

Congratulations to The Fam on winning the $25 promo code!


I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did, however, receive the book that I made for free in order to write a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and were not influenced in any way.  
Please note that I am not responsible for the delivery of the $25 promo code to the winner of this giveaway and can not be held accountable if, for any reason, is it not received.

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19 comments:

Robyn said...

I'm not sure if I'm posting this comment in the right spot, but here goes... I would make a wedding book with my wedding photos from a couple years ago.

Reagan said...

I would do a YEAR IN PHOTOS book of the kids. I'd do 8.5x11 hardcover with die cut. And I'd give it to my mom for mother's day!

Pitterle Postings said...

I would make a family book with pictures of the girls as they have grown. I love the idea of having a hardback photography book to share!!

Pitterle Postings said...

Oh yeah, I think I might even like to do a book with all the grandkids photos and photos of their parents when they were the same age. I think that would be a big hit for the kids.

The Fam said...

I'd make a book for my daughter of her extended family we rarely get to see.

shannoncarman at yahoo dot com

The Fam said...

http://twitter.com/channynn/statuses/42614102421553152

tweet!

shannoncarman at yahoo dot com

zchin09 said...

I would make a travel book. My husband to be then, came with me to Malaysia and we took some really good shots of the Petronas towers. A 9x7 size would be a handy size, not too big and not too small.

hannah said...

I would do a book of my three boys for my parents who live 275 miles away. They never see my boys enough.

hannah said...

I would do a book of my three boys for my parents who live over 275 miles away. They never see enough of my kids so a book would bring them closer.

Carol Lawrence And Stacy Toten said...

I love making photo books, they make such memorable gifts. Thanks for telling me about your contest in my BF community.

Ginny Marie said...

I would make a book about my mom. I have a bunch of photos of her at all different ages that I would love to put in a book. It would be a nice way to remember her and to show my daughters.

Carol Lawrence And Stacy Toten said...

Both my sons worked for the Montana Conservation Core last year, working in the forests all Summer long, building and cleaning trails. They camped out for 9 days on and 5 off. It was exhausting but exhilarating for both of them. They love the outdoors. I would make a photo book of their awesome Summer.
Shared on Twitter and Facebook. New follower.

zchin09 said...

This is the additional entry for asnwering the question of photobook in Mommy's Camera Community. I don't think I should post this twice though. Keep on making book, I know I will.

Ginny Marie said...

I answered the question in your community!

Ginny Marie said...

This is my second comment for answering your community question. Yay...another entry! :)

Ginny Marie said...

I just tweeted about the giveaway! @lemondroppie

Priya said...

I would do a book of my little girl's 2nd birthday.

Unknown said...

I would make a photo book of baby and toddler pics of my 2nd child. She was seriously neglected in the pictures (at least printed and framed ones) department around our house. But things were crazy busy back then.

Off to tweet this entry!

S.I.F. said...

I've never heard of them either, but I love that finished product!

And I would put together a book of my pics from Australia. I've got a ton, but I've never done anything with them besides frame a few in my bedroom! :)

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