This Lulu review is a bit different from some of our other photo book reviews, because Lulu is a different sort of printer, with different sorts of options.

In general, Lulu is a photo book printer that specializes in printing books for people who want to self-publish their own books for re-sale, and who want to print on demand. Many of their customers design their books in their own software and upload the completed book, so they have a different sort of interface from somebody like Shutterfy or Picaboo.

Making a Photo Book at Lulu

But, you can make lovely books with the software that they provide-- and you can make your own photo books, cook books, and poetry books in their "studio". So that's what we'll focus on in this Lulu review.

When making a book you start with the choice of a photo book, cook book, or poetry book. Each choice has been optimized for the product - for instance you have very limited text options if you are making a photo book. Both the poetry book and cook book have limited photo options.

Lulu's Photo Book Software

The picture uploading process is integrated with Photobucket, Flickr, Facebook, and My Lulu. This makes it very easy to get pictures from these sites to include in your book. It is also nice that you can continue working on your book while uploading photos.

Templates, Backgrounds, and Layouts

There are not many backgrounds or page layouts to choose from, but all of the choices they do have are useful and attractive.

Selling at Lulu.com

If you want to create a on-off copy of a photo book or a gift or a keepsake, you'll probably find what you're looking for at other printers. But if you want to self-publish a book that you have created in your own software Lulu is for you. They have several book size options and directions for uploading your own books. Whether you create your own or use their Studio you can also get a good deal on quantity discounts.

Lulu Photo Book Specifications

Paper Weight	80# silk coat finish
Max. # of Pages	Depending on size of book: 100-250 pages
Mac Compatible?	Yes

Reviewed: June 21, 2010

Lulu Photo Book Review

Comparative Photo Book Software Review

Background Themes	22 photo book themes
Layout Variety	Minimal
JPG as a Background	No
Digi-Scrapbooking Friendly	Yes
In-book Editing	Only flip, rotate, crop
Text - variety and Full Page	Variety with different types of books
Embellishments and Corners	No
Full-Page Bleed	Yes
Final Grade	C+

For an explanation of the Feature Set Review

Photo Book Sizes

The prices given are based on a 20 page book with printing on both sides of the pages. Additional pages are available for an extra charge. The price given is the lowest price for that size category.

Hardcover
8.5x8.5	19.99
8.5x11	25.95
9x7	24.95
Softcover
3.75x2.5 (sets of 4)	3.99/each
5.25x3.5 sets of 3)	5.99/each
8.5x8.5	9.99
8.5x11	15.95
9x7	14.95

For a more detailed pricing, please visit Photo Book Covers and Sizes

Learn about more photo book publishers when you've finished with this Lulu Review.