MyPicTales

MyPicTales now has a new version of TaleWeaver(3.3) available. Be sure to uninstall your previous version and delete the data file before installing the new version. Follow the prompts and select "Create a New Book" and you're on your way. Most of the process is pretty intuitive. With the updated software comes new book sizes and prices, and functionality has improved.

Even though MyPicTales is powered by DigiLabs, they've customized their site and made it very user friendly with great support and availability of backgrounds, etc. The look and feel of their site is what prompted us to review them.

You can use your own JPG backgrounds or download free ones from their "Backgrounds Community", which offers hundreds of choices.

MyPicTales offers a variety of borders, however, you can add other elements if they are in PNG format. MyPicTales is compatible with PhotoShop so this is also another option.

The paper used in the books is 100 lb. text, archival quality, which means that it lasts up to 100 years. The binding is glued. The books will hold up to 200 pages. All the soft cover and wired books can be done as either landscape or portrait. Custom hard covers are $5.99 extra.

They have a 24-7 email support team available to answer your questions, with a 24 hour turn around. Put to the test on a Sunday night, I'm happy to report that I had answers within fifteen minutes. Very impressive! Most of the publishers, at the very best, have a Monday-Friday, 9-5 support staff. Forget about holidays and week-ends.

If you have pictures that need restoring, MyPicTales offers a restoration service that looks quite impressive.

Reviewed: April 10, 2009

Feature Set Review

Background Themes	Over 130 different backgrounds - 8 different themes
Layout Variety	30 layouts - but has the ability to create your own and save them
JPG as a Background	Yes
Digi-Scrapbooking Friendly	Yes
In-book Editing	Picture cropping, resizing and rotation
Text - variety and Full Page	Captions can go anywhere and made into full page
Embellishments and Corners	Yes - borders
Full-Page Bleed	Yes
Final Grade	A+

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
4.25x4.75 Custom Cover	16.99
5x7 Custom Cover	20.99
8x8 Standard Cover	19.99
8.5x11 Standard Cover	29.99
10x10 Standard Cover	29.99
12x12 Standard Cover	39.99
11x17 Standard Cover	59.99
Softcover
5x7 (landscape or portrait)	16.99
8x8	18.99
8.5x1	20.99
Wire-O Bound
5x7 (landscape or portrait)	12.99
8x8	15.99
8.5x11 (landscape or portrait)	18.99
10x10	19.99
12x12	26.99
11x17 (landscape or portrait)	35.99