Creating a cookbook with BLURB

[Ce'nedra]

Has anyone ever tried making their own personal cookbook using BLURB? Any pointers on making the book as professional as possible (I've just begun!)?

For those who are thinking of writing their own cookbook or simply compiling recipes from family and friends for personal enjoyment (like I am), I highly recommend http://www.blurb.com/.

You could also sell your book on the website!

Check here: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/category/Co...g?ce=dailyolive

Please do share/give us a peek of your BLURB cookbook if you've already done so

Edited February 23, 2008 by Ce'nedra (log)

[jsmeeker]

I say go for it!

I've seen books from the folks at Blurb at Macworld. They do a really nice job. Not sure what platform you use, but if you use a Mac, their software is iPhoto aware. Works well.

I suggest just looking at some of their sample books and looking at cookbooks you like. Use the design of them to inspire the design of yours.

[dockhl]

this looks really cool. Thanks for the heads up !

I just sent out an email to all my family for recipe requests.........let's see what I get back.

[PopsicleToze]

Looks like a great site. If you have a cookbook you're planning on putting together, I'd contact someone personally there for some sort of estimate. The price of $22 for 40 pages is probably 20 front/back pages -- and that's a pretty small cookbook.

[jsmeeker]

Looks like a great site.  If you have a cookbook you're planning on putting together, I'd contact someone personally there for some sort of estimate.  The price of $22 for 40 pages is probably 20 front/back pages -- and that's a pretty small cookbook.

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more pricing details here

http://www.blurb.com/book/pricing

Looks like they go in 40 page increments (which I assume the same as you, and is 20 sheets of paper). The incremental price for each varies, but it's about $4-$6 each time you jump up to the next size (page count) category.

[Ce'nedra]

I use this free-program they offer for download on the BLURB website -it's called Booksmart. I think it's fairly easy to use although it's taking me agess (I'm a slow learner).

jsmeeker: I don't use MAC but iPhoto a software from BLURB?

dockhl: Please do make a BLURB cookboooook!

So far I've only managed to write up 2 recipes (no pictures yet), back and front cover (I'm getting hard cover) and an introduction for the front cover flap (very cool!).

Took me ages to simply take ANY photos that I could be satisfied with...and yet, they're still very plain! But I think I'll just stick with it.

My front design so far (with intro at the flap)

My back design

[annachan]

I recently had a book made a Blurb (non-cookbook) and the result is mixed. The book came out wonderful, when printed right. We had one book made and it was great. Got 10 more printed after a few more edits and that's when the problem started.

1st batch: had to return 9 out of 10 books due to streaks and ink blotches. Emailed Blurb and got a return label to send the defected ones back.

2nd batch: 7 out of the 9 had same problems as before. Return label once again.

3rd batch: 3 out of the 7 had problems. I didn't send them back as the problem were very minor and they gave us a refund on those 7.

Hubby did some research and apparently, these problems we had are not uncommon.

For 102 page hard-cover, the books were $37.95 each, which is not bad. You get 10% for ordering 10.

It's a nice idea to put your favorite recipes with pictures in a book. It makes a nice personal gift for friends and family.