Problem with Blurb results - undersaturation

Report · Sep 16, 2019

I have printed two excellent travel photography books in the past with Blurb. I have also used Shutterfly and Costco with great results. However, I just completed my third Blurb book and made the mistake of ordering two initially only to be very disappointed when they arrived. Both (one soft cover, one hard) show noticeable desaturation in all the photos. The books look flat/dead. Response from Blurb has taken a while, but they are not offering to replace the books, rather saying that the printing is "within tolerances." It clearly isn't, to my eye. (Yes, I use a calibrated monitor.) Is there some setting in Lightroom Classic which affects the color space of the photos being uploaded to Blurb? I cannot find it if there is, and the book module helps are, shall we say, "light." (Lite!) Is there something I could be doing incorrectly? With 5-6 previously published books that have had no problems I don't see how, but am open to suggestions.

Duane

Report · Sep 16, 2019

How does the book look on the Blurb wesite using the 'Preview' button. If it's NOT desaturated the problem has ocurred on Blurb's end at one of their printers. If it is destaurated we will need to investigate further.

Report · Sep 16, 2019

It looks fine on the preview. The one thing I noticed different about this order is that it shipped from Kennesaw, GA instead of from one of the west coast locations the other two came from. I'm disappointed with Blurb's response, to say the least. Thanks for mentioning this - I hadn't thought to check the preview for saturation.

Report · Sep 16, 2019

To rule out issues with your monitor's calibration check the other books you ordered previously and make sure the online preview matches the actual book when viewed side-by-side. If they are OK I suggest notifying Blurb Customer Service with these findings. Most likley there was an issue printing your latest book at the Kennesaw, GA printing facilty

Report · Sep 16, 2019

Thanks, Todd - they all look fine. The previous books were quite good, as have been books I've printed through Shutterfly and Costco. This is the first one with a problem, and after a week of pursuing with Blurb they are only willing to offer me a 40% discount to reorder them with no expectation of getting a better product. Until now, I've bragged on their quality to friends. Guess that is over. By the way, they admitted it was off, but "within tolerance" based on photos I took with my iPhone and sent to them (who knows how iPhones processes their photos?!) Thanks for your help.

Report · Sep 16, 2019

Well they should also admit it's off using their online preview tool, which as you mention does not show the desaturtaion. Can you post a screen shot of the Blurb online preview and a camera shot of the same page in the book for comparison.

Report · Sep 16, 2019

Is there some setting in Lightroom Classic which affects the color space of the photos being uploaded to Blurb?

No, it's all done upon upload in sRGB. They messed up. Make them reprint it. Their QC is hit or moss IMHO.

Author “Color Management for Photographers" & "Photoshop CC Color Management/pluralsight"

Report · Sep 16, 2019

Thanks - that is the path I'm pursuing now. How they respond will determine whether I use them again.

Report · Sep 17, 2019

You've got two ACPs here confirming the issue is most likely on Blurb's end. To be honest I've always had good results working with Blurb's Customer Support team so I'm kind of surprised at their response. If they feel the issue is due to something with your LR Book PDF the least they should do is provide suggestions on correcting it. Send them the link to this post and let us know how you make out.

Report · Sep 18, 2019

I have reached an agreeable path towards a solution with Blurb. Thanks to all who responded - you helped me to evaluate how to handle what I was being told. I have accepted an offer to reprint one of the books and then based on that result to go from there.

Report · Sep 19, 2019

Good to hear and please let us know how you make out.

Report · Oct 08, 2019

The replacement book arrived while I was travelling. Finally got a chance to compare it side by side with the first copy today. It is better, but still not what I expected. I'll leave it at that, and when it comes time to do the next book, I'll consider other options along with Blurb, with the latter being low on the list. Thanks for the comments and suggestions - they were very helpful.