If you’d like to print out your iPhoto images in a bound book but don’t want to use Apple’s service, MyPublisher now provides a choice. The company has released a free iPhoto plug-in that lets you order from MyPublisher, instead. What’s more, the first 5,000 users who respond will be able to download a coupon for one free 20-page book.
MyPublisher enables users to create hardcover and paperback collections of photos for prices ranging fro $9.95 to $59.80 depending on the length of the book and the number of pages. MyPublisher offers linen and leather hardbound books in a variety of colors.
The iPhoto plug-in does not replace iPhoto’s ability to lay out books. Instead, it takes users to the MyPublisher Web site to complete order fulfillment when they click on the “Buy Book” button. Users can later uninstall the plug-in if they’d prefer to return iPhoto to its default behavior.
Carl Navarre, MyPublisher CEO, said that the iPhoto plug-in was created in response to requests from iPhoto users. “Recently we started following the iPhoto Chat Boards and found that there is some customer dissatisfaction with the quality of the printing and binding in the books ordered from Apple and also with the turn-around and delivery times for their orders. So we created this iPhoto Plug-in and are offering it free to give Apple users a choice,” said Navarre.
What’s more, added Navarre, MyPublisher has a local manufacturing and shipping facility in Bedford, England. “… we can deliver books to customers in just 3 to 4 days at a shipping cost that’s about half of what Apple charges,” said Navarre. “Currently orders from Apple to Europe are produced in the U.S. and take anywhere from 14 to 25 days to get delivered.”