FAQ

1. What are your pricing?
2. What is the Starter Kit? How can I get one?
3. What is the turnaround time?
4. What forms of payment are accepted?
5. What shipping options are available?
6. Do you ship your albums to areas outside of United States?
7. Do your albums come with warranty?
8. How should I take care of the albums?

1. What are your pricing?
   After registering on our website, our Price List will be available on our Download page. Our pricing info is only available to registered professional photographers, but not to the general public. The price for studio samples is about 50% of the original Print + Bind price. Please refer to our Price List for more details.
   back to top
   
   
2. What is the Starter Kit? How can I get one?
   The Starter Kit includes our Brochure, Price List, Order Form, Material Sample Kit, and a physical color proof for you to match the color output of your monitor to the actual prints from our printer. After registering on our website, the Starter Kit will be mailed to you.
   back to top
   
   
3. What is the turnaround time?
   Production time for all albums is 4 to 6 weeks, from the day we receive the final approved layouts. The turnaround time for orders placed in November and December may be longer due to seasonally high volume.
   back to top
   
   
4. What forms of payment are accepted?
   We accept VISA, MasterCard, Personal or Business Check, Certified Check, or Money Order. Check must be cleared before product is shipped. No COD is accepted.
   back to top
   
   
5. What shipping options are available?
   We have 4 shipping options: FedEx Ground, FedEx Express Saver, FedEx 2nd Day Air, or FedEx Next Day Air.
   back to top
   
   
6. Do you ship your albums to areas outside of United States?
   YES! We ship globally via USPS. Postage will be calculated separately when you place your order. Special requests for different carriers are also accepted.
   back to top
   
   
7. Do your albums come with warranty?
   YES! ASABooks offers a Limited Lifetime Warranty for our albums under normal use and wear against any manufacturing defects in workmanship or materials. For details, please refer to our Terms and Conditions page
   back to top
   
   
8. How should I take care of the albums?
   All albums must be laid flat at all times. Do not put it under direct sunlight, or near a heat source (e.g. heating vent or fireplace), and do not use any sharp object to flip the pages.
   back to top
   

1. What is the difference between “pages”, “sides” and “spreads”?
2. What is the maxium number of pages for an album?
3. Do you charge extra for different cover styles and options?
4. Is there any discount for duplicate albums?
5. Is there any seam in the middle of the pages?
6. Can I choose metallic prints for my album?
7. Are the prints laminated or sprayed for protection?
8. What kind of design styles do you offer?
9. Can I have my studio logo on my album?
10. Can I add text to my album, for example, “Adam & Eve’s Wedding”?

1. What is the difference between “pages”, “sides” and “spreads”?
   For ASABooks albums, 2 pages = 2 sides = 1 spread.
   back to top
   
   
2. What is the maxium number of sides for an album?
   You can order an album with any number of sides, from 20 to 50, on our online ordering system. For thicker books, we can also custom make up to 70 sides. Please email or call 425-885-1889 to make a special order.
   back to top
   
   
3. Do you charge extra for different cover styles and options?
   NO! We do not charge extra for different cover styles. They are all the SAME price. No extra charge for Crystal / Piano Wood / Full Canvas / Photo Cover styles. No extra charge for Windows or Cameos.
   back to top
   
   
4. Is there any discount for duplicate albums?
   YES! There is a discount of 15% off the Print + Bind price for duplicate albums. Duplicate albums must be in the same proportion as the main album, same size or smaller.
   back to top
   
   
5. Is there any seam in the middle of the pages?
   NO! All our albums are made with full panoramic pagespreads, with no seam in the middle of the pages.
   back to top
   
   
6. Can I choose metallic prints for my album?
   YES! You can select paper type during step 2 of our online order system.
   back to top
   
   
7. Are the prints laminated or sprayed for protection?
   YES! All our prints are coated with a clear, water-based lacquer prior to the mounting process. The lacquer is stain and water resistant.
   back to top
   
   
8. What kind of design styles do you offer?
   We offer 3 different design styles: Classic, Contemporary and Fusion. Please go to our Design Style page for details.
   back to top
   
   
9. Can I have my studio logo on my album?
   YES! We can print your studio logo on the inner cover spread, which is blank by default. Just check “yes” for Studio logo during step 4 of our online order system. You can upload your logo as a 300 dpi jpg on your account page, or along with the images.
   back to top
   
   
10. Can I add text to my album, for example, “Adam & Eve’s Wedding”?
    YES! You can either include the text in the cover or layout design image, or you can opt to have it printed on the album’s inner cover blank page during step 4 of our online order system
    back to top
    

1. Is there any discount for studio sample albums?
2. How do I order a sample album for my studio?
3. How many sample albums can I order?
4. Is there any watermark on the sample albums?
5. I want to order some studio sample albums, but don’t know which ones to get. Can you give me some suggestions?
6. What is an Express Sample?

1. Is there any discount for studio sample albums?
   YES! There is a discount of about 50% off the Print + Bind price for studio sample albums. Please refer to our Price List for details.
   back to top
   
   
2. How do I order a sample album for my studio?
   On step 1 of our online order system, just check “yes” for Studio Sample, and the discount will be applied automatically.
   back to top
   
   
3. How many sample albums can I order?
   We do not limit the number of studio samples you can order.
   back to top
   
   
4. Is there any watermark on the sample albums?
   A small “Studio Sample” watermark will be placed on the preface, postface, and a randomly selected page in the album.
   back to top
   
   
5. I want to order some studio sample albums, but don’t know which ones to get. Can you give me some suggestions?
   We recommend having 2 sets of albums with different shapes: square, and vertical or landscape. Each set would have 3 different sizes: large, medium, and small. With this combination, you’ll get 6 sample albums with 2 design layouts. With a unique cover style on each album, you have an extensive array of albums to show to your clients. Please refer to the Best Studio Sample Collection page for details.
   
   Cover Recommendations:
   Square
   - 12x12 Piano Wood Cover
   - 10x10 Brushed Metallic Fabrics with Metal Cameo
   - 5x5 Leather or Fabric cover
   Landscape (or Vertical)
   
   - 16x12 or 14x11 Bronze Weave Fabric with Metal Cameo
   - 12x9 Crystal Cover
   - 8x6 Leather or Fabric cover with 3x3 Window
   
   back to top
   
   
6. What is an Express Sample?
   For those who can't wait to get their hands on an ASABooks album to show your clients, we have a 10x10 Express Sample available for immediate delivery. Please go to our Express Sample page for details.
   back to top
   

1. How do I place an order?
2. Where do I send the images to for my album?

1. How do I place an order?
   After registering on our website, you can login and use our online order system. For details of image requirements and dimensional templates, they're available under Download page once you log in.
   back to top
   
   
2. Where do I send the images to for my album?
   Once you've placed the order online, you can upload the images via our website. Please make sure to click “All Images Uploaded!” after completion. Alternatively, you can also burn them onto a disc and mail it to us.
   back to top
   
   

1. What file format do you accept?
2. What if I shoot in film?
3. How can I make sure the color would be correct on the album?
4. Can I submit uncorrected images to you?

1. What file format do you accept?
   We only accept 300 dpi level 10 or 12 JPGs. Please work in and embed all images with “sRGB” or “Adobe RGB 1998” color profile. For more details, please refer to our Order Instructions.
   back to top
   
   
2. What if I shoot in film?
   If you are shooting in film, you can scan your negatives in a professional lab, and send us the digital images.
   back to top
   
   
3. How can I make sure the color would be correct on the album?
   After registering on our website, a physical color proof will be mailed to you in our Starter Kit. When comparing it with the corresponding digital image file, you can color-match your monitor to our printer. Please note that this is effective only if your monitor is color calibrated.
   
   All JPGs sent to us should have “sRGB” or “Adobe RGB 1998” profile embedded, and should be in level 10 minimum. To soft proof your images, please use our printer’s color profile (for viewing purposes only). For a more detailed guide to color calibration, please refer to our downloadable Color Guide.
   back to top
   
   
4. Can I submit uncorrected images to you?
   NO! All images sent to us should already have been retouched and color-corrected. We provide color correction service at a rate of $2.5/side. If you are interested in having your images retouched, we recommend trying out Retouch One.
   back to top
   
   

1. How many images would you recommend for an album?
2. How should I name the image files?
3. Where do I put specific instructions for designing my album?
4. How long will I get the first design proof?
5. How do I review the album layout design?
6. How many layout design changes can I request?
7. Can my clients review and approve the album design?

1. How many images would you recommend for an album?
   It depends on the design style of your choice. For Classic Design, we recommend an average of 2 to 3 images per page. For Contemporary and Fusion Design, we recommend an average of 3 to 4 images per page. If the total number of images used in the design is more than 4 x (number of pages), extra images will be charged at US$5 per image.
   back to top
   
   
2. How should I name the image files?
   Please name the images in the approximate sequence you would like them to appear in the album. Our design team may rearrange the images depending on the design. If you would like a particular image, or images, to be included in the cover design, please name them “cover001.jpg”, “cover002.jpg” etc… If you don't have any preference for the image arrangement, you can also leave it up to our designers.
   back to top
   
   
3. Where do I put specific instructions for designing my album?
   After you click on “All Images Uploaded!”, a comment box will pop up, where you can type in specific instructions or notes. You can also email us the instructions.
   back to top
   
   
4. How long will I get the first design proof?
   After we have received all your images, the first design proof will be ready within 5 to 7 business days. An email will be sent to your registered email address.
   back to top
   
   
5. How do I review the album layout design?
   Once the design is ready, a link to our web layout review page will be emailed to you. After looking at the design, you can either approve the layout for album production, or you can email our designer any comments for layout revisions. Based on the comments, our design team will work on meeting your requests. Please allow 3 to 5 business days for the revision to take place.
   back to top
   
   
6. How many layout design changes can I request?
   We provide unlimited revisions for free for 30 days, from the day the first design layout is ready. Changes to the layout design after the initial 30 days will be charged at US$30 per spread.
   back to top
   
   
7. Can my clients review and approve the album design?
   YES! Our web layout review pages are hosted on a different domain, and there is no reference to ASABooks. So feel free to share the review link with your client and let them communicate directly with our designers for the layout review/revision process.
   back to top
   
   

1. Do you have dimension templates for different sizes and covers for download?
2. Should my design start on the left or right side?
3. How should I name the image files?

1. Do you have dimension templates for different sizes and covers for download?
   YES! You can download dimension templates on our Download page once you log in. They are arranged by album sizes.
   back to top
   
   
2. Should my design start on the left or right side?
   All design layouts should start on the left side and end on the right side. Please design in spreads only.
   back to top
   
   
3. How should I name the image files?
   You should name the files in sequence, starting with “001-002.jpg”, “003- 004.jpg” etc… Cover image should be named as “cover.jpg”
   back to top