What do you use for proof books?

[mjs1973]

Just wondering what the pros use for proof books for weddings and portraits. For senior portraits I like more of a folio style presentation instead of an album, but I can't seem to find them anywere. Something to hold 12-15 photos. As for wedding albums, there are so many too choose from, I don't know where to start... Any suggestions for suppliers of these types of items?

[drg]

How many and what size proof books? For folio type check the art supply stores. Most of the online vendors have lots of books that can be filled with inserts of choice for most sizes and formats from 4x4" square on up.

A lot will depend on what size proofs you wish to deliver. If your proofing at 8x(10-12) that's one thing.
If you are doing the standard souvenir proofs (4x6 or 4x5) sizes that something else.

Another solution, have a scrapbooker make something for you or get you hooked into the current local vendors of covers and inserts.

Several art stores will give you the name of local people who will make you custom books (leather, ring, strap, box, etc).

More suggestions? I have used standard "brag books" a lot for proofs. You really need post bound binders so that you can add inserts. There's always Pioneer (cheap but readily available) and on the ridculous end there is Coach. Many choices in between. I've delivered work in Clear File archival binders as well. Then again that was sort of an "Industrial Wedding".

Let me know what you decide on. Always interested in what others are doing.

-C

[mjs1973]

Thanks for the info. Size wise, I will be ding 4x6. The inserts, matts, and that sort of stuff is where I get lost. Looking at things like that online, doesn't help me much. I need to get to a store where I can pick them up and get a good look at them. I will talk to some local photogs too to see what they use, and where they get them. Thanks again!

[Packard]

When shot weddings we always used a glossy white box with a lift off cover. Our studio name was hot stamped in gold on the lid.

Shuffling through the proofs is a faster and easier way to pick out pages for an album.

We wrote the number of proofs on the inside of the cover and had the customer initial the number. We billed for "lost" proofs as though they were finished prints.