Albelli is a subsidiary of Albumprinter BV, one of the largest European photo book supplier active in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. Albumprinter has its own production facility in the Netherlands where production takes place for the entire European market. In 2009 the brand name Albumprinter was replaced with the international brand name Albelli.
Albelli’s photo books can be created using a downloadable program, via Flash-based software in a web browser or by using an iPad app. Pointing the software to iPhoto or your main image directory previews images rapidly, and files in excess of 20Mb aren’t a problem.
The software’s layout is intuitive, and placing and repositioning images feels natural – whether importing an image at its original aspect ratio or resizing across a single page or a double-page spread. There’s bags of control. Enlargement once an outline box has been positioned can be altered via a slider at the base of the image. Transparency, multiple fonts, a full selection of colours, and drop-shadow effects are also available.
Albelli’s large-scale book is well-presented, but the images have shadow areas that look a little washed out compared with other competitors. Choosing the gloss paper finish proved to be a mistake. It’s a question of personal preference, but the glossy images don’t feel right in a book context, and the paper is prone to fingerprints.
Don’t let your memories or snapshots live on a computer, these precious moments deserve a personal photo book, go now and visit Albelli!
