Monday 17 October 2011

Online Album Proofing – The benefits to your clients

There are lots of ways to proof an album design. But there is only one way to make sure the design is seen for its true potential.
In the past, photographers would make an appointment for clients to come to their studio and view the album design on screen. Then as technology became friendlier, photographers would print the album pages to a PDF file and email or write it to a CD for the clients to view at home.
The only problem with these options is that they all take extra time, money, effort and are honestly, just a little outdated!
The album design can only be truly appreciated through an online proofing system. The clients get sent a link to the proof website, where miraculously they can see their album exactly the way it will be printed. They can also share the link with family and friends who once they have seen the beautiful images and album design may become future clients.
There the client has the opportunity to add any comments or desired alterations directly onto each page using the comments box provided. There is no risk of missing or mixing up the comments and the client feels completely in control of the outcome.  
The online proofing site also has an approval system, using email which comes directly back to the designer or photographer, indicating that the album has been approved or that comments have been added.
This then provides both client and photographer with a written record of either the changes required or that the proof is ready to go to print. The file can be viewed as many times as they like and there is no extra cost involved.
The additional benefit is that the online proofing site can be custom-matched to your own website so that it looks like an extension of your business.
The online proofing system I subscribe to is called ‘Album Exposure’. Check them out and see the benefits to you and your clients for yourself. http://www.albumexposure.com/
Give me a shout if you need a little help understanding how it works. It really is a simple and win-win solution for all of us.
Cheers
Mel x

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