Boudoir Photo Book - where to print?

October 20, 2016 11:53 PM

I want to print a boudoir photo set for my anniversary. Where's the best online place to print it that will accept it? It seems I'm between Shutterfly and Blurb? Maybe Apple with some Photostream workaround?

These will be lingerie (possible) tasteful nudity. I've had a boudoir shoot before (though these will be self-done but high quality and I didn't get anything printed last time.) I've read that some photo book printers won't accept or print things with nudity.

I've read that Shutterfly was okay though they have "no nudity/pornography" in their terms and Blurb also sells books with nudity (while their terms say "no pornography") but I assume they mean more extreme since I've seen full nudity in books they offer for sale.

Which would be better? I've used Shutterfly before for standard things and I'd prefer something with a lay-flat binding.

Side note: I have also printed through Apple but due to photostream I do not want to import these photos into my Photos library. Though if that's the best option I could also turn off Photostream, make my book, order it, export the photos, and restart Photostream so that the photos don't share across my phone.

posted by SockWombat to Shopping (10 answers total)

Best answer: I don't know their policy, but several wedding photographers recommended Mpix. I'm quite happy with what I ordered from them.
posted by Neekee at 5:21 AM on October 21, 2016

Best answer: Yep, Mpix is your friend here.
posted by dpx.mfx at 5:59 AM on October 21, 2016

Response by poster: This is the Mpix policy which seamed more toward their own judgement call. Does anyone have experience printing this content through them? Because I like their product options but was concerned with the way the language was worded.
posted by SockWombat at 6:04 AM on October 21, 2016

Best answer: That policy does have a judgment call, but you would know, probably, whether your pix are overly sexually suggestive. Go with Mpix. Worst case, they just decline your order.
posted by beagle at 7:05 AM on October 21, 2016

Best answer: Every place says 'no obscene content and it's up to us what that is' they kind of have to state that legally.

I know both Mpix and Snapfish have been used for this exact purpose with no complications.
posted by French Fry at 7:06 AM on October 21, 2016 [1 favorite]

Most online print services that target pro photogs shouldn't have any problem with boudoir levels of nudity. The Wirecutter recently did a big roundup of printing services, and while not looking at books, it should give you a decent shortlist at least. Heck, Nations Photo Labs even has an option called The Little Boudoir Book
posted by themadthinker at 7:31 AM on October 21, 2016 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Another vote for MPIX. They are not a big company and you could send them an email just to be sure, but since they say they accept tasteful boudoir I think it will be fine!
The quality is amazing and you have 100% control if you use the MPIX Press software (the download, not the online app). The shipping is not cheap, but they ship lightning fast and I always get stuff from them much faster than Shutterfly.
posted by aabbbiee at 8:03 AM on October 21, 2016 [1 favorite]

So a couple years ago my husband took some pretty explicit photos of me. We used Winkflash for printing them and they didn't say anything at all about all the nudity and sexuality. We didn't ask either, we just sent them over hah. Good luck!
posted by FireFountain at 8:40 AM on October 21, 2016

Picaboo. Don't know their policy, but know that in practice they have no issues with it.
posted by Dragonness at 10:49 AM on October 21, 2016

Response by poster: Thanks all. I went with Mpix and the book turned out beautiful!
posted by SockWombat at 12:03 AM on October 29, 2016