A Simple Guide to Making an Autograph Book

[ChaMakay1923]

Haven't heard of the jump rings before; what are they?

Sorry to hear about the troubles you are having.... That is quite bizarre about Artscow because I have an order on it's way now and it's of two books, I've already gotten one mailed and loved it so much I decided to continue ordering through them. The jump rings you asked about are these.... http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/book-rings-398339/ ......and as you can see, they are bought at hobby lobby. Another advice to do is get a small photo album to put them in until you get home, then afterwards have them bound at the kinko's or staples or where ever it is you have this done at. Good luck and don't stress... you can always get a normal autograph book down in Disney for the kinds... why stress over it and ruin your vacation??

 

[MusicMouse]

Disneybliss2, I am so sorry you are having to go through all of this! Kinkos will bind your order in 3 hours, and can bind up to a 1 1/2" thickness. I dropped mine off in the morning and picked them up in the afternoon. If you don't want to bother with the chipboard cover, just print the cover image you want on cardstock and Kinkos will put a protective plastic cover over the front and back of your book. I have never heard of Artscow refusing to print something Disney before! Considering all of the folks that have made books here through them, that is just so weird!!

 

[disneybliss2]

What's even weirder to me is that they sent me an email saying that my order was shipped last week. How can you say it's shipped to come back a week and a half later to say it wasn't even shipped like they said, but now on top of that, it's going to be completely cancelled--especially after all the hassle I've already gone through trying to determine what was even going on w/ the order.

I really had my heart set on the cute autograph pages w/ the individual characters, so once I get my little one down for a nap, I'm off to try getting it right.

Thanks for everyone's help. I'm glad to hear the Kinko's option is doable w/ my time frame. Also good to hear they can do a protective cover.

Here's my concern w/ printing them as pictures--there's not enough border at the top when they're printed as a 4 X 6. Will it be really tight w/ the binding? I'm worried it will cut off a lot of the top of the cards/pictures.

Also, does the texture look weird on the cards w/ the matte finish? I always print w/ a glossy finish, but remember reading on here somewhere to use the matte finish to avoid smearing--at least I think that was the reasoning. Has anyone ever used the glossy finish? I printed one at home on glossy photo paper and used a sharpie on it. There wasn't any type of smearing. Maybe it was just the type of HP photo paper I used. I like the look of glossy better, but will go w/ matte if it's better. Thanks again everyone; keep your fingers crossed for me.

 

[MusicMouse]

A Sharpie will work on both glossy and matte finishes. The matte pics look a little better (in my opinion) with the designs on them, but either finish looks just fine. The spiral binding takes up very little space at the top, maybe 1/2" at most. Trust me, they will look cool!

 

[disneybliss2]

Thanks Music Mouse for the info. I feel better about the binding.

Tell me more about the matte finish. When I printed at home on cardstock, the pictures looked flat and dull (but still super cute). When I printed on my photo paper that is a glossy version (but not as shiny as Wal-Mart, Walgreens, etc.), it looked so much brighter and vivid. It truly took the pages to another level. I wish I could see someone's matte pictures first to know which I'd like better. I'm afraid since the cardstock looked dull that the matte finish will as well. I'm afraid printing on the glossy from a photo place will be too shiny. Printing them at home on the photo paper I have is too expensive. I know this is a hard question, but what do you like about the matte finish better? Does it look more professional or "book like?"

 

[MusicMouse]

Thanks Music Mouse for the info. I feel better about the binding.

Tell me more about the matte finish. When I printed at home on cardstock, the pictures looked flat and dull (but still super cute). When I printed on my photo paper that is a glossy version (but not as shiny as Wal-Mart, Walgreens, etc.), it looked so much brighter and vivid. It truly took the pages to another level. I wish I could see someone's matte pictures first to know which I'd like better. I'm afraid since the cardstock looked dull that the matte finish will as well. I'm afraid printing on the glossy from a photo place will be too shiny. Printing them at home on the photo paper I have is too expensive. I know this is a hard question, but what do you like about the matte finish better? Does it look more professional or "book like?"

I like the matte finish because it is somewhere between the really shiny finish of glossy and the paper flatness of the cardstock. It will definitely be flatter than what you printed out at home on photo paper, though, so be prepared for that if that's your choice. Of course, you may not be given a choice of finishes, depending on where you go to get them printed. Either finish is fine, the glossy just tends to be really shiny.

 

[disneybliss2]

Thanks Trudie! I appreciate your help!!!!!

 

[MusicMouse]

Thanks Trudie! I appreciate your help!!!!!

Any time! Please let me know how it all works out with these new books you are making and with Artscow. We may have to stop recommending them on this thread. Remember, no matter what happens you are going to Disney World and your vacation will still be MAGICAL!!

 

[disneybliss2]

I am printing away at home. Trudie, you were right, the matte finish does look great. The one hour photo at Wal-Mart, Sams, Walgreens where I live only uses glossy paper, though. However, Walgreens was out of glossy and had matte to use. I did like it the best (I printed one there to compare the glossy/matte), but they didn't have enough to cover all of my pictures (I keep hitting road blocks!). In the end, I opted just to print them at home for ease and my sanity. I'm so excited!!
I'll keep everyone posted on what happens w/ Artscow. Like someone else mentioned, they probably only red flagged mine after having to go through each picture file by hand to check for damage. I'm just disappointed I was told one thing and then another happened repeatedly through the process. I'm mostly concerned about my refund. I find it very strange that they won't reimburse me by my credit card. Sending cash to me seems odd.
Thanks again for everyone's help today. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and the beginning of my family's vacation.

 

[MusicMouse]

Go Disneybliss2, go! Get them bound and have a great time with them at WDW. It will be well worth all of the trouble - your kids will get so much more character interaction with the homemade autograph books. Woody went absolutely wild when he saw my DS6's book with his own personal card in it and showed it to Jessie and his handler. Then when we were watching the "Move it, Shake it" parade 20 minutes later, Woody saw my DS6, recognized him, and pointed and waved like crazy at him and gave him a bunch of thumbs up. It was just one of those awesome magical Disney vacation moments!

 

[disneybliss2]

Go Disneybliss2, go! Get them bound and have a great time with them at WDW. It will be well worth all of the trouble - your kids will get so much more character interaction with the homemade autograph books. Woody went absolutely wild when he saw my DS6's book with his own personal card in it and showed it to Jessie and his handler. Then when we were watching the "Move it, Shake it" parade 20 minutes later, Woody saw my DS6, recognized him, and pointed and waved like crazy at him and gave him a bunch of thumbs up. It was just one of those awesome magical Disney vacation moments!

Thanks for being so sweet and keeping me positive. I was up until the wee hours of the morning getting the books done, but it was so worth it. I'm thrilled w/ how they turned out. I'm fixing to head to Kinko's to get them bound. I loved reading your story; magical moments are the best!!!

Quick question--have people mentioned seeing Horace Horsecollar, Clarabelle Cow, or Pirate Goofy lately? Do you happen to know where they are--I'm assuming Frontierland and Adventureland.

 

[2Tiggies]

The matt is simply more practical from the standpoint of not having to give it a few seconds to make sure the ink is totally dry. I had mine done matt, then ordered more and they erroneously printed them as glossy. I was going to send them back, as they said I could, and have them re-printed but the gloss looks really great so I am just going to keep them.

I did see someone post a picture of a character greeting where they had printed the pages as photos and took along a small clipboard for the characters to be able to sign on a surface and then when they got home they were bound or slipped into a photo album. Whatever you do, it will be unique and yours and remember, you are going to be critical because you know what you had originally done, but I tell you what: No matter what you manage to pull off at this short notice while trying to get ready for your trip, you deserve an award!

If I don't get back on here before you go have a wonderful trip! You certainly deserve an extra special one now.

 

[disneybliss2]

You guys are the best!!! Thanks 2Tiggies for your support. I wish I could send you a hug. I'm exhausted; I literally pulled an all nighter, but as tired as I am, I'm on cloud nine because I'm so happy w/ how the pictures printed. I can't wait to surprise my girls w/ the autograph books. I'm going to leave them in my resort room w/ new Disney pj's for my girls (doing my own version of a Grand Welcome) on the first night. I'm going to slip the stuff out while my girls go w/ daddy to swim. I'll meet up w/ them after I get everything set up. I can't wait to see their faces. Thanks again for keeping me upbeat!

 

[2Tiggies]

You guys are the best!!! Thanks 2Tiggies for your support. I wish I could send you a hug. I'm exhausted; I literally pulled an all nighter, but as tired as I am, I'm on cloud nine because I'm so happy w/ how the pictures printed. I can't wait to surprise my girls w/ the autograph books. I'm going to leave them in my resort room w/ new Disney pj's for my girls (doing my own version of a Grand Welcome) on the first night. I'm going to slip the stuff out while my girls go w/ daddy to swim. I'll meet up w/ them after I get everything set up. I can't wait to see their faces. Thanks again for your keeping upbeat!

Well done! You need to treat yourself to a cinnamon roll and a dole whip

Your girls are going to be so thrilled! I love the DIY Grand Welcome - there is nothing like the personal touch.

Oh and thanks for the hug - best way for me to enjoy it is knowing you have a great trip Early to bed for you tonight

 

[DrMomof3]

I am NOT a DIY person or the least bit artsy. I've been working on autograph books for my kids for our trip in August. I decided to do it as a Shutterfly snapbook. The only issue is that each book is going to cost about $20. I have 38 pages per book so I could probably cut down on a few of the "blank" pages. I think they will look great but not sure about the cost...
Thank you to all the amazing people who make these autograph pages! I am SO impressed!!!

Amanda

 

[MusicMouse]

You might want to shop around at other photobook stores, such as Snapfish or even Walgreens. They often run specials and you can get a good deal. Also, if you register at each site, they send you tons of e-coupons and notify you of any special offers going on.

ETA: Snapfish is having a buy 1 photobook get 1 free sale! Just use coupon GRADBOOKS at checkout. Hurry, the offer expires June 14.

 

[goingwithkids]

My kids love Natalie's autograph book 2. Does anyone know if there is a zip file for it? I don't have time to do each page one at a time. Or if anyone knows about another easy to download book similar to this one please let me know.

 

[MusicMouse]

Natalie has a zip file for her 2008 Book here: http://www.4shared.com/account/file/wN5suBB0/2008_Autograph_Book.html. If you don't have time to download everything from volume 2, try downloading your top twenty characters and then add twenty-five or so generic cards (Natalie has several designs, so they all don't have to be the same). I would suggest these as characters that you WILL see:
Aladdin
Alice
Aurora
Belle
Buzz Lightyear (He only signs with a stamp)
Chip and Dale
Daisy Duck
Donald Duck
Eeyore
Goofy
Jasmine
Jessie
Lilo
Mickey Mouse
Minnie Mouse
Pluto
Snow White
Stitch
Tigger
Tinkerbell
Winnie the Pooh
Woody

 

[DrMomof3]

How many "blank" pages would you recommend? I'm trying to cut down a big on the size of my books since I'm making 3. My kids are young and while they enjoy some autograph hunting, it's certainly not the focus of our trip. I'm including any character that we'll see at a meal and a few that we've gotten in the past. I want some "blanks" just in case but I think I may have overdone it. Opinions?

Thank you again for this fabulous resource!

Amanda

 

[catpowers]

When you open the album (in Photobucket, don't know about 4shared) you have the option on the left hand side to "download this album". You should get one of those annoying popup reCAPTCHA things asking you to type the two words you see, but after you type them in it should ask you where you want to save the zip file to. It will also give you some sort of message that it's a one time download or you can only do it once in a 24 hour period or something like that, but as long as you know where you save it that shouldn't matter. Have fun