FAQs

Coffee Chat About Coffee Table Books...

How are book prices determined?

Because each book is custom-designed, the prices vary from project to project. Once we know roughly how many images you would like to include and how many people you would like us to interview, we can give you an estimate; however, in order to give you a firm quote, we need to talk to your about the exact elements you envision in your perfect book.

How long will it take to receive my book?

Most books take 100 or more hours to produce; biographies and family histories take substantially longer. We try to get your book to you as soon as possible, with completion time averaging between 8 – 12 weeks. Please let us know if you have a deadline — we will try our best to accommodate you. Also, remember to plan ahead if you’re ordering a book for the holidays as the weeks approaching Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day are our busiest times of the year.

How long does the interview process take?

Interviews are usually scheduled in 2 hour blocks but can be shortened or extended to suit your needs.

Where do the interviews take place?

We typically send a Personal Interviewer to your home so that you feel comfortable in the familiarity of your own environment. If you have a favorite coffee place or preferred meeting spot, we would be happy to accommodate you. We can also arrange for interviews over the phone.

Do I have to live in Kelowna to commission a book?

No! We work with clients around the world. Interviews can be conducted over the phone and we can arrange for your photos to be couriered or sent electronically to us over the Internet.

What if I want you to interview my sister in England?

No problem! You tell us whose input you would like included in your book and we’ll make it happen. Just provide us with the necessary contact information and we will make sure no one is left out.

How big is my book?

Your book can be any size you want and can incorporate as may pages as you require. We offer traditional coffee-table-book sizes of 9″x12″ and 8″x10″ in portrait or landscape orientation, as well as 8″x8″ square-shaped books. If there’s a specific size that you need, just let us know!

What format do my pictures have to be in?

The higher the resolution of your pictures, the better the final product. Ideally, we like to receive your photos in one of two ways:

  1. For images shot with a digital camera, you can send us a CD of your photos in their original size (i.e RAW images with no compression). Allowing us to borrow the memory card(s) from your camera to copy the images onto our computer also works.  We can guide you through the process.
  2. For images shot with a traditional film camera, we get the best results if we use your negatives.

If these options aren’t available to you, never fear — we can work with pictures stored on your computer, printed photos, or slides. We also have an FTP site that we can walk you through if you want to send us your images online.

How do I get my pictures back?

We return all of your pictures to you when we present you with your completed book.

Can I incorporate other memorabilia in my book?

Yes!  Whether it’s old letters, certificates, report cards, artwork or something else close to your heart — if we can scan it, we can include it.

What type of paper do you use?

We use beautifully thick, acid-free paper designed to withstand the test of time. We want future generations to be able to enjoy your story so we’ve made sure our materials are archival quality.

What is the binding like?

All of our books except Littlebound books bound by hand. Not only does this provide a meticulous and durable bind, it also allows your book to lay flat so that your pages are perfectly displayed.

Can I get additional copies?

Of course!  Additional copies are available at a substantial discount.  In most cases, you can purchase extra books at a savings of 75% – 90% of the cost of the original.

Why can’t I just make my own book?

You can!  There are lots of do-it-yourself options out there that people use. If you are the creative type with extra time on your hands, we encourage you to take the reins and self-publish.  However, if you find that you don’t have the professional equipment to produce a first-rate product, the expertise to write and design, the patience to deal with generic templates, and the TIME to put everything together . . . well, then we’d love to help!

What if I am unhappy with my book?

We will provide you with every opportunity to witness the evolution of your book and offer your feedback.  We will also incorporate your suggestions and tweak the design until you are thrilled with the final product.  In the unlikely event that something fails with the bind, we will repair the damage at no cost to you.  It’s important to us that not only do you love your book, but also the experience of collaborating with us to create it.