“I will tell you that when people are making online albums and want to print them out, they’re not going to print them out as 4 x 6 images, they are going to print them out as albums that can be assembled on the spot. For those of you that are looking around at what type of equipment you should purchase for the next 4 to 5 years, I think you might consider more than just equipment to print out prints, you might start looking at albums. Because when consumers and professionals are creating albums online, they don’t want to print these out and assemble at home, they want to be able to order right from these web sites total album production. So as you walk around (at the PMA show), consider the fact that there’s going to be a dramatic shift in the business from printing prints to printing albums.”
Don Franz, Photofinishing News, PMA, February 2002
Kodak’s recent bankruptcy highlights the transition that has that has taken place from traditional film photography to digital. It is difficult for the leader in any industry to grasp the fact that the rules have changed.
For Creative Memories, the change from traditional photo albums to photo books was inevitable and the handwriting was on the wall as far back as 2002. Photo books are simply too convenient. Photo books group relevant photos, provide descriptive information, and package it in a convenient form.
Creative Memories has embraced this transition and provides high-quality books, leveraging the manufacturing skills developed for traditional scrapbooks. See Top 10 Reasons to Buy Creative Memories Digital Products.
In the future, technology will continue to evolve and Creative Memories must change with it. I am excited about the future and I hope you are too.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
About Mark Mizen
I have over twenty years professional experience in all aspects of photography and digital imaging. I am Chair of the ISO WG5 TG2 committee responsible for physical properties and durability of imaging material and am currently with HID Global working on systems for security printing for IDs, licenses, and credit cards. Previously, I was Director of Digital Development at Creative Memories from 2009 to 2012 and was responsible for the Creative Memories digital products and services. I also established and directed the Creative Memories Technology Center, which evaluated new products prior to product introduction, assisted with production difficulties, and provided technical information to support product sales.
All About Images Blog 
I am gutted that CM are pulling out of the UK, Do you see CM offering their (I beleive very high quality photo books, over here to us. There is a huge need for quality books at an affordable price over here with Blurb being the no. 1 favoured book of photographers for coffee table books.
Hi Tracey,
Thanks for your comments and your interest in seeing Creative Memories photo books offered in the UK.
Mark
Dr. Mizen, I remember your sharing the name of the printing machinery that CM used to do our storybooks, but I can’t seem to find it. Do you mind sharing it again? Do you know what became of that leased equipment – are any other photo book makers using it to your knowledge? I may have someone who is interested in starting up their own print shop (they are a startup in the industry doing something else right now but may want to add that on.) Thanks in advance.
Creative Memories used the Kodak Nexpress. I do not know what has become of Creative Memories’ equipment.