My usual printing workflow:
a) I use LR to soft proof, using the paper ICC profile, and "simulate paper and ink" turned on (Epson pigment printer)
b) I use a monitor setting that is 100 cm/m² when proofing
c) I adjust my image to suit the paper. More often than not, I'm looking and brightness/contrast/curves/saturation more than out-of-gamut colour, or absolute colour fidelity.
d) I have been pretty happy with my print results
Some things I already know about Blurb:
a) the Blurb ICC profile (CMYK) can't be used in Lightroom. It CAN be used in Photoshop, but I'd like to avoid going to PS for soft-proofing.
b) The Blurb ICC isn't paper specific, and they suggest NOT using paper simulation while soft-proofing within PS. (How useful can that be anyhow?)
c) No matter what, I can't expect Blurb to look exactly like my Epson prints.
However. I'd really like to get an idea of brightness, contrast and saturation in advance, so I can make small adjustments before sending to Blurb. What I'm wondering, is this – has anyone discovered an ICC printer/paper profile that can be used in LR for soft-proofing, that gives pretty good Blurb results (with a particular paper)? To think about it another way -- if I soft-proofed in LR using the R3000 Epson Premium Luster ICC then ordered a Blurb book on their premium lustre paper, am I going to say "GAAAAHHH!" in horror when I get the book?
Other ideas, workflows, or photobook printer recommendations welcome (I'm in Canada).