To be honest when it comes to books, ESPECIALY the template sizes if you're doing full bleed pages to the edge, Lulu is very very confusing because it tends to give you 5 different contradicting bits of information. But once you figure it out, and get into a flow with the pages, the technical stuff becomes a side thing.
The hardest part for me was getting a wordprocessor prog to WORK so i could create my PDF file to upload. Lulu creates its own pdf files, but they have a tendancy to go a bit nuts.
The quality of the printing (I'll take photos tonight) is BRILLIANT. The colors are sharp, the cover is heavy weight glossy paper (like a proper card, not floppy flimsy paper). The inner printing is sharp too, it tends to print darker/stronger than your source file though so always remember that when coloring. It's very well binded, strong and symetrical.
Hell yes i'd recommend them. Just be aware that its confusing as fudge when you first start a project then realise you've done 80+ pages at the wrong resolution or page size etc etc. I had to redo my entire book THREE times before i was happy with it. It requires a LOT of patience and motivation. Especialy when doing page numbering manualy XD There's also a list of rules you have to follow that they DONT TELL YOU at the start if you want to buy a ISBN number (barcode). SO whatever you do, really read up on it. If you need any help, I'm around for advice