Vistaprint is one of the best online printing services, not because they are so popular, but because they offer a well-developed, robust print-on-demand solution with a well-rounded set of features. Whatever you’re looking to print, Vistaprint can help, bringing quality and simplicity to the forefront. Vistaprint sets a high standard for other online printers to live up to with easy design features and flexible ordering.
Vistaprint is one of the easiest online printers to use, thanks to a straightforward online interface, simple online designer and ordering process. There are several small things that may not seem like much, but certainly make the whole process easier, such as the ability to save a project for later, and contextual writing advice.
If you have a Vistaprint account you can start a design or order and save it for tweaking later. Another nice convenience is when uploading files, you see a timed countdown so you know how long it will take (it’s usually pretty quick).
If you’re using a predesigned template, it’s easy to add your own copy. But if you’re struggling for what to say, Vistaprint premade templates includes suggestions and helpful writing tips to get you started.
Another easy tool at your disposal is downloadable templates. These templates are available for Photoshop, Illustrator, or Acrobat Distiller, and will insure proper resolution, color settings, and dimensions (as well as guidelines for bleed, trim, folds, and safe margins.
Vistaprint has a huge selection of custom printing products available. They offer the traditional business identity products (business cards, note pads, envelopes) and marketing products (postcards, brochures, flyers), as well as signage (banners, window decals, posters). Vistaprint also prints a large variety of promotional knick-knacks and swag-worthy gifts like pens, mouse pads, magnets and keychains, as well as a few apparel items such as t-shirts and hats.
There are a couple of different design routes to choose from, and Vistaprint is able to take your project from idea to printed product, regardless of which direction you want to take. You can upload your own completed design, use their online design tool to conceptualize your design, or simple have Vistaprint’s professional design team do it for you.
If you’re uploading your own design, you can upload it from a huge variety of files, including files from Microsoft (Publisher, Words), Adobe (Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat PDF), and a variety of other sources (JPG, BMP, GIF, PNG, PIC, etc). After you upload you can see a preview to make sure the file transferred with the appropriate layout, orientation, colors, and resolution.
The online design tool is also a good way to go, and has a pretty easy user interface. There are quite a few premade designs that you can customize and use, or you can start with a blank slate. As far as online designers go, the utility is a little limited, but you can upload your own images, adjust layout and text, and rotate. Or if you need an even simpler, linear option, Vistaprint has a variety of step-by-step wizards to walk you through the entire design.
Vistaprint also has creative services available if you want to have an expert graphic designer do the work for you. They have competitive prices and one week turnaround.
Vistaprint prints your projects on a variety of paper grades. While you can’t choose from paper options within projects, they print your custom projects on appropriate stock options, usually 100 lb text or 80 lb cardstock. Vistaprint offers a number of finishes, including matte, glossy, aqueous coating and foil accents.
Vistaprint does not, however, offer binding, covers, tabs, hole drilling, or custom cutting.
You can send your printed postcards to your customers directly from Vistaprint, using your own mailing list or purchasing one from them. Vistaprint can get your postcards delivered first class at discounted rates, and they offer standard or expedited mailing services.
Vistaprint ships most of their printed materials to you directly via the US Post Office. They do not offer same-day or overnight shipping. They offer “rush” shipping, which is 3 days turnaround (Priority shipping is a week, standard shipping is two, and slow can take up to three weeks). With Vistaprint, the turnaround time is measured to include both the printing and delivery shipping time.
Vistaprint delivers high-quality print jobs, and backs up their services with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. The samples we received were quite good. They didn’t necessarily stand out among the other samples from other online printers, but they were good and included quite a few paper options and finishing features.
You can get additional support with Vistaprint printing and their other services by browsing through their extensive Help center, featuring answers to a host of questions. Unfortunately, Vistaprint does not offer personalized assistance through online live chat, nor do they even provide email help. They do offer a phone number for contacting their support team.
Overall, Vistaprint is a great online printer. It’s no wonder they’ve become so popular; they deliver high-quality products and a great overall user experience. While they aren’t the best online printing service we reviewed, they’re certainly better than most you’ll find, and may very well be your best bet for online printing depending on your deadline and which products you need printed. Vistaprint is a better online printer than most because they offer more; more products, more options to more satisfied customers.
