Last Updated: March 29th, 2017
In 1994, when Vistaprint got its first start, its vision was to fill a need in the business community by being able to offer short runs for business materials at a reasonable cost. The company founders realized that most printing companies were focused on large businesses, leaving a major section of small business owners and sole-propriety owners left to order large quantities of printed materials that they neither needed nor could afford. Often they were left going without the items that help their business become recognized.
By developing a means of gang printing from a variety of customers Vistaprint has been able to offer materials they can use at a price they can afford. Items they offer include:
• Business Cards;
• Postcards;
• Stationery;
• Address labels;
• Checks;
• Custom T-shirts;
• Brochures
• Thank You cards
Is Vista Print Worth It? Key Features and Benefits
Some of the benefits realized by small business owners that purchase their office supplies from Vista Print, include not having to order quantities of items they are likely to never use. While the majority of traditional printers will offer business cards, for example, with a minimum order of 1,000, Vistaprint will produce single orders of business cards with a quantity of 250.
Businesses must also rely on advertising products such as bumper stickers, key chains and flyers to help with their marketing efforts and Vistaprint provides those services as well, with the quantities needed by most smaller enterprises. Once the company emerged from the dot com breakdown of the early 2000’s it has now become one of the most popular online providers of business products and solutions for small businesses.
Cons – Disadvantages
While the company’s focus is on small businesses and individual needs, its website and online design software could be a little easier to use. There is a lot left to the imagination of the user and not all instructions are clear. Uploaded images, which add to the basic cost, will need to be the pixel size specified and not taken as a suggested size.
For price and low quantities, traditional printers can offer no real competition. The majority of commercial print houses will not consider any small orders such as business cards in quantities less than 1,000. The same is true for envelopes and statement forms. The minimum quantities are well above what small business need.
How Does Vista Print Compare to Similar Merchants?
Another online printer, 123Print also caters more to small businesses and individuals who are looking for a professional appearance in their printed materials without going deep in debt. Business cards remain one of its most sought after products but the company is also delivering high quality wedding invitations, postcards and banners in a variety of sizes. It is one of the younger print on demand companies on the internet, but its online design center is one of the best in the business. Its color renditions are some of the best being produced from uploaded images with little or no loss of color and clarity in the printed product. It also has a reputation for fast shipping with a typical turn-around of not more than two days.
Where Vistaprint has a slight edge over 123Print is in its price structure. The company typically offers an introductory price for 250 business cards on matte stock for free. Upgrading to glossy stock will raise the price to $12.99 and premium glossy stock will run $14.99 for 250 business cards. The quantity of 500 cards, the usual order will be about $10 for 500 on matte finish; $28.98 for glossy and $30.98 for premium glossy stock. Nearly all cards will cost a minimum of $7 for ground delivery with additional charges for faster delivery times. Most orders are ready to ship within 24 hours.
Although the company has proven successful with many repeat customers, they have not always received rave reviews. The consensus from previous customers seems somewhat mixed with some unhappy with the surprise of the shipping costs at the end of the ordering process and others unhappy with customer service when they have had a problem. Overall, many customers are exceedingly happy with the products, putting the cost and end result in perspective.
What Others Are Saying
Some users’ comments include those by:
Franklynn3: “Vistaprint has allowed my small company to have a professional image at a very reasonable cost. I have ordered their return labels, business cards and brochures several times and I have been happy with their products.”
Mini90210 also noted: “I almost did not place my order with Vistaprint after reading the plethora of negative reviews online. However, I thought ‘what the heck, it’s only $10?” My particular order ended up at $16.49 because I also added the “glossy” feature for $6.95. To me, the $16.49 was still a great deal.”
Sources: vistaprint.com and 123Print.com