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Zazzle Review

Wednesday, February 12th

2025 Calendar Store Reviews

Zazzle Review 3.5 Star Rating

Zazzle

3.5 Star Rating
  • Customized photo calendars for $20
  • In the DIY print shop sector since 2005
  • Huge catalog of calendar design options through the Creator Program
  • Offers the opportunity for customers to craft their own projects or use designs as templates and personalize them
  • Range of sizes
  • Highly rated by customers on Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau
  • Excellent return policy and hassle-free refund process

Zazzle emerged as an early player in the DIY print shop sector, debuting in 2005. It showcases creations from independent Designers and Makers, and also offers the opportunity for customers to craft their own projects from the ground up.

Visually cluttered

If you're feeling overwhelmed by starting out in the "All Calendars" section, Zazzle does break things down into subcategories like Photos, Modern, Minimalist, Family Pictures, and Simple. However, we didn't feel like there was much of an aesthetic difference between the options represented from one category to another. We felt that overall, Zazzle's impression is that of clutter. Even the way the pricing is listed is distracting: every calendar has a struck-through "comparable value" price and then a "discounted" price in red below it. We'd much prefer to see just one price to reduce visual mess and streamline the browsing process than be subjected to cheap tricks to make us think we're getting a deal when really, that calendar has always been that price and probably always will be.

Pricing is decent

Speaking of pricing, Zazzle is neither the most expensive nor the cheapest option out there. The majority of their most popular customizable photo calendar designs are around $20. A pop-up notified us that you can unlock 25% off your order when you sign up for Zazzle's mailing list.

Filters to narrow things down

Zazzle has lots of calendar sizes to choose from, unlike some competitors that only offer one or two. They also have a wider range of prices - you can filter to see only calendars under $15, which brings up mostly single-page calendar photo cards. We wondered at the option to filter for calendars $100 and over, not being sure what features a calendar could have to justify that price. It turned out that there was only one result there… and it was a calendar featuring a selection of near-nude photos, which appeared to be a custom design from a freelance designer listed in an attempt to make some money. Quite shocking, Zazzle!

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Creator Program means catalog is huge but less curated

Indeed, Zazzle actually has a Creator Program that lets members, known as Makers, create and monetize their own product designs. This includes calendars, greeting cards, and even throw pillows. That's why they have such a huge catalog of calendar design options, although sometimes they may not hit the mark, since the designers aren't employed by Zazzle as a professionally trained and curated team united by the same design standards.

Use designs as templates

To save calendars you like for later, simply click the heart icon to add them to a list. Once you've decided on a design, you can go into the editor and swap out the example photos with photos of your own. Just click the blue "Personalize” button. While you generally won't be able to make major changes to it, you can choose different grid styles, the wire binding color (black or white), and one- or two-page layouts.

Design tool may be unintuitive

Here is also where you'll be able to select which holidays you celebrate: your options are United States Events and Holidays, United States + Christian Events and Holidays, United States + Jewish Events and Holidays, or None. Zazzle does seem to allow users the flexibility to mark their own special events and occasions (such as birthdays or regular appointments) by toggling on Calendar Grid Transparency and opening the more advanced Design Tool. However, we had a difficult time figuring out how to do it. You might have an easier time marking those with a sharpie after you receive your order, the old-fashioned way.

Start with a blank canvas

If you're feeling particularly creative, you do have the option to start with a completely blank calendar and let your imagination run wild. This gives you the freedom to design a calendar that truly reflects your personal style and preferences without someone else's influence. The possibilities are endless. Just click the blue "Customize This Design” button and you can upload photos, choose from preset backgrounds, add icons and overlays, and insert text.

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30-day returns and 100% satisfaction guarantee

Zazzle provides a 100% satisfaction guarantee, which means customers can exchange, receive credit, or get a refund for all orders - even customized ones. They have an extended holiday return policy for purchases made between the start of October and the end of December, allowing returns until the last day of January. For purchases made before the beginning of October, they can be returned within 30 days of receipt.

Shipping costs not readily available

To get an accurate shipping quote on Zazzle, you'll need to go through the checkout process, which involves creating an account and entering your shipping and billing addresses. Only then will the shipping options and pricing be displayed, along with the overall order price. We wish Zazzle were as transparent here as some of their competitors. However, we did appreciate that when browsing their calendar selection, you can sort your results by delivery date, which is nice if you need to know if something will arrive by Christmas.

Rated highly by customers

A mark in Zazzle's favor are their great Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau rankings: 4.3 stars on average and an "A+”, respectively. People are happy with the quality of their products, and customer support appears to be responsive wherever there are customer complaints.

Patience is a virtue

One of the key reasons we rate Zazzle so highly for purchasing calendars is their excellent return policy. Despite the shopping experience being a bit clunky, the sheer variety of pre-designed and fully customizable templates means there's something for almost everyone. Plus, if the final product doesn't turn out the way you hoped, their hassle-free refund process has you covered. So, if you don't mind navigating through the multitude of choices and tweaking your calendar to your liking, chances are you'll end up with a calendar from Zazzle that you adore.

Where is the Best Place to Buy a Calendar?

In today's digital age, where our lives are increasingly managed through screens, the charm of physical calendars, diaries, and planners still holds a special place in many hearts. There's a unique pleasure in using a tangible calendar: the feel of turning over a fresh page to reveal a new month, the satisfaction of writing down events and appointments, and the joy of physically crossing off completed activities.

For those who cherish personalization, custom calendars with photos add a sentimental touch to daily planning. However, finding a good selection of paper calendars in local stores can be surprisingly challenging. It's no wonder that this shift in availability makes online calendar shopping an increasingly popular choice.

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Calendar Store FAQ

It originates from the Latin word calendarium, which meant "account book” or "interest register” according to Britannica. But, the idea of a calendar, or a way of tracking the time from one day or season to the next, certainly isn't limited to the ancient Romans. You could spend hours looking at different historical calendars, from the Mayans to the Persians and many other cultures and time periods.
Most people use the Gregorian calendar, introduced way back in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. This system was put in place to account for the fact that it takes 365 1/4 days for the earth to go around the sun - and that's why we have an extra day on February 29th every four years (a "leap year”).
Yes, often ones with religious underpinnings. For example, the Islamic (or Hijri) calendar, is strictly based on the cycles of the moon (which is why the dates of Ramadan don't always correspond to the same dates or seasons on the Gregorian calendar).
There's nothing historical about it - it's simply for convenience. That lets you buy a calendar for the next year before it starts, and you can transfer any events or reminders from the current year's calendar if you want to start using the new one right away.
Even though most of us rely on some kind of digital calendar system, from Outlook to Google, paper calendars are still in demand. Many people like being able to see a month at a glance, to see which birthdays and other special occasions are on the horizon. And, customizable calendars with family photos continue to be a fun way to share memories while planning new ones. Page-a-day calendars can still be spotted on office desks, bringing humor or inspiration to the workplace.
If you're just looking at local retailers, the answer is likely to be no. Many stores only carry them from November through January and then clear them all out, especially if they don't specialize in calendars and other print items (e.g supermarkets vs. bookstores). Fortunately, there are many online retailers of calendars that let you purchase them whenever you like!
Not any more than it is to buy them in-person. Some stores will even give you free shipping, discounts or seasonal promos to sweeten the deal.
Policies vary by retailer, but most will give you a replacement, store credit or refund if you're unhappy with the calendar you receive. This is also true of customized calendars: if you design one with your own photos and graphics and something goes wrong in the print process, the best calendar stores will reprint it for you, no questions asked.
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Continued from above...

Many retailers have reduced their in-store offerings, making it hard to find calendars that are both unique and appealing, no matter when you're shopping. On the other hand, online stores offer lots of options, from stunning landscapes and animal themes to motivational quotes and artistic designs.

Whether you need a wall calendar for the family kitchen or a compact desk calendar for your office, the selection online is extensive and varied. Plus, prices online are often more competitive than in physical stores, and if you're looking to create a custom calendar with personal photos, many online retailers offer fun and user-friendly design tools.

When choosing which online calendar store you want to shop with, you should consider the following factors:

  • Selection. Does the store offer a wide range of sizes, styles, and themes? Are there enough choices within specific categories, like wildlife or motivational themes?
  • Cost. What are the prices of the calendars, including shipping fees? Are there any customer incentives such as free shipping or discount codes?
  • Satisfaction policy. If you're not satisfied with your purchase, can you return it for a refund? What is the timeframe for returns?
  • Reputation. What do past customers say about their experience with the retailer, especially in terms of quality and customer service? How easy is it to design a personalized photo calendar?

Top Consumer Reviews has thoroughly reviewed and ranked the best online calendar retailers available today. We aim to help you find the perfect calendar that not only organizes your year but also adds a touch of personal or aesthetic value to your space. 

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