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Graduation invitations are more than just a piece of paper; they're a way to celebrate a significant milestone in your life and share your achievement with friends, family, and loved ones. Sending out graduation invitations allows you to commemorate your academic success and invite others to join in the celebration of your accomplishments. Plus, it's a great excuse to throw a party and have some fun.
While before the designs for graduation invitations might have been limited, there are tons of sites online that allow you to create completely custom invites with unique pictures, colorful designs, and fun extras. There are limitless options in the modern era, and you can have your designs quickly shipped out with no hassle.
Wednesday, December 11th
Mixbook has solidified its position as a popular destination for anyone seeking to craft personalized items such as greeting cards, photo books, calendars, and home decor. The products at Mixbook are meant to immortalize memories and narratives, so you can share them with loved ones for years to come. Established in 2006, the company has an impressive track record with over 15 million projects under its belt.
Almost 90 designs to start with
When getting started with graduation invitations on Mixbook, you'll be presented with a curated selection of nearly 90 design options. While this may seem modest compared to some competitors, it makes the decision-making process much simpler by offering a manageable array of choices. Plus, if you don't see anything you like, Mixbook will also let you start with a blank card and build your own graduation invitation from scratch. Searching the array of designs is simple with intuitive filtering tools based on parameters like photo count, format, size, color, orientation, and style.
Impressive custom tools
The hallmark of Mixbook's offerings lies in its customizability. Whether it's a graduation ceremony announcement or a party invitation, every design has custom options. You can start off your creative journey by uploading photos from your phone, desktop, social media platform, or cloud storage. Further customizations like colors, fonts, and layout offer fun and unique designs that fit your photos and your vision. To unlock the full potential of Mixbook's customization, you'll have to sign up for a free account which grants you access to exclusive features. The editor is easy to use, and Mixbook guides you through the process, helping you upload photos and edit text step by step. You can change backgrounds, add photos, add stickers, and change the text size, wording, and font. Some elements will change with a click while others are available for drag and drop for full customization.
Prices start at $60.50 for a pack
The pricing for Mixbook is listed on a per-invite basis. The prices start as low as $1.36 per invite for pre-made designs. If you start with a blank card the price goes as low as $0.73 per card. The minimum purchase requirement is 50 cards, so you'll be looking at anywhere from $64.50 (blank cards) to $68 (base model of pre-designed cards) as your starting point. Now, if you change the add-ons to the top tier options like the largest size, the rounded edges, and the "luxboard” stationery, the price goes up to $171 for 50 cards. On the bright side, once you get into the personalizing tool, there are no extra charges for photos or stickers. The price is what you see before you head into the editor.
100% satisfaction guarantee
Mixbook's graduation invitations are backed by a 100% happiness guarantee. In the rare event of dissatisfaction, you can reach out to customer support via email or live chat, with the assurance of a prompt resolution. Mixbook offers support through refunds, store credit, or product replacement.
Shipping as fast as 3 days
Mixbook provides transparent delivery date estimates. While occasional sitewide sales may offer free shipping, you can check out Mixbook's shipping page to estimate shipping costs based on various factors such as item type, size, format, and destination. Options range from economical standard shipping to expedited delivery for those in a hurry. In our case, when we tested shipping for our area, the standard shipping took 2 weeks and cost $7.89. Express shipping arrived in three days and cost $32.34. For accurate delivery dates in your area, you just need to put in your zip code during checkout.
Customers find the process fun and easy
With thousands of positive customer reviews under its belt, Mixbook emerges as a dependable choice for personalized products. The company holds an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau as well as full accreditation. On top of that, customers on Trustpilot have rated Mixbook an average of 4.8 stars out of 5. The general consensus is that Mixbook is a fun and easy way to design unique and memorable invites.
Amazing design experience
Mixbook is a decision worth making without hesitation. It's got unique designs for graduation invitations and a particularly customizable design tool that allows drag-and-drop for photos and fun stickers. Customers agree that Mixbook is a fun and easy way to create memorable items and with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, you know that Mixbook stands behind its designs and quality. For this reason, it earns a 5-star rating in our review of sites for making graduation invitations and comes in as our favorite for beginner designers who want to dig into true customization.
VistaPrint is a print service with a mission to help entrepreneurs craft marketing materials to support an impressive range of products. Renowned for its iconic business cards, VistaPrint also offers an extensive portfolio that includes signage, banners, photo gifts, wall art, apparel, labels, promotional items, and more. If you're looking for a one-stop shop where you can buy graduation invitations and maybe a graduation t-shirt to boot, VistaPrint is an impressive solution.
350 different designs to choose from
With 350 variants of graduation invitations available, VistaPrint offers a competitive variety of styles to fit your graduation vibes. Navigating through VistaPrint's selection of graduation invitations reveals a significant proportion of designs are graphic-centric compositions rather than featuring massive photos. This provides alternatives for those seeking a more text or design-focused aesthetic. There are still plenty of options that include photos if you're interested in something more classic too. You can easily refine your search by exploring various styles and themes, such as bold and colorful, elegant, floral, whimsical, and minimalistic, among others, alongside filters for size, orientation, corners, and color schemes.
Tons of personalization capabilities
One of VistaPrint's standout features is its impressive customization capabilities. You can exercise creative freedom in shaping your invitations pretty much on every element. When you get started with your chosen template, certain areas will be "locked” so that if you move other elements, you won't accidentally drag major elements. However, with one click you can "unlock” those elements (like photos) and move them to your heart's content. You can manipulate text boxes, photos, and graphics with color, size, and location changes. You can easily make adjustments to layout, color schemes, and fonts for every part of the design. You can even use the "layers” tool to have some elements in the foreground or background of the design.
Prices start at $0.82 per card
There's no way to filter for prices on VistaPrint, which is a little frustrating, but the prices are pretty competitive overall. Most of the cards range from $1.36 to $1.78 per card. At the time of our review, there was a promotion running where the card prices ranged from $0.82 to $0.89 per card, so you can score some great sales depending on when you shop. The minimum pack quantity is 10 cards, which is normally priced at $2 per unit. During the sale, this was down to $1 per unit after the edits in the design tool. If you add all of the bonuses like "ticket” style edges and glossy cardstock, the price will go up to $2.30 per card or $22.99 for a pack of 10. The prices per card also go down if you buy more cards in one go.
100% satisfaction guarantee
Backed by a commitment to customer satisfaction, VistaPrint offers a complete satisfaction guarantee. If you're dissatisfied with your order for any reason, VistaPrint promises to resolve the issue through reprinting, account credits, or full refunds. The goal is 100% happiness with your designs, underscoring their dedication to providing a positive shopping experience.
Free shipping on $100+
Shipping costs at VistaPrint are contingent on your final order total and your desired delivery speed. Standard shipping for orders exceeding $75 is $11.99, with priority and express options available for expedited delivery at higher costs. Your exact rates will depend on your location and how many cards you order at one time. If your order is over $100, you'll qualify for free shipping, which can be beneficial if you're ordering multiple types of graduation materials.
Prints come highly recommended
VistaPrint maintains an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, indicating its overall reliability. Despite occasional criticisms regarding website usability and shipping delays, VistaPrint holds an impressive 4.4-star average rating out of 5 from Trustpilot. Customers praise VistaPrint's proactive approach to addressing customer concerns and the impressive design capabilities of the site. Customers loved how helpful reps were in adjusting designs to get the perfect print and highly recommend the service in the most recent reviews.
Best design interface
Considering its expansive product range and responsive customer service, VistaPrint merits consideration as a reputable option for graduation invitations. It stands out with its satisfaction guarantee and its impressive design tools which allow for very in-depth customization. For these reasons, it's one of our favorites and earns a competitive rating overall.
Zazzle is a well-established design platform with a 15-year history and a customer base exceeding 30 million fans of photos, art, and design. Zazzle offers tons of customizable products, ranging from shower curtains to skateboards. Through partnerships with renowned brands like Hallmark and Disney, Zazzle can allow you to incorporate images from pop culture into your personalized creations, so you can add your favorite character to your graduation invitation if you want.
40,000+ designs
If you're looking for the site with the most design options out there, Zazzle is it. The company has an astonishing selection of 48,812 designs on its website. You can start your project by exploring specific categories such as preschool, high school, college, or professional schools, or you can start with thematic browsing, including floral, rustic, modern, and typography. To streamline the selection process, Zazzle provides filters like color, photo count, foil, type, shape, and price, among other criteria, to help you narrow the extremely massive field of choices.
Fill-in-the blanket customization
While Zazzle offers an abundance of designs, customization options are somewhat limited due to the involvement of independent designers. However, you can personalize invitations by inputting essential details such as name, graduating class, school information, dates, and addresses. It's kind of like a fill-in-the-blank process. You can also make small modifications to the cardstock size, shape, paper type, and printing process, allowing for some degree of personalization.
Prices start at $1.44 per card
Concerning pricing, Zazzle offers invitations across a wide range, from budget-friendly options priced at $1.44 per card to premium selections exceeding $4.60 per card. You can change things like the shape of the card or the stationery without incurring extra costs, which is a bonus. You do need to purchase a minimum of 5 invitations to proceed and you can buy up to 2,500 if you need to buy in bulk.
30-day refund policy
Zazzle offers a generous 30-day return policy. This provides added peace of mind because if you're dissatisfied with your order, you can easily ask for replacements, credits, or refunds depending on the severity of your issue. As long as you open communications within 30 days of your purchase, Zazzle is happy to help.
Shipping and delivery depend on order size
Shipping costs at Zazzle vary depending on factors such as order quantity, location, and delivery speed. While frequent shoppers may benefit from Zazzle Black Membership, offering free shipping for an annual fee of $9.95, others can calculate shipping costs based on their zip code and preferred delivery timeframe.
High praise but an odd BBB rating
There's some discrepancy between Zazzle's review ratings and its page on the Better Business Bureau. Let's start with the good news first. From Trustpilot, Zazzle has an impressive 4.6-star average. In general, customers praise the product quality, selection, and service. However, on the BBB, Zazzle has a dismal "D-” rating, though it isn't clear why. According to the BBB page, Zazzle also has a 4.6-star average from reviewers, so the "D-” grade doesn't make a lot of sense.
Most design options available
Zazzle earns acclaim as a solid platform for graduation invitations. Its combination of unique designs, affordability, and generous return policy make it a standout option. However, with some concern about a "D-” rating from the BBB and a slightly less robust design process, it doesn't quite make it to the top spot. For this reason, Zazzle earns an excellent rating in our review.
Staples, an American office supply retail company based in Framingham, Massachusetts, has been a top choice for workspace essentials for more than 35 years. Founded by Leo Kahn and Thomas G. Stemberg, it opened its inaugural store in Brighton, Massachusetts on May 1, 1986. Renowned for its vast selection of office supplies, furniture, technology, and cleaning products, Staples is also known for its extensive print services. One of the benefits of using Staples is the large number of brick-and-mortar locations available, so you can choose in-store pickup to avoid paying for shipping.
200+ design styles
With over 200 different designs to choose from, Staples offers a competitive variety of graduation invitations. You can simplify your search by using the filters for color, number of photos, orientation, card type, and size, and whether or not you want a design on the back of the card as well as the front. However, there's no way to limit by price, and pricing details are hidden until you click through to the individual invitation page. So, this could create a lot more back-and-forth browsing that may frustrate some shoppers on a budget.
Some customization flexibility
The design tools at Staples are pretty useful. You can move around and add text as well as move and change clipart as much as you want. Only a few things stay the same: the background, which may include some clipart depending on the design you picked initially, and the locations of the photos. Staples also offers a helpful visual of a "safe area” where you can put new elements for your design. This helps you maintain a good positioning so pieces of your invitation don't get cut off or warped during printing.
Prices start at $27.99 for 25 cards
For most of the graduation invitations at Staples, you have to buy a 25-card minimum. So, starting prices for the lower-cost cards will sit around $27.99 for 25 cards. This is for the lowest-tier size option and the cheapest stationery. The price also includes in-store pickup. If you want your cards delivered to you, the price will immediately go up. If you add all the top-tier upgrades, the cards can go up to $54.99 for 25 cards.
Return policy lacks transparency
The return policy for custom invitations is hard to find on the Staples website. For items that can be returned or qualify for refunds, you have 14 days. However, things like custom furniture can't be returned at all. So, there's a high chance you might run into return trouble for custom invitations too. You may want to reach out to Staples' customer service to double-check the policy there.
Free same-day pickup in-store
With Staples, you have two ways to get your graduation invitations. First, you can sign up for in-store delivery. This allows you to pick up your invitations the same day if you order before 12pm. If you choose shipping, Staples only offers one option: 5-7-day delivery. However, with shipping, you do get more styles for designs than you do if you choose in-store pickup.
Solid reputation for quality prints
In general, Staples gets 3.5 stars out of 5 for its print services across different review sites. However, the buzz for Staples online is dependent on specific locations. So, the reviews for your local Staples may be completely different than the reviews for Staples overall. As a business, Staples has an "A+” rating on the Better Business Bureau, and in general, customers who used the print services for invitations said that the process was quick and easy and the prints were exactly as they were pictured online. While some of the poor reviews were related to long lines or poor customer service at specific Staples locations, none of these reviews were related to the print services specifically.
Top option for quick delivery
With a large variety of designs and some flexibility with the design tool, Staples stands out as a place where you can get some unique graduation invitations. On top of competitive reviews for their print services and pricing, Staples also offers free in-store pickup, completely negating the need for shipping costs. For these reasons, it earns a solid rating in our review as it offers multiple ways to get high-quality graduation invitations (and get them quickly if you're in a pinch).
Established in 2007, Minted is a vibrant marketplace for independent artists to showcase their talent and sell their artwork. Drawing talent from across all 50 states and spanning over 100 countries globally, Minted's impressive array of products is sourced through monthly online art and design contests, where community voting determines the selection of featured creations. The site has a special section just for graduation announcements.
Over 360 styles to choose from
With an extensive repertoire encompassing holiday cards, personalized gifts, stationery, artwork, custom announcements, and home decor, Minted offers a staggering selection. For its graduation invitations, you'll find over 360 graduation styles. You can select from invites with 1-4 photos, the type of school, styles like minimal, botanical, funny, classic, and more, and you can choose the size and print style.
Not all of the design process is intuitive
When it comes to customizing your design, the options are pretty standard at Minted. You can change things like colors, metallic foil, the edges of the card, and whether or not you want extras like higher-quality cardstock or foil added to your name on the inside of the card. The editor tool is a little confusing when it comes to personalized text. Most of the edits you make in the tool are along a right-hand toolbar. However, the personalized text needs to be clicked on through the image of the card to open another editor on the left where you can customize what the text says, the font style, and the size. It took a lot of clicking through to figure that out, which may be frustrating to new designers.
Prices start at $115 for 85 cards
The pricing at Minted is not super clear from the listings page. You have to click on a specific design and get started with the personalization to see prices. To give you an idea of what to expect, we checked out one design and looked at the low- and high-end personalization options. (For our purposes, we considered the Distinguished design.) At the base level, this design costs $115 for 85 cards. The lowest tier is postcard format which includes one photo on the front and a photo on the back with the styling of a postcard for writing space. On the high end, the most expensive one is the magnet which also ships 85 copies. This style just has one design on the front with no back and is printed on a 4x6 magnet. The cost is $224. Now, if you add rounded corners to either design, it will go up by $31.25. After adding things like upgraded envelopes, and address stickers, the final top-end price for the Distinguished design was $309.25.
7-day returns pending review
Minted's flexible return policy allows for returns of any item for any reason. However, the individual requests are evaluated by Minted before being accepted right away. While the custom nature of graduation invitations makes refunds less common, discrepancies between the final product and online previews are grounds to ask for a refund, and Minted promises potential resolution depending on the review. Just remember to contact Minted within 7 days of delivery of your graduation invitations.
Delivery in 1-5 days
One standout feature is Minted's complimentary recipient addressing service, allowing you to streamline the mailing process by uploading recipient addresses for envelope printing. Production will take a few days, though the timeline is not specified, and shipping will take 1-5 days. Unless there is a promo running, shipping costs anywhere from $3.95 to $34.95 for invites, depending on standard or rush shipping choices.
Some concerns about delivery times
Despite earning an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, Minted's customer reviews present a mixed picture. The company has a pretty good score of 3.9 stars out of 5 from Trustpilot, but it only has a 1.4-star average from Sitejabber. While the platform's commitment to supporting independent artists is commendable, some customers have encountered challenges with customer service and product reliability. Instances of production delays have resulted in disappointment for customers awaiting time-sensitive items like graduation invitations.
Missed the mark on reliability
While Minted offers a creative platform for graduation invitations, its reliability may not match that of top-rated competitors. For this reason, and for some snags in the editor tool, Minted earns a good rating in our review rather than something higher. However, it's highly competitive if you want to support individual artists, making it a fun place to browse unique designs.
Paper Culture's mission is to design paper products with environmental sustainability in mind. Paper Culture promises to combat deforestation and mitigate climate change. With a pledge to plant a tree with every purchase, Paper Culture proudly touts its contribution of over 1,000,000 trees worldwide. Their eco-conscious efforts have garnered recognition from esteemed publications such as Real Simple, Refinery29, Brides, The Wall Street Journal, The Knot, and People. All their products are crafted from 100% post-consumer recycled paper, so no new trees are felled in their production process.
370 cards to choose from
In general, Paper Culture emphasizes contemporary aesthetics with its designs. With an array of 370 graduation invitations, Paper Culture includes styles that suit elementary school graduations to college convocations. The collection encompasses a wide range of designs, including those adorned with clipart graphics, inspirational quotes, or minimalist aesthetics. While options for customization are somewhat limited compared to other platforms, you can personalize your invitations by format, photo count, orientation, color palette, and foil accents.
Not a lot of personalization available
The design process is extremely simple. You can change the content in predetermined text fields. You can add photos and move them a little bit side to side. However, outside of that, all the elements of the graduation invites are set. You can't add stickers or extra clip art, nor can you add extra text fields or change major color areas. On the bright side, you can have one of the Paper Culture designers take a look at your finished product for free before it's printed to make sure there are no errors in your design. On the other hand, this will slightly increase the time it will take to produce your graduation invitations, so plan ahead.
Prices start at $1.39 per card
Despite the emphasis on sustainability, Paper Culture's pricing remains competitive, with graduation invitation costs comparable to industry standards. While the absence of a price filtering option may pose a minor inconvenience, most cards are priced between $1.39 and $2.99, with discounted rates available during promotional periods. We looked at one card as an example so you can see what prices you might expect. The basic version of the card includes 6 x 4.3 size cardstock, premium paper, and square edges. This costs $2.99 per card or $29.90 for the minimum order of 10 cards. If you add all the extras on (7 x 5.1 sizing, rounded edges, and triple-thick paper), it will be $4.08 per card or $40.80 for the minimum order of 10 cards.
Satisfaction guarantee if it's their error
While Paper Culture offers a customer satisfaction guarantee, there are some exceptions to this policy. If you receive your invitations and there are issues involving proof approval errors (without using their proofreading service) or low-resolution photos, your order may not qualify for a refund. Be extra sure before you hit submit that all of the text is correct.
8-11 business days until your invites arrive
Typically, it will take 8-11 business days from the time of your purchase to receive your order. This timeframe encompasses approximately 2-3 business days for edits, followed by 3-5 business days for printing and drying the cards. Then, you'll have to add your shipping method, which can take up to 3 days depending on if you choose expedited or standard shipping options.
Mixed reviews for customer service
Paper Culture has a stellar "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau. However, from other review sites, the feedback is mixed. For example, on blog sites, Paper Culture has an average rating of 4 stars. When we checked out the feedback from other third-party review sites like Trustpilot, it showed a 2.8-star average. The customers who were happy loved the quality of the paper and were impressed with the commitment to the environment. Other customers claimed that they struggled with customer service and had issues getting problems with their orders resolved in a timely fashion.
More focused on environment than customers
Despite their commendable sustainability efforts, Paper Culture's mixed reviews raise some questions about their customer service. While their commitment to sustainability is admirable, those prioritizing prompt service may need to look at alternatives with higher customer ratings. For this reason, Paper Culture gets a more moderate rating in our review of graduation invitation providers.
Established in 1983 in Chicago, Paper Source has expanded to over 130 physical stores spanning 30 states, along with an online platform. Paper Source offers an impressive number of products, including calendars, stationery, gift wrap, party supplies, stamps, and greeting cards. Their mission revolves around helping you memorialize cherished memories and commemorate life's simple joys through their merchandise.
115 themes to choose from
Paper Source has 115 styles of "Graduation Party" announcements available. However, the company's filters are fairly limited to the size or number of photos. If you're worried about missing some of the options, you'll have to scroll through the entire page to see all potential invites. The designs across all products exude a modern aesthetic, featuring a balanced mix of photo-centric and photo-free styles, with unique colors, fonts, and fun border additions.
Beginner-friendly customization tool
Paper Source's customization tools for graduation invitations are rudimentary, but still better than some of its competitors. Currently, you can upload photos, add text boxes, and perform basic drag-and-drop maneuvers. You can also change the background colors and the shape of the final product without adding extra costs to the final purchase, which is a bonus. However, you are limited to certain layouts, and the drag and drop feature is only to move around images within the constraints of the photo windows. It's very beginner-friendly, but you're pretty limited on what ultimately can be changed.
Prices start at $44 for 20 invites
In terms of pricing, Paper Source does allow you to filter their products by cost, so it's easy to find the most and least expensive options for graduation invitations. The least expensive style is the Modern Square Graduation Announcement. This costs $44 for 20 invitations, which is the minimum requirement to purchase. The most expensive style is the Marble Graduation Party Invitation which costs $54.60 for 20 invitations.
30-day return policy
At Paper Source locations and their website, any purchase is eligible for a refund or return. If you purchased your invitations directly from Paper Source, you can receive a complete refund for the original purchase amount, along with any relevant taxes. The only catch is that your return must be unopened and the request needs to be completed within 30 days of your purchase date.
Free shipping over $60
One notable perk is free standard shipping for orders exceeding $60. You can also pay for rush production, available for $10, if you need your graduation invitations in a hurry. Paper Source promises expedited processing for rush production within one business day for orders placed before 1 pm CT.
Poor customer service tarnishes reputation
However, Paper Source's rating of "B-" from the Better Business Bureau reflects some issues with responsiveness to customer complaints. External reviews echo this sentiment, with only a 2.7-star average rating from Trustpilot. Reviews cover issues such as unreliable service, inadequate customer support, delivery discrepancies, and long wait times. Despite the promising free shipping service, Paper Source falls behind in customer service.
Needs to work on its customer service
Despite commendable efforts towards fast shipping and quality stationery, recent feedback and limited customization options have cast a shadow over Paper Source's reliability. For this reason, it fell to a less favorable position among preferred destinations for graduation announcements. Given these concerns, Paper Source earns a below-average rating in our review, matching the sentiments of reviewers on other third-party websites.
Established in 2003 by Heather Hasse, Simply to Impress was born from a passionate desire to craft innovative designs for announcements and invitations, aimed at immortalizing life's precious moments. Alongside an extensive array of graduation and holiday cards, the platform offers a range of unique party invitations, wedding announcements, business stationery, custom gift tags, journals, yard signs, banners, and more.
1,238 designs available
With an impressive catalog of 1,238 graduation invitation cards, Simply to Impress offers one of the most extensive selections available. The cards come in 12 distinct shapes and feature options for multiple photos. The selection includes both minimalist designs and detailed styles so whether you want something modern or classic, Simply to Impress will have a style for you. Given the number of choices, the platform's filters are extremely helpful. You can easily sort invitations based on various criteria including gender, number of photos, orientation, special features, greeting type, shape, theme, and color.
Minimal edits focused on text
While the design editing functionality remains fairly basic, allowing for minor alterations such as changing the shape, foil color, card size (where applicable), and uploading photos, you can't reposition photos or major elements on the card. Simply to Impress has added the ability to move and add text fields, as well as change the colors and fonts. However, anything attached to the "background” like script or photo windows is locked in place and uneditable. Some changes, like the shape of the cards, can affect your final price when you're finished.
Prices start at $0.60 per card
With prices starting as low as $0.60 per card, Simply to Impress offers competitive rates on graduation invitations, further sweetened by discounts available through email and text sign-ups. Prices can go up to $2.15 per card depending on the options you choose. Changes like cardstock or card shape will impact the final price. You are required to buy a minimum of 15 cards, but certain numbers like 25 or 50 cards can earn you further discounts.
100% satisfaction guarantee
Backed by a robust 100% satisfaction guarantee, Simply to Impress pledges to solve any problems if you're not content with your order, with exceptions limited to cases of defects that were due to customer error during the design process. You'll see the satisfaction guarantee details listed on every card, making it easy to find if you need to ask for a refund.
Shipping in 2-5 days for most packages
Flat-rate shipping options are available, with standard shipping priced at $8.75 for a 2-5 day delivery timeframe. Expedited 2-day shipping is offered at $15, while overnight shipping carries a fee of $25, although occasional free shipping promotions may offer further savings.
Concerning reviews for order errors
Customer feedback for Simply to Impress presents a pretty negative picture, with many reports highlighting negative experiences. The Better Business Bureau shows only a "D+” rating and third-party review sites like Trustpilot show a 2.2-star average rating out of 5. While there are some reviews that praise Simply to Impress' affordability, quality, and prompt delivery, most reviewers lament challenges in resolving issues with customer service. Reports of printing errors, unexpected delays, and communication difficulties underscore the importance of exercising caution when considering Simply to Impress for graduation invitations.
Simply doesn't impress
While we loved the massive inventory at Simply to Impress, it doesn't "wow” us in the customer service department. With low-scoring reviews and only a "D+” from the BBB, we have some concerns about how reliable Simply to Impress is when it comes to delivering quality graduation invitations. We hope that Simply to Impress will improve its customer service and design elements in the future, but for now, we're a little cautious.
Since its inception in 1999, Shutterfly has evolved from a platform primarily focused on printing 4x6 digital photographs to a site that provides a range of custom photo services. Shutterfly offers options for creating cards and stationery, prints, gifts, calendars, wall art, decor, and wedding products. Promising a user-friendly interface, Shutterfly helps you personalize your selections by uploading photos from your devices and begin customizing. Shutterfly's family of brands includes Tinyprints, Lifetouch, Groovebook, and Spoonflower.
183 templates
Shutterfly offers 183 different template designs for graduation invitations. To streamline the selection process, Shutterfly provides filters to narrow the selection. These include foil color, trim options, number of photos, design color, theme, style (ranging from classic to modern, contemporary, whimsical, and rustic), price, card size, designer, and format. You can also find flat and multi-fold cards if you're looking for a more distinctive style.
Minimal edits available
While Shutterfly's customization tools are user-friendly, the degree of customization is somewhat limited. Although you can add personal details and your chosen photos, most designs don't allow any changes to the actual template design. All of the predetermined elements such as photo placement, headings, or other stylistic features remain fixed. However, if you change your mind about the shape or element that you chose, you have access to all the cards, cardstock types, and cut-out shapes to change while you're in the editor. So, you don't have to back out and find an entirely different card to see all of Shutterfly's options.
Prices start at $1.99 per card
The price per card starts at $1.99 at Shutterfly. This includes a square-cut card, the lowest tier cardstock, and a minimum purchase of 80 cards to get that price. You can order 1 single card or a fewer packet like 10 cards, but the price per card goes up the fewer you get. The full price for 80 cards at the low end is $159.20. For the most expensive card, the price per unit is $4.15 per card. This includes iridescent foil, rounded edges, foil cardstock, and a minimum order of 80 cards. Like the cheaper cards, you can get just one graduation invite or as few as a pack of 10, but the price per card is higher if you order a smaller number. So, the full price for 80 cards is $332.80. While this can get a little pricey, Shutterfly offers Afterpay, so you can split payments into four interest-free installments over two-week intervals if you need to.
100% happiness guarantee
Backed by a 100% happiness guarantee, Shutterfly pledges to address customer dissatisfaction, although specifics regarding refunds are not explicitly stated. Shutterfly also promises free, unlimited storage for uploaded photos and products. This way, you can be sure that your content won't get deleted over time or in favor of new projects you want to upload to Shutterfly.
Up to 2 weeks to get your invites
For most packages, the shipping will take 6-10 business days, as that's the lowest tier of standard shipping. This doesn't include production time, so your final timeline could be about two weeks. If you really need your graduation invites in a rush, you can pay for expedited shipping which is 1-2 days, but Shutterfly states on its shipping page that the opportunities for rush shipping are limited.
Tons of negative reviews
Despite past positive reviews, Shutterfly's reputation has suffered a decline, evidenced by its now "NR" rating from the Better Business Bureau and numerous negative customer reviews. On Trustpilot, Shutterfly has a 1.5-star rating out of 5. Complaints primarily revolve around prolonged delivery times, quality control issues such as watermarked cards, and challenges in communicating with customer service. As a result, many customers advise against using Shutterfly, suggesting alternative options for ordering graduation invitations from more highly-rated companies.
Can't compete in the current market
Considering all the problems reported by customers, we can't recommend Shutterfly against much better-performing graduation invitation providers. With such negative reviews and no recommendation from the BBB, Shutterfly falls near the bottom of the pack.
Snapfish is a web-based photo printing and sharing service that has been operating out of San Francisco, California, since 1999. Currently under the ownership of Shutterfly, Snapfish's photo services have expanded to include cards and invitations. Members of Snapfish enjoy unlimited storage and can freely upload photos to create various personalized items like photo books, canvas prints, home decor, and more.
Over 200 unique designs
Despite having a selection of over 264 graduation invitations, Snapfish's offerings may appear more extensive than they are. The sorting options allow for filtering by card type, photo count, orientation, colors, trim, and foil color. However, some styles may repeat across different sizes which are listed as "unique” cards, resulting in fewer actually unique designs than the site actually says.
Minimal design customizations
To customize a chosen graduation announcement, you'll need to create a free account on Snapfish. This is a little inconvenient compared to other companies that offer you the ability to edit and personalize the cards regardless of membership. Once in the photo design center, customization options are relatively basic, limited to photo uploads, font, and color adjustments, with no ability to modify the overall card design. If you're looking for a chance to be truly creative, Snapfish might not be ideal for you.
Prices start at $2 per card
Snapfish initially seems pricier compared to other providers, with card prices ranging from $2 to $3.95 at the baseline. However, the frustrating part is that some shapes that are available on the listing page aren't the same when you get into the editing tool. For example, glossy paper (which was the $2 per card style) isn't an option in the editor. You have to get the "premium” paper which brings the price up to $2.35 per card. On top of that, there is a minimum purchase requirement of 20 cards that isn't visible until you finish your personalizations. There are definitely some concerns regarding transparency for prices.
Minimal details on refunds
Snapfish's refund policy is somewhat opaque, with resolution decisions made on a case-by-case basis through live chat or phone support. In some cases, Snapfish will ask you to send back your defective item so they can evaluate it for replacement or refund purposes. However, there aren't any specific promises one way or another.
Up to 8 days for shipping
Shipping costs are no longer listed on Snapfish's shipping page. You'll have to put in your specific information and zip code to get an accurate quote. According to the shipping timeline, your graduation invitations can take up to 8 days to arrive with standard shipping. The shortest possible window is up to 4 days to arrive. These times include production time and shipping.
Reputation keeps falling
However, quality issues and subpar customer service have caused Snapfish to slide from an already dismal "D-" rating down to an "F” from the Better Business Bureau. On top of that, Snapfish has only a 1.3-star rating average on Trustpilot. There are tons of negative customer reviews across the web including reports of grainy prints, orders with glaring errors, and tardy deliveries.
You can do better elsewhere
Snapfish doesn't have a lot to recommend it. It doesn't have the highest number of unique designs. It doesn't have the best prices. And with truly abysmal reviews and an "F” rating from the BBB, we're highly cautious about recommending Snapfish for your graduation invitations. For this reason, Snapfish gets earns a low spot on our list. You can do better for customer service and quality with another choice for your graduation invitations.
Designing graduation invitations is an opportunity to express your personal style and creativity. Whether you prefer a classic and elegant design or something more modern and playful, there are endless options to choose from. You can customize your invitations with your school colors, graduation theme, or even include photos of your time in school. With so many design possibilities, you can create invitations that truly reflect your personality and make a lasting impression on your guests.
In addition to being a fun and creative project, sending out graduation invitations serves a practical purpose as well. By inviting guests to your graduation ceremony or celebration, you can help your loved ones keep track of your special event so they have the opportunity to mark their calendars and make plans to attend. Plus, receiving an invitation in the mail adds a personal touch and makes your guests feel valued and included in your special day.
When it comes to choosing graduation invitations, there are a few factors to consider helping you find the perfect option for your celebration:
Gathering your friends and family to celebrate your graduation is a wonderful way to create lasting memories and share in the joy of your accomplishment. To help you make your day extra special, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the top graduation invitation services out there today. Whether you're planning a small gathering with close friends or a larger party with extended family, we hope this info (and inspo!) helps you pick out the perfect place to design the invites. So, whether you're planning a graduation party, ceremony, or other special event, don't forget to send out invitations and let your loved ones share in the excitement of your big day!
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