Tuesday, January 21st
2025 Photo Card Company Reviews
Shutterfly
- Thousands of card designs
- Design-your-own feature available
- Pricing starts at $0.98 per card
- Streamlined design process
- Free return and recipient addressing
- Partnered with Costco and other companies
Established in 1999, Shutterfly is one of the original providers of personalized photo services, offering a wide range of options including custom cards and stationery, prints, gifts, calendars, wall art, home decor, and wedding products. You may have even been directed to this company when warehouse giant Costco transferred all of their photo services there, or maybe even as a promo to access photos from a cruise you took.
Design portfolio is large
You'll have no shortage of design options when you start browsing the photo cards at Shutterfly. All of the traditional occasions are there, from Wedding and Graduation Announcements to Christmas Cards, plus plenty of more niche moments like Summer Party Invitations and New Home events. In Christmas Cards alone, we found nearly 800 different styles. And, like most of the photo card retailers we evaluated, Shutterfly also gives you the ability to upload your own designs and create a one-of-a-kind card.
Filters are fantastic
We really appreciate the number of filters Shutterfly puts out there. It makes it so much easier to get right to the designs that are going to match what you've already got in mind, from the trim options (like rounded, ticket, or scallop) to style (such as traditional or whimsical). And, when you've finally got a results list that looks right, you'll see at a glance what color options are available and what the cards will cost.
Low prices when you order a lot of basic photo cards
Just keep in mind that the pricing, like most places, shows you the lowest possible cost, but that's usually based on a pretty large order. The lowest per-card price we spotted at Shutterfly was $0.98 each, but that was on a minimum order of 1,000. The same card was $2.19 each if we ordered just 1 or a pack of 10. Those prices also assume the most rock-bottom features, like square trim and standard cardstock; every other change you make (even rounding out the corners or upgrading to signature stock) will add up quickly.
Easy design and integration features
For the average person who doesn't know much about design, the Shutterfly interface will feel refreshingly easy to use. You won't have to create an account to start designing your photo cards: just choose the style, fill out the form with the corresponding information (like family name or wedding date), and it'll show right up on your preview. When it's time to add photos, you can upload them from your computer or connect with Google Photos, Facebook, Instagram, and more.
Some perks not offered by rivals
Another plus is that Shutterfly will address your envelopes at no extra cost. This includes the return address (which is fairly standard) and the recipient address (which is usually an add-on fee).
Reputation has taken a nosedive
Sounds pretty good so far, right? You're probably wondering, then, why this is one of the lowest-ranked options on our list of photo card providers. While we loved Shutterfly back in the day (in fact, we still get emails with "your memories from this date” from more than 20 years ago), its reputation is absolutely abysmal now. First off, the Better Business Bureau gives this print shop a disappointing "D-” rating, with almost 300 complaints filed in the last three years and 20 that went without a response from Shutterfly.
It gets worse
Then, jumping over to Trustpilot, Shutterfly has an even more lackluster 1.7-star average out of 5: despite having nearly 20,000 five-star ratings over the years, almost every single one from the last six months (and even longer) is a single star, mostly because you can't go any lower. From being charged for orders that never arrived, to getting the runaround from customer service, there's no shortage of complaints regarding Shutterfly's quality and support. That's a big letdown for people who've used this print shop for their photo cards from year to year: you just can't trust that the quality is going to be there anymore.
You've got better options than Shutterfly
All in all, you're better off going with almost any other option for your photo cards. Shutterfly is definitely trending downward, and you won't be able to rely on this service to get your cards printed right the first time and delivered when you need them. Skip Shutterfly and go with a higher-rated company instead.
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Photo cards have been a timeless way to capture and share moments of significance in people's lives. While they were once primarily associated with graduation and wedding announcements, photo cards have evolved over the years to become a versatile and popular tool for personal expression, celebration, and communication. In this era of digital-everything, photo cards offer a somewhat nostalgic, tangible and heartfelt way to convey emotions and commemorate special occasions.
And in recent years, photo cards have seen a surge in popularity. In this visual age, where swift info consumption is key, photo cards shine. Visual stories are mightier than just words, and appeal to our quick-paced lives. These cards crystallize moments, capturing feelings for both the sender and the receiver.
Photo Card Company FAQ
Continued from above...
As proof, you can look no further than social media. Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and the rest have blossomed because of pictures. People sculpt their online selves, turning stories into visual timelines. Photo cards extend this digital tale into the tangible realm, offering a physical side to the online identity. They let people share treasured moments beyond the fleeting nature of digital posts.
Naturally, you may be looking at photo cards exactly for those two typical occasions: weddings and graduations. There's no shame in that game. People love receiving pictures of the happy couple or the accomplished graduate, especially if it's someone they don't get to see in real life as often as they'd like. But, there are plenty of other occasions where a photo card could lend just the right touch.
For example, custom holiday photo cards have become a beloved tradition, allowing families to share their joy and highlight memorable moments from the year. New parents often choose photo cards to introduce their newborns to family and friends, adding a personal touch to the announcement. The same goes for birthday invitations and thank-you cards (and those might be the perfect follow-up to those wedding invitations and graduation announcements).
Aspiring creatives can also make great use of photo cards. They're a terrific way to share art prints, inspirational quotes, or as a platform for showcasing photography.
If you're on board with the notion that photo cards are a great way to share your holiday or special occasion, do you know where to buy them? There are many online stores that cater to photo card production - but they vary widely in cost and quality.
When selecting a platform to create photo cards, here are some criteria that can help you get the best product and experience:
- Price. Compare the pricing structure, including card options, sizes, and quantity discounts. Look for hidden fees like shipping costs. And, if you need a large quantity of cards for events like weddings or corporate functions, inquire about bulk ordering discounts.
- Editing tools. You want a site that doesn't give you a headache when you're putting together your photo cards. The ability to customize layouts, add filters, text, and adjust colors can significantly impact your final product.
- Integration with social media and cloud storage. If you have photos stored on social media or cloud platforms, consider whether the service allows easy access to these sources for card creation.
- Reputation. Read reviews to see what customers say about the quality of the final product, including paper type, color accuracy, and image clarity. High-quality printing is essential for a professional look. Also, what do they say about the availability of customer support, including live chat, email, or phone? That can be crucial if you encounter issues or have questions during the design and ordering process.
- Satisfaction guarantee. Look for a satisfaction guarantee or return policy that provides peace of mind in case you're not satisfied with the final product.
Photo cards continue to be a beloved means of commemorating life's milestones and expressing creativity, so the experts at Top Consumer Reviews have researched and ranked today's most popular platforms. We're confident that this information will help you get photo cards that exceed your expectations and deliver a meaningful way to share your cherished moments with others.
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