Monday, December 2nd
2024 Photo Card Company Reviews
Simply To Impress
- Over 6,000 photo card designs to choose from
- Create-your-own option
- Prices start from $0.62 to $1.53
- Frequent sales and promotions
- Expedited printing/shipping available
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Parent company is "A+” rated by the BBB
- In business since 2003
Founded by Heather Hasse in 2003, Simply To Impress set out to make sharing moments through photographs more affordable and accessible. As part of the PlanetArt brand family, which includes well-known sites like CafePress and Canvas World, Simply To Impress focuses primarily on photo cards and invitations. But here's the catch: they haven't exactly been wowing customers over the years, with decidedly mixed feedback that has kept them from moving up in our rankings as well. But, let's take a look at what you can expect from Simply To Impress, and you can decide for yourself.
Thousands of designs to choose from
There are over 6,000 designs for photo cards here: just make sure you start out by clicking the box on the left-hand side of the page that reflects the number of photos you want to include, because otherwise you'll also see designs with none at all. Other filters you may find helpful are Category, Shape, Orientation, and Color.
Big focus on graduation and holiday cards
Holiday and Graduation photo cards get the most focus at Simply To Impress, with around 1,700 and 900 designs for each of those categories, respectively. We were surprised that wedding announcements and invitations were way down the list, with just a few dozen styles to choose from. Still, with the Create Your Own option always on offer, you can literally get any photo card you can imagine here.
Competitively priced
Pricing for photo cards is much lower with Simply To Impress than at most rival print shops. For pretty much every card we looked at, the starting price per card was between $0.62 and $1.53. Of course, that assumes that you're buying more than just a handful; the minimum order for most cards is 15, and naturally you'll pay more per card for that quantity than if you're ordering 100 or more at a time. Your final cost will also be determined by the cardstock and/or foil type you select; the listed prices on your results list typically default to the most budget-friendly options and allow you to upgrade if you choose.
Fantastic discount offers
You'll also have no shortage of savings opportunities when buying photo cards here. At the time of this review, we got two impressive alternatives: a 40% discount if we signed up for emails from Simply To Impress, or a 30% off sitewide sale.
Several options for faster delivery
If you're in a hurry, some cards are eligible for Lightning and Rush shipping upgrades. Rush gets your photo cards to you within two business days and comes with a $9.99 expediting fee (in addition to having to choose overnight shipping as your delivery option), while Lightning comes next business day with a fee of $16.99. But, there's a long list of photo cards that can't be hurried along, and that includes designs with foil, Luxe Double-Thick cardstock, or folded cards (that last one can be done with Rush but not Lightning).
Late delivery for a lot of customers
Unfortunately, even if you expedite your print and ship, there's a real possibility that you still won't get your cards on time. That's a big part of why Simply To Impress just hasn't moved up in our rankings: customer feedback still indicates (even over several years of evaluations) that orders are getting delayed with little to no warning or explanation from the company.
Lots of clients come away disappointed
Simply To Impress' parent company, PlanetArt, gets an "A+” from the Better Business Bureau. However, there are still several dozen complaints filed there - and despite having lots of sites in the brand portfolio, most of the rants specifically mention Simply To Impress as a problem. Jumping over to Trustpilot reveals the same thing: over 265+ reviews, Simply To Impress only earns an average of 2.7 out of 5 stars, with frequent fails in print quality, delivery, and above all, customer service. Customers complain about getting poorly-printed photo cards and only being offered a discount on a reprint when, rightly, they should be getting a refund or a no-cost rerun of the original order. Offering a 100% satisfaction guarantee is pretty meaningless if it's not actually honored, and that seems to be the case with Simply To Impress.
Not a recommended print shop for photo cards
Simply To Impress has some appealing qualities, but we'd advise you to proceed with caution. Nobody wants to spend time crafting a beautiful photo card only to have it arrive late or not at all, or deal with a customer service nightmare. That's why they've landed one of our lowest ratings. Your photo card journey might be better served elsewhere to avoid potential headaches.
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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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