In a Nutshell
pros
- Huge range of products and services
- Free samples let you try before you buy
- High quality, professional-looking prints
cons
- High shipping costs compared to other brands
- Constant upselling can get annoying
Vistaprint Promotional Products
Vistaprint allows individuals and small businesses to design unique marketing materials that will showcase their brand as up-to-date and attractive. To do this effectively, Vistaprint offers support tools and an easy-to-use interface, so that anyone can create expert designs. Vistaprint stands out as one of the best places to buy promotional products due to its vast product line and customization options.
Vistaprint’s product line includes invitations, stationery, clothing, bags, magnets, labels, photo gifts, promotional items, and, of course, their business cards. Additionally, Vistaprint has ventured into the digital marketing space, offering website building and design services as well.
Vistaprint Pricing
Vistaprint has a minimum order requirement for many, but not all, of its promotional products. For example, business cards have a 100 card minimum. To give you an idea of pricing, the costs of two of their popular products are detailed below. Various add-ons like the paper finish, rounded corners, and premium quality will understandably add to the cost of your business cards. As you can see, ordering in bulk can be very economical.
500 basic cards
20$
200+
$7.10 per shirt
How to Customize Products with Vistaprint
Customization is a cornerstone of Vistaprint. This is how it works...
Firstly, set up your account. Insert all the usual details—email address, password, etc., and you can get started. Setting up an account is useful, because your templates will stay on file for future reordering.
Next, choose your product and their color and size. At this stage you can check out Vistaprint’s thorough selection of templates and design tips, and even choose to get a graphic designer to look at it for a minimal cost, e.g., an extra $5 for some business cards.
Then upload your images to Vistaprint by following their simple instructions, insert your text, and adjust appropriately.
Once your design is complete, you will be asked for your billing information and will be given another chance to review it.
Vistaprint’s customization tool supports the following file types:
- Adobe Acrobat Document (*.pdf) (recommended)
- Adobe Illustrator Artwork 8.01- (*.ai) (recommended)
- Adobe Photoshop Image (*.psd) (recommended)
- Bitmap Image (*.bmp)
- GIF Image (*.gif)
- JPEG Image (*.jpg,*.jpeg)
- Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 (or earlier) Document (*.ppt)
- Microsoft Word 2010 (or earlier) Document (*.doc)
- PCX Image Document (*.pcx)
- PICT Image (*.pic, *.pict, *.pct)
- PNG Image (*.png)
- PostScript File (*.ps)
- TIFF Image (*.tif, *.tiff)
Through each step of the design process, Vistaprint makes it clear what upgrades will cost you. As you move towards paying for your product, they offer you additional products to purchase, e.g., a pen to match your business cards. They also have a very friendly interface that offers customization tips, e.g., a reminder to make sure your design is well within what they call the “safe area” so nothing is cut off. Helpfully, Vistaprint lets you view your template before your order is printed and sent out. If you are a newcomer to product design, Vistaprint makes you feel that you’re in very good hands.
How do I Order from Vistaprint?
Customers can order Vistaprint products directly from their website. While they don’t offer free shipping site-wide, Vistaprint’s shipping costs are reasonable, and can be expedited if you need your products quickly. Vistaprint ships throughout the United States, and international shipping to some countries is available for an added delivery cost.
Coupon codes and shipping promotions are sometimes available. At the time of our review, Vistaprint offered a 15% off newcomers’ discount, and free shipping on all business cards of any style or quantity (not to be combined).
Vistaprint accepts all major credit cards and PayPal. Customers with US bank accounts may also pay by check or money order.
Vistaprint Features and Tools
Vistaprint has some standout features we found worth mentioning:
A free business sample kit includes business cards, postcards, brochures, stickers, a flyer, and a presentation folder. It lets you get a feel for some of their most popular products for businesses. There’s also a sample kit for weddings. Sample kits take 14 business days to arrive.
Promotique is Vistaprint’s promotional products line that allows customers to create branded products for a range of different merchandise, such as clothing, bags, household items, and technology gadgets.
99designs is Vistaprint’s graphic design platform. It allows users to create designs with the help of a professional team of experts.
Touch-free payments by Vistaprint is a way to create branded banners, signs, and cards that display a QR code customers can scan to send you payment.
Does Vistaprint have an app?
There is no dedicated Vistaprint app, but their website is mobile-friendly and easy to use.
Service & Support
At Vistaprint, there is a staff of dedicated Customer Care Specialists to help resolve any issues.
Phone Support
1.866.207.4955
EST
7 AM - 3 PM Monday-Friday
8 AM - 8 PM Saturday and Sunday
Email or live online chat are available around the clock via the website.
Vistaprint’s FAQs will answer the most popular questions, and many of them include links that take you to relevant pages on the site. In addition, Vistaprint maintains an experts’ blog that gives users advice on business, advertising, marketing, branding, and design.
How to Get a Refund From Vistaprint
Vistaprint guarantees satisfaction, stating clearly that if something doesn’t come out right, they’ll make it right. They offer refunds or reprinting to ensure that you’re pleased with the final result. Vistaprint offers a 100% money back guarantee on its products. Should you need to make a replacement order, Vistaprint will cover the shipping costs.
Bottom Line
Overall, we think Vistaprint has a lot to offer, particularly to small businesses or customers who may not know how to design their own custom products or marketing materials. Vistaprint walks you through the steps of creating your merchandise, explaining your options and outlining the costs for everything. Some of the templates feel pretty standard and may not wow users, but there are still many impressive, stylish choices. Vistaprint’s printing quality is high, and combined with excellent customer service, it's clear why they are considered one of the best places to buy promotional products.
FAQs
Do shipping times include production time?
Yes. The shipping speeds we list cover the time we need to create your products as well as deliver them to you.
Can I make changes to my order?
For most products, you can make edits to the text or design of your order until Vistaprint begins printing your merchandise. There are some exceptions, so be sure to contact Vistaprint as soon as you think you may want to make a change.
Can Vistaprint upload an image for me?
Our commitment to trademark and copyright laws means that we can’t upload an image for you, but we can help you find an image from our library. When you upload an image to Vistaprint, you are stating that you have the rights to use that image.
Does Vistaprint offer free samples?
Yes. Vistaprint offers a business sample kit and a wedding sample kit. Both kits give you a range of full-color samples in different finishes so you can get a good sense of these product lines.
Does Vistaprint offer tutorials?
In our help section, you’ll find a comprehensive list of video tutorials that can teach you about designing and ordering many of our products.
