Alternatives to vista print?

lil'H

Hi everyone,

I am in the process of setting up my own business and require a large amount of stationary (postcards, letterheads, business cards etc). Had a look at vista print, and the one of the templates they have is perfect for my business. The are currently offering the premium business cards free, so before you all say why do you want cards with vistaprint advertised all over the back, vista print will not be anywhere on my cards. However some people have previously mentioned quality isn't always good, does anyone have any experience of this? Also if not vista then where, none of the printers round my way can come anywhere near that price, especially when I'd need the art work done. I can't however find any other online services which allow you to upload your own logo, onto a pre-existing template, who have any where near as good designs as vista print. Ant ideas? Do I go vista or not, if not where to go, online design template style?

many thanks,
lil'H

Astaroth

I would recommend going to https://www.ukbusinessforums.com and put a post in their tenures forum. They have a lot of printers as members who offer a range of startup packages (paper, cards, compliment slips etc) at a discounted rate (obviously to try and build a lasting relationship but there are no ties)

flossy_splodge

Have to say I've always been perfectly happy with what Vistaprint produce and I've ordered about 10 sets over a period of time. They arrive before the date given and are well packed and do the job just fine. The one comment I DO remember relates to the size of their cards but quite frankly when have you ever measured a card you've received from someone to see if it is 'standard'? I certainly have never done so!. Also some of their alternative products are good value eg their business card case.:T

Rockee

I have used this company http://www.platinumprint.com/online.html
250 full colour business cards for £29. You do have to provide artwork. The quality is excellent as they are printed on a 5 colour printing press.

gonzo10

Astaroth wrote:

I would recommend going to https://www.ukbusinessforums.com and put a post in their tenures forum. They have a lot of printers as members who offer a range of startup packages (paper, cards, compliment slips etc) at a discounted rate (obviously to try and build a lasting relationship but there are no ties)

I'd recommend going to UKBF aswell, very nice helpful bunch of people.

Gonzo

gingerdad

As I always say you need to think what your business is and who your target market is, I know for a fact if I was given a vista print business card I wouldn't do business with that person and the card goes in the bin, it's all about image and if your image isn't important the go as cheap as you can, we sell a service and our image/vehicles/staff uniform, all work to give the same message.

Personally I use a local printer to me who are very good, I also use another larger printer for my bigger print runs. I know I get very good quality printing, and I don’t pay through the nose. But again it’s down to what you do and whom you are selling too.

That’s my 2p worth.

The printers we use are https://www.absolutedigitalprint.co.uk

Lexis200

I used https://www.aubergineprint.co.uk last time I needed printing. Exceptional quality... 350gsm silk card matt laminated... really look the business. I think I paid around £30 for 250. They come in plastic boxes and even have a mini holder that keeps around 15 cards you can stick in your pocket just in case.

Dave

mercman_3

for fear of being labelled a spammer i would like to post a link to point towards the services i can offer you by way of quality pvc business cards

take a look at pvcprinting.co.uk

Regards


Pete

just trying to help out a fellow member

akcl

Dosent vistaprint give the option of paying a little extra and they remove their advertising? thought i saw that last time i visited the site.

vikki_louise

Hello, we (https://www.postpals.co.uk) have used vista print for postcards, when you are designing them just look closely on the back, there is a tiny box with vista prints details, you can deleat it or replace with something else, we found the quality is good, and went for the cheapest postage how ever they turned up very quickly

lil'H

UPDATE - Ok thanks for all your suggestions, in the end I decided to place a small order with vista print to test the quality as it were. Well I have now placed more orders! Quality is great, and there was no way I could get that quality at those prices at a local printer. No vista print advertising on back, as vikki pointed out you can remove that yourself, or phone them and they'll go into your account to do it for you. Don't ever pay full price the special offers change all the time and are worth waiting for.

I ended up paying £108 for:
250 premium business cards (no logo, glossy finish good weight)
500 letterheads
100 A5 postcards, glossy finish
200 Regular postcards
25 magnets
50 envelopes (sized to fit the A5 postcards)
and
280 stickers with my business logo on.

That price included VAT and postage (21 day but arrived quicker), quality great, and for me I really liked having control over the design work. So for a new business who wants to keep costs down but not comprimise quality then go for it.

Bad points - call centre open 1pm - 5am, so you have to wait till afternoon to call.
They tend to ship each item in your order seperately (without extra charge) irritating but not exactly a problem!
They will after each order ask if you want to join their rewards, scheme, don't do this as it entails a charge.

H