Rating: Summary: (2.5) User-friendly but with a caveat Review:
This is the most cost-effective, user friendly program I have found for designing quick logos, letterheads and brochures, this latest version made more accessible because the extra disks are compacted into one. The program offers a great variety of images on every subject, with more available online (for an additional price). However, the greatest complaint is still unanswered...there is virtually no online help available when contacting Broderbund. If a program isn't backed up by online help, the user must consider this when buying the program in the first place. Of course, when I purchased The Printshop from a discount store, I had no idea of the difficulty in using online resources. On the other hand, the program is quite simple and self-explanatory, so there is little need for extra support.
There is an advanced drawing feature that I would like to learn, but the program help does little to guide me through the steps and I cannot navigate anything without some specific direction. Program designers don't seem to be aware of such elementary design flaws, assuming a base knowledge which may not exist. I bought a simple program because of my limited knowledge, expecting a certain degree of guidance through the basics. Broderbund's Printshop offers this assistance, but only to a very limited degree.
Whatever I have designed on my computer looks great on the screen, so this is a perfect program for anything that is directed toward screen resolution. This brings me to my second reservation, and it is considerable: when I have printed out the designs, the quality of print is pixilated and jagged, regardless of the fact that I adjust my printer to the highest resolution available, 4800 DPI. I have so far been unable to address this problem, which makes my designs virtually unusable in print. (Pixels per inch determine the quality of the print; the higher the number, the better the quality, but there does not seem to be any way, at least none that I have found, to fix this problem.) What Broderbund offers in simplicity is cancelled out by the printed quality.
I would be glad to reconsider my rating if anyone has suggestions for solving this rather critical design problem. I expect there are answers, but I certainly haven't found them via the Broderbund website. More customer support would be appreciated by anyone purchasing this product. Luan Gaines/2004.
Rating: Summary: Not worth it. Review: Don't pay $30 for this, just buy older version Print Shop 11 for $9. You would expect to see more tools in newer 20 version, but everything is exactly the same as Print Shop 11, and 11 has more special effects. Does anyone have Print Shop Delux 20 ? Please write a review if it's worth buying. Only reason I use Print Shop is because it's easy, too bad they don't improve it, all reviews I see for any Print Shop are not too good. Does anyone know similar software with better performants and more tools? Please somebody recomend something(write a review under Print Shop 20).
Rating: Summary: Don't buy this.. Review: I agree with the first reviewer. I tried at least 6 or 7 times and it wouldn't install. I also have XP and more than enough space on the computer for this program. I am out $30 b/c I can't return it. I couldn't even find a tech support phone #.
Rating: Summary: Don't buy this.. Review: I agree with the first reviewer. I tried at least 6 or 7 times and it wouldn't install. I also have XP and more than enough space on the computer for this program. I am out $30 b/c I can't return it. I couldn't even find a tech support phone #.
Rating: Summary: Didn't run Review: I bought this Print Shop from another retailer (not Amazon), but after installing 3 different times, it just didn't run on my PC. I have XP, enough gigabites of hardware and memory, it meets all the system requirements but the software just doesn't run. After talking to Broaderbund tech support (the number was very difficult to find) and trying fixes, it didn't work and the retailer gave me a hell when I returned it. I'd buy any future PrintShop products only if there is a policy to return, or trial first before buying.
Rating: Summary: Didn't run Review: I bought this Print Shop from another retailer (not Amazon), but after installing 3 different times, it just didn't run on my PC. I have XP, enough gigabites of hardware and memory, it meets all the system requirements but the software just doesn't run. After talking to Broaderbund tech support (the number was very difficult to find) and trying fixes, it didn't work and the retailer gave me a hell when I returned it. I'd buy any future PrintShop products only if there is a policy to return, or trial first before buying.
Rating: Summary: Stick With Sierra's Print Artist Review: I have not purchased Print Shop 20, but I have carefully looked over the software description on the company's site and the other reviews that mention 'false advertizing' when it comes to the amount of images that actually come with the program are true. Not nearly as many images come with it as it states.Personally, thanks to my thorough research today I've decided to definitely stick with my beloved Print Artist. I've been using Print Artist for years and upgrading when a new version comes out. This time I thought I might try something different for a change, but I've changed my mind; I'm going to stick with Sierra's Print Artist. It has all the same extra features and bonuses as the other greeting card/desktop publishing programs and more, it's extremely simple to use once you get the hang of it, and there is no false advertising to it - it really includes everything the box for it says it does. Also, the print quality is excellent. Trust the reviews you see here. If you want honest, quality greeting card software, DO NOT waste your money on Print Shop.
Rating: Summary: A pleased PS user Review: I have owned PS 12,15 & 20 and I like them all. I even have PrintMaster 11 and I like that as well but PS 20 made some good improvements. The improvement I like most is the optimal print resolution which makes fonts print much more smoothly. As for installation I have never had a problem with PS 20. I had a minor issue with PS 15 but every install of PS 20 went fine for me. I have done many projects with PS 20 from photos to greeting cards to brochures and many more things. I think its a great product and I use quite often
Rating: Summary: Print Shop Deluxe 20 has problems Review: I, unfortunately, own PSD 20... No problems loading and using with XP, but wish I had done more research before purchasing. I used it for business cards and brochures and after a loooooonnnnng time on hold on their support line (had to call the corporate office who gave me a LD number to call), found out that the program won't print past a certain "margin" edge width unless your printer will print "full bleed" (meaning all the way to the edge). All of the art and examples on their box show everything printed all the way to the edge. Nowhere does it state that you have to have a certain printer or special printer capability to use the software. So for now (until I have time to do the research for a better alternative), my brochures and business cards are a bit lopsided.
Otherwise, it's easy enough to use. Wouldn't buy it again.
Rating: Summary: New Company - Worse Product Review: Look @ the box /screens. Instead of Broderbund its now Riverdeep & with that change the program has changed as well. I installed it & have uninstalled it. The screens look "cheaper". I like using the "Fine Art". There are far less Fine Art images in newer version. More upsetting is the false advertising. Box states "310,000+ images" (deluxe) where in reality MOST of these are online & secondly if you want to use MOST of those you have to pay another $20-30 to join their Million image club to use them?? Reinstalled old version 15. Why is new not better? I also keep a special PC w/all my old classic 96/97 programs!
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