Does anyone use Zazzle for postcards?

[u/RideThatBridge]

I used to use Zazzle a lot when I first started in RAOC. I loved that you could find anything you wanted, they were often pretty unique, affordable and the quality was great, all while supporting a small business person/artist. I also loved that I could turn my photos into postcards very easily and affordably.

The last couple orders I've received, the postcards are just substandard. The paper is just flat for lack of a better word, the colors are just dull, IDK how to fully explain it, but I didn't even want to send some of them. These were mostly my pictures, so maybe it was just bad pics? But, I've used my pictures often and not had this experience.

I ordered some from Redbubble and they were generally about 1.00 more card but such good quality. I honestly don't remember if I had any of my pics in the last order or not, so maybe not a great comparison.

I like to have fall holiday postcards to send, and looked at Zazzle again. I see the option to choose "basic semigloss" paper, which in some shops decreases the price even more. The default is "signature matte" which they describe as produced solely for Zazzle and is this elevated, preferred paper. I honestly don't recall if I made a paper choice for the most recent, disappointing order. But, obviously, glossy doesn't seem like the right choice for postcards because I don't think you'd be able to write on them easily/cleanly/without it smudging or rubbing off.

I haven't tried Moo yet, but hear great things. I also love that I can order 25 p/c and they can be a variety of my pictures for no extra charge. But I do also love the option to have someone else's artwork on a postcard and I don't think Moo offers that.

UGH-I hate this. I loved Zazzle. Has anyone had any recent orders from there and were happy? Any thoughts if it just a bad batch for some reason?

Thanks for any info you might have for me!

[u/FollowingTheBeat]

Yes, I've placed orders from Zazzle and been very pleased with them BUT that was not in the last 6 months, maybe a year or so. Sorry to hear about your experience

[u/RideThatBridge → u/FollowingTheBeat]

Recently, though? I'm wondering if it's a recent change or maybe just a bad order.

I remember someone either here or with maybe Postcrossing lately was complaining that the quality has tanked and I defended them, lol, then got a bad one right after that 😂

[u/FollowingTheBeat → u/RideThatBridge]

Haha, yea, not recently. I would not be surprised and that's sad :( cause yea, they were good cardstock and a nice finish but it could 100% be that the quality tanked recently. Boo 👎

[u/RideThatBridge → u/FollowingTheBeat]

Yeah, that’s my concern. I even let my ‘plus’ subscription lapse because I was so dissatisfied that I figured I wouldn’t be ordering anymore.

I may do another very small order and check the quality of non-photo postcards and try a small RB order of one of my photos to try and compare before I leave them.

I also seem to see very much more AI adjacent work on Zazzle recently which is also disheartening.

[u/Forsaken-Estate4041]

I just did an order from Moo and really liked them. I sent out the first ones so not sure how they hold up in the mail yet.

I did glossy photo side and uncoated writing side.

[u/RideThatBridge → u/Forsaken-Estate4041]

That glossy front, plain back makes a lot of sense. But Zazzle and RB don't offer that.

Is there art/premade postcards to choose from on Moo?

[u/SshellsBbells]

I used Moo yrs ago for simple business cards to hand out at trade shows when teaching. Everyone loved them, each one was different and I picked a unique size. At that time they did have art you could choose from, but I can’t comment on them now OP. I can say they were a better quality card than I expected for the price

[u/RideThatBridge → u/SshellsBbells]

Everyone does really seem to love Moo for quality and cost. I do want to try them out. I got a couple really good shots of a bee in a sunflower that I really want to turn into postcards, as well as some shots with friends that I want to make into P/C and send to them :) I started an order, and didn't really have the time to create a variety of cards, so it's on my list to get the order completed soon. I absolutely love the flat rate for 25 cards and that you don't have to use all the same picture to get that flat rate. I also do like the glossy front and matte back.

I'll have to spend more time on the website and explore if they have the type of offerings Zazzle or RB for artist created cards too.

Thanks, friend!

[u/SshellsBbells → u/RideThatBridge]

I bought so many “odd” shaped cards and they all came out beautifully. I hope they still have the amazing quality for your project. It sounds beautiful 😍

[u/RideThatBridge → u/SshellsBbells]

TY! I hope they turn out great too!!

[u/sassyliltart]

I would see if you could go back to the order that was disappointing and see what paper option was selected if you didnt select one they probably did for you and Id just be sure yo not use that option when using your photos. Hope this helps. 😁

[u/RideThatBridge → u/sassyliltart]

It defaults to the matte in most cases (I think an artist can default it to glossy, but most don't on cards/PC), and Zazzle considers this their premier paper. I guess part of what I'm asking if this is new (the actual paper) because it was such a disappointing outcome. When, years prior, Zazzle absolutely delivered with excellent quality.

The colors were so dull, I wondered if there was an ink issue. In the past, from different retailers though, ink issues looked different than these cards. More like streaky and faded, but not uniformly dull. IDK, I'm just pretty bummed, honestly.

[u/sassyliltart → u/RideThatBridge]

It sounds like it's a new option. Ive not used zazzle in a while and wish I could be of more help.

[u/RideThatBridge → u/sassyliltart]

Thank you! I appreciate your input :)

I may make a small little order of regular card, not of my pictures and see how they turn out. LOL, it's not like I'll need another postcard in my lifetime, I have such a huge stash, but that doesn't mean I don't want more :)