Customer Reviews

Printmaster Platinum V 17.0

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

I've used Printmaster 12 platinum on DVD and liked it well enough but the disk wore out. I knew from reviews of subsequent versions that Broderbund was giving us less and less but even still I was stunned by just how much less. Where are all the projects? Even counting the online projects there just isn't much here for anyone. For kid's masks, version 12 has at least a dozen but this version gives you 2! The cards are terrible - many are just small clipart images with a white background. (At least you won't need much ink). In short, if you want to create anything decent you'll have to design it yourself. Inspired by the ONE nice-looking cut-out card, I was able to search the art work and create several nice cards that I would be pleased to send.

I have used lots of PrintMaster versions I had some trouble with version 16 with the address book so I was happy to find that a new version was out and called to order they told me I wouldn't have a problem with the new one. This new version is JUNK; all the projects have to be downloaded so if you don't have a high speed connection forget it! I don't like the fact that you have to go on line every time you want to create a card etc. I sent a note to customer service and just received a generic response. So looks like I have to find new software.

I love PrintMaster. I'm currently using PrintMaster 16 Platinum. I have used many generations of this program with great success. I have taught classes on creative desktop publishing and always recommended--even sold--PrintMaster, but this one is terrible! Most of the images, even the previews, seem to be online and require a download which is very slow. The thumbnails are low resolution and hard to see, so you have to download previews just to get a good look. Most of the images can't be accessed at all, because there is a prompt for the intall/program disk. There is no such disk. There are separate install and program disks, neither of which satisfies the program.
Encore, which now distributes the program, does not support it. Broderbund does not not support it, except through its website which does not address this issue. If you try to phone customer service, you pay for a call to get an automated response which sends you to another response which tells you to go to the website.
Do not purchase this product without a money-back guarantee.

Junk. I had to reinstall over and over before I could even get it to recognize the disk that had the art work! Other artwork is only available via download, so if you have a modem, watch out. I emailed support a week ago and guess what: no answer yet.

I like the Printmaster Gold 16 MUCH better, the new one takes way to long to come up and make projects. I find myself putting in the old one all the time. I wasted my money.

I am very disappointed in this program. I have been doing my own graphics/cards for about 10 years. I started with Print Shop (early edition) and progressed thru all the updates. I then switched to PrintMaster and LOVED it!!! Again, I have progressed to each new verion with very little or no problems...until now! This has got to be the worst of the worst--- the program did not want to load without being babied. When it finally loaded, it was very confusing and I found that I needed to get my graphics from the internet! The area I live in only allows me to have dial up---you can imagine how long it takes to get the graphics I want! If you are interested in doing your own graphics/cards, skip this program...go back to PrintMaster Platinum 16 for much better results. As far as I am concerened, the River Deep Company needs to hide this edition in the DEEPEST RIVER they can find!

I have been using American Greetings Creatacard Platinum 8 for several years and really liked the program. I wanted to add some variety since I felt I was running out of sentiments and graphics that I haven't used yet. Well, I was very disappointed with Printmaster. Their sentiments are VERY weak..they simply say Happy Birthday and that is all on many of them. The graphics are also pretty poor, I expected a more professional looking graphic. The program is not very easy to use. I am actually just continuing to use my other program as that one is so superior. Waste of my money to buy this program.

Over all I am very happy with the product. It has paid for itself in this short time by just making Happy Birthday cards. I am not totally happy with the product and I am not sure if I would buy it again. The product is well worth the money you are paying but their is a few things which I am not happy about:
1. Even though the product gives you CD's which contain Art and Project Models their is more art and projects on the Internet. To access these art and projects you need to go on the Internet which is not a problem. What is a problem is that if you want to get on this site and a lot of other people are on the site already you may not be able to get on the site. If you cannot get on the site you cannot finish your project. You will have to put it away until some other time when you can get on the site. This is frustrating and annoying. It makes you want to take the entire program and through it out the window and buy another brand.
2. The other thing I was not happy about was, I was given a coupon, in the box, for a 1 year membership to the "Million Image Club" To get into this club you have to fill out some paperwork and submit it on the Internet. After it is reviewed you are then sent a pass word, over the Internet, that allows you to go on the site. Well, I filled out all the paperwork, sent it in over the Internet, as required, but was not sent a password. Well, I tried to find some one to talk to about this but ran into a brick wall after spending a lot of time being directed from one site to another only to end up with no answer to the problem. It seems that Broderbund does not control the product but "Encore" does. You will receive almost no help at all from "Encore". The only place to get help is from a Forum which couldn't give a reasonable answer on what I should do. So, I am now not getting access to the "Million Image Club", to tell you the truth, I don't really care. When you finally can get on the site you have hundreds of images and models to choose from. You really don't need a million more.

The program and most graphics used actually work as a shell and Internet connection is required for the files to run.

This should be quite clearly stated on the programs own advertising .

If the company goes bust at any time then the program is of no use and all customers will have wasted the cash paid.

It is quite clearly not advertised by, nor is it stipulated by broderbund as an Internet program only.

It's a let down greatly on the company's own part, other than this the program is perfect and well worth purchasing.

I have been using Printmaster Platinun for several years and love it. I scrapbook constantly using all of the features. I have printed thousands of items with this program. If people have problems with the program it is because it uses alot of memory and the problem is their computer. I have gotten rid of 10 scrapbook, photo programs and only use Printmaster. There is no better program. Anna