Customer Reviews

Print Shop 20 Deluxe [Old Version]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

First, you can't import an .eps file, which I'm not sure if that's got a copyright issue with Adobe, but it would be nice.

Second, there are a TON of images to use, for anything; Invitations, Cards, Brochures, Newsletters, etc., BUT, I'd like more. More copyright free color photos, more cool graphics. There's plenty to make do, but I would have gladly dropped another 30 or 40 bucks for an extensive image library.

Other than that; It's the easiest program that you will probably find, saving files to PDF is easy as pie, figuring things out like: importing your own pics, cropping them, saturating with color or changing properties is super easy. I've taken pictures and modified them with Print Shop that are awesome. Adding more color and contrast to night pictures makes you look like a master photographer.

Adding text boxes, et al., couldn't be simpler. I don't know what people are complaining about. I've been using this program for over 6 years to make company Invites, newsletters, etc.

I've finally outgrown it and am moving on to Art Explosion 'Publisher', but I will never be too far from my trusty Print Shop.

I initially gave this program a very negative review because I was having problems with the program and was having a hard time contacting Broderbund for help with it. I was finally able to make contact (through email) and was able to resolve the problems. It still loads slower than Version 15; it still takes almost 20 seconds after the program opens before I can use it because of the Project Picker's slow loading. But it is a good program. I don't rate it any higher than 3 because to me it's not enough better than Version 15 in the areas that are important to me to rate the price they're asking. I recommend trying it out first if you can before buying. See if the features appeal to you enough to justify buying it. Personally, though I love the Print Shop products, I think this should have been offered as an upgrade to those of us who have the program already. If I had checked it out first I don't think I would have paid the price for what is offered. I would have made do with Version 15 until a better product is offered. But that's just me. Like I say, try before you buy---you may love it and find it totally worth the price.

Printshop has not been good since it was a Dos program. Version 6 crashed all the time. Version 12 was buggy. Version 15 won't install on many systems. Now there is version 20. It keeps giving a fatal exception error after installing. Tried everything to get it to work. No joy!!!!!!!!!!! Support is virtually non existent. For all the money they are making they could do a better job. Whats with all the missing versions? They just arbitrarily assign a version number to it. They went from twelve to fifteen to twenty. What is Next? I guess it will be version Thirty then Fifty at the rate they are going. The problem is with all the new features they add, they add as many bugs and crashes as well. Do not buy this software. Make Broderbund go out of business if they can't support their crap or make a better product.

I was using version 12 and liked it well enough. I reinstalled when I got a new computer that had XP on it and it would not install, so I thought upgrading to the latest version would help. It did install, but the software has more quirks than the last one. It has somehow linked itself with other programs and so when I try to use my CD burning software or Legacy software (a geneology program) it wants to open PrintShop first and considering how slow this program is at opening that isn't pleasant. I've reinstalled numerous times and the problem hasn't gone away. I also find this program more awkward in trying to create things like a simple greeting card. If you can tolerate the annoyances (like if you delete the icon from the desktop it thinks it isn't installed) then you might enjoy the features this program has, but personally I just now hopped online to find myself a program by a different company.

I'm a big fan of the print shop programs. I've been buying them for years. They just keep getting better. I love all the new features they have included in this version, everything is improved. Now you can create hand crafted cards right in print shop. Now they added what they call Hot Shots Viewer. It simplifies the design process. You can also create CD's or video cd's (it works with your CD-RW drive) Even more photo effects. Now you can even remove that pet eye effect you get when taking photos of your pets. You can also email your friends you latest work as a PDF and they do not even have to have print shop to view it. If you use one of the messenger programs you can share it instantly with your friend. Another great feature is the new animated greetings. If you've forgotten your friends birthday or just didn't seem to find the time to pick up a card, nor make one... You can send them one of print shops animated greetings. No more searching the web. They've also improved the resolution of printing. I am very satisfied with this version of print shop. If your looking for a program that you can do it all in, this is it.

I have upgraded from the Printshop 6 because of compatiblity problems when I upgraded my comp and figured I would go for the Newest version of Printshop. It seems to have many more new features but it takes time to figure out how to use each application in the program. I have had this program for about a month, It shouldn't have taken me this long to figure out how to make a simple card or poster. The current obstacle that I have encountered it how to import the addresses from my outlook to the Printshop address book. If you are looking for simplicity...you may want to skip this PS20.

For Christmas 2003, I purchased PrintShop 20 as a gift for myself. I have a brand new DELL w/WindowsXP operating system and tons of memory. I installed the program and then decided to take advantage of their $9.99 DVD offer [included in the packaging of the software--maybe I should have wondered then--] so I would not have to swap discs out I am also a Power Macintosh user very familiar with Freehand, an awesome graphical interface program! If you have ever used Freehand, you will know why I am crying now about this program! I can't even get a photo image or a graphic to insert into a simple greeting card. When I use Borderbund's Help Station, it says they have no listing for my problem! What? I have installed again and again and so far: NOTHING. Do not buy this product even it has been rated by some computer magazine which is why I thought it would be good. I was dead wrong. Thank you for letting me share this information to the consumers out there; BEWARE!

I am a former PrintMaster Platinum 8.0 user so I thought being the same company would mean the same quality. Unfortunately I didn't read these reviews first. I bought the DVD format so that I wouldn't have to deal with a lot of disk swapping. The problem is when I don't find what I want on the DVD and try to use the online feature it is realy slow (I admit, I am still a 56K modem user), or I can't access it at all. I would have prefered having a second DVD to access all the images.

First of all, yes...this will install on an XP PC.

Secondly, if you're comfortable with the idea of objects and moving things around on a virtual design desk, you'll be fine.

I come from the "Corel" end of things (as an amateur), and I can see where people are uncomfortable with the interface; it's just not very intuitive.

That said, I installed the program yesterday without any problems, and proceeded to create a lovely flyer for an upcoming event in freehand poster mode.

I was able to change fonts, colors...not as precisely as I could in say, PhotoPaint, but close enough for rock and roll.

I'm not a huge fan of the interface, but most computer graphic programs are s-l-o-w to load. They're huge memory hogs; it's just the nature of the beast.

As for all of the XP and other installation issues that have been posted here...I didn't have any of those. I was asked to register the software (did that) and all was good in my "Print Shop" world, since I was never bothered with pop-ups after that.

While I still cling to "Photo Paint" and "Draw" for my artistic endeavours, "Print Shop 20" is a reliable addition for the home desktop publisher.

I'm sorry I did not read your reviews before purchasing this product. I'm not sure how bad the software is, but I'm sure the support or customer service is the worst. Their E-mail response = 3 days and does not answer your question but refers you to their web site. If you try to contact them by phone (your cost and their estimated wait of 20 min.), you get a computer response to review their web site and no option to talk to a tech. Tell a friend to save their money, Dont' buy it!