Horrified by my Overnight Prints order.

[HaroldC3]

I decided to give Overnight Prints a try after hearing very good feedback about their "quality" over other cheaper options.

I ordered 1000 business cards, full color on both sides about 2 weeks ago and it came out to be just under $50. Today I got my cards and could not believe what I saw.

1. On almost every card is some kind of purple speckle. It looks like a paint splatter almost, not sure what it is.

2. I got UV coating on both sides and with about 5% of the cards, portions of the card were not coated.

3. About 2% of the cards were mis-cut, showing a white border on one side.

Out of the 1000 cards that I ordered, exactly 9 are usable.

I did give them a call around 4:15 and was next in line to get helped when 4:30 hit and the music just stopped. I was kind of like "did they just close?" This is certainly understandable because you have to stop somewhere.

Lastly, the packaging of the cards was not the greatest. They had most of the cards packed in like a baseball card box, nice and secure but then about 200 were left on top to "float" around.

Needless to say, I will be calling first thing Monday and requesting a reprint. I just hope they can get the second batch right. I'll keep you all posted.

[SoaringUSAEagle]

I just had mine done with them and I am super pleased! I am sorry to see your order did not go so well.

[form]

I don't think Printfirm.com is that cheap anymore, but I've had very good luck with their quality.

Whoops, my error, $35.45 shipped to my door, 1000 cards, full color and UV coating on both sides. 14pt. cardstock.

[HaroldC3]

Well I sent off 2 emails last week since I was pretty busy and didn't get a response. On Saturday, I got an email saying the emails I sent bounced back.

I called them today during my lunch break (got to talk to someone in 3 minutes) and James is supposed to send me a return label to send my defective cards back and do a reprint.

Crossing my fingers that the next batch comes out better. Updates still to come...

[cory1848]

Thats a bad press run. They gang run these cards and once on press, your order is completed in about 3 minutes. Doubt there is a QC check after the run with so many bulk orders... Request a refund AND a reprint at their cost. Vista Print did this for me after screwing up one of my orders.

[TheHoff]

Request a refund AND a reprint at their cost. Vista Print did this for me after screwing up one of my orders.

Why should you get a refund AND a full reprint?

[PhotosGuy]

Why should you get a refund AND a full reprint? Because, as he said, others do & it doesn't hurt to ask for it?

For the record, Vista Print did a good job on my orders.

[Manticorp]

Ouch

Please keep us posted on how it goes!

This is probably an anomolie and I Wouldn't stop using said company just because this has happened, as Cory1841 says, they probably don't do QC on 1000 card orders for private businesses.

Hope everything gets sorted for you!

Harry

[Mike R]

Ouch

Please keep us posted on how it goes!

This is probably an anomolie and I Wouldn't stop using said company just because this has happened, as Cory1841 says, they probably don't do QC on 1000 card orders for private businesses.

Hope everything gets sorted for you!

Harry

They should QC every order. Regardless of the size order, someone still has to put it in a box.

[binliner]

Ouch
This is probably an anomolie and I Wouldn't stop using said company just because this has happened, as Cory1841 says, they probably don't do QC on 1000 card orders for private businesses.


If there is no QC then that to me is a very good reason to stop using a company!

[cory1848]

Why should you get a refund AND a full reprint?

Because they screwed up. Its customer relations and if they are a reputable company they will do it.

In my situation, I had ordered a proof, and being in the publishing/print field for the past 10 years, their CSR couldnt get me to believe that is was my file. She tried. After explaining to her how the process works, and the fact that my proof that I paid for was correct, she happily credited my account for the full amount plus shipping and reprinted them for me. It was actually more than I expected. The cards are usable, just not exactly what I ordered. I have since placed another order with them and this time they came out perfect.

[charger912]

We've used Overnight Prints at my office for our business cards and all I can say is that I was less than impressed. The print quality was not great, the cards were not all cut to the same diminsions and I had a handful "floating around" on top in the box as well.

[amfoto1]

Hey Harold,

Sorry about the problem with your order. I bet they'd redo them for you.

On the bright side, they did make you look waaaayyy younger in the photo, didn't they? :D

Cheers!

[xepherys]

Why should you get a refund AND a full reprint?

Ah, a great customer service question. I think it goes in two parts like this:

1) Should he get a refund AND reprints because it's the "right" thing to do? Not really. The technically correct response here would likely allow one or the other.

2) Should he get a refund AND reprints because his order was screwed up, possibly costing him business and definitely costing him time? The answer here is yes, certainly! If the company wants to keep customers coming back for more orders, they should always take an extra step to make the customer happy. Just makes good business sense in the long run.

[breadandbutter]

I had them print 100 cards and to my surprise when I opened the box, the tops ones had markings which seem to come from pressure of straps, almost like a rectangular water stamp across the entire card.

I counted about 10 of them that were not presentable. So, I took my time and counted them all and I had about 110 total. So, I didn't bother to call.

I'm still happy with their service, although this could have been easily avoided.

Let us know how it goes. I'm curious to find out how they will handle your situation.

[ben805]

what is the turn around time from overnightprints? I ordered 100 last friday to test their print quality but haven't receive anything yet.

[Scooter650]

Sorry to bring up an old post, but I just got mine yesterday and they are awful. Obviously no QC going on after printing. They offered a reprint with the normal delivery (took almost 2 weeks the first time) or a refund. I asked for a refund, but I think I will go back and ask for printing also...

390758

[OdiN1701]

gotprint.com

[Scooter650]

gotprint.com

I take it you have used them and like them?

I am shocked by Overnights response to me. They have told me that the file I submitted was too high DPI (350 instead of 300) and that caused the issues. They will refund my purchase, but won't even reprint them. They just lost a customer and recommendation from me :mad: !

[KAD]

I take it you have used them and like them?

I am shocked by Overnights response to me. They have told me that the file I submitted was too high DPI (350 instead of 300) and that caused the issues. They will refund my purchase, but won't even reprint them. They just lost a customer and recommendation from me :mad: !

Too high doesn't cause the white lines- not letting the printing dry properly does. I've also had difficulties with another company- needless to say after rounds of talking with CS, still dissatisfied and definitely not using them again!

[Sledhed]

Scott,

I'm a print buyer for a large textbook publishing company so I know printing. You have a couple of issues here and they are not caused by a file with too high of a resolution. That's total BS!

First is the inconsistent color, they gang run the jobs. Meaning they gang jobs onto one sheet and print to preset density's for CMYK, they can't color correct for a certain piece because it will effect the job above and below on the sheet. When they start the printing press up it takes several sheets for the color to even out and for the press operator to adjust to the density's. These sheets should be thrown away, but on your job it looks like they started saving the sheets too early and that's why you have the color variations. It's their fault and they should reprint.

As for the marks on them, it's not roller marks from the press because their not always in the same location. Without looking at one in person it's hard to tell but it looks like scratches from the finishing process, either the coating (if it's UV it was done on press and a film lamination is a separate process) or when they die cut the corners. Again either way the scratches should not be there and they should reprint.

Don't let them tell you it's from a file with too high of a resolution.

[_aravena]

Maybe I live near a different print area? Mine come in a couple of days 'cause they are in Tampa I think. I love mine, I've ordered 1500 cards total and never had floaters. They are very secure, great colors, nice coating, everything I want and I've recently only paid $30 for 1000 with deals.

I'd recommend them all day.

[Scooter650]

Well, I went back to them, and now they say it is due to it being in RGB instead of CMYK and they cannot guarantee anything. They will refund my money, but they won't reprint. What floors me is that it looks correct in the cards that are the right color and don't have variance. The issue seems to be that they did not scrap the ones from the beginning of the batch and they did not catch the scratches (which look to me to be in the UV coating.

I know there are a lot of people that are completely satisfied with them, and I would have been also, but their QC and customer service is completely lacking when you do have something wrong. I'm going to try gotprint. Even though I hate having to go to CMYK because I know nothing about it, they have been great on the phone.

[BrianAZ]

Looks similar to my last overnights prints cards. Many of the cards had an uneven coating on them, and quite a few had creases/marks on them where they were obviously caught in the equipment. Some of the ones in the box were actually folded in half.

I sent them back, and to their credit they did give me a full refund.

[TheReal7]

Sounds like one company to put on the "avoid like the plague" list.

Also, to be honest, what can you really expect for $50 for 1000 cards 4c and UV on both sides? I worked at a print shop for over 12 years and that kind of printing would be WAY more then $50. Are these just printed off of a large printer or actually off-set printed?

[jrm27]

Wow, I've used them a bunch. Never had problems with cards and posters they have printed.

[DwightMcCann]

Wow, I've used them a bunch. Never had problems with cards and posters they have printed.
Me, too, but they are a bit sloppy.

[jrm27]

Me, too, but they are a bit sloppy.

It's been a while since I used them, perhaps I got in before they got sloppy? But, yeah, that appears to be what is going on here. Too bad. Good luck all!

[OdiN1701]

I take it you have used them and like them?

I am shocked by Overnights response to me. They have told me that the file I submitted was too high DPI (350 instead of 300) and that caused the issues. They will refund my purchase, but won't even reprint them. They just lost a customer and recommendation from me :mad: !

Yup used gotprint.com for my business cards. They came out great. I have used them for 3 different runs of different designs and not a problem.

[wickerprints]

Sounds like one company to put on the "avoid like the plague" list.

Also, to be honest, what can you really expect for $50 for 1000 cards 4c and UV on both sides? I worked at a print shop for over 12 years and that kind of printing would be WAY more then $50. Are these just printed off of a large printer or actually off-set printed?

They're gang printed, four color offset. That's why the cost is low--they put a whole bunch of jobs on a single run. It's clearly business on volume so of course you're going to have issues with QC. Most people are probably satisfied, but even a defect rate of 1% is going to have a lot of unhappy customers.

That's not to say the output I'm seeing here is anywhere near acceptable. What is troubling is not that there are bad results, but that they're trying to shift the blame onto the client. That is totally inexcusable and it's going to cost them in the long run. Businesses like this live and die by the number of customers they can attract because their margins are so small (and I don't mean the bleed margins!). Below a certain volume, they would go from profitable to dead, fast.

[TheReal7]

They're gang printed, four color offset. That's why the cost is low--they put a whole bunch of jobs on a single run. It's clearly business on volume so of course you're going to have issues with QC. Most people are probably satisfied, but even a defect rate of 1% is going to have a lot of unhappy customers.

That's not to say the output I'm seeing here is anywhere near acceptable. What is troubling is not that there are bad results, but that they're trying to shift the blame onto the client. That is totally inexcusable and it's going to cost them in the long run. Businesses like this live and die by the number of customers they can attract because their margins are so small (and I don't mean the bleed margins!). Below a certain volume, they would go from profitable to dead, fast.

This makes sense. I guess they do next to no preflighting neither. Just slap the customer's file in with a bunch of others. Which, as you stated would cause some unpleasant results. Unless every card with in the gang of cards has been color matched/corrected you're going to get inconsistent results.

Sometimes it's worth the extra few dollars to deal with a local printer. Then you can get consistent results if you want more cards later.

[DennisW1]

I decided to give Overnight Prints a try after hearing very good feedback about their "quality" over other cheaper options.

I ordered 1000 business cards, full color on both sides about 2 weeks ago and it came out to be just under $50. Today I got my cards and could not believe what I saw.

1. On almost every card is some kind of purple speckle. It looks like a paint splatter almost, not sure what it is.

2. I got UV coating on both sides and with about 5% of the cards, portions of the card were not coated.

3. About 2% of the cards were mis-cut, showing a white border on one side.

Out of the 1000 cards that I ordered, exactly 9 are usable.

I did give them a call around 4:15 and was next in line to get helped when 4:30 hit and the music just stopped. I was kind of like "did they just close?" This is certainly understandable because you have to stop somewhere.

Lastly, the packaging of the cards was not the greatest. They had most of the cards packed in like a baseball card box, nice and secure but then about 200 were left on top to "float" around.

Needless to say, I will be calling first thing Monday and requesting a reprint. I just hope they can get the second batch right. I'll keep you all posted.

Sorry to hear, but "horrified" is just a bit over-reacting, isn't it? If they didn't come thru and fix your order then I would agree that they deserve some bad publicity.

These orders are machine run, and while it's no excuse, apparently someone didn't look too closely at the finished product.

I got my cars from them also, and ya the box is kind of funky but it serves the purpose.

[Scooter650]

This makes sense. I guess they do next to no preflighting neither. Just slap the customer's file in with a bunch of others. Which, as you stated would cause some unpleasant results. Unless every card with in the gang of cards has been color matched/corrected you're going to get inconsistent results.

Sometimes it's worth the extra few dollars to deal with a local printer. Then you can get consistent results if you want more cards later.

Well, today I have dealt with Gotprints and they have a much better upfront system, I can definitely tell you that. I created a CMYK file, and changed the colors a little since the grey looked washed out in CMYK, and went with a light cream for the background.

I entered the order, and within 24 hours I get a proof emailed to me for approval (actually only took about 4 hours). There is none of the bleed line/safe line crap, just the actual cut to size card and a proof of front and back. Due to me being a little gunshy, I called them to discuss the colors. They were very helpful, I told them what I "expected" the colors to look like, and they said they would discuss it with the print prep specialist and to call them back in 30 minutes. I called back, they had reviewed it, we agreed on what the colors should look like, and I approved it online. I am VERY satisfied with the customer service end of it, much better than my experience with Overnight.

I also am ordering only 250 cards, not 1,000 or 5,000...so I likely don't mean much to anyone right now ;), and I get that. I also don't want to slander Overnights name too badly, because there are obviously many satisfied customers on POTN. I got the bad end of it, and their customer service did not stand up to the test. I am the 1% this time.

I'll update when I get the new cards next week.

[MadisonPhotography]

I had an order with them and I doubt that 10% of the 1000 business cards we usable...printed off center, some coated, some not...

I returned for a replacement and the next batch were worse...printed one side with my info and back side with someone else..

They wouldn't refund but wanted to give me credit on a future order...American Express credited the entire amount back and I had them done locally..

[The Mack]

Why should you get a refund AND a full reprint?

Because everyone feels like they should get something for free if they're "unhappy"
a re-print will be more then suitable.

[narlus]

Because everyone feels like they should get something for free if they're "unhappy"


gotta factor in the 'mental anguish' penalty...

[Scooter650]

As promised, an update. New cards came today from GotPrints and I am completely satisfied. Not a bad one in the bunch, excellent communication and order system they use. 8 working days from upload of files to my door, with an email every step of the way.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3465/3910968234_f767b90acc.jpg

[OdiN1701]

Glad you liked them - I knew you would.

[The Mack]

gotta factor in the 'mental anguish' penalty...

:) :cool:

[The Mack]

As promised, an update. New cards came today from GotPrints and I am completely satisfied. Not a bad one in the bunch, excellent communication and order system they use. 8 working days from upload of files to my door, with an email every step of the way.

[IMG]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3465/3910968234_f767b90acc.jpg[IMG]

Good to hear. I used moo last time, loved them.