help with promotional/printing gift companies

[eyes4eeyore]

I'm putting together a Santa Shop for our school PTO. I'm in dire need of a couple hundred more men's things and I thought it might work to have some pens, mouse pads, mugs, etc. engraved/printed with phrases like Worlds Best Dad or Grandpa. I've spent all evening looking around but I'm worried I'll get taken. Anyone have any suggestions or experience with a great company. Looked at Vista Print and I saw a bunch of unhappy customers. Plus I see a bunch of these companies charge a set-up fee. Is that each item or a yearly charge? Anyone ever hear of lazerdesigns.com?

Thanks

 

[DVCBELLE]

I use Vistaprint a lot and could not be happier with their quality...

if they have a price you like then I would go for it!

 

[Aliceacc]

I've been using Vistaprint for years and have never had a problem.

Every single year I include their mini magnets with my Christmas cards. When the current high school Juniors were in 7th grade, I gave each of my 180 students a magnet at Christmas (something like "Mrs. A. thinks you're a star" with a picture of a star)-- several of the kids still have those magnets in their lockers.

And I use their return address labels as stickers on tests ("Mrs. A thinks your math grades is a real TREAT" with Jack O'lanterns-- that sort of thing) and the kids adore them! I've gotten their note cards, their banners (there's on hanging on my classroom wall at the moment-- a mountain scene and the phrase "Civility, Order, Respect") My kids each have a T shirt from Vistaprint. When I was a SAHM I did lots of tutoring, and used their business cards.

And I've ordered almost all of that for free, paying only shipping and handling.

I recommend them highly.

That said, I've never bought any of the "special deals" that pop up after I place my order. As I understand it, those are the source of some of the problems.

 

[MikeinBoston]

I worked in a business purchasing promo items for trade shows and such. We found Vistaprint had the overall worst prices in the market. Check out NEBS, (nebs.com) which allows smaller quantities, or GOPROMOS.com, which has some better pricing on higher quantities. Right now on NEBS, for example you can get 100 blue/gold colored pens for $59 or at GOPROMOS. com, you can get 150 frost pens for around $66. Also the VISTA print mousepads are printed using basically an inkjet printer, the ink was found to rub off.



http://www.gopromos.com/Item/Cool+Frost+Clear+Pen/GPN20909/Default.aspx

http://www.nebs.com/nebsEcat/products/product_detail.jsp?pc=108639

 

[eyes4eeyore]

Thank you! I only wish I had thought of this earlier. I hate making last minute decisions. Funny how Vistaprint gets such varied reviews, people either love 'em or hate 'em.