Software Review of:
Printshop 
Deluxe, Version 11 

One of the drawbacks, in my opinion, was that version 3 came with a thick book that pictured every one of the 30,000+ graphics and clip art selections available for the program. That meant that I spent far more time selecting the graphics than I did actually producing the project I was working on since I would page from one selection to another, constantly changing my mind and getting a tad confused as to where the graphic was that I remember from five changes ago.

Version 11 (and many earlier ones) did not have that feature and I was comfortable using version 3, and I resist change and — well, you get the picture. 

When we received version 11 to review (software checkout is a great way to obtain programs that and books at no cost to you) and my name was drawn — I just couldn’t resist choosing PrintShop since I really liked the older version.

The large box containing the program claimed that I had access to (get ready) 185,000+ images. This included graphics, photos, headlines, fonts, and cartoons. There are hundreds of projects that are used as templates to either use as is or to give you a starting place to make modifications in order to produce unique cards, banners, posters, etc. The ideas that are generated help focus you in toward what you want your project to look like.

All of this is contained on 7 CD/ROM disks (5 are chock-full of the art while two are program/install ones). The folder holding them is even nicely made and the labeling is quite clear.

The box also had samples of projects and gave a great deal of information on just what you can do with the program. Ideas abound! Onward — into the box we go.

The README file informed me that I should uninstall version 10 to avoid conflict and I strongly urge you to do so if 10 is on your computer. I did not opt to install the optional PrintShop PhotoPro since I already have some photo editing programs in use and the other programs available with the package didn’t interest me at this time. I wanted to get to PrintShop!

Installation was quite easy but took an amazing 490 MB for the minimum installation and I could have gone close to 600 MB had I chosen to install some of the options. 

Once you have installed the program you can begin producing projects immediately. (Of course you have a registration nag screen but it registered the program for me using DSL without a problem). You start at the desktop as shown in the illustration and move on from there.

 I was quite used to an older version of PrintShop so I did not expect too many changes. I was wrong.

This version is different so, if you have never used PrintShop before, then you will have no bad habits to overcome. If you are an experienced user then there will be a learning curve to master and some habits to break.

I missed not having the illustrations in a book to look through and select. However, the program CD has the thumbnail pictures that you can access through the search function and that does the job. I had no trouble finding attractive graphics to use and the program directed me to the appropriate CD. Yes, I did switch CD’s a bit in building some cards and posters from “scratch” but I did not find it all that difficult.

The preview function lets you look over many examples of ready-made items and it is quite simple to modify them for a custom look by clicking on the area you want to edit. You see the changes right away compared to the text box entries in the older programs which is a nice feature — a WYSIWYG, if you will. (That is “what you see is what you get” abbreviation pronounced “wizziwig” for you trivia buffs).

I modified a ready-made card for my grand daughters birthday and printed it in less than five minutes from CD insertion so the program will allow for modifications quite easily. 

I have made posters, cards, banners and other projects easily and in fairly quick time. The intuitive nature of the program helps and there are so many ready made selections that even the artistically challenged can produce high-quality work.

Printing is simple and, if your printer supports double sided printing, you can make that a default. I would suggest that you use plain bond paper for your trial run and save the “good” stuff for final print. You can also have your output in coloring book style for the kids to complete if you want.

The Learning Company has taken Brøderbund over and has incorporated the software into their line so you can shop online where you’ll discover the price is $49.95.  You can possibly beat this price locally and if you receive their mailings — well, let’s just say that a $15 savings is possible.

While PrintShop resembles so many other card making programs (and I own several) I tend to use this one when I need a very nice card right now. When I have the time to compose one from scratch I have access to the Website where there are always more projects to download.