We really like Mixbook Photo Cards. While they're not the cheapest, nor the absolute best quality, we think they get a good balance between the two. When you receive one, you feel like you've gotten value from it, and that's the most important feeling you can get from any of the best photo card services. Mixbook also has a good range of options to cover various holidays and special occasions, and the website is easy to use, which means it's simple to create your unique photo card.
When it comes to online services, Mixbook isn’t an expensive service, but it isn’t the cheapest, either. For a set of 15 cards, the price is roughly $2.49 per card, which is about average. However, the quality of the finished product is better than most of the other budget services, so you're getting mid-range cards at a cheap price. Mixbook offers discounts for large quantities, so you can save when ordering more cards, and the service often runs discount promotions which can save you up to 50%. If you click through from our link, for example, there is a discount applied.
We sampled 5x7, folded cards with three photos on each of our tests, and we found that we could order 15 for $48 - this is excluding the great discount we got at the time of testing. If you’re looking for something cheaper, consider Meijer Photo. Mixbook offered us 100 of our cards for $172, one of the cheapest options we've seen. However, the $30 in shipping and fees which were added at checkout made this less of a good deal.
Mixbook Photo Cards: Quality and services
Mixbook offers six types of paper, from pearl finish to cotton texture. We ordered a satin card and a luxe board card. Our experts found that both cards printed with excellent coloring, but the luxe card came out a little grainy. They weren't as high quality as Simply to Impress, but both cards were double-sided, making them appear fancier. The satin card was thicker than the regular photo paper, which makes it a step up from other services. The luxe board was very thick and felt good to the touch. The Mixbook logo is printed in the left corner on both cards’ backsides. Our panel of testers loved the texture and thickness of the envelopes. Some competitors offer embossing and laser cutting to give another dimension to cards.
Some sites offer glitter options, which are absent here. Although we couldn’t see any on Mixbook we did love the foil option which comes in gold, rose gold or silver. Mixbook's cards are two-dimensional but very attractive, so you won't miss the texture options or ornament-shaped cards that other services offer. In fact, our panel of reviewers gave Mixbook one of the highest scores for design. The templates are gorgeous and suitable for many occasions. Plus, the graphics come in a range of styles, so you'll likely find one to complement your photos. This service allows you to make photo cards, photo books and personalized calendars, along with a handful of other photo gifts, and all of the keepsake designs are high-quality. If you want to know more about these gifts, we have a separate review of Mixbook Photo Books.
Mixbook Photo Cards review: Product options and creation
Mixbook lets you import photos from both online storage and social media, and the photo editor automatically checks the photo quality for you. There is also an extensive selection of holiday photo cards and templates. You can choose from dozens of party invites, birth announcements, graduation announcements, wedding invites and more. You can also start out with a blank template and create a card that is entirely your own. In addition, this picture card service offers response card templates. In the Mixbook tool you can add text, stickers, images and a huge variety of background options, giving you countless ways to customize your cards. There are also six trim options and even the chance to get your card as a magnet, perfect for loved ones to stick on the fridge.
It would be nice to have a few more options for envelopes, however, especially since some competitors offer different colors and coordinating envelope liners for a unified look. But because people usually tear the envelope and throw it away, it may not be a huge problem to have the plain white one that comes with a Mixbook card, and there is the option to get an envelope with the name and address pre-printed. One nice thing about this service is the one-card minimum; you don’t have to order ten or 25 cards at a time. However, if you’re making a bulk order, be aware that Mixbook does not provide free paper proofs. Instead, you can purchase one card as a proof and then buy your design in bulk later. This policy may be an issue if you're on a tight budget or schedule, since it takes some extra time and adds a second shipping charge.
Mixbook Photo Cards review: Customer service and user reviews
In case you have trouble while designing or ordering your photo cards, Mixbook offers support resources to help you along the way. You can reach a representative through email or live chat, and there are extensive FAQs on the website that provide additional assistance for any complications that may arise. Additionally, if you are not completely satisfied with your order, the company offers a refund through its satisfaction guarantee - something which only Mixbook and Snapfish offer.
In terms of how users rate Mixbook, the site currently has an impressive score of 4.8 via Trustpilot. Most praise the quality of the products, and how easy the site is to use. Mixbook has a lot of repeat customers, and they are mostly happy with both the cards and books they get. The main criticisms leveled at Mixbook are around rare issues with the print quality, but these are infrequent and don't indicate an overall problem with the site. There are a handful of one-star reviews, but these are almost exclusively from people who misunderstood what Mixbook offers.
Should you order from Mixbook Photo Cards?
Mixbook combines great printing with competitive pricing, and a pleasingly easy to use website. With a wide range of styles and themes you are sure to find templates for holiday cards, birthday cards, baby shower invitations, graduation invitations or other occasions. Not only does Mixbook impress us, but it has an excellent set of user reviews across several sites, so you know the service is excellent. A few more options for envelopes would have been an added advantage, and the shipping costs do add a little more to your bill than with some other providers. However, when you balance out all Mixbook's excellent features, it definitely earns its place at the top of our list of photo card services.
