My latest Shutterfly book has completely changed my mind about this company.
First, let me say that I have never liked the quality of their prints. However, I have always been a huge fan of their photo books. I've ordered 17 of them since 2006 and each was beautiful from cover to cover. The printing quality was impeccable. Even my single photos that filled 11" x 14" pages were crisp (no pixelation) and the colors were spot on. The paper quality has always been superb.
But that all changed last night.
When I received my delivery I didn't even recognize the "much touted" orange box. The boxes used to be heavy and sturdy, assuring that my investment (these books cost a lot!) would arrive undamaged. But the box I received last night was thin and flimsy and, sure enough, my book arrived with damaged corners. Once I took the cellophane off of the book I knew I was in trouble. The quality of the cover photo looked inferior -- the colors were dull and muddy. Hoping that was "just the cover," I opened the book and became increasingly disappointed with each turn of the page. Every photo was dull and muddy -- as if the paper stock was tinted brown. The pixelation on each photo was disturbing. I am in the Graphics industry so I know when a company has "dumbed down" their production to increase profits by using inferior, unsuitable papers and printing techniques. The greens looked brown. Every person's skin looked brown. Contrast was absent. Smaller faces looked like big blobs of brown and black.
I'm going to call Shutterfly today to see if they'll make good on their 100% happiness guarantee. Even if they do, I'll admit I don't want them to reprint the book -- I want a full refund.
Bottom line: Poor quality. Horrible paper. Horrible printing. High prices.