Sharp Dots

I always try to find the good/​positive in everything but honestly in the case with SharpDots I can’t find one thing positive about my experience with them or find one good thing to say about them. I should have listened to my wife’s suggestion and gone to VistaPrint where she does all her printing (never a problem, the work is beautiful and the customer service is excellent.) I’m not sure SharpDots even deserves the 1-​star Unilocal give them as a default.
BUYER BE WARNED! I recently placed an order for business cards. When they arrived I noticed that the cards were not cut properly making the cards totally unusable! They look cheap and un-​professional, kinda like something you would see coming out of high school print shop in the old days. Rather then get involved with a customer service claim, I eat the cost of the cards and threw them out. I decided to just re-​order some new ones. I placed my next order and submitted the art work. For the next two days I dealt with their art department the kept telling me the art work for the back of the card didn’t upload. I watched it upload several times and got confirmation that it did indeed upload properly. I mentioned in a prior email that I changed the art (new design) for the back of the card, and then got an email saying that they were going to run the cards with the original back art. I told them several time not to because I changed it. (I hate when people don’t actually carefully read emails sent). It was becoming such a hassle dealing with these people that I told them I just wanted to cancel this order (nothing at this time was in production yet). This is where my customer service nightmare stared to amplify (just when you think things can’t get any worse). First off I wrote an email to my account lead at SahrpDots (John Tan) for some help, it took days to get him to reply to my email and when he finally did. he was absolutely zero help. (I realy think they just play stupid so you just get frustrated and give up!!!) I finally got an email from their receptionist who double as a customer service agent. She sent me a form saying they would charge me a $ 25 fee for canceling a $ 18 order (that had not even been sent into production). I wrote several emails questioning this policy and still a week later at this point have not heard from them. I’m not that surprised because I read more then a handful of really negative reviews here on Unilocal that this what SharpDots does. They never answer you and hope you just go away. and yes they have no problem dis-​honestly keeping your money!
I think any positive reviews you read here on Unilocal are written by SharpDots not real customers! I have to have they win. I’ve given up trying to deal with them, they can have my money they didn’t earn. I just take comfort in knowing. «Nobody escapes Karma!» Their shameful and dis-​honest business practices will bite them in the ass some day.
I’ve since brought my printing project to VistaPrint and I couldn’t be happier in every way! THERE IS NO REASON TO USE SHARDOTS… UNLESS YOU ENJOY BEING TOTALLY RIP’ED OFF.

I usually use printers closer to my office in Orange County, but I needed a job done FAST and neither of them were able to guarantee they could complete it on time. Not only did Sharp Dots promise they could do it, their price was cheaper! Their customer service agent was helpful, their online artwork upload process was easy, and the finished product was just what we needed.
I did have to drive 50 minutes up to their facility to pick up my order since there was no time for shipping, but they were located near the highway so that was convenient. FYI their building is not labeled. I’d definitely use them again.

Ordered double sided postcards from here for our Senior group art show at Chapman U back in spring ’10. They were by FAR the best price, and we still had more cards than we knew what to do with! I would have liked if we could order in smaller batches. The quality was nice and we were all very satisfied. Our graphic had a white background, so we did not notice any problems with alignment. For my experience, I found their customer service to be very attentive. The image requirements were a bit over my head, but our graphic designer found them easy to understand.
I was pretty surprised at all the negative reviews. Based on my experience, I would try them again in the future if I have postcard or business card needs, especially since they are comparatively such a great value.

I went to Sharp Dots on the recommendation of a friend. Her experience was very different from mine. Next time I will check Unilocal,even when I’m referred to a business, because clearly I’m not the only one who has had an issue.
I ordered 500 bookmarks and paid for rushed processing and overnight shipping. What I received was truly unbelievable.
**There were reddish streaks to varying degrees on every single bookmark.
**Also, it was as if the printer tore them – the edges were completely tattered.
**On several, someone else’s design was printed on the border, which means the border, which was supposed to be blue and black, was green and had white snowflakes on it.
**Some have other anomalies, like a roller impression, black smudges, etc…
I got in touch with Ashly, who had been helping me. She did not respond to my phone call, but did to my email requesting a refund:
Christina,
I have opened a complaint file on your behalf. If you are able to send a few more pictures showing other issues with the product that would help. I will keep in contact with you throughout the complaint process.
As per our terms and conditions, In lieu of a reprint, SharpDots can provide a print credit for a future order. This credit is good for up to one year after issuance. The value of the print credit can be for all or a portion of the complaint order and is determined solely by SharpDots.
Thank you for your patience,
Ashly Guerra — Service Department
As you can see, she offers apology, and in no way references a refund – just that I might receive a full or partial credit, solely at their discretion. This is unacceptable, as I have zero confidence in the company, or their QC department. Again, I requested a phone call, but have not received one. I’ll keep you posted, but the moral of the story, is take your business elsewhere.
**Update**
Ahsly still has not called me, despite repeated requests, but sent me an email reiterating that they will not refund my money.

Their online system is confusing, at best. Horrible customer service. I attempted to call them multiple times and left voicemails, never receiving a return phone call. I began emailing only to receive automated, indirectly responsive emails in return.
As a result of this run-​around, the printing of my order was pushed back three days, causing me to miss my deadline. The individuals I eventually spoke with on the phone about my order’s delay were extremely unprofessional and incompetent. Their prices are cheap but definitely not worth the frustrating process. California Printers in Atwater Village is a much better alternative.

This is the second and LAST project that will do with Sharp Dots. Their print quality is decent, however EVERYTHING ELSE (customer service, deadlines, accounts receivable, correspondence) is absolutely TERRIBLE!!!
First project :
–Deadlines were not met.
–To add they double booked shipping and delivered my catalogs late.
Second project:
–account rep took sick days and decided to take his emails with him and not respond (2 day delay). Account was not given to someone else to cover.
–estimate price and actual charge price were completely different. Accounting charged me for first rough estimate and not the actual agreed estimate. Had to request revision multiple times.
–promised via phone «rush order», actual rush order not placed saying I never requested it (3 day delay).
–All requests to account took multiple attempts to get changed.
Had 3 people handling my account, and eventually got sent back to rep 1. Not 1 person got anything corrected or rectified.
Why did I work with them again? Everyone deserves a second chance and mistakes happen… MY MISTAKE!!!
Should have figured it out after the first time… THERE WILL NOT BE A THIRD ORDER WITH THIS COMPANY. I DO NOT RECOMMEND ANY WORK WITH THIS COMPANY!!!

Sharp Dots Printing is a tremendous value — and therefore a tremendous asset. Turnaround time is pretty fast, print quality has been very good.
True, they are not the most flexible and they don’t like to do reprints for free. This is understandable as nearly all jobs have the option to preview a digital «proof» online prior to going to print. Yes, you need to have bleeds and process colors all ready to go — and they have templates that indicate the «live» area to prevent trim issues. The jobs I have had done — trifold brochures, catalogues, books, and business cards — both digital and offset — look great and the cost per job is very inexpensive. I highly recommend them.

What both of the posts above are mistaken in is their understanding «bleeds», as well as what happens to a job submitted without bleeds. In addition, they believe their understanding of graphic design and press ready files are un-​questionable.
I doubt it.
It isn’t at all that the cards were miss cut, miss printed or received «Shotty» quality control.
A brief review of what constitutes as a press ready file would indicate as much:
Furthermore, any «Reprint» of the files supplied would yield the same problem; White borders/​trim from the parent gang.
Seems to more a case of lack of knowledge on file preparation and less printer/​vendor issues.

I did service with this company a number of times over the last few years as a graphic artist. Recently, had a business card project produced by them and their shoddy work result prompted a number of phone calls to resolve the matter. In the interest of disclosure, apparently I sent over a non-​bleed file, but the shoddy cutting and trim work done on the printed business cards was enough to force me to call and try to get a mere reprint. Mind you, this was a $ 15 250-​count business card order. Their service was not interested in resolving the issue to my liking (merely REPRINTING the cards with a bleed file) for a mere $ 15.00 business card order. They would rather lose my growing (and occasional) business than work with me and come up with an easily solution — reprinting the cards. John, the manager on site, wasn’t willing to work with me, so ultimately, I’m taking my business elsewhere, hopefully with a company that stands behind quality worksmanship and professionalism. I would definitely NOT recommend using Sharp Dots for any of your business.