The Print Shop for Mac

Getting started is simple. Installation is brief and straightforward. This version is compatible with Mac OS X; however, the software runs in the Classic Mac environment. Upon launching the program you're given a menu of 15 project options--calendars, business cards, banners, etc.--including a blank-page option to make whatever you want. Before diving into a creation, head to the help menu. There you'll find easy-to-follow directions for developing your projects and understanding the software tools and interface. The lack of a printed user's manual is a disappointment, but an electronic version is included in the software.

The Print Shop includes thousands of graphics and images to be used in your projects. All are broken down into various categories and are searchable by name, keyword, or subject. And if you can't find what you need, you can always import it from somewhere else. This is particularly nice if you want to use your own photos in a design.

The new, integrated photo editor helps you clean up images a bit before you use them, as well. Basic functions include crop, rotate, color adjustment, and dust and scratch removal. It even corrects red eye so your dog doesn't look like a demon.

Other new features include an address book, photo frames, quotes and verses to add to your works, and text tools. A 3-D headline tool has been added, too. Use one of the ready-made designs or custom-build a headline using a variety of shape, proportion, color, and outline effects. Plus, a preview box lets you see your creation before it's part of your project.

Simplicity is key to The Print Shop for Mac. While there are certainly more powerful page layout programs on the market, the learning curves are considerably steeper. The Print Shop really does allow you to easily complete a variety of print projects in minutes. --Joshua Goldman

Amazon.com Product Description
The Print Shop for Mac is a complete and easy way to create professional-looking print projects. Use more than 4,500 professionally designed layouts for projects such as greeting cards, brochures, photo collages, business cards, banners, and more. Included are more than 11,500 premium images to help give your creations a unique look. Other features include an integrated photo editor, an address book, headlines with 3-D effects, and text tools.

I have found most of The Print Shop images to be better than those in most of the other clipart programs and have enjoyed usingThe Print Shop graphics in other documents too. This version of The Print Shop has all of the great features of the previous version and lots more. There are still most of the great graphics from the past.

The new Collections have 25 folders of graphics which include a folder called Photos with beautiful pictures. The Print Shop web site says the program is, "Packed with more than 11,500 premium images and over 4,500 pre-designed layouts so you can create projects for any occasion."

One of the best things about this program is you can use your own photographs in your projects; and those that are included. There is a way to include quotations, too. And you can send an e-card. It is saved as a JPEG and sent as an attachment.

The headline styles are similar to those in TypeStyler and have effects such as glow, drop shadows, color fades, curves and so on. You can use pre-designed effects or the Custom palette and design your own. The possibilities are limitless.

The Print Shop has fifteen different projects. One of the most unique is called Photo Pages. Here you can choose a Family Album. This one intrigued me as I'm doing so much with genealogy. Now I can make photo pages to put into a book along with the printed pages of my genealogy program.

As with many new software programs, Broderbund has cut costs by eliminating a manual. I think this is a mistake for a graphics program but I realize that a manual of the graphics might add another ten dollars to the program. However, there is a very good online manual in PDF format.

The Print Shop is a wonderful program and will give the owner hours of fun just playing with it and lots of fun in creating projects for your friends and family.


My rating is for MacKiev's Print Shop (Not Broderbund)   May 25, 2004
A. Casey (FL, USA)
51 out of 51 found this review helpful

The new version, no longer published by Broderbund, is so superior. It is designed specifically for Mac OS X and integrates with iCal and the Address book. You can print directly to those new Epson printers that allow you to print CD labels right on the CD itself. Packed with high quality photos and graphics and easy-to-use professionally-design templates, The Print Shop for Mac has everything you need to create great-looking posters, banners, business cards, pamphlets, online greetings and much more! Do yourself a favor and check out MacKiev's new version of the Print Shop, not this old one listed here.


Not ready for OSX   May 17, 2002
40 out of 47 found this review helpful

I was very disappointed in this product. Although advertised as OSX compatible, it only runs in Classic mode (OS9). This is the only program I've got that doesn't run under OSX. This is a problem because setting up the printer for two operating systems is tricky (at least for me), and I'm not sure its worth the effort for this program. The interface is still a little clunky; still too much like the original Print Shop of many years ago. It needs updating to take advantage of the Mac's current capabilities.
At least wait until they "carbonize" this program (make it work under OSX).


Most of you are not very smart.   July 3, 2004
22 out of 25 found this review helpful

Read what it is you are buying!!!
It says right on Amazon's webpage that this version is NOT OS X compatible.
Like another reviewer said, buy the version that the Apple Store currently sells, which is made for OS X. Stop complaining cuz you didn't read what it is that you bought.


AppleWorks is better and comes with new Macs   December 16, 2002
15 out of 18 found this review helpful

I purchased this product to augment my sparse collection of clipart and to see what this package can do. I was disappointed on both accounts. The clipart is regurgitated web graphics. Only someone with little exposure to desktop publishing would be wowed with this selection.
The program itself is a capable publishing tool. But for the price I'd expect more. (mostly because AppleWorks bundled with new Macs is superior and free.)
Bottom line don't waste your money!