CVS Photo was one of the least expensive services we compared. The holiday designs were beautiful and well implemented, and the printing quality was excellent. However, this photo card service didn’t cover as many holidays as some other services. When you’re in a rush, though, this is a great service to use because it offers same-day pickup on select photo card designs.
You can get 20 cards for $35, including shipping and taxes. The tax and shipping charges depend on the state you live in and the time of year.
Our experts loved the photo cards from this service. We purchased 20 cards on matte photo paper photo and 20 cards on 110-pound premium cardstock. The print clarity on the one-sided photo paper was amazing, as was the coloring. The graphics and holiday elements also printed clearly and in vibrant color. There was no logo or mention of CVS’ name anywhere on the card. The card itself was flimsy, as expected for photo paper, but that’s why this set was so cheap.
The cardstock’s coloring printed a little duller and a tad grainy but only enough to be noticeable when we compared the two cards side by side. Keep in mind that photo cards, whether matte or glossy, always have more vibrant coloring than cardstock does. Our experts noted that the text and graphics looked rich and clear. This card was double-sided: The backside featured a design that complemented the front but also displayed CVS’ logo in the bottom center. Other paper options include glossy photo paper and regular cardstock.
The envelopes are decent – not superthin but nothing special. They come only in white, and the service doesn’t offer lined envelopes. You can feel confident when making your card, as the interface warns you if your image will print blurry. There are various trim options, but they depend on the design you choose. This card had a decent thickness that could take a bit of pressure before creasing.
CVS Photo does not offer to print recipients’ addresses or mail cards for you. If you want these services, we suggest using Shutterfly. CVS Photo is one of five services that offer same-day pickup. If you need your photo cards in a hurry, simply select one of the design options that can be printed at your local store. If you’d rather have your cards delivered, you can choose express two-day shipping for $9.99 or next-day delivery for $14.99. Keep in mind that the order still needs to be processed for one to three days before it ships.
CVS Photo didn’t cover as many holidays as some of the other services. It had cards for Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, but not for Diwali, Chinese New Year or various others. Nor did we find any ornament photo cards for hanging on trees. The fewest cards you can order is 20, so you won’t be able to make a test run when purchasing cards. If you have questions about your orders, you can contact CVS Photo by phone and email.
CVS Photo’s inexpensive-yet-quality printed photo cards are a great option. You won’t be disappointed by the holiday and special-occasion design options, but you might not find themes for certain holidays. If an event or holiday has snuck up on you, this service can help you get photo cards in a hurry, whether through same-day pickup or express delivery.
