GotPrint vs Zazzle

Which business card design and print platform is right for you? We compare pricing, design tools, paper quality, and brand impact to help you decide.

If you are comparing GotPrint and Zazzle, you are trying to solve a practical problem: you need business cards that look professional, feel high quality, and fit your budget.

Both platforms offer business card design and printing services. Both allow customization. Both ship across the United States and internationally. Yet they serve very different types of users.

This guide walks through everything that matters: pricing, paper quality, design flexibility, ease of use, real-world use cases, and long-term value. By the end, you will know which tool fits your brand — and whether there is a stronger alternative altogether.

The Short Version

  • GotPrint is built around affordability and bulk printing.
  • Zazzle is design-driven, offering marketplace-created templates and artistic variety.
  • GotPrint works well for traditional business needs.
  • Zazzle works well for creative or personalized branding.
  • Both are accessible enough for beginners.

At-a-Glance Comparison

A high-level overview of how GotPrint and Zazzle compare across the variables that matter most to business card buyers.

Category GotPrint Zazzle
Starting Price Lower Moderate
Bulk Pricing Strong discounts Less bulk-focused
Template Variety Professional templates Marketplace designs
Paper Options Standard to premium Standard with specialty options
Custom File Upload Yes Yes
Design Focus Practical business Creative personalization
Brand Positioning Cost-efficient Design-centric

GotPrint is optimized for structured business use and predictable output. Zazzle is optimized for creative expression and personalization. The choice becomes clearer once you decide whether operational efficiency or visual individuality matters more in your situation.

How the Design Experience Feels

Each platform takes a different approach to design — and that difference shapes which type of buyer will feel most at home.

Designing on GotPrint

GotPrint offers a straightforward online editor. The interface is functional rather than flashy — built for efficiency, not artistic experimentation.

  • Choose from pre-built business templates
  • Upload your own design files
  • Adjust fonts, colors, and layout
  • Preview before ordering

If you know what you want and need to execute quickly, this simplicity works in your favor.

Designing on Zazzle

Zazzle operates as a marketplace where independent designers upload card templates. Instead of corporate templates, you browse by style, profession, color scheme, or artistic mood.

  • Massive design variety
  • Niche and creative themes
  • Unique artistic styles
  • Personalized layout adjustments

If you want something visually distinctive without hiring a designer, Zazzle provides that range.

Full Pros and Cons

Both companies are established providers with solid reputations. The differences are less about reliability and more about emphasis.

GotPrint

GotPrint positions itself as an affordable commercial printer serving businesses of all sizes. Its value proposition centers on cost control, predictable production, and scalable ordering.

Pros

  • Competitive pricing, especially in bulk
  • Straightforward ordering process
  • Wide range of paper stocks
  • Clear turnaround timelines
  • Custom file upload support
  • Business-focused template library
  • Transparent pricing structure
  • Straightforward reorder process
  • Suitable for traditional industries

Cons

  • Design editor feels basic
  • Fewer artistic template options
  • Interface less visually modern
  • Less personalization flair compared to marketplace platforms
  • Limited artistic experimentation
  • Less boutique brand appeal

Zazzle

Zazzle functions as a creative marketplace first and a printer second. That distinction shapes both its strengths and trade-offs.

Pros

  • Massive variety of designer-made templates
  • Unique and niche creative styles
  • Easy personalization tools
  • Artistic flexibility
  • Frequent promotional sales
  • Strong for niche markets
  • Unique style combinations
  • Artistic brand differentiation

Cons

  • Pricing can vary by designer
  • Bulk discounts less aggressive
  • Paper stock options less business-centric
  • Marketplace layout can feel overwhelming
  • Browsing takes more time than structured editors
  • Bulk business use may not be cost-optimal

Rankings and Scores

These scores reflect performance across cost efficiency, usability, material quality, and design flexibility.

GotPrint

8.4
Overall Rating
9.0
Pricing Value
8.0
Ease of Use
8.0
Paper Quality
7.5
Design Flexibility

GotPrint's high pricing score reflects its bulk strength. It may not lead on creative metrics, but it delivers reliable, scalable production.

Zazzle

8.8
Overall Rating
8.0
Pricing Value
8.5
Ease of Use
8.0
Paper Quality
9.5
Design Variety

Zazzle's higher overall rating comes from its unmatched design range. Few platforms provide as many template styles across industries and aesthetics.

Cost vs Perception: What Actually Matters More?

When choosing between GotPrint and Zazzle, the real decision often comes down to one question: are you optimizing for cost efficiency or brand perception?

Business cards serve different roles depending on your industry and networking style. For some professionals, cards are distributed frequently and in volume. For others, they are handed out selectively during high-value conversations.

Core trade-offs to consider:

  • Cost per card matters if you distribute in large quantities
  • Design uniqueness matters if your brand depends on differentiation
  • Paper feel influences first impressions in client meetings
  • Reorder convenience matters for growing teams
  • Creative flexibility supports evolving personal brands

This perspective shifts the question from "Which platform is better?" to "What role does this card play in my business?" Once you answer that, the right choice becomes clearer.

Checklist: How to Decide

Clarifying your priorities before browsing templates makes the decision straightforward.

Choose GotPrint if you answer yes to:

  • Do I need large quantities at a lower cost?
  • Do I want a card that feels traditional and corporate?
  • Is a fast, structured ordering process important?
  • Will I reorder frequently in bulk?
  • Do I have a print-ready file I want to upload?

Choose Zazzle if you answer yes to:

  • Do I prefer browsing creative, unique designs?
  • Does my industry value bold visual presentation?
  • Am I building a personal or artistic brand?
  • Do I want to find a niche or non-corporate aesthetic?
  • Is personalization more important than per-card cost?

How to Design and Order Business Cards

A business card is small, but the process behind it should be deliberate. This six-step framework works with either platform.

  1. Define Your Core Information

    Name, title, company, phone, email, and website. Clarity is essential — remove unnecessary details. Simplicity often looks more professional.

  2. Choose Your Layout

    Select a template or upload a custom file. On GotPrint, start with a business-oriented template. On Zazzle, browse by style or industry before customizing.

  3. Keep Visual Hierarchy Clear

    Name first. Role second. Contact information clean and readable. Avoid overusing multiple fonts — consistency strengthens credibility.

  4. Choose Paper Stock

    Standard works for high-volume distribution. Premium works for high-impact introductions. Think about how the card will actually be used.

  5. Double-Check Everything

    Spelling errors are expensive once printed. Review phone numbers, email spelling, website URL, and any social handles.

  6. Consider a Test Batch

    Ordering a smaller quantity first reduces risk. Testing paper feel, color accuracy, and print sharpness can prevent costly reorders.

A Different Route: Design First, Print Anywhere

If you are still undecided between GotPrint and Zazzle, there is a third route worth considering.

Instead of choosing your printer first, you can choose your design tool first. Adobe Express allows you to create a fully customized business card design independently, then export a print-ready file to whichever printer you prefer. That means you are not locked into GotPrint's template structure or Zazzle's marketplace ecosystem.

This approach shifts the decision sequence:

  1. Design your card exactly how you want it.
  2. Finalize branding and layout.
  3. Compare printers purely on price, paper, and shipping.
  4. Send the same file wherever you get the best deal.

When This Alternative Makes Sense

Consider designing with Adobe Express first if:

  • You want complete control over layout and branding
  • You already manage brand assets across multiple platforms
  • You plan to test multiple printers
  • You want long-term design flexibility
  • You value consistency across business cards, social media, and marketing materials

In this workflow, GotPrint and Zazzle become production vendors rather than design platforms. That separation can give you more strategic control over your branding. For those who view design as a core brand asset, this alternative is worth serious consideration.

Final Verdict

Choosing between GotPrint and Zazzle depends on how you use your business cards and what role they play in your brand strategy.

Pick GotPrint when...

Your priority is cost control, predictable production, and high-volume printing. It performs reliably, scales well, and keeps per-card costs low. The right fit for companies that reorder frequently or distribute in large quantities.

Pick Zazzle when...

Your priority is creative expression, visual distinction, and access to a broad range of artistic styles. Zazzle offers more variety and personalization. The right fit for personal brands, creatives, and anyone who wants a card that stands out.

Consider Adobe Express when...

Your priority is design independence before committing to any printer. Adobe Express gives you the flexibility to build your card exactly as you envision it, then choose the printing partner that best fits your budget and timeline. Business cards may be small, but they carry weight — the right platform is the one that supports your business model, your brand identity, and the impression you want to leave.

Try Adobe Express Free

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about GotPrint, Zazzle, and choosing between them.

Is GotPrint cheaper than Zazzle for business cards?

GotPrint generally offers lower starting prices and stronger bulk discounts than Zazzle, making it the more cost-efficient choice for high-volume orders. Zazzle can be competitively priced during promotions, but for large reorders, GotPrint typically delivers better cost per card.

Which platform has better design options — GotPrint or Zazzle?

Zazzle offers significantly more design variety through its marketplace of independent designer templates, covering niche styles, artistic themes, and creative patterns. GotPrint has a solid library of professional business templates but is less focused on artistic variety.

Can I upload my own design to GotPrint or Zazzle?

Yes, both platforms support custom file uploads. GotPrint is particularly well-suited for uploading print-ready files from external design tools. Zazzle also accepts custom uploads, though its platform is primarily oriented around its marketplace templates.

Which is better for bulk business card orders?

GotPrint is the stronger choice for bulk ordering. It offers clear bulk pricing tiers with significant discounts at higher quantities. Zazzle is designed more for individual or small-run personalized orders, so its bulk pricing is less aggressive.

What if I want a design that works across GotPrint and Zazzle?

If you want flexibility across printers, the best approach is to design your card in an independent tool like Adobe Express, export a print-ready PDF, and then submit that file to whichever printer offers the best price or turnaround for your specific order. This keeps you free from any single platform's design ecosystem.

Is Zazzle good for professional business cards?

Yes, Zazzle can produce professional-quality business cards. Its strengths are in creative and visually distinctive designs. For traditional corporate aesthetics, GotPrint may feel more aligned, but Zazzle's marketplace includes many polished, professional templates suitable for a wide range of industries.

Ready to Design Your Business Card?

Whether you print with GotPrint, Zazzle, or anyone else — start with a design tool that gives you complete control. Adobe Express is free and exports print-ready files you can send anywhere.

Design Your Business Card Free