So I’ve decided to keep my “Complimentary Comps” posts short and sweet. Why? Because I’m talking about companies who need a major facelift – so I’d like to avoid beating them into the ground with what they (probably) already know. I wanna instead talk about what made them so amazing that I still use them, even with an ugly website (as a designer this is harder than it may sound).
The internet is literally flooded with a sea of discount printers. I’m sure most of you have heard of or even used VistaPrint.com – it’s the Wal-Mart of printers. But with VistaPrint as merely one of hundreds of generic online printers, it’s dizzying to decipher the good from the bad. Last year when I needed some business cards made, I still hadn’t found my “goto” printer. Luckily a coworker of mine recommended 4colorusa.com, and I’ve never looked back since. While they’re mainly a wholesale business, they still sell to the public at a discounted retail price. From my experience with other online printing companies, nobody even comes CLOSE to their level of quality and service. But as you know by the nature of this post, their website is downright ugly. I’m talking 1995 ugly! 
There is one thing I do love about their current design: they’re not afraid of pink. As a man I’m not always the first to admit my love for pink, but heck, I might as well come clean. I use a pink Xbox controller, I own several pink shirts – uhh anyway…nuff said, lets get to it! Here they are:
What do you think? Too much pink? Would love to hear your thoughts.
It looks really good. I think that the pink actually helps it stand out versus other websites, especially in the business category. It is very easy to find everything and there are no readability or contrast issues that I sometimes find with white backgrounds. Keep it up! Oh and, how are you going to tell the company, or are you just going to hope they find it themselves again?
Hey Patrick, thanks for the compliments! I’m not sure how I’m going to inform them yet – I might wait until I have a few more in the series before contacting them directly.
Yeah dude, this site is definitely in need of a makeover and I like the direction you took it. Keeps their CMYK branding (nice subtle logo update, too) but organizes the information so much better. Pink is fine, maybe too much on the inside page… it grabs a lot of visual attention there. I think it might work better if the left category bar was black, gray, or something neutral and then the active tab was pink.
Hey Mike, thanks for the feedback. I told myself I wouldn’t spend time tweaking things after posting, but part of me wants to go make a few changes – the pink is starting to not be so razzle dazzle anymore. We’ll see how long I can hold off changing it
Dag nabbit good stuff you whpirpesnappers!
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Ha! I say stick with your gut and don’t change it… I think it’s way better than what they have, and hey maybe you can make some revisions when they hire you for the redesign
Yes, we found your post…. after our redesign. Take a peek and let us know your thoughts!
Hey Eric! Glad you found this post, I seem to have impeccable timing with this series so far – once again it turns out a redesign was already in process! Glad to see you guys have upgraded your sites, they are MUCH easier to navigate and the site looks solid. But, I must admit there was something about the old color scheme that I really liked. Sad to see it go!
Mike, you really need to start putting current site screens up there or you’ll be doomed to no one knowing what you’re redesigning! Especially if your timing stays consistent
And Eric, if you’re still listening here are a few things for you to take or leave…
I agree the new site is much easier to navigate but what I would really like to see is some typographical hierarchy. Almost all the text is the same size!
I love how much breathing room is in Bridgmans design. White space puts me at ease.
I see you have some samples if you click in deep enough, but I think if you could provide some nice detailed photos of prints it would help people understand your excellent quality.
Cheers on providing such a great service, I hope my comments are helpful.
I think the redesign timing is a little funny. I wonder how long the redesigns have been on the drawing board or chopping block.
Perhaps you could include the time involved in your design, I’m sure it’s significantly less with your keep it simple/no review approach. I think if the Quantity & Product column text was not pink it might be easier to read, it could just be my monitor/eye combo though!