Contrado: Print on Demand

I finally placed an order after having the app installed for quite some time. Boy was I disappointed in the quality of a pair of track pants I ordered. There was a huge stitching defect on the front leg seam that is quite noticeable. I provided photos and an explanation to their company. Instead of offering a free replacement, they offered a small discount instead and consider that adequate compensation for THEIR error.

**Quality Products, but App Issues and Misleading Pricing and Shipping**

I chose Contrado because of their unique and high-quality products, which aren't typically available through traditional print-on-demand services.

Last fall, they informed artists about their focus on developing their drop shipping business. I decided to be patient with the transition, but several issues with their app and services have arisen:

- I placed test orders using test credit card numbers and clearly fake data. Their automated system processed these without any checks, resulting in an $800 charge to cover what was obviously a test order. This raises serious concerns about their ability prevent actual fraudulent orders.
- An app update caused all variants for over 100 products I imported into Shopify to display the same price. This issue has persisted for over two weeks without resolution.
- Another update corrupted all product images for their lampshade products, making them impossible to list for sale.
- Despite the information on their website, shipping costs are exorbitant. I factored in a maximum shipping price of $35.95 for a large item based on the information provided by their site, only to be hit with an additional $360 "bulky" shipping fee when fulfilling an order via Etsy. Customer service was apologetic but ultimately unhelpful, leaving me with a significant loss and a canceled order, affecting my standing on Etsy.

These issues have severely impacted my business, resulting in over four months of lost time creating products, transferring them to Shopify, and manually addressing numerous bugs. I no longer feel confident in continuing with Contrado and will seek a new production partner. Proceed with caution.

I love Contrado. They create quality products with stellar customer service. They are one of the few PODs that work in high quality leather printing with carefully selected clasps and zips. Those details make a big difference in the overall luxury feel of their products. They have a beautiful 3D visualization of your design during the digital building of the product which shows it from all angles. They seem intent on building relationships with artists and designers which boost their company, and will go out of their way to make sure that you are happy. (I do wish that they had downloadable templates using Adobe applications (Illustrator/Photoshop) for precise positioning, but It is pretty easy to navigate sizing so far.) Highly recommend this app. You actually feel that there are people with craftsmanship and skills behind this integration who are ready to make beautiful things. And when they see you making an effort to create beautiful things, they support your efforts. The integration with the Shopify app is pretty seamless. I've only had a couple of glitches with revising products and losing the tags associated with them. Once I reached out to describe the technical stuff, the Contrado IT department resolved it. Again, there are actually people behind this company doing great work!

My customer seems to love their item! 3rd order from the same customer. They said the shades had more of a glossy finish this time, which they loved!

Ordered a leather handbag, expected something decent, and they overdelivered. I paid almost $200 for the bag, amazing to say, the quality is on par with genuine louis vuitton, valentino, chanel; the craftsmanship is impeccable. The stitching, leather quality, hardware is to die for. Anyone saying it is "expensive" should see what luxury handbags cost before they complain it's "expensive". One of the best PODs I've ever used. And no, the mockups aren't bad. I wish this company offered down jackets (heavy winter jackets). I love jackets and I believe this company would do an amazing job with those. My ONLY criticism is they should offer clothing mockups without models in the photos. I cannot sell the photos with models, as it does not fit my brand. Besides that, I promise you the shipping time and product is beyond my expectations. The bag I got is the best I own, I own genuine Italian leather, yet they knock them out of the park. I'm obsessed with the bag.