Great Service, But Inconsistent Vendors
I just completed my second project through Solid-Merch. I came back because I was happy with the tape and vinyl project I did 2021. This time I made an LP, CD and cassette. If I were just rating for service, I would give Solid-Merch 5 stars. They are attentive to questions and helpful in sorting things out. For example, during this last order I found a typo after I had approved the artwork. They worked with the vendor to resubmit it without extra charge or delay. The reason for 3 stars is due to some quality concerns with the manufactures this project was outsourced too. For the cassette, the O-card was not aligned well, despite following the template. For the CD, I did a six-panel wallet, again with the template and there was confusion about where the front panel should be on it. In the end the back of the wallet was printed with the front artwork. Since it's a 6-panel this is forgivable because it can still be presented but just opens on the left side instead of the right. Also, the very first CD I played had a half second of another track beginning track 1. Thankfully the other random ones I checked did not. My biggest complaint is with the vinyl. I bought the gig package which doesn't have a test pressing. That is a risk, so any issue I had could not be remedied. Again, that is on me. But I did have high hopes for the quality since I have worked with them before. The vinyls are inconsistent. I have one that skips. They are too quiet so the need sound is prominent in quieter parts. The "anti-static" bags cause static. Every record has needed to be cleaned with a brush to remove the static and the paper trims from the vinyl cover. Finally, the poly sleeves are cloudy and make the artwork dull. I just bought new poly sleeves on my own and replaced them all for a better presentation. For all of that Solid-Merch gets two stars. Average it with the service and we get to 3.5.