One of the most popular ways customers choose to purchase business cards through Vistaprint is from an upload of their own files. At the time this project kicked off we did not have an easy way for customers to upload files from the business card category page. While there is an option to upload designs from our template gallery, many customers would chose a template go to the design studio, delete the template graphics, and then upload their designs. This was a huge problem, because it caused a lot of friction for these customers. What was needed was a more explicit design path for these customers.

We knew that whatever we did, we would need to provide a few resources for people to have the best chance at getting a perfect card. These must have items were a way to upload your file(s)—obviously—specs for all available business card shapes and sizes, downloadable templates for the most common design software, and finally some helpful tips that cover some of the most common file prep mistakes. 

After an initial kickoff I created rough sketches of the full bleed upload page. They highlight a basic pre-design flow, as well as acted as simple wireframes for the new upload page.

Once we had a wireframe done it was time to test. We accomplished this with a series of online usability tests using an interactive mockup. We did a number of tests, iterating after each one, in order to hone in on the ideal design for the full bleed upload path.

During this process we also expanded our work into the rest of the design flow. How does one then choose a paper stock? Maybe a specialty finish such as metallic ink is desired. How will customers choose these things, which at this time would be done first in a normal Vistaprint flow.

Our solution was to take this process and move it to the end, but add in a way for customers to visualize how these choices would affect their design.

In the end we had a trim upload solution that allowed customers to feel confident that their design will come out looking its best.