ArtkiveReviews of artkiveapp.com

Worst company I've dealt with in a long time, they missed the dead line of my event because it takes so long, then I didn't see the email and they started spamming with rude emails about their 2nd payment. Tried to reach out several times to ask a question they are only capable of responding when they want their money. Scheduled a call a week out and they didn't eve call. They also double scanned a picture and double charged me. Avoid this company at all cost.

The book created with our wedding cards is lovely. Each page is perfectly edited, including a 3D card with insert. The process was easy and the team sent the cards back at the end. We will definitely use Artkive again.

In my opinion, Artkive has deceptive business practices. The first time I ordered from them I was able to customize the books that my parents eventually gifted to us. This time, I was emailed invoices that I was expected to pay without any editing. They charged me $150 for a book and $211 for digitalized artwork that I have yet to see either edit. I said I did not want to move forward, where they sent me a rude email saying I was a previous customer and should have “known” how it works. As my parents generously gifted this to us, I was not as keen to understanding that when I clicked agree to their terms, it truly implied blindly agreeing to charges and threats without seeing ANY type of draft at all! The Artkive process boasts cute imagery and “easy” click, click, checkout processes, but deceptively inserts its true costs and motives upon customers receiving endless collections threats. Their audacity and volume of “collect payment” emails, out weighs their quality of product they’re selling. Absolutely deceptive. Do not buy a box!!! ADDED RESPONSE 3/4/25 After speaking with a representative from Artkive for 42 minutes, this representative had tried to appease my request of not wanting to move forward with any Artkive product, to that if I delete my negative reviews I can close my account with them for $100. I ended it that I would rather have my reviews up of my negative experiences than exchange funds for nothing in return. It is NOT the customer’s fault or responsibility to pay for Artkive’s business costs like photography etc and in my opinion, is still deceptive to the customer to imply responsibility of charges based on volume of artwork submitted to them. If there was a book that I received that I was unhappy with, I would understand that a cancellation of account and refund would be unreasonable to request. In this circumstance (and several others on their Better Business Bureau account) my complaint and refusal to move forward with purchasing a book/digitalized artwork is unfair to the consumer to deny them of that and incur a charge (with penalty plus collections may I add!). The representative stated to me that they were not worried about negative reviews (there are 25 complaints) on the BBB because of their lack of credibility(?), but I suggested that in fact, perhaps they should, as a responsible business. Customers like myself are unhappy for very similar reasons and it is unaddressed and penalized by the company, blaming their own customers than taking accountability of deceptive practices.

Deceptive pricing and business practices. More than double the offer I responded to. With so many alternatives go somewhere cheaper. The quality of my photos are average.

Great company all around offering a wonderful service!

Artkive’s Pricing is Misleading and Their Business Practices Are Deceptive Artkive presents itself as a simple and sentimental service for preserving children’s artwork, but their pricing structure is intentionally opaque, and their advertising is misleading. While they do have a pricing page, the total cost is not clearly communicated, and many customers only discover the true price after they have already sent in their artwork. Misleading Pricing and Lack of Transparency Artkive’s advertisements promote low upfront costs—such as $29-$39 for a shipping box or $75 for a book—without disclosing that the final cost is determined after the work is done. Many customers have reported receiving invoices for hundreds of dollars more than expected, often exceeding $600-$700. The company does not provide an upfront estimate or allow customers to approve charges before processing the artwork. Advertising Does Not Align With Actual Costs Artkive heavily markets through one-click purchase ads on social media, which encourage parents to send in years’ worth of artwork without fully disclosing how pricing is calculated. Their messaging gives the impression of an affordable service, but in reality, customers are left with sticker-shock invoices and no way to decline the charges without losing access to their child’s artwork. Holding Artwork Hostage If a customer disputes the invoice or refuses to pay the unexpected charges, Artkive refuses to return the original artwork unless additional fees are paid. Some customers have reported being told they must pay for digital copies in order to get their physical artwork back, despite never agreeing to such charges in the first place. Unprofessional Customer Service and Complaint Handling Artkive’s customer service is only available via email and text, with little to no direct support. Customers report automated or dismissive responses when they attempt to dispute charges or request clarification. Additionally, the company’s responses to formal complaints—particularly on the BBB website—are highly unprofessional, condescending, and often mock customers instead of addressing their concerns. Conclusion While Artkive provides a pricing page, their actual pricing structure is complex, unclear, and often results in significantly higher costs than customers expect. Their advertising does not align with their true costs, and their business model relies on misleading customers into a financial commitment they cannot opt out of without losing their child’s artwork. Consumers should exercise extreme caution before using this service. Anyone considering Artkive should demand a written estimate before sending in their artwork or seek alternative methods of preserving their child’s memories to avoid potential financial exploitation.

I have come to edit this review as the company has since come back and given me a few months to access and download my kids’ artworks. However I would still never recommend this software due to their lack of transparency and expensive pricing versus competitors. I downloaded this application in 2016. Since then, I have been saving my kids' artworks for free, relieved that I have not had to retain piles and piles of paper. I uploaded photos as recently as December 2024. Today when I logged in, I find out that am forced to pay a $30 annual fee. Forced - because they locked me out of my image library until I pay. This business model of free # of images was never transparently communicated and the way they lock you out without warning is a terrible experience. Yes they fixed the issue but I hope my review encourages this company to make more permanent changes.

The marketing for this company is very deceptive. The ads present an image of a mom throwing her kids' artwork into a box and immediately receiving a beautiful book with the artwork. These advertisements belie the fact that books cost up to $600. and after you send in your kids' artwork you have absolutely no control over this pricetag. They will hold your kids' artwork hostage until you pay and they reserve the right to charge your credit card if you don't do it yourself. Artkive argues that the price of their photos are so high because they use "professional photographers." What the hell could this possibly mean? They are literally photographing pieces of paper that kids scribble on. If you are reading this review before requesting an Artkive box, DO NOT ORDER THE BOX. Take pictures of your kids' art and submit it to the million other companies that will compile them into book form. There are so many better options out there than these overpriced shenanigans. I am a busy mom of five kids who was tantalised by the advertisement of a mom throwing art into a box and getting a book back. Instead I am a busy mom of five kids who just got scammed out of $150. and I don't even have a book to show for it.