Is there a PrintShop that is compatible with Mac-Catalina OS? I work for a school and do the marketing, therefore in need of an Upgraded PrintShop - if not, any idea of when there might be one coming out?

I don't believe any other software other than The Print Shop will open their documents. Do not throw away your already produced materials, however, as they hopefully will work when / if MacKiev does the update to Catalina. There are some ways a few folks have found to continue using the 32-bit Print Shop version. According to PC Magazine "if you need to run 32-bur applications Apple unofficially recommends either that you keep an old Mac on hand that runs a pre-Catalina version of the OS or that you partition your current Mac so that it can start up with an older macOS version as well as Catalina. Another alternative (that costs money) is to buy a copy of Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion. According to PC Magazine, "these programs are designed mostly for running Windows on a Mac, but you can also use them to create a virtual machine that runs macOS in a window on your Mac desktop. Parallels is easiest to use, but VMware Fusion isn't far behind." You can find the directions for how to do this at: https://www.pcmag.com/article/371267/how-to-run-32-bit-apps-in-macos-catalina?amp=1&fbclid=IwAR16oQqj0349dX7RT5LJv3Ix1BMNNwlcfpmFfytDfBW71rjKsjgCjAggxKM

I realize these alternatives are not for everyone. They are not even what I am going to do, which is use Swift Publisher 5 until the new version of Print Shop 5 comes out. The real problem is MacKiev who doesn't seem to be very open about if and when they are going to make the Mac version of The Print Shop 64-bit compatible. There isn't even real information on their Facebook page at theprintshopbymackiev.

I also use MacKiev's Family Tree Maker software and they JUST released a new version for both Mac's and PC's with the Mac version being compatible with Catalina. PERHAPS (and I am guessing) they did the upgrade to Catalina for Family Tree Maker before tackling The Print Shop? At least it shows that MaKiev knows how to program the transition from 32 to 64-bit software. Like I said, this is just speculation on my part.

FWIW, I tried Swift Publisher 5, which some people recommended. It looks like a really capable program, and it does greeting cards, which is my interest. However, it has limited templates, clip art, etc., and I think it would be a poor substitute for Print Shop. OTOH, Swift is much better integrated into the mac os, compared to PS, which always feel like an add-on when I use it.

Swift Publisher 5 is working well for me. I use my own images to create business cards, greeting cards, art cards and brochures for a gallery. I have successfully moved to Catalina and uninstalled PrintShop.

I am so glad I found this thread! Grateful for being patient and not upgrading to Catalina! Husband says there's not enough $$ in it for the software companies to do a quick upgrade - they really don't care about us 'Little' users of the product - otherwise they would have done this to coincide with release as other software companies did. I've been using Print Shop since it started and when I was on a PC. I have so many projects saved - cannot afford to lose any. So it's awful that we are being held 'hostage' and not able to upgrade our expensive computers!!! So now I wait...longer...I think I am so set in my ways and know all my self created shortcuts on TPS that I just can't bring it to other software. Someone should create a knock off - as I can see here - they'd have instant buyers! Feeling your frustration and wanted to reach out to other TPS users to say - I feel your pain! Happy Holidays....

Greetings to those following this thread. A lot of people have wondered why The Print Shop was not upgraded before the change to 64 byte architecture. My guess, and it's only a guess, is the delay has been caused by two different issues. One, the ownership of The Print Shop has been convoluted and recently changed. Originally produced by Broderbund, that company eventually morphed into The Learning Company. While The Learning Company remained in charge of The Print Shop software, that company was subsequently sold to Softkey (1995) and that company sold to Mattel (1998). Mattel sold The Learning Company (that still owned The Print Shop) to Riverdeep Interactive Learning (2001). Riverdeep merged with Houghton Mifflin in 2006, which was renamed Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2007. In April 2018, The Learning Company was folded into Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. I'm guessing that " folding" probably exacerbated the lack of software development.

In addition to Broderbund being mentioned on the box, there is a second company listed on the box named Software MacKiev. The main headquarters of Software MacKiev is in Kiev, Ukraine -- a company located in an unstable part of the world right now. According to their website, Software MacKiev is an award-winning developer and publisher of premium quality software including Family Tree Maker®, KID PIX®, The Print Shop®, Hyperstudio and more). I mention this because MacKiev just released a major upgrade to its Family Tree Maker software. Family Tree Maker is available for both PC's and Macs. The new Mac version is advertised as "Catalina ready." I'm guessing that whoever actually codes the software has been busy getting Family Tree Maker ready for publication and put The Print Shop for Mac on the "back burner" (because The Print Shop for PC's doesn't need an upgrade). I'm also guessing (hoping) that they have now turned their attention to The Print Shop for Mac -- there are a LOT of Mac users of their software and they wouldn't ignore such a large group.

I realize that this is ALL speculation on my part and I apologize if any/all of it is incorrect.

When I called a few months back they said that there is hope to have new Printshop ready the end of the year, the year is coming to an end, lets all keep fingers crossed! I have so much that is locked up in PrintShop!

Wishing all a Merry Christmas/Happy Holiday and a wonderful New Year (with PrintShop up and running) to all!

I agree. I have hundreds of projects I use for my church ministry, and lots of other things on this program. I do not have the time to remake everything I have used for years. Nor the time and know-how to start all over with another program. They have been stringing us along for months!

Ok it is now the New Year! anything? I need to get back to work and retrieve my work. I would love to hange to a new one but what about all the information I have started to put in my previous Printshop 3?

I am on a list to be notified when it is available - but not heard anything. As they have known for a year that the app would not work on Catalina and did nothing about it I can't see it happening soon.

I have given up and am using Swift Publisher 5, bit of a learning curve, but it does the same thing. Dont think I will trust Print Shop again they have always been very slow with updates.

I'm not holding my breath. Already moved on to Swift Publisher for some things and Microsoft Word for others. I didn't have much in Print Shop format that I needed to keep, but I can understand the pain for those with years of Print Shop files. I still think going back to Mojave would be the best bet for those in that situation.

Hi Bob!

I didn't see this coming and just downloaded Catalina. How did you get yourself on a list to be notified when Printshop comes out for Catalina? Where did you sign up.

I've downloaded Swift Publisher on your recommendation - just did the free one but am interested in purchasing if it seems workable. You'd mentioned a learning curve. Does it seem a bit difficult to use?

Thanks!

Hi Dave, I filled in an online tech request form and received the following:-

Currently, all Print Shop versions are 32-bit applications and they have not been updated for Catalina OS. We are working on it.

As soon as we have more information about the Print Shop compatibility updates for the new Mac OS, we will notify you by email.

Regards,

Pauline

The Print Shop Team

@ Software MacKiev 

****@ mackiev.com

Regarding Swift Publisher 5 It works really well, it does everything that Print Shop does but it took me a while to work out how. For instance I wanted to make an image vignette there are not the easy choice options as in Print Shop. But once you know it’s easy. I watched one of their excellent online videos which explained it all really well. The other problem I had was getting the calendar week to start on Sunday as I am in the Uk it thinks I am using European weeks. I tried changing my location to USA something that has worked for me in the past, but that didn’t work. A request from tech help gave me the answer very quickly. I very much like the way they are obviously updating there app and the quick replies to questions.

Hope this helps.

[Email Edited by Moderator]

Hi Bob!

Thanks for your thorough answer! Interesting how MacKiev have know for a year and yet no solution. My first Mac, as I'm certain that of many others came with Print Shop; been using it for 17 years.

I downloaded Swift Publisher 5 and am looking forward to getting into its use.

All things good,

David

I have used as an alternative to PrintShop, which I've used since early release years, a product from Avery called Design and Print which is free, mates up to Avery products and does a number of the same projects as PS.

https://www.avery.com/software/design-and-print/

Happy New Year!

I have the same issue of not being able to open .psf files after upgrading to Catalina. I did find a suitable replacement called "Orion Print and Label Studio" that is easy to use and replaces PrintShop for making cards and labels. It doesn't resolve not being able open old .psf files, but it is a good tool for future print-related projects.

https://orion.aidaluu.com/