What Is Known About Print Shop for Mac 4.1 by Mackiev Software?

MacOS Catalina came out in October, 2019, and Print Shop for Mac 4.0 was incompatible with it because it was a 32-bit application (and Catalina forward didn't support 32-bit applications). So I've been stuck on Mojave for over two years in order to run my existing copy of Print Shop for Mac.

During that time, Mackiev (the developer) never created a 64-bit version; it appeared that further development of the app had been abandoned.

Recently, I received an email from Mackiev stating that they were in the final stages of creating a "true 64-bit update, 4.1, of the Print Shop product" which would be "fully compatible with Catalina through Monterey". From the sound of things, they haven't actually made this available, yet, however, but expect to in the near future.

Does anyone know anything about this? Is this for real? Is it a true 64-bit app that will run properly on Catalina forward? Perhaps most importantly, will it be backward-compatible with Print Shop projects created using previous version(s) of the product?

I'm somewhat dubious of this, given Mackiev's track record with failing to produce a 64-bit app following the introduction of Catalina (over two years ago). Also, I've heard (anecdotally) that this will be a port of their Windows product, and it will therefore not have the look and feel of the original Mac version.

I very much appreciate any insight anyone can offer.

Mac mini, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 2, 2022 3:35 PM

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fastprof

Level 1

44 points

Posted on Mar 30, 2022 10:07 AM

As others have pointed out, a 64 bit update is now available. So far it runs fine under Monterey. The link is available only to registered users of The Print Shop 4.0. Once you have registered (or if you have already registered), you respond to the registration email and tell Support you need the 64 bit update. They will email you the link, but also as others have pointed out, you have to scroll through a bunch of MacKiev ads, to get to the link requesting the updater.

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63 replies

Apr 23, 2022 2:04 PM in response to BluesBrother3

WONDERFUL! You are my guy!! :-) Unusual but perfect to find an "old" like me, "techie", not like me. :-) It would really be nice if for our (retirement) businesses we could recover the hundreds of .psf files and the thousands of hours we have in

them!!!!!!!!!!

So HOW do I buy a copy of Printshop 4.1 from Maciev and then get the 4.1 updater? I went to their web page and I cannot find a place to actually buy it and download it. When I click on the Printshop button the only option I get is if I have an educational subscription? Could you point me to the right links? Thanks!!! :-)

Apr 23, 2022 2:20 PM in response to dougfrommounthoreb

You will, of course, need the Mackiev product if you need to maintain backward compatibility with existing .psf files.

That's where things get murky... several years ago, Mackiev (for reasons known only by them) withdrew their product (PrintShop) from the general market and began limiting sales for "educational use" only (whatever that means). Fortunately, I (and others like me) had already been using the Mackiev product for a number of years, and so we had the 4.0 or 4.1 version installed, and could therefore qualify to use the so-called "4.1 Updater".

As to your question: "How do I purchase a copy of PrintShop for personal (i.e., non-educational) use?", I simply don't know. Again, I have no first-hand experience with this, and my only advice would be to try to contact Mackiev ("Alex") and explain your situation (predicament) to them.

I wish I had a better, more satisfying answer for you. Can anyone else out there help dougfrommounthoreb in this situation? I'm sure he's not the only one.

Apr 23, 2022 3:00 PM in response to lkrupp

Well all I have to say is................AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

A thousand hours of labor into Printshop files our businesses cannot open. Did I say AHHHHHHHHHHH??? :-)

Well thank you very much for this advice. I know several people in educational institutions and I think at least one of them uses Printshop. That's where I'm going next.

My wife was a teacher and she had the Maciev Printshop on her laptop for use at school. It is still there on the laptop.

Now we shall see if the folks at Broderbund offer the refund I requested after their tech support folks told me: "nope, oh, gee, sorry, you can't open old Printshop files with this."

Sure do appreciate the help!!!

Apr 23, 2022 3:37 PM in response to dougfrommounthoreb

I hear you, dougfrommounthoreb. Don't despair. Where there's a will, there's a way. I was in the same boat: 100's of PrintShop projects that demanded backward compatibility with whatever solution I ultimately found. Unlike you, I was fortunate enough to have PrintShop 4.1 installed, so I didn't face the need to purchase a new copy qualified for "educational purchases only". In my case, I had all but given up hope that Mackiev would ever produce a 64-bit version, which meant that I was stuck with Mojave (subsequent versions of MacOS do not support 32-bit apps) which also happened to be on an old machine (Late 2012 iMac). So when they announced (sort of) they were working on a 64-bit version, I was (guardedly) overjoyed. Of course, the "catch" was that you had to already have an installed version 4.1 of the Mackiev product, which fortunately, I did.

Sounds like you've got some good ideas/options on how to work around this problem. Good luck! Let us know how it works out for you.

Apr 23, 2022 4:24 PM in response to BluesBrother3

Thanks for the sympathy. I'll try pleading my case to Markiev and also the educational institution route on my wife's laptop. Maybe like you say where there's a will, there's a way. On the other hand, I see you and others are referring to having Printshop 4.1 installed. We have Printshop 2 point something installed, not 4.1. Maybe that's a deal breaker? Well, we'll see. I'll post progress here good or bad. Thanks! :-)

fastprof

Level 1

44 points

Apr 23, 2022 5:19 PM in response to dougfrommounthoreb

Well, dougfrommounthoreb, I am stumped about where to buy the old 32 bit version. There is no link that I can give you, because that installer for the 64 bit version will only work if you have the old 32 bit version in your app folder. Also, Alex (the developer) checked my PS license before giving me the link. If I come up with any bright ideas, I'll post here.

Apr 24, 2022 4:02 PM in response to magadams

I'm beginning to suspect "the PrintShop 'team'" is Alex! 🙂 And I think the responses he sends to queries are randomly selected! So one person gets, "no updates at this time", another gets, "we are putting the finishing touches on the updater", etc. OK, I'm being a bit facetious, here, and I do wish Mackiev (and Alex) the very best, but it's been a LONG time coming - and most PrintShop users are still waiting.

Lyricjay

Level 1

13 points

Jun 5, 2022 7:45 PM in response to fastprof

I don't know where you get your info, but there is no 64 bit version. It's been more than a year since they stated it would be released soon. I ask every few months—I get the same answer. Does anyone know if Broderbund's app The Print Shop will open the MacKiev version, or any other app? I have very important documents to edit, and I am stuck like many of you. Thanks!

Feb 8, 2022 12:32 PM in response to MartinR

Don’t hold your breath. I question the ethics of MacKiev.

Apr 23, 2022 11:13 AM in response to thatsyncingfeeling

Wait, what? Fastprof says it works on their MAC and can open all the old .psf files with a link from the deveoper to the new upgrade to 4.1 that is 64 bit? Fastprof, can you provide the link?

Apr 23, 2022 11:31 AM in response to fastprof

Thank you! Can you post the link to the developer and the link they sent to you? That sure would help. :-)

Apr 23, 2022 5:39 PM in response to fastprof

Hi fastprof, do you know if the old printshop 2.0 was a 32 bit version? We have that one in the app folders on our computers. Thanks! :-)

fastprof

Level 1

44 points

Apr 23, 2022 5:51 PM in response to dougfrommounthoreb

Sorry I don't know.

Apr 24, 2022 11:31 AM in response to fastprof

Thanks, fastprof. That information may prove helpful to dougfrommounthoreb.

magadams

Level 1

15 points

Apr 24, 2022 12:49 PM in response to BluesBrother3

I wrote Alex yesterday and got this response:

Hi Maggie,

There are no updates at this time, I'm afraid. We will notify you via email as soon as there are news.

Regards,

Alex

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What Is Known About Print Shop for Mac 4.1 by Mackiev Software?