I too prefer the glossy and would not be happy if there was no glossy option.  This should be something that can be fixed ... I print glossy on my Epson regularly with no problems.    Please fix this issue.  As for now, reluctantly I have changed my default finish to matte.

I DO NOT support the Matte only option.

I haven't ordered any cards in a while, and am horrified to hear of this issue with glossy cards! I had someone order a Christmas card as a trial, to see if they wanted to order a lot, which they never did. I wonder if this is why. I just went and changed all my cards to matte.
 
But since I don't read all the posts all the time, I'm wondering if I will ever find out if/when this has been fixed.
 
A glossy finish is nice, and local printers don't seem to have these problems with glossy items. But sending out stinky peeling cards should never, ever happen!

In regards to this post today>>>
 
Quote from Sheryl_133470 on Nov 29^th, 2010, 12:58pm:

 
I can not help but think that after "a couple of weeks" airing out.. that if the odor still exists then that probably means the coating is just plain not curing to 100%...  I am not a printer. however in my industry (28 yrs of exp) we do work with uv and other sealing products-coatings in our services offered and the only time i have ever had odor and cracking and such is when an improperly made-applied finish coat or poor prep work was used-done. Sometimes the formulas just sucked and vendors needed to be replaced with more proven ones.   Sometimes it was the manufacturers formula and sometimes it was the operators application but either way..  smell generally ='s an uncured product. As it is still dissipating into the air.  So if air dry is not the proper method and they go out uncured 100%.. then it will take a long long time for the product to dry on its own.    If the cards get bent, folded, manipulated even in the slightest (like in the mail) when not properly cured.. The molecule structure will have weak points and the seal will loose it's integrity.  Perhaps that is a good place for the new printer to start looking.  I assume they had much exp with POD type products prior to GCU?   They are getting paid.   Payment acceptance and end product go hand in hand.  Just a thought~  

Robin, you just nailed the problem, plus their plant must not be well ventalated and not kept at the right humidity level, the difference between printing in Utah and California???  I don't read the forum as much as I use to and I just took advantage of the Black Friday and the sale today!!!......keeping my fingers crossed.  I haven't ordered my Christmas cards yet though, third week in review, maybe I can send them next year!

Quote from Ernestine_131365 on Nov 29^th, 2010, 8:26pm:

I have to agree with e.  I have been with GCU for over 3 years now and quality has always been close to perfection.  I am baffled by how any of this can be acceptable.  I think the majority of customers would not complain about a card that was not to their satisfaction, they would just not come back, I personally think this issue is critical.  We are all here to create a beautiful product.  Until this is resolved though, perhaps GCU should only offer matte finish (just as a short term solution) so customers always get the beautiful product they are used to getting.  

I too am very concerned ... I recently sent a memorial card to a pet client, after her senior dog passed away.  She was touched by the personalized image and is planning on framing it - but if it's going to disintegrate ... !
 
GCU - you had a printer that did quality work.  I respect that you had a reason to change printers, but if that reason was to save money, then you now know you get what you pay for - go back to your other printer, pronto, PLEASE!!

I never get glossy so I haven't seen these problems, but if people are paying 2.79 per card and some customers are ordering 1000 cards at a time they need to be resolved.