Adobe is taking pre-orders for Creative Suite family products for Tuesday, May 7 delivery. That’s the headline, but the real deal is you can still purchase Creative Suite 5.5 and get CS6 for free, which is one heck of a twofer.

• Creative Suite 6 Standard, $1,299

• CS6 Standard Upgrade, from $275

• Creative Suite 6 Design and Web Premium, $1,899 (upgrade from $375)

• Creative Suite 6 Student and Teacher Editions – Save up to 80%, $349

As noted in the lead, Creative Suite 6 family products start shipping Tuesday, May 7. However, if you buy CS5.5 now, you will get CS6 free for free via Adobe Creative Suite Assurance:

North American Store Link:
Buy CS5.5 now and get CS6 at no additional cost. Offer ends May 6, 2012.

European Store Link:
• Buy CS5.5 now and get CS6 at no additional cost. Offer ends 6 May, 2012.

The Creative Suite Assurance Promotion is available from today through May 6 in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, North America, Norway, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the UK.

Editor’s note: Are you liking the new branding? Though it certainly could grow on me, my first impression is confusion — pretty boxes that give little clue as to purpose. What’s your take?

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