Ways to Customize a Presentation Folder Design

Most people think designing for print media is no different from designing for digital media. And if you are good at digital media designing or graphics designing you can create a presentation folder. Universally maybe the principles of designing are same but you still need to take care of few facts while creating a physical object. Here are some ways in which you can customize a presentation folder which can create a sensory experience when touched physically.

Custom Die-Cut Pockets and Panels

If you want to the canvas according to your liking you can go for the custom die-cut option. They are totally unique designs which are fun to interact with and can be customized accordingly to establish a brand identity. The texture of printed material is very important and custom dies cutting helps you to choose from the variety of options to how should your folder feel. Custom die-cut touch always stands alone in a pile of papers and other printed material.

Media Slits

Die cut media slits provides you with the ability to either display or store your brochures, linen business cards etc on the top pocket instead of the inside pocket. Shaped media slits are used as standard features by many printers for their folder template, however, with custom die-cut, you can cut your business card slits in any desired shape.

Die-cut windows

Mostly the “cover” is considered as the front panel of folders and “content” is considered as the inside panel of the folders. The die-cut windows allow you to display this content directly from the cover. Die-cut windows can be of any shape and size, altering to any element’ shape you want to highlight.

Stock Thickness

Stock thickness is not directly a part of the design but still, it can affect the way people recognize your design. Heavier, thicker stock has a higher quality feel, which reflects well on both your design and brand it represents, while the thinner stock has the opposite effect. 

Stock Texture

Stocks have got a variety of textures- such as linen and vellum. Though they provide a unique feel to your presentation folders but using them can limit your options as your printed design’s looks get altered. On the other hand, as they feel unfamiliar and new they leave a lasting impression on your audience. Even for embossing, the textured stock is a great option as it adds, even more, sensation to your design.

Stock Colour

Many designers play with different colour combinations which creating new effects using ink. Stocks are available in a variety of colours, hence choose the right colour for your folders. You can choose the white layer first to print on coloured stock but it will lead to loss of colour quality. Most of the designers print a coloured background instead of relying on coloured stock. But the coloured stock has its own advantage that the colour spreads in all the direction on the paper. If you opt for white stock, the white colour will be visible on the edges of every cut.

Embossing

Just like a seal on an official document, embossing also creates a textured impression that is raised off the page on the stock. Embossed elements practically beg to get touched, as they are as irresistible as bubble wrap. Embossing can be combined with any other imprint method that’s why it is the most compatible design. When you use embossing alone without using any other imprint with it to give your folder a sophisticated and an elegant look is known as blind embossing.

Debossing

The identical twin cousin of embossing having the same process but in reverse order is debossing. Instead of imprint raising off the page, it depressed directly into the page. Since Debossing has a similar effect as that of embossing, it has its own unique quality that attracts the audience to itself. For taking maximum advantage in texture, use the combination of both the techniques.

Metallic Link

The middle ground between using metallic foil and printing in ink is represented by the metallic link. The mix of ink and actual metallic shaving causes the shiny effect. It’s a bit more diverse than metallic foil creating a less fleshly and subtle effect. You can create more detailed imagery than with foil stamping as metallic ink acts primarily like a normal ink. It’s also good for small details as adhesion is not required in it. A greater variety of tones can be made from this technique as it can be applied in multiple layers.