Presentation Folders: Five Ways to Make a Longer-Lasting Impression

When it comes to promoting your professional image, the durability of a Presentation Folder is just as important as its eye-catching design

A Presentation Folder, sometimes referred to as a Proposal Folder or Portfolio, is a pocket folder used to store and organize documents such as those distributed during a sales presentation.

In addition to providing a convenient place for documents, a presentation folder also serves to introduce a company and promote its professional identity. As such, a presentation folder is almost always designed to elicit a positive first impression. The creative use of color and other highlights - such as spot UV, foil stamping, embossing, and die-cutting - are popular methods for conveying a distinctive corporate image.

Presentation Folders are most often used for proposals, brochures, and literature associated with top-tier products and services. The sales cycle for these products and services could be weeks or months, so the folder has to sparkle for at least that long.

If a presentation folder is too weak or flimsy, it may become dog-eared, torn, or buckled before a purchase decision has been made. Needless to say, this can reflect negatively upon the presenting company and its offerings. Conversely, a well-constructed folder not only enhances the desired image of quality at the onset, it literally allows for a longer-lasting impression. Hence, the durability of a presentation folder is just as important as its eye-catching design.

Five Ways to Increase Durability for a Longer-Lasting Impression-�

1) Use a Heavier Stock - Presentation folders are constructed of cardstock, which is available in a variety of thicknesses. From a durability standpoint, 10pt (.010") or thinner cardstock would be considered light. 12pt (.012") or 14pt (.014") cardstock would be considered good. 16pt (.016") or higher would be deemed superior.

2) Opt for Reinforced Edges - The edges of a presentation folder will be subject to the most wear, since that is where the thumb or fingers contact the folder when opening it. Reinforced edges are created by folding these edges over toward the inside and then pressing and gluing them flat. This doubles the cardstock thickness at the edges and makes the folder more rigid.

3) Request a Laminate Coating - A clear plastic laminate film applied to the presentation folder will protect it against spills, stains, tears, and abrasions. The laminate also increases the overall thickness of the folder and adds strength. A gloss laminate offers the extra benefit of adding depth and vibrancy to the ink colors.

4) Consider Rounded Corners - Sharp 90 � corners tend to become easily bent and dog-eared. Rounding the corners with a die-cutting operation helps to reduce this issue. Rounded corners also provide a very finished look to the folder. Depending on the configuration of the interior pockets, they can often have any sharp corners rounded off as well.

5) Explore Increased Capacity Options - A standard folder may distort and buckle if the contents exceed its intended capacity. Fortunately, a presentation folder can be designed with a high capacity spine and/or expandable pockets for applications that require it to accommodate a thick stack of documents. These high-capacity folders maintain their crisp appearance and lie flat.

If you'd like to learn more about extending the appearance and useful life of your custom-printed presentation folders, get in touch with Formax Printing. We'd be happy to provide a quotation or helpful guidance for your next folder project. Just give us a call at 866-367-6221 or click here to access our simple quote form.

Take care! Rick