These days not only businesses but entrepreneurs and freelancers have realised the potential of personalised presentation folders. These are not only a good inventory for all your printed documents but also act as a marketing tool.
Most business owners use presentation folder printing services to get a suitable folder for their needs. Folders are used not only for marketing campaigns but they are easy for communication between different departments inside the same business.
If you are a job seeker who is attending an interview, using a custom personalised presentation folder to share your resume and qualifications will instantly give you a head start. You have to think out of the box to make sure the folder fully represents you and your work ethic.
Now if you are planning to get a personalised A4 folder, you will definitely need it to last for a long time. Regardless of how you use the folder- always in transit or stored for later use- it needs to be in perfect condition when it reaches the target audience. Before going further, you need to learn some of the common damages which are likely to occur.
Common Damages in Folders and Solutions
What makes a good folder? Good layout, artistic value, design quality are a few easier answers to that question. The process of folder printing starts not in the printing press but from you (and the marketing team, who are more likely to know the best choice for the business). You need to decide about the size and shape of the folder, complexity of artwork, material used to print, the type of ink used, how many folds and pockets to add, custom designing options, and more.
After having all the prerequisites ready, now is the time to print the folder. But what if it turns out to be a failure and has no effect on your business? All the time and money you spend on designing and folder printing was a complete waste.
So before you come to a conclusion on all the above factors, there are a few parameters you want to consider.
Structural Weakness
Imagine you have to meet a high-profile (potential) client and you took your A4 presentation folder along with you. You have all the documents arranged in proper order. But then because of the sheer weight of the contents, the folder starts to bend. This is one of the common problems- the folder not being able to hold the documents inside.
The solution for this problem is to choose a thick folder stock to print on. The sturdy material will be able to hold all you want to put inside the folder. You must recognise what you need to keep inside the folder, be it printed material or some extras.
Apart from usual documents businesses have used A4 folders to carry digital media, business cards, and even booklets. So always choose the folder stock with regards to what weight you want it to carry.
External Elements
If you are sending your A5 folder through the mail, there are different external factors that can cause damage. This includes anything from small tears to the formation of moisture. This can lead to the damage of the folder stock and in some cases, the ink will spread all over the folder, making it impossible to read the contents.
Similarly, if the folder is carrying CDs or DVDs, even small pressure can cause some serious issues. For preventing water damage the best way is to apply lamination over the folder. This can be done on both A4 and A5 presentation folders without spending too much money.
The folders which are held together by glue can lose their adhesive property as time goes by. So if you are printing many folders at once make use of interlocking folders rather than glued ones.
Fading of Text and Ink or Inconsistency
This is because of poor choice of inking as well as folder stock. The coloring method you choose must not fade as time passes if you plan on storing it for a long time.
If you decide on using bright colors applying a final finish like gloss or satin is advised to keep the colors pop out. Similarly, if you want to reduce the shine on your A5 folder, use a matte finish which will give it a luxury aesthetic.
The finish or lamination prevents ink from bleeding to the inner covers of the folder. This also preserves the text for a long time, even under severe cold or wet conditions.
Conclusion
Presentation folders are supposed to generate a good first impression of you and your business. The reader will have to see that you are different from the rest of their possible options and are the right person for the job. Being unique is the way to win the attention and business of your target audience. So think out of the box when you design your A4 or A5 presentation folder.
