A Simple Guide to Presentation Folder Finishes
If you are a business owner or professional who has recently decided to get a Personalised presentation folder, then this is for you. The process of presentation folder printing comprises many stages.
The first stage is choosing the folder size. The most popular paper size is A4 or otherwise known as Copier paper. Since the majority of printed material uses this paper, the folder size would be A4 as well. A4 presentation folders can be customised like any other model. If you find a good folder printing service, they can help you with the customisation options that are suitable for your requirements.
A5 folder may be smaller in size and capacity but they have the same impact as a well-structured A4 variant. The A5 presentation folders can be used in situations where there is a small number of documents to be stored. One might agree that smaller folders tend to look more attractive to a reader compared to the latter.
It is always advised by marketing personnel to get a personalised folder. It will make your business or service look and feel unique.
Whatever you choose, be it an A5 or A4 folder, one of the crucial steps is to apply a final finish to the presentation folder. It is one of the last steps of presentation folder printing.
Folder Finishes
Why do you need a finish? Just like choosing design and artwork, selecting a folder finish can make or break the effectiveness of the folder. In fact, the finish will complement the entire design of the folder and make it more durable. There are many advantages to applying a finish, of which a few are listed below.
Improves durability of the folder
There is a chance that the print and artwork might fade with time or due to the presence of other factors. For instance, moisture can damage the print, causing the ink to smear all over or leak to the other side of the folder. But if there is a finishing layer, it can prevent the external forces from coming into contact with the paper.
Enhances the appearance
If you think that the artwork needs to stand out or the text needs to be highlighted, then applying a finish or lamination is the solution. Finishes can achieve the desired effect very easily. For example, a glossy finish could make images look more clear and make the colors more vibrant. Meanwhile, a foil finish can increase the contrast of the design of the folder.
Types of Finishes
The variety of finishes might be confusing at first, but each of them has different uses. The presentation folder finishes include Glossy, Matte, Satin, UV, Embossing, and Foil finishing. These can be applied throughout the entire folder or can be combined to get better results. You can learn more about each of them below.
Gloss Lamination
If you have high-quality images in your folder, then gloss is the way to go. A thin film of gloss lamination will improve the look of the images and enhance the colors in the personalised presentation folder. The folder will stand out from the rest of the things in a room if it has a shiny surface. The layer adds smoothness to the folder surface so it will be pleasant to touch.
Matte Lamination
If gloss gives a shiny outlook to the folder, then the matte finish will make it look luxurious. The personalised folder with a matte finish will have a less reflective surface but will still have a silkier texture to touch. Matte lamination can make a minimalistic design look premium. It can also prevent damage from scratches and moisture and there is very little chance of fingerprints all over your presentation folder.
Satin
This is one of the rarest coatings for presentation folders. It has the feel and looks of velvet which makes it soft to handle. Gloss, Matte, and Satin are all kinds of aqueous coatings.
Embossing
This is when the design or artwork is embedded into the folder stock. Many personalised A4 folders have either the logo, company name or both embossed into the front cover. This works well with a combination of gloss or matte finishes.
Spot UV
Just like embossing, spot coating is done to certain parts of the folder, thus the name spot coating. The ultraviolet spot coating is mainly done on matte-coated folders where certain parts are treated with ultraviolet rays. This increases the shine on the applied area and makes it highlighted.
Foiling
In this finish variation, important parts can be highlighted by using gold or silver foil. It gives an elegant look to the entire folder. You can use a base color, say white or black, and then foil the text and logo, without using any other colors.
Conclusion
Thus folder printing is to be well planned out to get the best results for your requirements. Applying finishes and laminations can save money by improving the durability of your personalised presentation folder. The listed finishes vary in both application and cost. So go with the one that fits in your budget without compensating for aesthetics.
