With today’s technology, marketers rely on print materials more than ever to attract their audiences’ short and divided attention spans. Print offers a welcome break from the distractions of daily digital communication. As a tangible reminder of your product or service, print items, such as presentation folders, often remain in your client’s or prospect’s office long after they’ve forgotten a digital ad. In the following article, we’ll share six tips to help you get the most out of your presentation folders.
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Tip 1: Use Spot UV Coating
If you opt for UV coating, your printer will use a UV light to cure a varnish onto your presentation folders. This clear, shiny coating is ideal for color-printed products because it enhances shine, preserves color, and protects your folders from moisture and damage.
The “spot” part of spot UV coating means that the coating can be applied to just one section of the folder to highlight a specific detail. This decorative touch is often used to draw attention to logos, images, company names, and taglines. Learn more about the UV printing techniques to enhance specific features on your folders.
Tip 2: Choose Metallic Inks or Foil Stamping
Metallic inks use metallic flakes that reflect light for a shiny, metallic appearance. These inks are used to create a look that expresses a subtle luxury. To make the most of metallic inks, this embellishment should be used to emphasize small elements rather than more prominent ones.
Metallic inks also adhere well and resist fading, helping your folder maintain its original appearance. These inks are available in many colors and finishes, making them well-suited for unique and tailored designs.
Foil stamping uses heat and pressure to apply a thin layer of metallic foil to a printed piece. A metal die is first heated, then pressed onto the foil, then finally into the folder. Dies may be specially cut to create custom designs, fonts, or patterns. Foil colors and finishes come in numerous options including metallic (gold, silver, bronze), holographic, matte, and gloss.
For a vibrant and reflective metallic finish, foil stamping is your go-to choice. Thanks to its durability and resistance to fading, it’s a good optiom for items that need to retain their original look over the long term. In addition, foil stamping is often used to emphasize detailed designs, elaborate details, and precise patterns.
Tip 3: Select Full-color (CMYK) Printing
CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black) and produces a full-color spectrum. With CMYK printing, small overlapping dots in varying amounts of each color are applied to the paper. Our eyes then blend these dots into specific, unique colors, creating the perception of a continuous-tone image. This method is essential for achieving high-quality print results in various types of printing applications.
CMYK, also known as four-color process printing, is a cost-effective option for larger orders because setup costs are applied to more pieces. It also enables consistent color across the complete print run. Choose CMYK to achieve vibrant, detailed, and accurate prints. When evaluating a folder printer, assessing its CMYK capabilities is important to ensure it meets your project’s specific color and quality requirements.
Tip 4: Opt for the Pantone Matching (PMS)
PMS (Pantone Matching System) is a standardized color reproduction system used in printing, graphic design, manufacturing, and other industries. It enables consistent color no matter the materials or printing techniques.
Each Pantone color has its own name and number, which helps to identify and replicate precise colors. This system ensures color accuracy, helps preserve brand standards, and provides a consistent look.
In addition, Pantone allows for specialty inks including metallic and neon. These options
are difficult to create with other kinds of inks. It’s an ideal choice for folders with unique
and vibrant designs.
Tip 5: Print on Two Sides
For the greatest impact, print on both the inside and outside of your presentation folders. This technique boosts your folder’s functionality, look, and effectiveness.
By employing your company’s design and message throughout the folder, you’ll create a polished and professional piece that will leave a strong impression on your clients and partners.
Don’t limit the inside of your folder to one solid color! Use the interior panels to share information about your company’s history, mission and vision, contact information, and products and services.
Lastly, printing on both sides of your folder creates visual harmony and eliminates clutter within your design. A thoughtfully designed, well-balanced presentation folder that is clean and easy to read can be a powerful marketing tool.
Tip 6: Request Aqueous Gloss Coating
Aqueous gloss coating is water-based and gives printed materials a glossy finish. It improves the appearance and durability of your folder, giving it a shiny, reflective quality that makes designs more vibrant and vivid. It also produces a high-quality, professional finish. This coating helps protect from scuffs and repels moisture, which gives your folder durability.
Moreover, aqueous coatings are environmentally friendly, free from harmful solvents, and easily recyclable. They dry quickly, allowing for faster production times, which can be beneficial for tight deadlines. By choosing an aqueous gloss coating, you enhance the aesthetic appeal of your presentation folders while also considering sustainability and efficiency.
In today’s fast-paced digital world, capturing and keeping your audience’s attention is crucial. By incorporating techniques like spot UV coating, metallic inks, double-sided printing, and aqueous gloss coating, you create presentation folders that stand out and effectively engage your audience. These tips enhance visual appeal and tactile experience, ensuring that your print materials serve as a tangible reminder of your brand’s quality and attention to detail.
