Presentation Folders: Boost Your Brand Cred
Marketing your business is all about presentation. And what better way to showcase all your products, services, values and story than with presentation folders? Also known as pocket folders, these print marketing essentials ensure your assets stay organized and your pitch looks professional. Get our tips and hear from three of our clients on what makes these branded folders fabulous.
Key Takeaways
- Custom pocket folders are marketing tools ideal for organizing materials, making strong first impressions and reinforcing brand identity. They feature various sizes, coatings and slits for business cards.
- Businesses can use presentation folders in impactful ways, from onboarding and sales pitches to student recruitment and contract organization, each adding professionalism and polish.
- Nonprofits can easily create cohesive, high-quality presentation materials with Smartpress’ premium folder printing, tailored finishes and reliable service.
What is a Pocket Folder?
Ideal for marketing, branding, events and industries of all kinds, pocket folders are just that – folders with pockets. And when you do your pocket folder printing with Smartpress, you get premium, custom options to tailor your design to your business. (Hint: If you need some inspo for that design, check out our pocket folder template under Print Templates).
Available in 9” x 12” (the standard folder size) or 6” x 9” for smaller promo materials like postcards, invitations and event tickets, these durable folders stand up to frequent handling thanks to coated paper stocks that look and feel way better than plastic. And business card slits? You get to choose how many and where you want them.
For a final touch (and a lasting impression), add the velvety Soft Touch laminate or a gloss or matte protective coating – this is all about presentation, after all.
How to Use Presentation Folders
Making a sales pitch? Hosting a regional meeting? Networking with clients? Welcoming new employees or students? For some real-world examples, we spoke with three Smartpress clients about how designing and printing pocket folders impacted their business (and why you’ll want to use them, too).
“They make our team look professional and represent the care [we] take in manufacturing.”
Folders for First Impressions
When it comes to making an impression on clients, you want it to be memorable. Custom presentation folders helped GPI Creative Director Nate Perry do just that.
“‘You never get a second chance to make a first impression.’ This quote sums up why I ultimately designed two different pocket folders,” said Perry. “They make our team look professional and represent the care GPI takes in manufacturing the highest quality products.”
Opting for a sturdy 18 pt. paper weight and unforgettable Soft Touch laminate, Perry’s folders were all about elevating – and customizing – the client interaction.
“The regular folder is mainly for price sheets and sales sheets or brochures. The larger folder is designed to make a strong first impression with new customers and to hold a broader range of materials, including catalogs, brochures, sales sheets and sample pieces,” he said.
Strong, indeed.
Make it easy to print your own business folders with our FAQ.
“They present the emotional connection between the student and the school in tangible packaging.”
Folders for Recruiting
Presentation pocket folders are standard pieces of business stationery. But can they ever be exciting? The answer is obvious for Calumet College of St. Joseph’s Kimberly Grotto.
“The pocket folders are mailed to students upon their acceptance. They communicate information [and] set the tone for students,” Grotto said. “When they open the envelope and see the cover, then open the folder and feel the excitement, we hope it cements that they want to attend CCSJ.”
Finished with a sophisticated flat matte coating and super smooth with no business card slits, Grotto’s folders play a bigger role than just marketing: “They present the emotional connection between the student and the school in tangible packaging.”
Who knew a pocket folder could do all that?
“The folders add a touch of professionalism to an industry that is considered a little rough around the edges.”
Folders for New Partnerships
When you gain a new client, you also gain their trust, so everything about your business needs to be professional and hiccup-free, including assets like pocket folders. That’s something Textile Minneapolis Director of Operations Alisha Lawrence ensured when working with her own client RockRidge Contracting.
“RockRidge puts all copies of the [customer] contract in the folder and any other literature required by law,” said Lawrence. “And since [it] contains important contract information, the customer is likely to retain the folder, which includes contact information for future needs or referrals.”
And for Lawrence’s client, the polish of high-quality presentation folders printing goes a long way: “The folders add a touch of professionalism to a roofing and siding industry that is considered a little rough around the edges.”
5 Ideas for Custom Folders for Business
Wondering how to use pocket folders for your own business? We’ve got you covered with five ideas sure to succeed:
Sales & Marketing Collateral
- Include brochures, business cards, pricing sheets, case studies and contracts.
- They ensure clients walk away with all relevant materials in one place.
- Design presentation folders with logo elements, your brand colors and tagline.
Onboarding Packets
- Use folders to welcome new employees with HR documents, benefits booklets, company policies and branded swag.
- Folders make a strong first impression and keep things organized.
Welcome Kits for New Clients
- Include product or service guides, contact information, FAQs and branded goodies.
- These folders reinforce brand professionalism and build trust.
- Hint: Branded Folders have a gusseted pocket for thicker packets and samples.
Trade Shows & Events
- Hand out folders from your booth on the conference floor.
- Include catalogs, samples, flyers, promo codes and a QR code linking to your website.
- Folders help your materials stand out. (Psst: Know what really stands out? The texture and shine of Raised UV Pocket Folders).
Proposals & Reports
- Present formal documents like grant requests, pitch decks and audit reports.
- A clean, branded folder adds authority and polish to your communications.
5 Ways Nonprofits Can Use Printed Presentation Folders
Keeping your nonprofit organization running smoothly is no easy task, but print marketing materials like pocket folders can help. Here’s how:
Fundraising Packets
- Include your mission statement, impact reports, donor forms and event invitations.
- These folders make a compelling case for donors to support you since they feel more intentional than loose papers.
- Value sustainability? Let your donors know by downloading our FREE Carbon Neutral Printing logo and adding it to your folders.
Volunteer Orientation
- Include schedules, contact information, guidelines and important forms.
- Folders help volunteers feel prepared, valued and officially part of your organization.
Community Outreach
- Hand out folders at local events or partner meetings.
- Include flyers, service information and testimonials.
- These help build awareness and give your mission a professional face.
Board Meetings
- Provide agendas, financial reports and minutes in a unified package.
- Folders demonstrate professionalism and respect for board members’ time.
Grant Applications & Reports
- Present applications, program updates or financial documentation in a cohesive format.
- Your organization looks more credible and reliable to funders with folders like this.
Print Your Presentation Folders with Smartpress
Marketing assets come in all shapes and sizes, but not all of them are as effective as presentation folders with pockets. They organize your materials, they showcase your brand, they make professionalism look easy.
And when you print your presentation folder design with Smartpress, they do it all with your custom print specs and finishes: “The folders were ready to rock right out of the box. Smartpress did a great job printing and delivering exactly what was expected,” said Lawrence.
If you need help printing your folders, feel free to reach out to our experts. You won’t regret it: “Smartpress offers quality printing and products paired with affordable shipping,” Perry said. “I know bad and good printing when I see it. Smartpress offers good printing.”
