In today’s competitive market, getting your company’s name out there is more important than ever. Sure, you can always hand out a couple of business cards to people on the street. But, they are usually discarded without a second thought. In contrast, promotional items, such as a custom business folder, will be much more valued by potential customers.
However, business folders are only effective as long as you know how to customise them to suit your brand and marketing strategy. That’s why today, we’ll go over a couple of tips on how to brand these reliable promotional office items to increase their marketing potential. And to sweeten the deal, we’ll also teach you how to shop for portfolios, so you can find the best ones on the market.
Who Needs Custom Business Folders?
Generally speaking, everybody loves custom business folders. From artists and students to teachers, writers and entrepreneurs, you won’t have a hard time finding a recipient for this practical gift. But before you are able to customise these promotional items, it’s important to understand each type of target audience and their needs.
Students and Teachers
College students can use University Portfolios to store their dissertations and assignments before turning them in. That way, they will look more professional and increase the chance of getting a better grade. Similarly, teachers can use Rochester Zipped Conference Folders for lesson plans and syllabi. Just remember to decorate the covers of the portfolio with the school’s name and logo when giving them away to teachers.
Financial Advisors
What is the most important aspect of a good financial advisor? Ask any expert, and they’ll give you a similar answer — investment portfolios. So why not help financial advisors keep all their paperwork in a classy, custom leather portfolio? By getting one, they’ll be able to impress their clients and come across as more trustworthy and professional.
Business Travellers
Business travellers spend most of their time on the road. As a result, they often lose important documents or other work-related materials. But that won’t be a problem anymore, thanks to custom portfolios. From work documents to laptops and chargers, business travellers can use business folders to carry all of their important items. Thus, they will reduce the risk of losing anything important while also looking more professional than they would when using a bulky suitcase.
Job Seekers
Job seekers can use portfolios to store resumes, cover letters and work samples. That will give them a professional appearance and help make a good impression during an upcoming interview.
Realtors
Realtors need to carry a lot of paperwork with them. While some of them use pocket folders, they are less professional than say a Wessex Conference Portfolio. So make sure to help realtors keep track of their properties by gifting them with a couple of high-quality leather portfolios.
Artists and Designers
Architects, painters, and even graphic designers can use portfolios to display their work. Not only will that keep all their work organised and easy to find, but it can help them impress potential clients and employers. Plus, carrying a gorgeous portfolio that’s been branded with some of their original art is much more interesting than a bland pocket folder.
Models
Models are constantly on the lookout for new job opportunities. That’s why they need to carry headshots and pictures from photo shoots everywhere they go. After all, who knows when they’ll run into a fashion designer or a scout? And best of all, business folders or portfolios can also be brought along to casting calls and auditions, helping models seem more professional.
Lawyers
Most lawyers work on multiple cases at the same time. Therefore, it’s vital to keep every document separate and confidential. As such, lawyers can make use of custom portfolios such as the Dorset Conference Folder by using one for each client. Doing so should also increase the trust of their clients, especially since an organised lawyer has a better chance of winning a case.
Event Planners
Let’s be honest — it’s hard to be an event planner. They have to keep track of venues, compare costs for caterers and handle payments. So it’s no surprise that many of them lose track of important information once in a while. But with the help of Wessex Zipped Conference Folders, event planners can easily organise their documents, which can be a lifesaver during stressful events like reunions or weddings.
Photographers
Photographers need to carry proof of their skill and work ethic. And while digital photos can be a good way to showcase their talent, nothing can beat a physical copy, particularly if it’s a Polaroid. With the use of a business folder, photographers can easily present their work to potential clients.
Writers
As a writer, there’s nothing more important than preserving your work. Sure, they can use a personalised USB flash drive filled with their manuscripts and books and take it to business meetings, but what happens if they lose it? Is every writer willing to rewrite everything from scratch? Instead, writers could print a couple of pages from their next book, place them in a portfolio, and use that to present their work to publishers. It’s fast, easy, elegant, and most importantly, 100% safe.
Marketers
Ad agencies can use portfolios to hold commercial scripts, printed ads, or digital ad samples. That way, they can showcase past marketing campaigns while also pitching ideas for future ones. And, as previously mentioned, by going for a leather portfolio, they’ll also look more professional and increase their chances of closing deals.
Related content:
Everything You Need to Know About Printed Business Folders
Customising Portfolios
By now, you have most likely figured out that portfolios are great gifts that can be useful for any target audience. But, before you give them away, you’ll need to customise the portfolios. However, that’s easier said than done, especially if you don’t have experience with portfolios. Fortunately, we’re here to help!
Plastic or Leather?
Usually, portfolios feature plastic or leather covers. While both are great choices, you need to pick one that works best for your audience and marketing goals.
- Plastic portfolios are cheaper to buy and are often used as substitutes for binders or pocket folders. Since they have a less formal appearance, plastic portfolios are a great choice for middle school or high school students who need to showcase their projects to teachers. Therefore, you can think of them as people’s first portfolios.
- Leather portfolios are professional carrying cases that can be used to hold work samples. They are elegant and can be used for formal interviews, presentations, and assignments. Thanks to their classy design, leather portfolios are beloved by college students, business professionals, and anyone in between.
Choosing the Right Branding Method
Now that you’ve picked a cover for your portfolio, it’s time to come up with a unique design. Keep in mind that portfolios can be customised using two different techniques which can affect the look and feel of your design — ink printing and debossing.
As the name suggests, during ink printing, your design is printed in plastisol ink on the cover of the portfolio. In contrast, during debossing, your design is pressed into the portfolio, which creates an indented, deep look. Even though both are reliable choices, debossing is better for professional audiences, while ink printing can cover ordinary consumers.
After deciding on the branding method, you need to choose what to print on the cover of your portfolios. Some common choices include:
- Logo
- Name
- Monogram
- Contact info
- Event details
However, you can also customise your portfolios using special artwork, as long as they fit the requirements of your manufacturer. For example, some companies only allow simple designs that don’t use more than four colours due to the limitations of their machinery.
Don’t Forget About the Colour Scheme
Besides branding them with a unique design, you should also add some colour to your custom portfolios. You can either choose a simple colour scheme or go wild with bright and bold combinations. But no matter which one you go for, make sure it fits your target audience and company branding.
Out of ideas? Then try some of these appealing colour schemes:
Black and White
Keep it simple with black and white portfolios. With a black background and white design, your portfolio will look classy and professional. This choice is not only aesthetic but also budget-friendly due to how affordable 1-ink colour printing is. In fact, some companies include it for free with any portfolio purchase.
Two-Tone
A two-tone colour scheme is a great way to add a pop of colour and provide a nice complement to your custom design. The ink of your branding can be either white or coloured, depending on your desire, as any of them can work with a two-tone portfolio.
Solid Coloured
It’s time to add some personality to your portfolio by choosing a solid colour scheme. From a vibrant blue to a more relaxed purple, there’s no limit to what colour you can use. However, make sure to use some white or black ink for your design to avoid obnoxious contrasts.
Monochrome
Monochrome portfolios are perfect for artists that want to showcase their talent and personality at the same time. With this colour scheme, you need to use an ink colour from the same family as the portfolio. For example, you can match navy portfolios with sky blue ink or violet portfolios with lavender ink.
Gold Tip
What’s more stylish than a portfolio with a simple black cover and gold-tipped edges? This classy colour scheme is extremely professional and can work for both plastic and leather portfolios. And best of all, you can use whatever colour you want for the branding.
Silver Accents
Lastly, sleek silver accents can improve the look and feel of any portfolio. Professional and unique, these types of portfolios are anything but boring. Just make sure to print your branding using white ink to complement the overall colour scheme.
How Can I Choose the Best Portfolio?
So, you know how to customise your portfolio and how to cater them to your target audience. However, portfolios are very diverse, with dozens of unique design features. That’s why you need to pay a lot of attention when picking which portfolios to integrate into your marketing strategy. Here are a couple of aspects you should consider before you get started:
Type of Closure
It goes without saying that portfolios don’t open and close using magic. In fact, they are equipped with different closure types, such as zippers, elastic straps or snap buttons. While this is a small detail, it can make a difference in how professional your portfolios look.
Handles and Straps
Although most custom portfolios look like folders, there are some that can be carried as briefcases thanks to their straps and handles. Keep in mind that those types of portfolios tend to be more expensive, but they are worth every penny for people that travel frequently.
Internal Storage
Not every portfolio is created equal. Some feature more storage space than others. As a result, you need to carefully consider the needs of your target audience. And don’t forget that some portfolios make up for this lack of internal storage with additional pockets.
Modern Features
You might be surprised to learn that some portfolios include modern features like wireless chargers or power banks. These are perfect for businessmen or students who regularly use their laptops or other gadgets outside their homes and offices.
Price
The price of portfolios varies depending on their design, features, and personalisation options. Even so, they are still incredibly affordable. However, don’t always choose the cheapest portfolio, especially if it’s manufactured by a shady company. Remember that, as long as you take advantage of bulk purchasing, you can save even more money with each order without having to compromise on the product’s quality.
Portfolios — Marketing Done Right!
Truth be told, there are hundreds of promotional items that can boost your company and help reach a wider audience. But few are as reliable and effective as portfolios. These practical products are sought-after by all types of people, from students to business owners. And best of all, portfolios are fully customisable. Therefore, you can adjust them based on your target audience and marketing goals.
So why rely on expensive and fleeting marketing strategies when custom portfolios are more than capable of promoting your brand?
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Looking for new and creative promotional product ideas? View our latest branded merchandise! At GoPromotional, we specialise in delivering innovative and effective promotional solutions for your business. Whether you have questions or need expert advice, our experienced team is here to assist you. Contact us today at 0800 0148 970 or send us an email to explore the endless possibilities of promotional products. With our years of industry expertise, we’re the perfect partner to discuss all things promotion!
