Tag: presentation folders

Digital Raised Foil Vs. Foil Stamp + Emboss

Foil Stamping + Embossing Vs. Digital Raised Foil: The Right Fit For you

 

In our most recent posts, we have been focusing on the innovative technology currently involved in the print industry, however, we don’t often walk through comparisons between traditional print methods and digital print methods.  Each process is very different and achieves different tactile and visual effects on presentation folders, business cards, and more. This piece will focus on primary differences between foil stamping + embossing and digital printed raised foil coating. Both are finishing processes implemented to highlight design areas, most commonly logos and branding. Read more to learn about key differences between foil stamping + embossing and digital raised foil coating. It is important to  learn these differences in order to determine which process will best fit your marketing materials and brand identity. 

Foil Stamp and Embossing Presentation Pocket Folders
Foil Stamp Folders on Greenbrier Linen with Copper Foil Stamping

Traditional foil stamping + embossing has a classic look and feel and can add personal touch to any custom presentation folder. Most commonly, we see traditional foil stamping + embossing utilized on our in-house dark linen stocks, as we don’t recommend printing ink colors on those stocks. Foil stamping on dark linen stock is a simple and affordable way to showcase your brand, as the metallic shine of the foil contrasts with the matte weave of the linen. These pocket folders are great for office organization, presentations, and report covers. They can be used in a variety of fields including: accounting, real estate, legal, banking, medical, and more.

Light Linen Folder with Gold Foil Stamping
Light Linen Pocket Folder with Blue Ink and Gold Foil Stamping

Foil stamping and embossing on presentation folders does come with certain limitations we would like to mention here as well. The larger the area the more expensive the die will cost, as well as the set up time to ensure perfect registration. It will also have a longer production time to account for ordering and acquiring the die for the folder design. Moreover, embossing can only push up into the stock so far so not to compromise it, as well as leaving an indent on the back side of the paper. When a folder has embossing on the front cover, you can see the impression on the other side when you open the folder.

Embossing must be done on high quality paper, which can be an additional cost. Because the set up time and die costs are generally one-time costs, ordering these pocket folders in large quantities makes the price per unit decrease significantly, and becomes an affordable and customizable option. Ordering tax folders, report covers, or other folders on dark linen stock with foil stamping + embossing in short quantities, however, might not be the most cost effective option for you and your clients.

 

Soft Touch Smudge Proof Lamination with Digital Raised Foil
Black Folder with Digital Raised Gold Foil and Soft-Touch Lamination

For short orders looking to make high impact, we recommend implementing digital raised foil to complete your folder design. This metallic spot coating is printed with our Scodix® Sense press, and comes with a variety of customization options. We recommend that you use 10% coverage or less of the coating, and implement our capability of variable data and variable density options. This means that your client can have full control to customize their pocket folders to achieve a memorable tactile design that is completely unique to their brand. Raised foil folders are great for short runs because there is no extra cost for dies or set up times, and the effects can be breathtaking. Because there are no dies involved, the production time is much quicker. Moreover, raised foil can be incorporated on any kind of coated stock, and works well with printed ink colors. Raised foil is not pushed up into the stock in the way that foil + emboss is, rather it is a thick polymer UV coating with a foil layer over it. Because it does not compromise the integrity of the stock, raised foil can be applied to an array of coated stocks, allowing you to save money on paper cost if needed. This is a significant difference between embossing and raised foil coating, as embossing pushes into the back of the paper in order to achieve the raised look. Embossing produces a visible indent on the back of the sheet which converts to the inside of the folder or the back of a business card. Because Raised Foil is applied only to the front surface of the sheet, it will not make any indentations on the back of the stock, leaving the design of the inside of the folder clean and untouched. You can see an example of a business card with Foil Stamp and Embossing on the front and the indent on the back in the image below.

Foil Stamp + Emboss Business Card
Business Card with Foil Stamp + Emboss with Visible Indent on Back Side

While the overall differences of raised foil coating and traditional foil stamping + embossing are apparent, it is ultimately the aesthetic and tactile difference that matters in terms of brand identity and presentation products. Knowing the difference and having both to offer can help you fully promote a client’s brand.  To see and feel the differences between these two metallic finishing options, request samples of both here!

 

Digital Raised Foil with Raised UV Folders
Raised UV + Raised Foil Folders

 

We at Presentation Folder Inc. are committed to serving your unique needs and look forward to working with you to continue building a better folder. We offer the following products online but can work with you to quote and print other presentation products.

 

Standard Catalog Items:

Custom Specialty Items:

  • Custom Pocket Folders
  • Custom Die-Cut Folders
  • Capacity Folders
  • Tabbed Folders
  • Slim Jim Folders
  • Self-Mailing Folders
  • Gift Certificate Folders
  • Hotel Key Folders
  • Straight-Line Gluing Boxes
  • Software Boxes
  • Software Sleeves
  • Media Packaging
  • Unique Die-Cut Paper Products

Product Feature: Tax Folders

Because the last thing you need to worry about during tax season is the folder that holds them.

Tax Folder with Emboss
Gray Tax Folder with Window Slit

About the product:

We understand the chaos that comes with tax season, and how one “season” can end up lasting many months. The last thing you want to be worrying about during these busy months is the presentation folder that will hold your finished report, which  is why we have teamed up with accounting teams of all sizes to develop a simple product that works for any of your tax report needs. Printed in the classic presentation folder dimensions of 9 x 12 x 4, our tax folders make elegant report covers. Typically, we print tax folders on neutral dark gray, green, or blue thick 100# linen stock from Group B . This robust stock can accommodate anything from short tax returns to a large-scale annual report.

Tax Folder with Window Slit and Gold Foil Stamping
Red Tax Folder with Window Slit

Unique and Functional Form:

We start with a traditional presentation folder and implement design strategies to fit your unique tax folder needs. We make tax folders keeping practicality in mind without compromising an emphasis on brand consistency. Depending on the length of your report, we can incorporate an expanded spine with or without staple tabs for different sized tax returns.

 In addition, we die cut a small window on the cover of the folder in order to make the name and year on the report visible. If your tax folders require any additional functional demands, we have the equipment and expertise to implement multiple solutions.

Showcasing your Brand:

When it comes to designing tax folders, we like to keep it simple. We understand that you want your report covers to be straightforward while also leaving a lasting impression on clients. Using a durable frame that supports their sensitive information will allow your business to maintain a client-facing professional ethos, but adding an extra touch of design with leave them with that lasting impression. Because we prefer to use durable, dark-colored stock for tax report covers, we don’t recommend any actual printing done to these specific presentation folders. Instead, utilizing foil stamping and embossing will allow your showcase your brand. Embossing with a gold, silver, or bronze foil stamp finish is the best way print on tax folders. Showcase your tax reports with a functional, sleek presentation folder that will protect months of accounting.

Navy Blue Presentation Folder with Gold Foil Stamping
Emboss with Gold Foil Stamping