Got It Covered

Not every company has the bucks to get its name out there through billboards, radio and television advertisements.

A practical, more cost-effective option may be presentation folders.

"Folders can be an affordable way to brand a company," said Michael Byrd, co-owner of Olathe, Kansas-based The Leslie Company.

Companies that sell presentation folders are helping businesses by offering new and improved designs.

For example, The Leslie Company developed a way to convert paper pocket folders into an on demand perfect bound book.

"End-users can bind one to 10 at a time," Byrd explained. "It's perfect for on demand policy or proposals you don't want to ever be separated from the folder. Most folder manufacturers construct their folders out of paper. In addition to paper, we make them out of polyethylene, polypropylene, flexible PVC, chipboard and turned edged materials. We make the entire gamut of quality and finish."

Some of the more popular options at Des Moines, Iowa-based Dilley Manufacturing are Folio ring binders that are 18-point film laminated portfolios with a three-ring metal installed, said vice president of marketing Kevin Flagg.

"They are both lightweight and durable, and allow for full-color printing in quantities as low as 250. If a customer prefers a binder with color printing, this is often the most practical and economical option," Flagg noted. "Dilley is also finding increased requests for pocket folders with metal eyelet fasteners which bend open and then can be closed to hold three hole punched pages. This is likely due to customers attempting to look at cost savings options versus utilizing ring binders."

Nevertheless, Flagg remarked the most popular item is a folder that has expandable capacity pockets because it stores flat, but allow for up to 3⁄4 inch of capacity.

"They are an excellent way for companies to use one size of folder for a variety of different size proposals," Flagg commented.

Byrd said the hottest items right now are short-run, custom-made papers.

"It used to be you'd have to buy 10 to 20 tons of paper to have something specially made. Now, we can provide as little as 5,000 lbs and the color and patterns will be exact. Depending on the paper weight, this could actually be very few sheets. We have worked with many customers and have had special papers made to the customers' requests. People don't realize how affordable it can be. Even though times are tight people are still interested in ecologically friendly paper stocks, they just do not want to pay a premium for them," he said. "We've always offered recycled stocks because they made sense on all sides. Almost all of our colored stocks have recycled content to them. We actually have these sheets specifically made to our specifications."

Beyond popular items, currently, there are plenty of things trending.

There is definitely a trend to aqueous coating due to cost and environmental concerns, Flagg said.

"Also, there is demand for sustainable paper stocks, but the demand is not at the level we expected based on discussions with our customers and paper suppliers going back a few years ago," he continued.

Byrd is seeing companies interested in more color and fewer pieces.

"People want all the bells and whistles [added] to a job from 4/4 with a specialty laminate and then a spot UV and or register foil emboss, but only want 500 to a 1000 of them. This is the sweet spot for our company," he stated.

But, Flagg said glossy UV coating is getting less popular. This is due to customers preferring satin/non-glossy coatings.

Another dying breed is one-color printed folders on a white dull sheet, Byrd observed.

"We still do produce a lot of them, but the numbers are shrinking," he said.

Not unlike other sectors, this sector faces its share of challenges.

One of the biggest challenges faced by The Leslie Company is shrinking the lead time, according to Byrd.

"Everybody wants things yesterday," he noted. "Every year we buy new equipment and improve efficiencies to speed up the production time."

For Dilley, it's small quantity orders and the expectation of economical pricing.

"Customers have become accustomed to on demand digital printing applications," Flagg said, "but this technology is often not suited to the larger press sheet requirements for pocket folders."

Despite any hurdles, one they don't have to pass is when it comes to dollars and senses. There are folder options out there that won't break the bank.

Flagg said there are stock office supply folders that can be foil-stamped if a customer is looking for an economical alternative.

Byrd agreed, "A simple foil stamp on a 80# linen colored sheet can be very economical and portray a classic high-end look."

However, Flagg finds most customers prefer customized folders because they make a good first impression and don't look like they came "off the shelf."

What's on the horizon?

The answer is simple for Byrd—technology.

"The equipment that has come out in the last five years allows you to offer more at a cheaper price," Byrd commented. "Online interfaces make for less communication challenges. Customers can get virtual online products that help them visualize what they are getting."

Flagg had another thought.

"If major suppliers such as Xerox and HP Indigo could develop digital presses to print on larger sheet stocks such as 19 by 25', I think you would see a big push to promote full-color pocket folders in smaller production runs and with more personalization."

On that same note, Flagg added the future remains bright for presentation folders.

"There is still plenty of demand and we know of companies that are devoted full time to the production of pocket folders. They are staying busy even during challenging economic times. We continue to see steady demand for legal size pocket folders which banks utilize for loan documentation," he said.