Here at Kristin Dunn Bookbinding & Design we receive a lot of requests for portfolio and box sets. While we love creating these layered presentations sometimes a single structure is a more appropriate solution. In these cases we recommend ring binder boxes. Ring binders are incredibly user friendly which is why people like them so much. Just a simple click of the mechanism and you can add and remove pages quickly. The standard 3 hole configuration of the ring mechanisms make punching holes totally stress free. And the pages turn very easily without needing to worry about page formatting since the entire page is visible. Ring Binder Boxes take the traditional ring binder to the next level by creating a sturdy and secure structure that is sure to impress any viewer. Here is a sampling of some ring binder boxes that we’ve created for clients over the years.
As you can see ring binder boxes can be embossed or foil stamped with your name or company logo and can be made in any covering material that you choose. The cover, tray and liners can all be the same color or you can choose a different color for each part of the box. All of our ring binder boxes are custom made to order so contact us to discuss your needs. Email kristin@kdbook.com
The National Stationery Show may not be until May, but we know our Stationery and Invitation Design clients are already abuzz with prepping and working on Brand Presentation. We’ve compiled a list of things to consider when dreaming up the perfect Stationery or Invitation design binder to help our new and rebranding clients get started.
#1 WHAT SIZE SHOULD I ORDER?
First thing to consider is page size. In general it is limited to the height of the binder mechanism, as well as the width of the rings. The standard ring mechanisms we carry come in an 11″ height and are black slanted D rings but we do have some other options available as well so let us know what you are hoping for and we will do our best to find something that will work for you.
Landscape binder covered in metallic Pearl with gold liners and custom foil stamping in matte gold for Second City Stationery.
Also keep in mind that the wider the rings on the binder mechanism, the wider the spine will need to be and the longer the cover will need to be. For example if you are using a 3″ mechanism a have a page width of 17 inches, the result will be a book cover that is over 20 inches wide which would become quite unwieldy to handle and page through.
Set of 3 binders for Rock Paper Scissors in Bright Pink with Gold Foil Stamping are an excellent example of a very thick spine with a larger custom die
#2 WHAT TYPE AND COLOR OF COVERING MATERIAL SHOULD I USE?
Another thing to consider is the color(s) of your cover and liners. Not only should you be thinking about how the colors will reflect your brand or your color forecast for the season ahead, you must also think about how much your book will be handled. If you will be displaying it as part of a booth at a convention or show, or showing it around to many clients and potentials, you will want it to wear well and be easy to clean. For this purpose, we recommend our metallic and coated bookcloths, especially for the outer cover of the binder.
Landscape Binders for Pink Orchid feature Metallic Steel covers which are easy to wipe clean, white foil stamping showcasing the logo, and bright pink liners for a fun, on brand pop of color
For those who prefer the matte fabric of our linen bookcloth, we recommend scotch guarding as an option that will allow you to keep the binder cleaner. We recommend ordering a sample to practice on before you spray down your newly minted binder/s. If you are not sure which fabrics will work for your brand or line, you will want to request a few swatches of fabrics to compare your favorite options up close and in person before ordering your binder.
The white foil stamping on smoke linen bookcloth perfectly and elegantly on trend with the wedding theme of this set of presentation binders.
#3 WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PUT MY LOGO ON MY BINDER
Once you have the above decided, you will want to think about how to best showcase your logo and/or the name of your Stationery line. We offer options such as Foil Stamping, Screen Printing and Insets. There are of course, benefits and drawbacks to each of these choices.
Foil stamping is classic, and adds a pop of contrast or color along with the added texture of embossing. The color of the foils are limited, and for foil stamping and embossing, the size of the die is limited to about 2 inches x 7 inches. When having a custom die or dies made, consider how you want your logo to appear. Many of our clients wish to have customizations on the front cover and spine. Sometimes, out of style or necessity, the logo on the spine may differ slightly. If there is any question, you may want to inquire before placing your order.
We love the play of color tempature between the beautifully embossed foil stamping of Chaucer Road Paper’s custom logo in matte gold on the slate linen cover.
With screen printing, there is no limit to the color or number of colors used in your artwork, and the size of the printing is only limited to the size of your binder. However, screen printing is flat, and the foil and embossing have more texture.
This crisp white screenprinted logo was applied all at once to the front and spine of this bright green linen cover. The flat, even application of ink lends a clean and modern look to this interior design presentation binder
Insets are an option that provides flexibility without compromising style. This option is great for a designer in transition, who is considering a logo rebrand, working with a limited production schedule (i.e.: cannot afford the time to wait for a custom die to be made), or who might want to reuse a binder again for a different line of product in the future. It’s also ideal if your branding involves a specific paper type or material (like an engraved metal plate) or photographic imagery.
While the designer of the Mindy Windy Collection wanted a binder covered in chocolate linen bookcloth, the soft blue and pink logo was best showcased on a white background. The inset cover and spine provides the best of both worlds.
Of course, you may wish to use a combination of techniques to personalize your binder, as shown below. Fig. 2 Design studio opted to utilize both insets and foil stamping, and also made great use of color to showcase their brand in a beautifully stunning way. To see more examples of beautiful Stationery and Invitation Presentation Binders, visit our gallery of past projects.
Set of Three Figure 2 Binders in Lime, bright yellow and light blue are a perfect model of how to maintain brand consistency while showcasing different product lines.
#4 HOW MANY DISPLAY BINDERS SHOULD I ORDER?
Now that you have decided on the dimension, color and personalization of your binder, let’s talk quantity. Do you sell to retailers or direct to clients or perhaps both? You might only need one to start off with, but if there’s a thought you might be sending some out to retailers or clients, it’s good to consider ahead of time, as the price per binder is cheaper when you order more than one.
Another method of maintaining cohesive branding while showcasing different product lines: Meant to Be Sent’s Metallic Pearl Screenprinted covers are identical, and the product lines are differentiated by titles on the spines.
#5 WHAT KIND OF RING BINDER PAGES SHOULD I USE?
Lastly, but no less importantly, you will want to consider page type in the context of the weight and thickness of the materials you work with, and what you wish to display in your stationery binder. It will be of utmost importance that the pages are sturdy enough for your heaviest invitation suite or line of stationery you will be displaying. We recognize that trends in invitation design are eclectic, ever evolving, and certainly not limited to paper. We recently added an option for reinforced 165 lb pages on our website in both white and ivory, and if heavier pages are needed, we are always willing to work on more custom orders, with the understanding that this might lengthen turnaround time. Please feel free to inquire!
We are here to answer any questions that you may have so please feel free to email or call us at 562-506-8548 to discuss your project.
Make your next proposal stand out in the crowd. Why just submit a proposal in a standard office store folder when you can have a custom made presentation that is sure to turn heads.
The photo on the above left is a business proposal that includes two coil bound pamphlets, a cd and a memory stick. The outside is covered in a tan bookcloth and the 4 pockets are covered in a olive green bookcloth. The pockets are made with hard edges to allow the 1/4″ thick pamphlets to slide in and out comfortably. An inset was created in the cover for the company logo. The logo was printed out on high quality heavy stock paper, mounted onto a metallic gold paper and then placed in the inset for a nice clean professional look. 7 identical folders were made to send out to all parties considering the proposal.
The proposal package on the below left is a hidden screw post portfolio in landscape format. This horizontal format works best when using standard 8 1/2 x 11 pages as the pages are easier to turn. A pocket for the company’s business card was included on the inside cover. This job proposal is covered entirely in a tan bookcloth and uses only the burnt orange from the business card and cover inset to add a splash of color.
Both of these proposal folders were custom orders but we’re working on some designs to offer in the online store so stay tuned and visit the website often and follow Kristin Dunn bookbinding & design on facebook to see the latest news from the studio. Until then please call to discuss some ideas for your next business proposal.
If you’re searching for jobs or applying to grad school programs and you want your application to stand out from the rest, what better way to catch their eye than presenting them with a striking personalized portfolio loaded with your credentials. When they open the package and see your name emblazoned on the cover of a professionally made portfolio they will know that you are serious and are sure to remember your name. There will be a lot of information inside the portfolio that needs to be the real star of the presentation so keeping the portfolio design clean and simple is the best choice in this case. Choose colors that say something about yourself, your work, or even the institution that you are applying to. There are 11 fonts available in a variety of sizes and styles that can be used for personalizing your portfolio. For a subtle approach, a blind emboss of your name in the bottom right corner of the cover would be a great choice. If you want to add some color and make your name stand out a bit more, then choose one of the 10 colors available and opt for a dead center or optical center placement. All of these options are available in the online store at www.kdbooks.com.
MEA Digital, a marketing agency based in San Diego, contacted me to build an edition of slipcases to house some promotional materials that they were planning on sending out. Since the 3 pieces, 2 books and a CD case, were all different sizes, a simple slipcase wasn’t going to fit the bill.
A three paneled presentation folder seemed to be a more practical solution. On the center panel, there is a thin pocket that the back cover of the large horizontal book slips into. It is the primary focus when the folder is opened. To the left is a similar pocket that will hold a smaller book and to the far right is a solid panel that the cardstock CD case will be adhered to. The right panel overlaps and attaches to the left panel via hidden Rare Earth NdFeB magnets. This design was a big hit so now it’s about color. I made 3 prototypes, red outside with grey interior, red outside with black interior and finally an all black folder. The embossed “m” logo entered the picture on the final all black folder and really adds a great touch in my opinion.
Check back to see the progress of this project and to find out more about MEA Digital you can visit their site at www.meadigital.com
