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.
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.
#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.
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.
#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.
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.
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.
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.
#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.
#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.