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Pocket folders keep a proposal, onboarding pack, or event handout organized and on-brand from the first impression. We print folders on heavyweight cover stock on the same press as our boxes and brochures, so color and finish stay consistent across your whole kit. Standard two-pocket layouts and full-cover printing come without minimums, starting at 100 units, and with no setup or plate charges. Free in-house design support prepares your file to the dieline, and a free 3D digital proof lets you see the finished folder and pocket depth before it goes to press.
For US offices, schools, and event teams that need professional pocket folders in practical quantities.
What are Folders?
Folders are press-grade printed marketing pieces produced at the same quality standard as our custom packaging — used inside the box, at the trade-show table, or in direct-mail to extend the brand experience beyond the unboxing.
What are folders used for?
US brands use custom folders across a handful of common channels:
- Unboxing inserts, thank-you cards, and product instruction sheets
- Trade-show handouts, brochures, and business cards
- Direct-mail campaigns and B2B lead-generation kits
- In-store point-of-sale collateral and retailer takeaways
- Loyalty, referral, and re-order program materials
How to choose the right size for your folders
Match your folders to its use case — a 3.5x2 in business card, a 4x6 in postcard for direct mail, an 8.5x11 in folded brochure for trade shows, or a 3x5 in insert card for inside a mailer box. When the piece ships inside a package, size it to fit the box flat (or one fold) so it lays cleanly on top of the product during unboxing.
Not sure which size to spec? Send us your product dimensions in your quote request and our design team will recommend a dieline sized to your product — free, before you commit.
How can you customize your folders?
Every element of the box is customizable — you choose:
- Size & shape: Any dimension, any dieline — cut and scored to your exact product footprint.
- Material: SBS, kraft, recycled paperboard, corrugated (E/B/F flute), or rigid chipboard.
- Printing: Full-color CMYK offset with Pantone (PMS) spot-color matching on brand-critical colors.
- Coatings & lamination: Gloss, matte, soft-touch, velvet, or aqueous coating on the outer surface.
- Foil, emboss & spot UV: Metallic foil stamping (gold, silver, copper), embossing, debossing, and selective spot-UV highlighting.
- Windows & die-cuts: Cut-out windows with or without film inserts, plus custom die-cut shapes and handles.
- Inserts & dividers: Printed paperboard inserts, foam, or molded pulp to hold and protect the product inside the box.
Which printing options are available for folders?
- Full-color CMYK offset — photographic-quality print for complex artwork, gradients, and product imagery
- Pantone (PMS) spot-color matching — brand-critical colors matched exactly and held consistent across every reprint
- One- and two-color print — lower per-unit cost for high-volume runs or minimalist brands
- Foil stamping — metallic (gold, silver, copper, holographic) or pigment foils applied under heat and pressure
- Embossing and debossing — tactile raised or recessed relief on logo or brand marks
- Spot UV — selective high-gloss coating that highlights specific elements against a matte background
How much do custom folders cost?
Custom folders are priced per project, not off a rate card — the number depends on the combination of factors below. Send your specs (or a rough brief) and we'll come back with a full quote inside 1 US business day.
- Order quantity: Per-unit price drops significantly as quantity increases — 100, 250, 500, 1,000, 5,000+ tiers all have different unit economics.
- Box size: Larger dimensions use more paperboard per unit and slightly more press time.
- Material and thickness: SBS and rigid stocks cost more than kraft or recycled paperboard; higher point weights (14, 18, 24 pt) cost more than lighter stocks.
- Print complexity: Full-color CMYK with Pantone matching runs higher than one- or two-color print; full-bleed print higher than white-margin.
- Finishes and add-ons: Foil stamping, embossing, spot UV, windows, and inserts each add a fixed setup plus a per-unit cost.
- Turnaround: Standard 7–10 business day production is included; rush production (3–5 business days) is available for an additional fee.
There are no setup, die-plate, or artwork charges on any run — the price you're quoted is the price you pay, with free US shipping included on every order.
Custom folders vs stock folders
Stock printed marketing pieces come in fixed templates that never quite match your brand system — wrong size, wrong stock, wrong color. Custom folders are printed to your artwork on the stock you choose, so every printed piece reads as part of the same brand as your boxes and packaging.
Why US brands choose us for folders
Custom Box Printing manufactures folders from our US production facility, with free standard shipping anywhere in the contiguous United States and a 7–10 business day turnaround. We've printed folders for solo founders launching their first product line, growing direct-to-consumer brands placing 5,000-unit runs, and established retail brands with 50,000+ unit production schedules — and we treat all three the same: low MOQs (100-unit runs), free design support, no setup or die-plate charges, and a 3D digital mockup before anything goes to press.
Every folders order includes free in-house dieline and artwork support — our US-based designers will polish your existing files, or build a custom dieline from scratch to fit your exact product dimensions. We send you a 3D mockup to confirm look and proportions before production. For color-critical work, request a physical sample free — let’s talk about a customized sample so you can confirm the look before a full run.
Materials, print, and finish options
Standard folders use 100lb gloss or matte cover, or 14pt C2S stock, for pockets that stay crisp and hold a full insert set. Full-color CMYK covers print edge to edge, and gloss, matte, or soft-touch lamination protects the surface and sets the feel. For a step up, add spot UV or foil to the logo. Pantone spot matching is included at no extra cost, so a folder ordered today matches one reprinted next quarter and the rest of your collateral.
Available finishes include:
- Lamination: Gloss, matte, soft-touch, or velvet finish for a premium hand-feel.
- Foil stamping: Gold, silver, copper, or custom foil colors for high-visibility brand marks.
- Embossing & debossing: Tactile raised or recessed surface effects on logo or key artwork.
- Spot UV: Selective gloss coating that creates contrast against matte areas.
- Eco-friendly options: Recycled kraft, FSC-certified stocks, water-based inks, recyclable rigid constructions.
- Compliance: FDA food-safe inks; certified child-resistant constructions for CBD/cannabis where required.
If you're not sure which combination will work best for your folders, mention it in your quote request — our team will recommend the right material, print spec, and finish based on your product, budget, and brand positioning.
How to order your folders
- Request a quote — use the "Get Free Quote" button on this page, or call (855) 792-3890 (toll free). Tell us your box style, dimensions, quantity, material preferences, and any deadline.
- We respond within 1 business day with pricing, lead times, and material recommendations. No pressure, no commitment.
- Free design + 3D mockup — we build your dieline (or polish your existing artwork) and send you a 3D digital mockup to approve.
- Optional physical sample — request a custom sample (refunded on your first order) to hold the real box in hand — let’s talk it through.
- Production & free US shipping — once you approve, we print and ship in 7–10 business days, free anywhere in the United States.
Folders — Frequently Asked Questions
