Articles: durability

Durability is not only about the material. It comes from the paper, the finish, the way a piece is folded and whether the recipient has any use for it. Something useless disappears from a desk long before it wears out.

What helps print survive

• Heavier paper wherever the piece will be handled often.
• A film finish - gloss, matt or Soft Touch - which protects against marks and rubbing.
• Rounded corners that do not curl in a pocket or a wallet.
• Calm backgrounds rather than large flat dark areas, where every scratch shows.

These elements work together. Heavy paper with no protective layer will still grey with handling, and a thin sheet with a film finish will crease at the first fold. It is best to choose them in pairs, thinking about where the piece will be carried.

Gifts that stay for years

With branded items, durability depends on the material and on the purpose. Metal, wood and sturdy plastics outlast light throwaway trinkets. What matters more, though, is whether the recipient has a daily use for the object - a mug, a memory stick or a decent pen stays in use simply because it is handy.

Design for being used

Before you finish a design, picture the piece after six months: creased, rubbed, carried in a bag next to a set of keys. Wording close to the edge disappears first and fine lines fade. A piece that survives that treatment keeps reminding people about your company for longer.