Photo album covers

What a photo folder is

A photo folder is a small, handy wallet for handing a customer a set of small prints in an attractive way. On the outside you can put your own design, for instance the logo of a photography studio, the name of a photo shop, contact details or a QR code.

The inside has a simple two-part construction that lets you show one photograph and keep the rest of the prints together in the same place.

Folders like these work well in photo shops, photography businesses and portrait studios, and for school and nursery photographers. They are useful anywhere sets of small photographs are handed to customers regularly.

How the folder is built - the window and the pocket

The inside of the folder has two parts:

• The left-hand side - the window. Here there is a cut-out window through which one inserted photograph is visible. You slide the print in so that it is seen immediately when the folder is opened. Usually this is the one showcase photograph from the whole set.
• The right-hand side - the pocket. On the other side there is a flap forming a pocket. You can slide a further handful of photographs into it, so the whole set stays together and in order.

The customer therefore receives the photographs in a finished, attractive form. One print is on show through the window and the rest are in the pocket beside it.

What a photo folder is for

Most often the folders are used to hand customers sets of document photographs. They work well with:

• photographs for identity cards, passports and student cards,
• school and nursery photographs,
• small portrait and commemorative prints,
• event and company photographs,
• other small sets of photographs handed to a customer.

The folder does two jobs at once. It protects the photographs and keeps them in order, so they are not handed over loose, and at the same time it carries your brand. If the customer keeps it with the prints, they still have the name of the studio, the contact details or the photographer's website address to hand.

The 65×88 mm format

We make the folders in one format: 65×88 mm.

It is a small, handy size matched to document photographs and other small prints.

On a surface like that a simple design works best. It is worth keeping the information down to the essentials, for instance the logo, the company name, a phone number, a website address or a QR code. Too much small text can hurt the legibility of the folder.

Paper - Arktika GC1 board 230 gsm or 300 gsm

We print the folders on stiff Arktika GC1 board. There are two weights to choose from:

• Arktika GC1 230 gsm - the lighter, practical version for everyday use. It works well on folders handed to customers regularly and on larger runs.
• Arktika GC1 300 gsm - stiffer and more distinguished. The finished folder feels more solid and protects the photographs inside better. This version suits photography studios and designs where a more elegant character matters more.

If you want a versatile folder for handing out photographs every day, Arktika GC1 230 gsm is the practical choice. Arktika GC1 300 gsm is worth considering when stiffness and a more distinguished effect matter more.

Single-sided printing

We print the folders on one side, in full colour, on the visible outer face.

That is where the whole design goes: the logo, artwork, the studio name, contact details, a QR code or a short line.

Given the 65×88 mm format it is best to keep the design to one main message and a few key pieces of information. A simple layout will read more easily and make better use of the small surface.

Lamination - always, with three versions to choose from

Every photo folder is laminated on one side. Lamination is a fixed part of the product and cannot be left out.

The film protects the outer surface of the folder, which is handled often as the photographs are passed over and stored, and it also affects the look of the print.

There are three versions:

• Gloss lamination - strengthens colours and contrast. It suits photographic designs, colourful artwork and bolder compositions.
• Matte lamination - gives a calmer, elegant surface. It works in photo shops and studios with a more restrained visual identity.
• Soft-touch lamination - creates a soft surface that is pleasant to the touch and gives the folder a more exclusive character.

Bear in mind that a laminated surface can make writing or stamping by hand harder. If you plan to add information by hand later, it is worth allowing for that when you choose the type of film.

What to put on the folder

The outside of the folder is the place for your company identity and contact details. You can put on it:

• the logo of the photography studio or the name of the photo shop,
• the photographer's name,
• a phone number and website address,
• an e-mail address and social media,
• a QR code leading to your site, an online gallery or reviews,
• a short line or a note about the services you offer.

With the 65×88 mm format it is best to choose only the most important elements. A logo, a phone number, a website address and a QR code is a good answer. A layout like that stays legible and does not overload the design.

How to prepare the file and the check options

The design is best prepared as a PDF that follows our specification. It should be made in CMYK, and photographs and raster artwork should be at 300 dpi at 1:1 scale.

If artwork or a background runs to the edge, prepare bleed. The logo, text, QR code and other important elements should be set back from the edges.

Because of the small format, legibility matters especially. It is better to avoid very small text, thin lines and elements that are too small. A QR code should be a suitable size with good contrast, and it is worth checking that it works before sending the file.

When you place the order in the calculator you choose one of the file preparation options:

• No file check - for agencies, designers and anyone confident their design is technically correct. The file goes into production without further control.
• File check by a designer - we check the technical preparation of the file, including the format, bleed, safe distances, colours and the legibility of small elements. This version is worth choosing especially if the design was prepared in Canva, an online generator or with AI tools.
• Simple graphic design - if you have no artwork ready, we can prepare a simple design. Just send us your logo, contact details, a QR code and short guidelines on how the folder should look.

You set the paper, the type of film, the file preparation option and the run size directly in the online calculator. Once all the parameters are chosen, you see a summary of the order and the price straight away.