The secret of creating custom 3-ring binders

Remember the old vinyl binders you used to have in high school?

Boy, have things evolved since then! Today’s binders are non-vinyl, sustainable, recyclable and a whole lot stronger.

If you are ordering a custom binder for a proposal, conference, architectural folders (ringless binders for holding samples!), information kits, or school kits, there are better choices and more variables that can make your project a stand out!

Picking the right binder ring

Stack of round back and square back binder

The spine of a binder is not the best way to measure a binder. How much paper a ring holds is much more accurate. When you plan your custom binder, know the range of materials you want to put in – say between 200-275 pages for the proposals. This way you know you would need a 1.5″ D-ring binder or a 2″ round ring binder.

Now to customizing your binder

Printed binders

Printed binders offer you a canvas for your art. With printing options that encompass photos, PMS colors, spot varnish or UV coatings, foil stamping, and debossing, the real limit of your binder is your imagination.

Binder for Country classics

Corporate Image offers a full range of print options from our 6 color offset press to digital printing. Our team is here to help you figure out the best way to get the effects you are looking for.

Cloth and custom paper covered binders

With added strength, elegance and the tactile feel of cloth or a textured paper you can engage your customer on a number of levels. To customize these, you are generally working with foil stamping and debossing.

Cloth binder with foil stamping and debossing for Haworth

The results, as seen with this Haworth furniture binder, can be stunning. Corporate Image has 240+ colors of cloth in stock and many textured and specialty papers. If you are trying to find a unique look, we can help get you there.

Now to finish your binder.

Finger pulls.

For crowded shelves and larger binders, a finger pull can make it easy to get a binder off a shelf. For architectural offices and interior designers who have a lot of samples and idea books, this can be a great added value!

John Boos binder and tabs set

Portfolio closures.

Your binder can also close like a box. Our portfolio closures are built directly into the binder, so they are made of the same strong board the binder is. The portfolio closes with either standard velcro, magnets, snaps or straps.

Portfolio binder for Farmer Mac

The portfolio protects the contents of your binder, allows a much more finished look and offers even more room for your art and message.

More custom options:

Colgate custom binder

Custom window cuts
Business card holders
Pockets
Landscape and oblong shapes
Bare board and flush cut binders
Paperboard ring folders / Presentation binders
Handles and straps
Foil stamping, debossing, Spot UV, Spot varnish
Lamination in natural matte, gloss, and soft touch
Fully printed liners
Binder clips
Pocket pages, tab dividers, cut sheets
Architectural folders / samples kits

Sample presentation kit

Creating a custom binder is more complicated, but a lot more fun than it used to be. Your binder partner can help guide you through the options, find what is right for you, your budget and your brand.

We would be happy to help you at any point in your process with samples, custom templates, consultation, and crafting your new 3-ring binders!