How do I make my annual year project portfolio stand out?

Project submissions can be an arduous experience. At a time when everyone wants their portfolios to look the best, how can you make yours stand out from the crowd and really catch your professor’s or employer’s eye?

Aside from content, presentation matters. Learn how to optimise the print specifications of your portfolio to give your works the limelight they deserve.

High quality print job

Art is about the fine details, and it is every artist’s headache that some of it gets lost in the process of print. This is why it’s paramount to find a quality print provider with the capabilities of translating the full unspoilt resolution of your artwork onto physical paper. As a rule of thumb, the higher the DPI of their printer, the better the quality and resolution of your print. Still, you may want to do some research about your nearby print providers before choosing one for your printing needs!

Attractive cover

Plenty of people say that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but its human nature to form opinions on first impressions. Even if the best of your work is found within the pages of your portfolio, it doesn’t hurt to design an equally stunning cover to entice your readers.

To go about this, it is a great idea to invest in a matte or glossy laminate for your cover. While matte covers have a sleek, velvety surface that conveys class and elegance, glossy covers boast an eye-catching shine that makes your colours pop right out of the page.

The right paper

Since papers are the basic components of any printed product, it makes sense that the choice of paper can make or break the presentation of your portfolio. Papers of a heavier weight and thickness are preferred for professional use. Although they can be more costly than conventional printing paper, the investment will pay off in the end when you hold your portfolio in your hands and feel the luxurious weight of its pages.

Seamless page-turning experience

Now that you’ve got your portfolio pages and cover settled, it’s time to consider the type of binding best for your work. You may have heard of saddle stitch binding, wire-o-binding, perfect binding etcetera, but what do they mean? What kind of result do they produce? We’ve compiled a list of common binding types for easy reference!

• Perfect bound: creates a sturdy, flat spine for your print. Recommended for longer publications with more pages.
• Saddle stitch: adds minimal bulk to your print. Suitable for short publications with fewer pages.
• Wire-O-bound: permits the book to lie flat open. Easy page-flipping and writing. Recommended for notetaking and other rough work.
• Thread-sewn: strong thread binding to produce durable books that can lay flat across a surface. Supports a panoramic visual experience.
• PUR binding: resilient glue binding perfect for heavier books. Resists book spine damage and page-fall.

Give your annual year project portfolios a stylish, professional finish at p;log

p;log is the trusted brand when it comes to high-quality customisable products. Delight your friends and family with unique, one-of-a-kind gifts that cannot be found anywhere else. Enjoy island-wide doorstep delivery and attractive promotions throughout the year when you choose p;log as your preferred print solution. Drop us an email at hello@plogyearbook.com to enquire today, or browse our webstore and be spoilt for choice.