Built for the Filing Drawer, Not the Pitch Meeting
A file folder is a single sheet scored down the middle with a tab along the top edge. It has no pockets and no glue. That simple shape slides into a drawer, stands in a tray and stacks flat in a box.
Presentation folders are made to impress a client once. File folders are made to be opened hundreds of times by your own staff. Printing them turns a plain office supply into a branded, easy-to-sort system.
If your files need a pocket for loose papers, our printed pocket folders fill that gap.
File Folder Specs
| Spec | Letter | Legal |
|---|---|---|
| Folded size | 11.75 x 9.5 in (298 x 241 mm) | 14.75 x 9.5 in (375 x 241 mm) |
| Page fit | 8.5 x 11 in | 8.5 x 14 in |
| Tab cut | Straight, 1/3 or 1/5 | Straight, 1/3 or 1/5 |
| Stock | Manila-tone uncoated cover, 14 pt C2S, kraft | Same as letter |
| Printing | One or two color, full color CMYK | One or two color, full color CMYK |
| Style | Open folder or closed-side file jacket | Open folder or closed-side file jacket |
| Add-ons | Fasteners, printed tabs, numbering | Fasteners, printed tabs, numbering |
Custom Printed Manila Folders and Pre-Printed Forms
Many offices want the familiar manila look with a logo in the corner. We print on a manila-tone uncoated cover so staff can still write on it with pen or pencil. One or two color printing keeps the look clean.
Pre-printed file folders go further. We can print a checklist, a client info grid or a routing box on the front panel. Each new file starts with the same fields filled in the same order.
Full color printing on 14 pt C2S suits branded client files that leave the office. Ask for a matte finish if people will write on the cover. When the design is set, start a file folder quote with your sizes and tab cuts.
Ordering Printed File Folders
- Choose letter or legal, then pick a tab cut that fits your drawer layout.
- Decide between an open folder and a closed-side file jacket.
- Send your logo, plus any form fields you want pre-printed on the front.
- Tell us if each tab needs a different name, number or color code.
- Review the free proof, then your quote confirms quantity, turnaround and delivery.
Tab Cuts, Sizes and File Jackets
Custom tab folders come in straight cut, 1/3 cut or 1/5 cut. A 1/3 cut set staggers the tabs left, center and right so labels never hide behind each other. Your tab can carry a printed name, number or color code. Color codes on the tab let staff spot a misfiled folder from across the room.
Letter folders hold 8.5 x 11 in pages, and custom legal file folders hold 8.5 x 14 in pages. Custom file jackets close on both sides, so small papers cannot slip out the end. They suit records that travel between desks.
File folders sit best inside a hanging frame or a drawer with rails. Many offices pair them with printed hanging folders for drawers, so the outer hanger shows the category and the inner folder shows the client.
Offices That Use Branded File Folders
- Accounting and bookkeeping practices
- Law offices keeping case files
- Real estate brokers tracking each deal
- Clinics and dental offices filing records
- HR teams holding employee files
- Schools keeping student records
- Property managers sorting files by unit
Custom File Folders: questions we get
Can you print on manila folders?
Yes. We print logos and text on a manila-tone uncoated stock that still takes pen and pencil. One or two color printing keeps the classic look.
What are pre-printed file folders?
They are file folders with fields printed on the cover, such as client name, date or a checklist. Every file starts with the same layout, which makes records easier to scan.
What is the difference between a file folder and a file jacket?
A file folder is open on three sides. A file jacket is closed on the two sides, so small papers cannot slide out.
Do you make custom legal file folders?
Yes. Legal folders are wider to hold 8.5 x 14 in pages. They take the same tab cuts and printing as letter folders.
Can each folder have a different name on the tab?
Yes. We can print names, numbers or color codes that change from folder to folder. Send a simple list with your artwork.
Which stock is best for personalized file folders?
Uncoated stock is best if people will write on the folder. Coated 14 pt suits full color client folders. Our guide to paper stocks and finishes compares both.