Folder Sizes & Dimensions
Folders come in a wide range of sizes, and many of them are specially designed to hold a very particular type of document or object. A letter-size folder won’t do you much good if you’re presenting legal-size documents. To avoid embarrassing mishaps, make sure you select a folder that is properly sized to hold the materials you plan to put inside.
Standard Pocket Folder Sizes & Dimensions
6” x 9” Folders (12)
Suitable for “half size” documents, such as a folded sheet of letter-size paper.
5” x 7” and 4” x 6” Folders (10)
Most commonly used for small photos, key cards, or other compact materials.
Small Presentation Folders (46)
A variety of portable “mini-folders” sized to fit smaller documents.
Photo-Sized Folders (16)
Perfect for holding photos with either a portrait or landscape orientation.
Card-Sized Folders (14)
A range of sizes ideal for gift cards, key cards, or other very small items.
Important Things to Know
Avoid wasting money on a folder that won’t meet your needs. Here are some things you should be aware of before you decide on a particular folder size.
Folder Size vs. Paper Size
Folders are slightly larger than the paper they are intended to hold. For example, folders meant to hold letter size 8 1/2” x 11” paper are typically close to 9” x 12”. Exact measurements will vary depending on the product you choose.
Be Unique to Stand Out
Standard sizes will get the job done, but consider going slightly outside the norm if you want your materials to stand out in a crowd. A folder that is closer to 10” x 12”, for instance, will be more noticeable in a stack of 9” x 12” materials.
Folder Capacity
A folder with large dimensions is still limited in the quantity of materials it can hold. If you need to present a lot of materials at once, you may want to choose a folder with an expandable or box pocket.
Closed vs. Open Dimensions
The dimensions of a closed folder aren’t the only indicator of how much design space you have to work with. Remember that there’s a different set of dimensions when the folder is open. This is especially important when dealing with tri-panel folders, which offer extra design space but remain the same size as a two-panel folder when closed.
