Presentation and Case Portfolios from Artway

With so many work carriers in the market place it's hard to know what to buy! What they cost isn't necessarily an indicator as we've experienced many problems with so called 'premium' products. At one point a number of folios were made in the UK where quality issues were addressed at source - sadly this is no longer the case. As a result we now only stock a few brands that, whilst not the first names on everyone's tongue, have proved fit for purpose at a very realistic price.

Presentation Portfolio OR Portfolio Case?

Often confused - a 'presentation' portfolio contains ring binders for display of separate portfolio sleeves whilst a portfolio 'case' is merely a work carrier for transportation and storage. The case, being hollow, allows for work in progress and can accommodate work which has a raised surface. The presentation portfolios are essentially designed for display and storage of flat artwork. Finances permitting most students have one of each, the presentation portfolio for interview and display, and the case for day to day transportation of work. Needless to say that case's tend to get more wear and tear than the presentation folio.

PLEASE NOTE - Presentation cases should NOT be overloaded. 15 sleeves maximum for A1. Adding too many sleeves puts pressure on the handle for which it is not designed and may well break as a result. Likewise the metal ring binder should always be opened from the centre prongs rather than those on the outside edge. Opening from the edge puts too much pressure on the other prongs and will result in the mechanism not closing properly in the future. The presentation folio is designed to be carried from the top handle or, in the case of A1, from the side. In all instances it should be carried spine to the top. Turning it the other way will ultimately damage the sleeves and the work inside them.

Presentation Portfolios

We've always discouraged buying an A1 presentation case unless it has the reinforcement of a metal spine to support the internal ring binders. Sleeves filled with work can be quite heavy - if the ring binders are only attached to a cardboard spine then, over time, the spine is likely to warp and pull the ring binders off not to mention what it might be doing to your work ... time for a new one! For A2 size and smaller there is considerably less stress exerted on the spine and a cardboard support has usually proved to be sufficient.