Folder Mockups
What's inside
- Applications Photoshop
- File Types PSD
- License Free (see author's terms)
- Author Mockups Design
Here’s a folder mockup that works well for a report cover, a corporate folder and similar projects.
Useful for agencies as much as for real estate firms. A small tip: dark designs often look flat on paper mockups. Turning the highlight layer up slightly brings back the sheen.
Seeing a layout on a real folder is also the easiest way to catch problems early. A phone number that looked fine on screen can turn out too small once it sits on paper.
Credit goes to Mockups Design. We link to their download page rather than re-uploading the file, so check their terms there before commercial use.
What you can edit in this Folder Mockups
Everything below is on its own layer:
- Your design, placed through the smart object
- Paper or background colour
- Shadows and highlights on their own layers
- Paper texture you can turn up or down
Editing the Folder Mockups, step by step
- Export your artwork as a high-resolution PNG or JPG, around 300 ppi at print size.
- In the Layers panel, find the layer with the small smart object icon and double-click it.
- Place your design, hide the sample artwork, save, and go back to the main file.
- Save a JPG for clients and social media, and keep the PSD for later changes.
If the paper has texture, drop the opacity of your art by a few percent so the grain shows through.
Where the Folder Mockups works best
- Show a presentation folder to a client before it goes to print or production.
- Show a report cover on your online shop or product page.
- Share a corporate folder on Instagram, Behance or Dribbble with a real-looking preview.
Good to know
- Made by Mockups Design. The download size and format are listed on their page.
- Some free mockups ask for credit when you post them. A short line in your caption is enough.
- Check the smart object size before you design, so your artwork fits without stretching.
- Check the licence on the author’s page. Personal and commercial terms differ from file to file.
Need a different angle? The folder mockups category has plenty more free PSD files.
Questions about this mockup
Can I use this folder mockup for client work?
It's free to download, but the licence belongs to Mockups Design. Check their page: it states whether commercial use is allowed and if attribution is needed.
How do I add my design?
Open the file in Photoshop, double-click the smart object thumbnail, paste or place your artwork in the new tab, save it (Ctrl/Cmd + S) and close. The main file updates on its own.
Which Photoshop version do I need?
A recent Photoshop CC version is best. Older versions can open the file but sometimes have trouble with smart objects and effects.
Can I show both sides?
It depends on the file. Many print mockups include a front and a back smart object; the preview usually shows whether both sides are visible.
