Hand Holding Folder Mockup
What's inside
- Applications Photoshop
- File Types PSD
- License Free (see author's terms)
- Author Pixeden
A report cover looks better on a hand holding folder mockup than on a white artboard, and this mockup is set up for exactly that.
It’s a handy file for agencies and corporate designers. Tip: use CMYK-friendly colours in the artwork itself, even though the mockup is RGB, so what the client sees is close to print.
Clients sign off faster when they can picture the finished piece, and a flat PDF rarely does that as well as a photo of the folder. For a complete brand board, show it next to a business card and a notebook.
The file is made by Pixeden. The download button takes you to their page, where you get the original file and the licence details.
Editable options in the Hand Holding Folder Mockup PSD
Main things you can change in Photoshop:
- Your design, placed through the smart object
- Front and back artwork, where both sides are shown
- Paper or background colour
- Shadows and highlights on their own layers
How to use the Hand Holding Folder Mockup
- Get your artwork ready at print size, with 1/8 inch of bleed if it runs to the edge.
- Open the file in Photoshop and double-click the smart object thumbnail in the Layers panel.
- Place your design, hide the sample artwork, save, and go back to the main file.
- Export with File › Export › Export As: JPG for sharing, PNG for the web.
Worth remembering: keep text at least a few millimetres from the edge. The mockup shows the trim, and cramped margins read as a mistake.
Ways to use this Hand Holding Folder Mockup
- Use it as the cover image for a report cover in your portfolio.
- Show a presentation folder to a client before it goes to print or production.
- Present a corporate folder in a client proposal or brand guide.
Quick notes on this mockup
- Made by Pixeden. The download size and format are listed on their page.
- The preview shows the angle, background and lighting you’ll get.
- Check the licence on the author’s page. Personal and commercial terms differ from file to file.
- Built for Adobe Photoshop. A recent CC version handles the smart objects best.
Need a different angle? The folder mockups category has plenty more free PSD files.
Questions about this mockup
What licence does it come with?
That depends on the author's terms. The download page lists what is allowed; when in doubt, ask the author directly.
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.
Do I need Photoshop?
Yes. This is a PSD mockup built with smart objects, so you edit it in Adobe Photoshop. Any recent CC version works.
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.
