Paper Folder Mockup
What's inside
- Applications Photoshop
- File Types PSD
- License Free (see author's terms)
- Author PSD Graphics
Show a corporate folder the way it will actually look: on a paper folder mockup. The paper surface is the main character here, so designs with some contrast stand out best.
It’s a handy file for corporate designers and agencies. Use CMYK-friendly colours in the artwork itself, even though the mockup is RGB, so what the client sees is close to print.
Print jobs are expensive to redo, so a realistic preview before the order goes out is cheap insurance. For a complete brand board, show it next to a business card and a notebook.
This is a free file from PSD Graphics. When you click download you’ll land on their page to grab it.
What you can edit in this Paper Folder Mockup
Open it in Photoshop and you can change:
- Your design, placed through the smart object
- Shadows and highlights on their own layers
- Paper texture you can turn up or down
- Front and back artwork, where both sides are shown
How to edit this Paper Folder Mockup in Photoshop
- Export your artwork as a high-resolution PNG or JPG, around 300 ppi at print size.
- Open the PSD in Photoshop and find the smart object layer, usually named “Your Design” or “Place Here”.
- Place your design, hide the sample artwork, save, and go back to the main file.
- Change the background or paper colour with the colour layer.
- Export with File › Export › Export As: JPG for sharing, PNG for the web.
Export your artwork at the size the smart object asks for; scaling a small file up is the usual reason print mockups look soft.
Ways to use this Paper Folder Mockup
- Share a report cover on Instagram, Behance or Dribbble with a real-looking preview.
- Show a presentation folder to a client before it goes to print or production.
- Make two or three colour versions of a corporate folder and let the client pick.
Before you download
- Made by PSD Graphics. The download size and format are listed on their page.
- Built for Adobe Photoshop. A recent CC version handles the smart objects best.
- Check the smart object size before you design, so your artwork fits without stretching.
Need a different angle? The folder mockups category has plenty more free PSD files.
Questions about this mockup
Is it free for commercial use?
It's free to download, but the licence belongs to PSD Graphics. 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.
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.
