A folder with a business card holder should make the documents easy to read and the contact card easy to find. For a simple paper handout, Avery 47985 combines two pockets with an inside card slot. For a reusable presentation with a visible cover sheet, Smead 87705 Frame View adds a polypropylene cover and a card slot on the inside back pocket. If you already have suitable folders, Avery 73720 adhesive sleeves let you add a card holder separately.
These choices serve different jobs, so there is no single “best” folder for every meeting. This guide compares manufacturer specifications and exact product configurations. It does not claim hands-on durability tests or measured protection against spills.
Folders and card-holder options at a glance
| Option | Verified pack | Document arrangement | Best fit for the task |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avery 47985 | 25 dark blue paper folders | Letter-size sheets; up to 20 per pocket; card slot inside front | Lightweight packets handed to attendees or clients |
| Smead 87705 Frame View | 5 black polypropylene folders | Letter-size sheets; up to 50 per pocket; display cover and inside-back card slot | Custom cover pages and folders used repeatedly |
| Avery 73720 | 10 clear adhesive card sleeves | Holds a 3.5 × 2-inch business card; no folder included | Adding a card holder to a folder you already own |
Avery 47985: straightforward paper presentation folders
Avery 47985 is a box of 25 dark blue, textured-paper folders for letter-size documents. Each of its two pockets is specified for up to 20 sheets, for a total of 40. The business card slot is die-cut into the inside front pocket, so you do not need an additional adhesive sleeve.
Choose this format for a modest printed proposal, workshop handout or information packet. A paper cover is easy to label or write on, and the two pockets let you separate the main document from supporting material. It does not include prong fasteners, so the pages remain loose and accessible.
The important limit is capacity. Forty ordinary sheets do not imply room for forty thick brochures, mounted photographs or sheet protectors. Assemble one complete sample before filling a whole box. If the folder bows or papers protrude awkwardly, reduce the contents or choose a different format.
Avery 47985 Two-Pocket Paper Folders, Dark Blue, Box of 25
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Smead 87705 Frame View: a cover-page display option
The Smead Frame View design allows a cover sheet to show through a display window. The verified 87705 version is black, letter size and supplied as five folders in one pack. Smead specifies two pockets holding up to 50 sheets each, with a business card die-cut on the inside back pocket.
The cover window makes it useful when you want a different title page for each client, project or interview without printing directly onto the folder. Use the document’s title, date and relevant contact details on the insert, then keep the separate business card readily accessible inside.
Its polypropylene construction is a practical alternative to a paper folder for repeated handling. That does not make an open-pocket folder waterproof or secure against pages falling out. Check the way your actual paper stack fits, and carry it inside an appropriate bag if rain or rough transport is likely.
Avery 73720: add a card sleeve to an existing folder
Avery 73720 is an accessory, not a folder. The pack contains ten clear vinyl, top-loading sleeves sized for 3.5 × 2-inch business cards. Permanent self-adhesive backing attaches the sleeve to a suitable smooth surface, including paper or plastic.
This is useful when you already have branded folders, need the card in a particular position or prefer a sleeve to die-cut slits. The card can be changed, but the sleeve’s adhesive is permanent. Choose its location before applying it, leaving space for the fold and ensuring it will not obstruct a document pocket.
Avery warns that the vinyl may lift print. Test the sleeve and card combination before using it with valuable, freshly printed or unusually coated cards. Do not interpret a clear holder as archival protection. For oversized, square or unusually thick cards, verify fit rather than assuming the standard sleeve will accommodate them.
Choose by the document packet first
Before shopping, put together everything the recipient will actually receive. Count pages, but also consider thickness: a folded brochure, stapled report and card-stock insert consume space differently from loose copy paper. A pocket’s stated sheet capacity is a manufacturer specification, not a promise for every mixture of materials.
Decide whether the recipient needs to remove the pages easily or read them in a fixed sequence. Two-pocket folders work well for loose handouts. A fastener folder or binder may suit a longer report that must stay in order, but check that a business card slot is included rather than assuming every presentation folder has one.
Letter size means 8.5 × 11-inch documents. A4 is a different size, and legal-size sheets are longer. If your materials are not U.S. letter size, confirm the usable pocket dimensions with the manufacturer. A folder’s outer dimensions are not the same as the area available for a document.
Paper, laminated paper or polypropylene?
Paper folders are a sensible starting point for one-time handouts, particularly when you want to write a name on the cover or apply a label. They can crease in a crowded bag, so choose your transport and packing method with that limitation in mind.
Laminated-paper folders have a coated surface, but they are still a different construction from a solid polypropylene folder. Do not assume that a shiny cover is waterproof or that it will accept handwriting from your usual pen. Try labels and writing tools on a sample before ordering a large quantity for a tightly scheduled event.
Polypropylene can suit a folder that will be opened and handled repeatedly. The trade-off is that some labels or inks may not adhere the way they do to uncoated paper. A cover-sheet display can solve the labeling problem without requiring direct printing on the plastic itself.
Check the business card holder
A die-cut holder uses slits in the pocket material to grip the card. A separate sleeve covers more of the card and may make replacements straightforward. Neither approach is automatically better: the right choice depends on your card’s size, thickness and finish, along with how often you will replace it.
- Position: Inside-front placement is immediately visible when opened; inside-back placement may work well beside supporting documents.
- Orientation: Check whether a horizontal or vertical card remains readable and held securely.
- Fit: Try the actual card, including rounded corners or extra-thick stock.
- Clearance: Make sure inserted documents do not catch on the card or push it out.
- Appearance: Keep important contact details visible rather than hidden beneath a retaining slit.
Plan the quantity and total cost
Compare cost per finished packet, including any card sleeves, labels and cover inserts you will need. A 25-folder box and a five-folder pack solve different quantity needs; neither is automatically cheaper for your project once unused extras and accessories are considered.
If adding Avery 73720 sleeves to 25 existing folders, three ten-sleeve packs would cover the job and leave five spares. That simple count prevents the common mistake of treating a “pack of ten” as ten completed presentation folders. Check the selected pack size again at checkout, especially when a listing offers both one pack and a multipack.
Assemble one sample before the full batch
Load the complete document set, insert the card and close the folder. Check that the cover lies comfortably, the card remains visible and the intended reading order is clear. Gently carry the sample as it will be carried to the meeting, then inspect whether anything has shifted.
Proofread the contact details before producing every copy. Remove outdated cards, duplicate pages and any confidential material that does not belong in the recipient’s packet. An open-pocket folder organizes papers; it does not provide access control or secure document storage.
Frequently asked questions
Do all two-pocket folders have a business card slot?
No. Verify the feature on the exact model. Similar colors, pack photographs and product-family names do not establish that a card slot is present.
Can I use an adhesive holder instead?
Yes, if its dimensions, adhesive and material suit the folder and card. Avery 73720 is a verified option for standard 3.5 × 2-inch cards, with permanent adhesive and a printed-card compatibility caution.
Which option should I choose?
Choose Avery 47985 for a light paper packet, Smead 87705 for a reusable folder with a cover display, or Avery 73720 when the folder is already chosen and only the card holder is missing. Test the finished packet before placing a large order.
Image note: Existing category illustration retained from the original article.
