A print book, or physical portfolio, is a hard copy of your body of work. Most professionals rely on their print book for in-person interviews and times when their web portfolio is less convenient.
The standard layout of a print book varies, however, most include an artist's statement or bio, work samples and contact information. Most artists choose to use high quality paper and a nice binding, or pre-assembled presentation book; however, the main objective of a print book is to organize and neatly display one's work. In the design fields, the aesthetic used to organize the portfolio may be just as important as the work inside.
Print books are filled with a variety of types of work, depending on the professional and are considered standard for almost anyone with a text-based portfolio or an image-based portfolio. Photographers use them to display their photographs, writers include clips and published stories, copywriters include ads and ad campaigns, just to name a few examples.
Print Portfolios vs. Web Portfolios[]
Since each type of portfolio offers distinct advantages, many professionals employ both types to have the maximum amount of visibility and accessibility to potential clients and employers. Web portfolios allow instantaneous access worldwide, with several organization options and the ability to combine sounds and video with still images and text. Print portfolios are often used in face-to-face interviews for several reasons; they are not subject to technical failure, and they often provide interesting conversation pieces during interviews. While web portfolios are becoming increasingly popular, print books are still considered standard in image and text based fields.
Sugestions for Print Books[]
To assemble a quick print book, head to any art supply store and purchase a presentation book and insert your work samples, artist's statement or bio and your resume. If your work is larger than the books will allow, consider having your work photographed if time permits, or purchasing a larger portfolio case.
Photography:
- As digital printing quality gets better and better, many photographers are printing the photos in their print book on much higher quality paper.