How to Create a Luxury Branding Collateral Experience
Made by NF specializes in supporting service-based clients build luxury branding and custom Squarespace website designs. Through this process, we've worked with high-end wedding planners, sought after photographers and full-service interior designers. In doing so, we've crafted a formula to ensure your brand feels as immersive offline as it does online.
For service-based brands such as photographers, interior designers and wedding professionals, having quality, luxury branding collateral is important. You most likely have a strong relationship with your clients, and may have in-person appointments, meetings and experiences -- ones that you present your work, ideas and process. Having elements to help build your client experience such as elevated business cards, embossed folders and branded presentation decks will help sell your work and help build a cohesive feeling to your brand at every touchpoint.
Before we dive into all things bespoke collateral design, let’s set a baseline for some of the terminology we’ll be using.
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Bespoke Printer Methods and Terminology
Letterpress: Letterpress is a printing technique that uses a printing press. It uses a unique plate, created for each artwork – meaning working with a brand designer is crucial to ensure your plates are set up properly. From there, inks are mixed for the letterpress from any uncoated Pantone color to create the collateral project of your dreams. This is often the most popular bespoke printing methods my service-based clients use.
Embossing: Embossing is super luxe, high end and often the most premium process that bespoke printers offer. It’s perfect for when your collateral design projects need a little extra touch or unique factor. Embossing uses a die and a counter-die to raise the artwork above the surface of the paper for that swoon-worthy detail. Most printers offer both blind and foil embossing, but blind embossing will always have a special place in my design heart.
Foil: Foil is similar to letterpress, but uses foil to transfer to the paper vs. ink. It has a slight relief int he surface it’s printed on, but not as much as letterpress. Foil printing is a great option to give an extra punch or wow factor to projects. Gold foil is so chic and elevated and could be a great solution depending on your brand.
Flat Printing: Flat, or often referenced at digital printing, is a more economical print method than the options listed below. I typically bring this in to accompany other bespoke methods such as letterpress or embossing, for smaller details such as business card details, etc.
Essential Bespoke Collateral Design Ideas
Business Cards
Luxury business cards never go out of style and can be more versatile than you think. Going beyond the typical networking event, these smaller luxury collateral pieces can be a nice element to add to presentation decks, included in client gifts and more.
For the ultimate luxury brand experience, we love to ensure these feel extra special. Whether it’s a premium thick card with embossing, letterpress or even gold foil. We love having a play with brand color to create high-impact in such a small space.
Note Cards & Envelopes
Nothing says high-touch like a custom note card and matching envelope. These versatile bespoke collateral items are a true workhorse and can be used for a welcome note to a new client, a thank you note to a client or vendor, or even just a quick check-in with past clients.
And take this even a step further and layer in a moment of wow with a custom envelope liner.
Presentation Folder
Ensure all your work is presented in an on-brand experience nestled in a luxury brand folder. This is one of the most beautiful ways to layer in your branding and I love a blind embossed presentation folder–your clients will too!
Letterhead Stationery
As a service-based brand, having on-brand letterhead is a simple and great touchpoint to ensure any documents coming in and out of your studio are on brand. This is an item that you can have printed, but also one that can be used digitally too.
Labels or Smaller Notes for Presentations
This one is for the interior designers – having a smaller label to jot notes down on for presentations or pin onto fabric is another opportunity to make it feel special. Since this is often a smaller space, utilize a more refined option of your brand such as a monogram or emblem. This special moment will not go unnoticed from your clients.
Bespoke Packaging Design
Take everything one step further by creating the unboxing experience. Client gifting can feel so intentional, especially if you invest in bespoke collateral design and packaging. From branded tissue paper, ribbons, tape and customized boxes–you can really get creative on creating a personalized experience for your service-based brand.
Bespoke Collateral Design Print Vendors
Czar Press:The go-to for the Made by NF studio for all things luxury branding collateral design. They excel in bespoke printing methods such as letterpress, embossing and foil.
Moo: A great option for brand collateral on a budget or smaller runs.
No Issue:All things branded tissue paper, unboxing moments and more.
Packlane: custom packaging and boxing printer.
Remember, your client's journey should feel cohesive, whether they're browsing your website or meeting you in person. Building alignment with your brand ecosystem through luxury print collateral is a way to add impression through the entire process.
In the end, having branded collateral helps build brand trust and elevates your brand perception. It helps tell your story and is a true extension of your work.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If you’re starting out with one or two items for your luxury branding collateral experience, then I would suggest two items you’d use the most.
For example if you are an interior designer, you’re most likely doing presentations with your clients in-person. If that’s the case, opt for note cards & matching envelopes and a material/label card as those can be used in a variety of ways. -
Luxury collateral design can be beneficial for a wide array of industries – but I’ve seen it especially beneficial for interior designers, creative agencies, photographers and wedding professionals.
If you’re interested in learning more about branding, please check out our luxury branding for interior designers, photographers and wedding planners portfolio. -
Our go-to is Czar Press for all things bespoke and luxury printing. From business cards to notecards to presentation folders–they offer quality specialty papers and printing methods and are wonderful to work with.
You can also look for local bespoke printers in your area, but I find that most of my US based clients use Czar Press. -
This will all be dependent on the size of piece, quantity, paper type and specialty printing method such as embossing or letterpress.
Due to this, it’s important to build a relationship with an established printer to get quotes and to better understand the end goal of your project.
Ready to tell your brand story with confidence and ease?
Reach out to Made by NF to discuss thoughtful luxury brand identity partnership opportunities for photographers, interior designers, wedding professionals and visionaries.
