Folder Focus: iBBQ

Composite image of iBBQ's presentation folder superimposed on an image of their Angara BBQ table.

As a leading national manufacturer of custom presentation folders that has seen thousands of designs, one of the rarest things we encounter is a folder that is loaded with features designed for maximum impact. Such is the case of a magnificent folder project we recently completed. These imposing folders went through several post-press finishing processes, including metallic foil and soft-touch aqueous coating. Furthermore, the designer cleverly utilized every square inch of the folder's real estate to showcase striking imagery.

FOLDERPRINTERS WRITERS: Please describe your company as well as its services and specialty.

KARIM PIRANI: We manufacture and sell a unique piece of outdoor furniture with a built-in grill.

FPW: What makes you stand out or differentiates you from your competition (if you have any)?

KP: We give the adage, “breaking bread” a whole new meaning. Unlike regular barbecue parties in which the host is always stuck behind the grill somewhere in the corner grilling and sweating bullets while the guests are having a great time with our line of social grill tables, the host and the guests all get to sit around the table and they all grill, eat and party together. Everyone gets to eat hot food right off the grill: "From Grate to Plate.”

FPW: Are folders in any way a part of it?

KP: The folders that you printed we use for marketing.

FPW: Who are your main customers?

KP: Homeowners, of course, however, we also do a big percentage of our business B2B: Our commercial customers include Apartment Development Companies , Hotels, Restaurants and Resorts.

FPW: What purpose do your folders generally serve? Is it for marketing or selling? If so, What problems or challenges in marketing, selling do the folders solve for you?

KP: Strictly marketing.

FPW: Has there been a particular instance (or instances) wherein folders helped in your goal? If so please share any anecdotes.

KP: We recently got a call from a landscape architect in Encinitas, California, Apparently the mailer we sent to him was addressed to his former partner and he was so impressed with the quality of the package, including the envelope and mailing label and of course the folder that he decided to call us to let us know the new address of his former partner. He said, something to the affect: “This marketing piece looks so beautiful and well-designed marketing piece that he wanted to make sure that we also send it to his former partner!

FPW: When do you hand them out?

KP: We mail them out to designers and we also distribute them out to folks at trade shows and v visitors to our showroom in Del Mar, California.

FPW: What items do you put inside the pockets?

KP: Pictures, catalog, case studies and various articles in well-known publications like Forbes, Robb Report, Malibu Times, etc.

FPW: Have the folders proven to be effective? Do they work?

KP: They have blown people away! You guys did an amazing job printing these folders!

FPW: In this digital, internet age, why use analog presentation folders?

KP: They are something tangible that our customers and prospects can see, touch and feel with their hands! It is a very valuable and effective piece of marketing tool for us!

FPW: Who designs your folders?

KP: Actually I designed my folder…LOL! I used to run an ad agency in NYC in a previous life and so my background is design and marketing.

FPW: What was your aesthetic philosophy and / or aim in coming up with the final design?

KP: My aesthetic philosophy is very simple: It should be unforgettable. It should look simple, but beautiful and when someone picks it up, it should feel amazing to touch. I believe you guys helped me achieve my goal!

FPW: Do you know if your competition also employ the same type of folders?

KP: Personally I have never seen a similarly designed folder where the inside is just as beautiful as the outside.

FPW: Are these your first professionally printed folders? What made you decide to go with Folderprinters?

KP: No we have made folders in the past. This is the first time we used Folderprinters and you guys, hands down turned out to be the best! And I mean that! And also, your prices were also the most competitive!

FPW: If not, had you been working with a printer, and what made you switch to Folderprinters?

KP: I picked you guys because you quoted me the best price.

FPW: Did you look at other folder sellers’ websites? What made you choose us?

KP: Since you guys only focus on folders, your prices were unbeatable. But then when I saw the quality, I was absolutely blown away.

FPW: Did the final product meet your expectations?

KP: Honestly, It exceeded my expectation!

Vibrant inside panels imagery of iBBQ’s custom presentation folder.

Our Takeaway

From the interview, and indeed, from our point of view as well, “blown away” seems to be a common reaction.

As rare as it is to find a fully loaded presentation folder design, it is perhaps rarer to produce one that blows away all parties concerned: the manufacturer (us); our client (iBBQ); and ultimately, our client's clients. To us, this is further proof of the undeniable fact that a well designed presentation collateral is an important — and powerful — tool in effectively conveying a company's image and message.