If there’s one thing designers fetishise more than anything, it’s print options. Foil blocks, special varnishes and finishes, weird and wonderful new papers and handsome binding techniques all give print it’s fascinating mystique.
All this, though, leads to a slew of conflicting desires and mind-boggling choices for the typical designer putting together a print portfolio. Alongside the need to show creative flair, there’s the question of technical competency – and print can be very expensive. Should you throw money at it and go for the ‘designer porn’ approach, or make a case for clever use of resources? Do you leave samples? What format should you present your work? Which way is ‘up’?