3 ring binders? cause they're sorta ugly.

definitely. Find a shop that does the nicer rings - not spiral, but rows of small silver rings. Some of the professional graphics places do those (go to Ford if your in LA). Or a shop that does 'perfect' (book type) binding. Spirals are nasty.

I know it was a typo since r is right next to e on the keyboard -- but the idea of a "poetfolio" is kind of nice. -- ah well, and then the poetry -- got it --

as for 3-ring binders, the unikeep binders are pretty cool and simple -- but it still might depend on the audience

rationalist: can you please explain the rows of silver rings or even post a picture? thanks...

These guys have examples of both wire-o (that's what it turns out it's called), and perfect binding. Wire O is very similar in setup to spiral, but it has more slender wires and more of them, and generally is just a notch classier.

oh, and the Wire-O comes in different colors, I just said silver cause that's what I've always used.

thanks rationalist... i was hoping you had something newer and cooler than wire-o. :) i just submitted my portfolio for entrance to 2nd year at my school just over a week ago. the innards (projects and design) were pretty killer but the binding let me down at the last minute. i had to opt for plastic spiral when something much more excellent was in order. i didn't even think to plan ahead and call a bindery a few weeks in advance as i was neck-deep in studio projects. oh well... at least i'll make the 2nd year and now i know to start early on binding when i apply to future schools.

yeah, sorry. At least it's cooler than kinko's spiral! Actually, if you can find a repro place that does it, they usually let you walk in and wait for it. I always go over to ford graphics, and as long as my timing's good, it takes 15 minutes, costs 8 bucks, and is definitely worth the extra 5 bucks more than kinko's charges.

Been thinking of going perfect for my grad portfolio though.

perfect binding's bad
does not lay flat on tables
an alternative?

I used perfect bind from a shop and then added my own hard cover. seemed to work pretty well. The spines did get abused, but it did not seem to detract from the overall package and the work inside. Friend used perfect bind with a sort of landscape orientation, worked for him too. But yeah, I could see how it would be hard to lay it on a table. All depends on what you are going for. I was looking for this to be more of a thin "book" hence the hardcover.