---
title: Folders vs Collages — when to use each
slug: folders-vs-collages
category: getting-started
tags: folders, collages, organization, concepts, onboarding
summary: Folders are an asset's single structural home; Collages are flexible collections. Learn when to use each.
updated: 2026-07-07
url: https://support.collage.inc/articles/folders-vs-collages
---

# Folders vs Collages — when to use each

New to Collage? The single most common question is how a **folder** differs from a **Collage**. They solve different problems, and using each for its strength keeps your library tidy and easy to share. Here's the short version, then the details.

## Folders: an asset's home

A folder is where an asset lives — think of folders as the filing system for your library.

- Every asset lives in exactly *one* folder. (Assets uploaded without a folder land in the **Uncategorized** folder until you move them.)
- Folders are hierarchical — you can nest subfolders.
- Deleting a folder deletes its contents. The assets inside are sent to **Trash**, where they're recoverable for a limited time before permanent removal. See [Recovering deleted items from Trash](https://support.collage.inc/articles/trash-and-recovery).

Because an asset can only be in one folder, keep your folder structure *shallow and simple* — deep nesting makes files harder to find.

## Collages: flexible collections

A Collage is a curated group of assets brought together for a purpose — a campaign, a brand kit, a product launch, or a set of partner deliverables.

- *One asset can belong to many Collages* at once, without being duplicated.
- Adding or removing an asset from a Collage *never moves or deletes* the underlying asset — it stays right where it lives in its folder.
- Collages are built for sharing and presenting: you can share an entire Collage through a single link.

> Warning: Deleting a Collage doesn't affect the assets inside it — but a deleted Collage itself can't be recovered, so keep a note of its contents if you might rebuild it.

## When to use which

- Use folders for the one true home of each asset — organized by a clear, stable structure.
- Use Collages for content groupings that pull from many folders or a subset of a single folder: a marketing campaign, a brand kit, or various asset types associated with a single product.