Brochure folds,
explained.
There are seven common fold types: half fold, roll fold, Z-fold, gate fold, double parallel fold, accordion fold and cross fold. In multi-page work the sheet is folded into signatures of 8, 12 or 16 pages. The right one depends on the number of pages, the order in which the piece should be read and its finished size.
The seven common folds
Half fold
One fold down the middle. Invitations, menus and leaflets, e.g. A4 to A5.
Roll fold
Two folds in the same direction. The classic leaflet, A4 to DL.
Z-fold
Two folds in opposite directions, like the letter Z. Opens in one movement.
Gate fold
Two flaps close towards the centre. For presentations with a reveal.
Double parallel fold
Folded in half, then in half again, in parallel. Guides and price lists.
Accordion fold
Three or more folds, alternating. Timelines, maps and step-by-step pieces.
Cross fold
One fold in half and a second at right angles. Maps and posters with a small finished size.
The detail that makes the difference
In a roll fold, the panel that folds in must be a few millimetres narrower. Otherwise it pushes against the fold, the piece won't sit flat and the layout looks off-centre. Gate-fold flaps work the same way.
Typical panel widths on A4 (297 × 210 mm)
| Fold | Panels (mm, left to right) | Finished size |
|---|---|---|
| Half fold | 148.5 · 148.5 | A5 |
| Roll fold | 100 · 100 · 97 | DL (≈ 99 × 210) |
| Z-fold | 99 · 99 · 99 | DL |
| Gate fold | 73.5 · 150 · 73.5 | ≈ 150 × 210 |
| Double parallel | 75 · 75 · 74 · 73 | ≈ 75 × 210 |
| Accordion (4 panels) | 74.25 × 4 | ≈ 74 × 210 |
Values are typical. We confirm them for every job, based on the paper and the folding sequence.
Signatures: 8-, 12- and 16-page sections
In multi-page work (magazines, catalogues, books) the press sheet is not folded into panels but into a signature: a section of pages produced by successive folds at right angles to each other. Each fold doubles the page count, which is why the standard signatures are 8 and 16 pages. A 12-page section combines a parallel and a right-angle fold.
8-page
A fold in half and a second at right angles. For heavier papers, covers and short page counts.
12-page
A three-panel fold (roll or Z) and one right-angle fold. Completes page counts that do not divide by 16.
16-page
In half, at right angles, and at right angles again. The standard signature for magazines and catalogues.
The page count of a publication is always a multiple of four and is built from signatures, e.g. 36 pages = 16 + 16 + 4 or 16 + 12 + 8. In saddle stitching the signatures are nested inside one another; in perfect binding they are stacked. The choice of signature depends on the paper: the heavier the stock, the fewer the folds. See also paginating multi-page print.
Grain direction and creasing
The fold should run parallel to the grain direction of the paper. Folding across the grain breaks the fibres along the fold line and the coating or ink cracks, most visibly on dark solid colour. In multi-page work the grain runs parallel to the spine, so pages turn easily and lie flat. More in the guide to paper grain direction.
Board and, as a rule, papers of 170 g/m² and above are creased before folding: a creasing rule and matching channel compress the fibres along the fold line and form a raised ridge. The sheet folds exactly on that ridge, without fibre breakage on the outside of the fold. Creasing is specified when the job is planned, according to the paper and the fold type.
How to set up the file
Choose the fold before you design. The reading order changes from one fold to another.
Make a dummy. Fold a blank sheet the way the piece will be folded and number the panels.
Set up two sides, outside and inside, at the flat size, with each panel at its correct width.
3 mm bleed and a safe margin. Keep text clear of trim and fold lines.
Check the PDF before you send it. See our file specifications or run a free PDF check.
Frequently asked questions
Why must the page count be a multiple of four?
A sheet folded once gives four pages, two on each side. Every signature (8, 12 or 16 pages) is a multiple of four, and so is the finished publication.
What is the difference between a roll fold and a Z-fold?
In a roll fold both folds go the same way and one panel tucks inside the other. In a Z-fold the folds alternate, so the piece opens like an accordion and all panels are the same width.
How many pages does a tri-fold leaflet have?
Six: three panels on the outside and three on the inside.
Does every fold need creasing?
No. Lighter papers are folded directly on the folding machine. Creasing is required on board and, as a rule, on papers of 170 g/m² and above, where an uncreased fold breaks the fibres and cracks along the line.
Planning a folded piece?
Send us the size, quantity, paper and fold type. We reply with a technical proposal and a quote.