No fold
- Panels:
- 2 sides, one plane
- Suits:
- Flyers, information sheets, price lists, order inserts.
The simplest option: only bleed and safe margins need attention.
Knowledge hub article
Guide to folding
Nine folding schemes: how the flat sheet looks, what it becomes and which jobs it suits.
The fold decides the number of panels, the order of opening and how the reader takes in the information. Choose it before layout, not after.
The diagrams below show fold lines on the flat sheet and the profile of the folded piece. Exact panel sizes and fold direction are confirmed against your artwork.
Half fold
- Panels:
- 4 panels
- Suits:
- Programmes, short menus, invitations, simple service booklets.
Cover and spread read in sequence — good for linear content.
Letter fold
- Panels:
- 6 panels
- Suits:
- Service catalogue, customer reminder, compact price list.
One panel tucks inside and is made slightly narrower — allow for it in layout.
Roll fold
- Panels:
- 8 panels and more
- Suits:
- Step-by-step instructions, extended catalogues, multi-stage stories.
Each panel rolls inside the previous one and gets progressively narrower.
Z-fold
- Panels:
- 6 panels
- Suits:
- Diagrams, tables, material that benefits from opening flat at once.
Equal-width panels: the piece opens into one wide spread.
Accordion (4 panels and more)
- Panels:
- 8 panels and more
- Suits:
- Timelines, event programmes, a series of steps or sections.
Readable panel by panel or as a single wide surface.
Gate fold
- Panels:
- 6 panels
- Suits:
- Presentations, a dramatic reveal, emphasis on a central image.
Two side panels meet in the middle and open like doors.
Double gate fold
- Panels:
- 8 panels
- Suits:
- Premium presentation material and extended catalogues.
The gates fold in first, then the whole piece folds in half.
Cross fold
- Panels:
- 8 panels and more
- Suits:
- Maps, venue plans, large diagrams in a compact format.
The sheet folds in two directions — check the fold order carefully.
Parallel double fold
- Panels:
- 8 panels
- Suits:
- Instructions, packaging inserts, compact multi-section material.
Two parallel folds in the same direction give a dense compact block.
Practical tips
- Keep a safe margin at every fold line so text is not broken across the crease.
- Panels that tuck inside are usually made slightly narrower than their neighbours.
- Panel order on the flat sheet does not match reading order — check against the diagram.
- Paper grain direction affects how cleanly the sheet folds, especially on heavy stock.
- Heavy paper is normally creased before folding — that is agreed during specification.
Need a quote for your project?
Describe the product, the run and your timing — we will confirm the details and match a solution to your artwork.