Folded leaflet type guide

Know your folds! Our insider’s guide to folded leaflets

When your message is too big to fit on a flyer, a folded leaflet is ideal. It can provide a multi-page format without stretching to a stapled or bound booklet.

For an exhibition or event, gate fold or cross fold leaflets can create an enticing front cover that unfolds to reveal an eye-opening interior.

For parks, outdoor centres or tourist attractions, a map fold leaflet can become an invaluable site map for your visitors.

But what are the differences between the various kinds of folded flyer – and what are the best applications for each? We’ll start with the simple stuff…

Half Fold

Imagine the world’s shortest book. Just a front cover, two inside pages and a back cover. That’s it. The simplest way of creating four pages from one sheet – you simply fold it in half.

Example dimensions for A4 unfolded are:
Flat size: 210mm x 297mm
Folded size: 210mm x 148mm

Concertina Fold

Instead of folding a landscape sheet in half to create a half fold, we start with the sheet in a portrait orientation and fold it in half lengthwise. This creates a tall, thin, four-page leaflet called a concertina fold.

Example dimensions for A4 unfolded are:
Flat size: 210mm x 297mm
Folded size: 105mm x 297mm

Roll Fold

This one takes it up a level. Also known as a “letter fold”, it features two parallel folds, dividing each side of the sheet into three pages. The page furthest to the right is made slightly narrower than the others to allow it to take the centre position once folded in.

Example dimensions for A4 unfolded are:
Flat size: 210mm x 297mm
Folded size: 99mm x 210mm

Z-Fold

Again, two parallel, vertical folds create three pages on each side – but this time, the second fold goes the opposite way. This forms a “Z” shape when you look at it end-on. Multiple Z folds will produce a concertina fold, creating yet more pages.

Example dimensions for A4 unfolded are:
Flat size: 210mm x 297mm
Folded size: 99mm x 210mm

Gate Fold

This one opens up like the doors to a ballroom, adding a sense of theatre to your leaflet! The gate fold is all about the big reveal, so think hard about what you want to feature on pages 4 & 5 – make sure it’s a visual treat for your audience!

Example dimensions for A4 unfolded are:
Flat size: 210mm x 297mm
Folded size: 148mm x 210mm

Cross Fold

This fold will quarter the size of your original sheet by folding it in half along lengthwise, and in half again crosswise. The result is eight pages, but you may wish to treat the first four as separate pages and the rest as a poster once the reader unfolds it entirely.

Example dimensions for A4 unfolded are:
Flat size: 210mm x 297mm
Folded size: 105mm x 148mm

Map Fold

Before smart phones and sat navs, there were maps, and people folded them up. An oversize sheet is Z-folded to the required width and then a horizontal fold halves the height to create a manageable, portable portrait leaflet.

Example dimensions for A4 unfolded are:
Flat size: 210mm x 297mm
Folded size: 105mm x 148mm

Ready to order?

When you come to order a folded leaflet from Solopress, you’ll see a number of drop-down menu options. The field marked “UNFOLDED SIZE” refers to the dimensions of the printed sheet before it is folded. The field marked “FOLDING STYLE” is where you can choose from our range of fold types.

The quantity shown as “pp” in this field refers to the number of printed panels. For example, a half fold will result in 4 panels – the front and back pages plus 2 inside pages – so that will appear as “4pp”.

We offer artwork templates for all our size and fold options, and in a number of file formats, to help you to get your design perfectly print ready. Take a look at our video guide to folded leaflets shows to see how we create each of the fold types mentioned here.

Something a bit different…

Granted, it’s hardly advanced origami, but knowing your way around the different folded leaflet options could open your eyes to new possibilities. There’s a surprising variation available from a few simple folds and choosing something a little different might be what sets you apart from the crowd. Discover our folded leaflets today.