Welcome to the Printing Partners Interactive Folding Guide. Use the Pull Down Menu to select the type of fold you are using, the panel size calculator will appear. You must enter the flat size width of your piece, click on the "Calculate" button and you will be shown the panel sizes for your layout. The height of your piece will not effect the panel sizes.
To see an animated demonstration of how the fold goes together, move and hold your mouse over the fold graphic on the right.
Tri-fold
A Tri-fold is a piece containing 3-panels per side for a total of 6-panels front and back. Two of the panels are the same size, while the third panel is slightly shorter in width to allow it to fold inside the other two panels. This is a common fold for brochures and rack cards.
Z-fold
A Z-Fold contains 3-panels per side for a total of 6-panels. Each of the panels are of equal size. This fold can be used for rack cards and brochures, although not as common as a tri-fold, it can give your piece a unique look.
4-Panel Roll-fold
A 4-Panel Roll Fold has 4-panels per side for a total of 8-panels. Two panels are the same size, while panels 3 & 4 are one-eigth and one-quarter of an inch shorter in width respectively. This allows the panels to fold into each other without binding. This type of fold can be used for brochures and rack cards.
5-Panel Roll-fold
A 5-Panel Roll Fold has 5-panels per side for a total of 10-panels. Two panels are the same size, while panels 3, 4 and 5 are one-eigth, one-quarter and three-eights of an inch shorter in width respectively. This allows the panels to fold into each other without binding. This type of fold can be used for brochures and rack cards.
3-Panel Gate-fold
A 3-Panel Gate-fold has 3-panels per side for a total of 6-panels. The center panel is the largest with the outer panels being just slightly less than half of the center panel. This type of fold is popular for announcements or invitations.
4-Panel Double Gate-fold
A 4-Panel Double Gate-Fold has 4-panels per side for a total of 8-panels. The two inside panels are the same size while the two on the outside are both one-eigth of an inch smaller. This allows room for the panels to be folded together. This type of fold can be used for rack cards and brochures giving maxium space in a compact size.
Accordian Fold
An Accordian fold can have as many panels as you need. Each panel would be the same size. This type of fold an be an interesting option for a brochure or rack card.
4-Panel Double Parallel Fold
A 4-panel Double Parrallel Fold has 4-panels on each side for a total of 8-panels. All panel sizes are the same. This can be an interesting alternative for rack cards and brochures.
If you are using a cover stock, you may need to shorten panel 4 by .125-inch to allow for thepaper thickness. Please check with your salesperson.
