12 Types of Brochure Folds for Marketing (& How to Use Them)
To fold or not to fold? That’s not the only question. Which fold to choose once you’ve decided to fold? That answer is crucial to your print marketing strategy and could determine whether it’s successful or not. So we’re taking you through our 12 types of brochure folds to see which layout does your message justice – no existential crisis needed.
Classic Folds
Whether you’re printing marketing brochures with a list of services or product pamphlets that show off an exciting assortment, our brochure fold options make it easy to find a format that suits what you’re selling. And there are a few folds clients reach for more often than others. You can’t go wrong with these tried-and-true staples.
Single Fold
A single fold brochure features one crease and two panels. It’s super straightforward and super recognizable. The crease can run down the center of the brochure to create a half fold or be off-center, resulting in an overlap or stepped effect for something a little more visually interesting.
This fold is ideal for simple presentations or when you want to feature up to two products, services or main messages.
Tri-fold
Tri fold brochure folds are everywhere – and for good reason. Featuring two creases and three panels, a classic brochure like this is ideal when you want to communicate a lot of information at one time. It’s most commonly used for menus, deep dives into products or services and educational or informative content.
(Ready to print yours? Use our three-fold brochure template under Layout Guides on the brochures page or play around with a design all your own.)
Z-fold
The Z-fold gets its name from the way it looks when you view it from the top. Zigging and zagging back and forth, it features two creases and three panels. A great alternative to the standard tri-fold, a Z-fold’s panels are usually the same size but can be designed with varying sizes to create a stepped effect.
The Z-fold is another brochure fold that does well with a lot of information. Its panels make it simple to organize and present a lot of content for topics like academic course details and retreat particulars.
Hint: Wanna see our brochure folds at a glance? We’re the commercial printer that puts them all in one place: Brochure Folding Ideas.
Accordion Folds
When you want to present your content with a little more oomph, an accordion fold brochure is a great place to start. It’s basically a Z-fold, only it has more panels to really spread out your content. And among our 12 types of brochure folds, the accordion fills three of the spots with a four-panel, five-panel and six-panel option.
With accordion brochures, the panels fold in alternating directions and are usually the same size, which makes them ideal for presenting chronological information or maps. Just be sure to use a thinner text weight paper stock if you’re designing with five panels or more to ensure your brochure stays flat when folded.
Hint: Want to design personalized brochures quickly and easily? Before you print online, be sure to design with variable data printing, which lets you create multiple brochures personalized for a customer or topic.
Gate Folds
If you think brochure printing is all about the reveal, then gate fold brochures should be your go-to. We’ve got two different options that create anticipation and excitement, no matter what message you’re trying to send.
Gate Fold
The standard gate fold features three panels: Two cover panels and one middle panel. The cover folds in to meet in the middle, hence the gate name. Use this fold when you want to spotlight one product, service or message with a dramatic opening. It’s also ideal for invitations and announcements.
Closed Gate Fold
This version of the gate fold features four panels to work with and show off your branding, content and imagery. The closed gate fold is essentially a standard gate fold that’s folded vertically in half.
This type of brochure fold shines when you have complex presentations or information. It’s also handy for highlighting conference agendas or event timelines.
Hint: For brochures, we offer more custom printing services than just 12 different folds. See for yourself: Brochure FAQ.
Roll Folds
The roll fold, also known as the barrel fold, has a similar concept to the tri-fold. It comes together with panels that fold inward again and again in the same direction. Among our 12 types of brochure folds, this one takes two of the spots with a 4-panel and 5-panel variation.
Since the number of possible folds is higher, we recommend printing yours on a text weight paper stock that’s flexible and easy to work with. And because the two outermost panels function as front and back covers, a roll fold brochure works well for menus, product guides and care/assembly instructions or as informational assets.
Hint: So many of our online printing services are about convenience, including our Versions feature. To save time and stay on budget, use Versions to print multiple brochures with different designs and content. Just be sure to stick with the same size, stock and finish.
Double Folds
Does doubling the fold double the fun (and the financial gains)? Definitely yes to the first part and quite possibly to the second. When you double the fold, you get double the opportunity to brand, educate, inform or persuade with your brochure design.
Double Parallel Fold
The double parallel fold is a brochure that’s folded in half and then folded in half again, creating two parallel bi-folds. The result? Four one-sided panels or eight two-sided panels. Compact yet compelling, this brochure fold is best used to spotlight several products and services, to show a project timeline or for a map to your current or new location.
Double/French Fold
The double fold or French fold produces a brochure that’s folded in half and then folded in half again perpendicularly. Also known as a right angle fold or quarter fold, this one results in four equal-sized panels that are perfect for organizing your content in a simple, digestible way. We love it for brochure designs that rely on many images of bold graphics, pictures and maps.
Hint: Make sure your brochure’s look and feel coordinates with your message. Explore our coated and uncoated paper stocks (plus recycled!), protective UV coatings and Soft Touch laminate (recommended for brochures with up to two folds only) before submitting your design file for online printing.
Honorable Mention: Designer Folds
While any of our 12 brochure folds give your content a dash of creativity you can capitalize on, why not go all in on the unexpected with our Designer Folds collection? They take creative brochure design to a new level – and bring customer engagement up along with it.
From the Circle Locked Gate with its interlocking cutouts to the Wrapped Stepped Accordion with its stepped edges and wrap cover, these specialty formats turn your marketing assets into monetary advantages. For brochure design ideas that never fall flat, take a chance on custom Designer Folds and watch how they amplify your content and energize your clients.
Hint: Get the ins and outs of printing Designer Folds with our Designer Folds FAQ.
Embrace the Fold
So, to fold or not fold? It may sound dramatic, but it doesn’t have to be. With Smartpress’ 12 types of brochure folds, you get to pick and choose based on your campaign and content. As long as the format suits your message and intent, no other rules apply.
