Folding Options For Brochures
Transmitting information to consumers can be challenging. Many businesses rely on brochures to help present valuable information in a visual format that is appealing and easy for consumers to understand.
Brochures are essentially folded flyers. A piece of paper can be folded in many different ways. It's essential that you determine how you want your brochures folded before the design process begins, as the location of folds can affect the success of your final design.
Single Gate Fold
If you need to present a large graphic image in order for your brochure to make sense to consumers, your best folding option is a single gate fold. With this type of fold the left and right edges of a sheet of paper are folded inward to meet in the middle.
You will end up with two smaller sections that open up to a large area where your graphic can be displayed. You don't want a fold to disrupt the integrity of your graphic images, so select a single gate fold if a large image play a prominent role in your brochure design.
Tri-Fold
Many of the brochures that you have been exposed to as a consumer yourself were likely of the tri-fold variety. This tends to be one of the most common brochure folding techniques used by businesses, and for good reason. Brochure display stands are often designed with the dimensions of a tri-fold brochure as a guide.
Since one of the folded panels tucks in behind the other, tri-fold brochures will remain closed when placed on vehicle dashboards or convention tables. Tri-fold brochures also have multiple panels, so you can display a lot of information without overwhelming the consumer.
Right-Angle or French Fold
The right-angle fold (sometimes referred to as a French fold) is a great option for companies that want to have their brochures double as a promotional marketing piece.
Right-angle folding requires that a large piece of paper be folded in half one direction, then folded in half the other direction. This allows you to create a poster that consumers can display in their office or home on one side of the paper while still retaining useful brochure space on the panels created by the fold.
If you are unsure which fold will be best suited to meet your needs, confer with your commercial printer. Printers know how common folded printing processes work and can guide you through fold-selection process.