Sophie Wilson//Design Context: What Is Design for Print?//Types of fold.

Researching informaiton on the varying types of fold (in printed publications) for my 'What Is Design for Print?' ISSUU- based print handbook publication. All information, combined with my own knowledge from this design module shall be utilised, and written in my own words for the final design outcome. All developments and design of the publication can be found on my Design Practice blog in the forthcoming weeks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folded_leaflet

Leaflets that are folded are usually used for advertising or marketing purposes. There are many types of folds, only the most popular types are listed here. Although it is difficult to put a date on when some of these folds were first used, it is evident that their popularity boomed when the first mass production printers were introduced.

Content

Parallel fold

Different kinds of parallel folds are Concertina folds, Letter Folds and Gate Folds.

Concertina fold

A concertina fold is a continuous parallel folding of brochures and similar printed material in an accordion-like fashion, that is with folds alternatively made to the front and back in zig zag folds. Because they do not nest (as in Letter Folds) panels can be the same size. Seen from above, concertina folds resemble a Z or M or series of zigs and zags.

Also known as a Z-CARD, Zig Zag Fold, Accordion Fold or z-Fold.

Letter fold

Folding pattern in which the folds are parallel and in the same direction, so that a kind of spiral is produced. The letter fold is a parallel fold. Two or more panels of the same width of the folded signature are folded around one panel. When the signature is folded twice, there are three panels on each side (six pages); with a tri-fold, the result is four panels on each side (eight pages). To allow proper nesting of panels that fold in, inside panels are usually 1/32" to 1/8" smaller than outer panels with the inside end panel being the smallest.

Also known as a Spiral Fold, Tri Fold, Brochure Fold, Business Letter, C Fold, Roll Fold and Barrel Fold.

Gate fold

Also known as a Window Fold.

French fold

Takes a concertina fold, folded in half down the middle to create 8 individual sections.

Double parallel fold

In double parallel folds the paper is folded in half and then folded in half again with a fold parallel to the first fold. To allow for proper nesting the two inside folded panels are 1/32" to 1/8" smaller than the two outer panels.

Double gate fold

In double gatefolds there are three parallel folds. The left and right edges of the paper fold and meet in the middle, without overlapping, along a center fold. The outer panels (the ones that fold in to the middle) are usually 1/32" to 1/8" smaller than the inner panels (the ones covered by the panels that fold in) to allow for proper folding and nesting.

Single fold No explanation needed, just a standard fold.
Zig-zag fold Definition: Paper folded in zig-zag folds has two or more parallel folds, each folding in opposite directions. Because they do not nest (as in spiral folds), panels can be the same size. Seen from above, zig zag folds resemble a Z or M or series of zigs and zags. Also known as: Accordion folds / z-folds		Spiral Fold Definition: A piece of paper folded in spiral folds has two or more parallel folds that fold in on each other. It may fold in from the left or right. Seen from above, the folds spiral inward. To allow proper nesting of panels that fold in, inside panels are usually 1/32" to 1/8" smaller than outer panels with the inside end panel being the smallest. Also Known As: Roll fold / barrel fold
Gate fold Definition: In a gate fold the left and right edges fold inward with parallel folds and meet in the middle of the page without overlapping. The paper might be folded again down the middle so that the folded edges meet and a fold is created in the centre panel of the paper - also known as a double gate fold. Also known as: Window fold		French fold Definition: The paper is folded with cross folds or right angle folds, often with a short first fold. The shorter portion or head in french folds may be folded to the inside (heads in) or outside (heads out). Eight-panel french folds with even panels (no short heads) are commonly called quarter-fold or 8-panel right angle folds (see cross folds).
Double parallel fold Definition: In double parallel folds the paper is folded in half and then folded in half again with a fold parallel to the first fold. To allow for proper nesting, the two inside folded panels are 1/32" to 1/8" smaller than the two outer panels. Also known as: Parallel fold / double fold		Double gate fold Definition: In double gate folds there are three parallel folds. The left and right edges of the paper fold and meet in the middle, without overlapping, along a centre fold. The outer panels (the ones that fold in to the middle) are usually 1/32" to 1/8" smaller than the inner panels (the ones covered by the panels that fold in) to allow for proper folding and nesting. Also known as: Gate fold Examples: A double gate fold might be used in the middle of a magazine for a fold-out centre spread.
Cross fold Definition: Paper with cross folds have two or more folds going in different directions, typically at right angles. Primarily used in reference to bookwork (paper cross-folded then cut to form a signature ), cross folds also describe quarter-folds or 8-panel french folds. Also known as: Right angle folds		C fold Definition: In C folds there are 6 panels with two parallel folds in a spiral fold configuration. This is a common type of fold for tri-fold brochures. To allow the panels to nest inside each other properly, the folded in end panel is usually 1/32" to 1/8" narrower than the other panels. Also known as: Business letter, letter fold, tri-fold, brochure fold or spiral fold
Accordion folds Definition: Typically, accordion folds are simple zig-zag folds with 6-panels and two parallel folds that go in opposite directions. Each panel of the accordion fold is about the same size. Variations include half-accordion folds, where one panel is half the size of the other two, and engineering folds, where one panel is twice the size of the other two. Eight and 10-page accordion folds are also common. Also known as: Z-fold or zig-zag fold

SOMETHING TO BE AWARE OF

Creep

Definition: In a saddle stitched booklet, the bulk of the paper causes the inner pages to extend or creep further out than the outer pages when folded. When trimmed, the inner pages are narrower than the outer pages, counteracting the creep.

The illustration shows an exaggerated view of how the inner pages of a saddle stitched booklet "creep" out and extend beyond the edge of the outer pages when folded.

Creep varies depending on the thickness of the paper and the number of pages. If there is no creep allowance, when pages are trimmed the outer margins become narrower toward the centre of the booklet and there is the possibility that text or images may be cut off.

Also known as: Push out, thrust, feathering, out push or binder's creep