Folding for the Frugal - foldfactory.com

Folding for the Frugal
A Guide to Practical Folding from Sappi Fine Paper and foldfactory.com

here are many ways to fold a sheet of paper; however, some folded solutions
are more expensive to produce than others. That’s why we see more tri-fold
brochures in circulation than iron crosses — but don’t buy into the idea that a
low budget means limited folding options and, ultimately, low impact. In fact,
there are lots of interesting folding styles and techniques that are easy on the wallet. On the
following pages, you’ll find 30 great low- to moderate-budget solutions. Got a special project
coming up? Flip the book over and you’ll find 30 high-budget splurges to dream about.

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S : F R U G A L F O L D S
1
Format
Change
16
Asymmetrical
Triple
Parallel
2
Reverse
Accordion
17
Triple
Parallel
3
Stepped
Double
Parallel
18
Tri-fold
with Short
Cover
4
Asymmetrical
Gate
19
2-Piece Fake
Iron Cross
5
Asymmetrical
Closed Gate
20
Closed
Gate
6
Accordion
with
Fold-in
21
Short
Folds
7
Roll
Fold
22
Angled
Accordion
8
Wrapped
Accordion
23
Tri-fold
9
10-Page
Parallel
24
Accordion
10
Letter with
Short Cover
25
Open Gate
Fold
11
Extended
Trailing
Panel
26
Double
Parallel
12
Short Flaps
27
Vertical
Roll
13
Gate
Fold
28
Closed Gate
with
Short Panels
14
Broadside
Fold
29
Double
Gate
15
Inverted
Short
Fold
30
Tri-fold
in
Half

F O L D I N G F O R T H E F R U G A L 1
Sometimes a simple Format Change can
provide inspiration on a budget. Rotate your
favorite fold 90 degrees. Change it from long
and narrow to short and wide. One word of
caution: be conscious of the delivery method.
If the piece must mail, sit in a literature rack,
etc., there will be sizing constraints to follow.
video at foldfactory.com/frugalfolds
narrow
square
oblong
upright
Format Change

F O L D I N G F O R T H E F R U G A L 2
The Reverse Accordion fold is an excellent
choice for the budget-conscious because
the cover and interior panels are situated
on the same side of the sheet, which offers
the opportunity to print one side only. Bear
in mind that accordions offer challenges
for self-mailing and auto-inserting.
video at foldfactory.com/frugalfolds
cover
interior spread
Reverse Accordion

F O L D I N G F O R T H E F R U G A L 3
The Stepped Double Parallel fold is a fantastic
update to an old standby. The traditional
double parallel is folded in half and in half
again. The stepped version is folded short
of halfway, and then the cover folds short
for a 3-step profile. From a production
standpoint, it’s just two parallel folds.
video at foldfactory.com/frugalfolds
cover folds short
Stepped Double Parallel

F O L D I N G F O R T H E F R U G A L 4
A standard gate fold is symmetrical, but an
Asymmetrical Gate offers an unexpected
surprise. By adjusting the length of the fold-
in panels so that one is longer by a certain
measurement, and one is decidedly shorter
by that same measurement, the “break”
between the two shifts off-center.
video at foldfactory.com/frugalfolds
longer fold-in panel
shorter fold-in panel
Asymmetrical Gate

Folding for the Fabulous
A Guide to Practical Folding from Sappi Fine Paper and foldfactory.com

e you looking for something unusual and exciting? Every now and again, an
opportunity presents itself — the right concept, the right budget and the right
client intersect and magic can happen. It’s a great position to be in, but bear
in mind that the most effective folded print solutions use folding as a
component of the overall piece, not as a gimmick, so choose wisely (and enjoy the process).
Are your project and your budget calling for a more practical solution? Just flip the book
over and you’ll find 30 great low- to moderate-budget folds that will spice up the everyday.

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S : F A B U L O U S F O L D S
1
Corner
Folder
16
Box Top
2
Stepped
Accordion
17
Iron Cross
Fold
3
Checkbook
18
Bi-directional
Accordion
4
Two-way
Circular
Gate
19
Layered
Corner Folder
5
Snake Fold
20
5-Parallel
Open Gate
6
Asymmetrical
Accordion
21
Pop-up
7
Roll with
Diagonal Die
22
T-Cross
8
Swinger
Fold
23
Staggered
Stepped
Accordion
9
L-Cross
24
Twist Fold
No. 2
10
Angled Roll
Fold
25
Long
Triangle Fold
11
Centered
Stepped
Accordion
26
Wrapped
Stepped
Accordion
12
Pop-out
Accordion
27
Rolling
Iron Cross
13
Triangle
Fold
28
9-Panel
Reveal Folder
14
6-Panel
Reveal Folder
29
Broadside
Booklet
Fold
15
Twist Fold
No. 1
30
Traveling
Snake Fold

1
Corner Folder
corners fold
in to center
F O L D I N G F O R T H E FA B U L O U S
The Corner Folder is a specialty fold in which
the four corners of a square-trimmed sheet
fold in to meet at the center. This style also
can be nice as a “package.” Design square or
shaped inserts and seal with a tab. Requires
score and usually handwork.
video at foldfactory.com/fabulousfolds

2
Stepped Accordion
flush edge
stepped
edge
F O L D I N G F O R T H E FA B U L O U S
The Stepped Accordion features the zigzag
format of an accordion fold, but with panels
that taper to create a stepped effect along the
right edge. Stepped accordions can be built
to several configurations — some printers will
hand fold, some will fold by machine.
video at foldfactory.com/fabulousfolds

3
Checkbook
panels fold in
and down
F O L D I N G F O R T H E FA B U L O U S
The Checkbook is a variation on the Iron
Cross fold. This Z-shaped piece has two
panels that fold inward from both sides. Once
folded in, the piece folds downward in half
to finish. Requires a die, score, and total or
partial handwork.
video at foldfactory.com/fabulousfolds

4
Two-way Circular Gate
fold inward
both directions
F O L D I N G F O R T H E FA B U L O U S
The Two-way Circular Gate is a high-impact
folding technique that utilizes a circular-
shaped die with score. The piece is die-cut
into a circle and scored in four places, then
hand-folded inward to finish as a square
format. May need wafer seal to close.
video at foldfactory.com/fabulousfolds