How to decide which brochure fold style is right for you.

There are many different types of brochure folds, allowing for customisation to best suit the content you would like to display. Depending on the brochure fold you select, the way the content is presented will change.

Deciding on which brochure fold to use for your business is an important part of the design planning process. This article outlines some common types of brochure folds and their associated benefits.

1. Bi fold brochure

A bi fold brochure, also called a half-fold brochure, is essentially a single sheet of paper folded to make two halves, dividing the brochure into two panels.

The bi fold brochure has one fold, meaning this layout can be used to optimise large images or a cluster of images without a crease interrupting their effectiveness.

Perfectly suited for:

This flexible format lends itself well for displaying business menus, maps and product comparisons.

2. Tri fold brochure

A trifold brochure is a single page which is folded to form three double-sided panels, creating a six-panel brochure. This layout provides a balance between design and content as it provides a lot of information in one printed piece which can be broken up into sections.

Perfectly suited for:

A tri fold brochure is a great option for a range of commercial purposes, including introductory brochures or promoting an upcoming event, restaurant menus or travel guides.

3. Z-fold brochure

A Z-fold brochure also divides a single sheet of paper into three, and true to its name, has a distinct Z-shape that folds each panel on top of one another.

Perfectly suited for:

This brochure fold is a great layout for presenting content for the reader to compartmentalise. For example, this is useful for content published in multiple languages, as the information can be found in one convenient publication.

4. Accordion fold brochure

Also known as a 4 door foldable brochure, this layout divides the brochure into four panels. Each panel folds on top of one another, creating a zig-zag shape that expands like an accordion.

Perfectly suited for:

This is a suitable layout for displaying maps, consecutive information such as chapters in a guide, or a brochure that opens to a full-page poster ad.

5. Roll fold brochure

Also known as a 8-fold brochure, this brochure design is made up of four double-sided panels, creating eight pages. This is created by folding a panel inward from the right, then folding the panel furthest to the left to wrap around the rest of the sections.

It is important to note that the panels in an 8-fold brochure vary in size, as this may or may not work well for the content being presented.

Perfectly suited for:

This brochure fold is often used for step-by-step guides and tutorial manuals as its open and systematic format allows the reader to easily digest and compare information.

6. Gate fold brochure

A gate fold is created by folding two ends of a single piece of paper to meet in the middle, resulting in a large center panel with two smaller panels on each side.

This 2-fold brochure design opens to reveal a feature middle panel which is guaranteed to draw the reader’s eye in.

Perfectly suited for:

As a result of its design, this layout is primarily used for presentations and promotional materials which emphasize a particular product or service.

As you can see, there are many brochure fold options available. We hope this article has provided you with a guide to make an informed decision for your next project.

If you are uncertain which brochure fold style is right for your business, our experienced team is always happy to help, give us a call on 1300 663 120 or chat live.