Types of brochure folds explained (with examples)

The most common brochure folds are the bi-fold, tri-fold (letter fold), Z-fold, gate fold, French fold and roll fold. Each changes how many panels you get and how the brochure opens — so the right fold depends on how much you need to say and how you want it revealed.

Getting the fold right is half the design job. It sets the reading order, decides how much fits on each panel, and controls the little moment of theatre when someone opens it. Below is every fold we run in-house, what it suits, and how to lay out artwork so it folds clean and closes flat.

Bi-fold (single fold)

One fold down the middle gives you four panels. It is the simplest, most premium-feeling fold — think a restaurant menu, a wedding order of service or a short company overview. An A4 sheet folds to A5, or an A3 sheet folds to A4 for a larger, magazine-style piece. Choose a bi-fold when you have a small amount of content and want each panel to breathe.

Tri-fold (letter fold)

The classic brochure. The two outer panels fold in over each other, giving six panels that fit a standard DL envelope — the same size as a #10 letter, which is where the name comes from. An A4 tri-fold is the workhorse for a product or service run-down: a cover, an inside spread and a back panel for contact details and a map. It posts easily and sits neatly in a counter stand.

Z-fold

Also three folds, but the panels zig-zag so the brochure opens out flat like a concertina. Because the reader pulls it straight open rather than unwrapping panels, a Z-fold is ideal for step-by-step content, timelines, price tiers or anything you want seen in sequence. It is the go-to for instructions and comparison layouts.

Gate fold

Two panels fold inward to meet in the middle like a set of gates, opening to reveal a wide inner spread. It builds a little anticipation, so it works when you have a hero image, a big product shot or a headline reveal. Popular for property, hospitality and premium retail where the unfolding is part of the experience.

French fold and roll fold

A French fold is folded in half one way, then in half again the other — handy for maps, posters and delicate designs that need to open out to a single large sheet. A roll fold (or double-parallel) has four or more panels that roll in on themselves, each tucking inside the last, for content that needs more room than a tri-fold without jumping to a booklet.

How to choose the right fold

Start with your content, not the fold. Roughly:

• A little to say — bi-fold. Four clean panels, plenty of white space.
• A standard brochure — tri-fold. Six panels, posts in a DL envelope.
• Sequential or comparison content — Z-fold. Opens flat, reads left to right.
• Impact and a reveal — gate fold. Best for a strong central image.
• Maps or a big flat spread — French fold.
• More detail than a tri-fold — roll fold. Extra panels without a booklet.

If you are still unsure, tell us roughly how much you need to fit and how it will be handed out or posted, and we will recommend one.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Making every panel the same width. On tri-folds and roll folds the panel that tucks inside must be a couple of millimetres narrower, or the brochure bulges and will not close flat.
• Running text across a fold. Keep headings and important type clear of the crease so nothing lands on a fold line.
• Forgetting the panels flip. On a tri-fold, the panel that folds in first is a back panel in the flat artwork, not the front. Always work from a folding dummy.
• No bleed. Any colour or image running to the edge needs 3mm bleed, or you risk a thin white sliver after trimming.

Laying out your artwork

Set up your file at the flat (unfolded) size with the panels in the correct order for each side. Add 3mm bleed all round, keep text about 4–5mm inside the trim and clear of the folds, and supply CMYK at 300dpi. If you fold a sheet of paper to your chosen layout first — a physical dummy — you will catch panel-order and width issues before they reach print. We score every brochure before folding so heavier stocks crack less along the crease, and we fold in-house so it sits perfectly.

Brochure fold FAQ

What is the difference between a tri-fold and a Z-fold?

Both have three folds and six panels, but a tri-fold wraps its panels in on each other, while a Z-fold zig-zags so it pulls open flat like a concertina. Tri-folds suit self-contained sections; Z-folds suit content read in order.

Which fold fits a DL envelope?

A standard A4 tri-fold or Z-fold folds down to DL (99 × 210mm), which slips straight into a DL envelope — ideal for mail-outs.

Do heavier brochures need scoring before folding?

Yes. On anything from about 200gsm up, we crease (score) the stock first so the fibres bend rather than crack, giving a clean fold and a longer-lasting brochure.

Can you fold to a custom size?

We can. If your artwork is not a standard A-series size, send the flat dimensions and how you want it folded and we will set the panel widths correctly.

Ready to print? See our brochure printing options or explore flyer printing for shorter handouts, then get a quote — we will check your artwork for free first.