Paper Folds - Gate vs. Parallel

Posted February 2, 2011

"There are a multitude of reasons you might choose one folding option over another."

Gate & Parallel Folds

The following folds are composed of 4 panels. This kind of fold could be used for any type of brochure. For instance, we recently designed a very visual stimulating piece as a double gate fold showcasing an architectural door feature. When the gate fold (door) is opened (panels 1 & 4) it reveals the interior of the facility.

The instructions below assume an 8.5 x 11 finished size. The term "Finished Size" means the size of the piece once all the folds are completed. Conversely, the term "Flat Size" refers to the piece before any folds are completed.

When folding a double gatefold and started with a flat size of 34" x 11", you fold the left and right (panels 1 & 4) panels inward. When folded the piece is 17" x 11". Now fold the 17 x 11 to a final size of 8.5" x 11".

The double parallel fold is a bit different. Here's how it works. Start with the left half of a 34" x 11" flat size and fold it over the right half, the result is a 17" x 11" piece. When you fold the 17 x 11 in half again the final sizse is 8.5" x 11".

A third option displayed in the blue illustration below is called a "Z" or Accordion fold (Illustrated below). You can create this fold by folding a 34" x 11" flat size into a zig-zag pattern. Appropriately name, don't you think?

There are a multitude of reasons you might choose one folding option over another. Most reasons are purely esthetic. However, you should always consider how the piece is to be viewed for content and the order that information should be displayed. When the folding is complex decisions about where to place elements and information should be discussed in marketing and design concept sessions amoung those to utilize the final piece. Obviously some folds are more costly that others to produce because of the materials used and complexity of the bindery operation. It is always a good idea to coniser your budget before starting a project.

A few other considerations:

A double gatefold showcases the center panels. It also lets you hide them until the reader opens the two outer panels. It worked beautifully with our recent showcase of architectural features

A double parallel fold lets you lead the viewer from the front panel to a two-page intermediate inner-spread to a final, four-page-wide spread.

And an accordion fold lets you display a full, four-panel spread on one side and then a full, four-panel spread on the reverse side of the brochure.

Here are some other common folding techniques:

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