1. Top Tips for Designing Folded Leaflets and Brochures for Print

    Folded print products — leaflets, brochures, menus, event programmes — are some of the most versatile and cost-effective marketing materials available. But they also require more careful design planning than flat print products. Get the fold type wrong, place content across a fold line or submit artwork as single pages rather than spreads, and the results can be frustrating and expensive to correct.

    In this guide, we cover everything you need to design folded print products that look professional, communicate clearly and print perfectly every time.

    Understanding Fold Types

    The first design decision is choosing the right fold type for your content. Each fold creates a different number of panels, a different reading sequence and a different physical experience for the reader:

    • Bi-fold (single fold) — one fold creating 4 panels (2 outside, 2 inside). The simplest and most common format. Ideal for menus, price lists and simple product information
    • Tri-fold (letter fold) — two folds creating 6 panels. The most widely used leaflet format. The right-hand panel folds in first, so it acts as a cover when closed. Ideal for information-heavy leaflets, menus and promotional materials
    • Z-fold (accordion fold) — two folds in alternating directions creating 6 panels that expand like a concertina. Unlike the tri-fold, all panels are the same width. Ideal for maps, timelines and sequential content
    • Gate fold — two outer panels fold inward to meet in the middle, revealing a large inner spread. Creates a dramatic reveal effect. Popular for premium invitations, product launches and high-end brochures
    • Cross fold — folded in both directions to create a compact booklet-style leaflet. Often used for maps and information guides

    See our full range of folded leaflet options including bi-fold, tri-fold, Z-fold and gate fold in multiple sizes and paper stocks.

    Set Up Your Artwork as Spreads

    This is the single most common artwork mistake with folded products — submitting artwork as individual single pages rather than as spreads. For folded print products, your artwork must be supplied as spreads showing panels side by side exactly as they appear when the product is open and flat.

    • Bi-fold (4pp): Supply as 2 spreads — outer spread (back cover + front cover) and inner spread (inside left + inside right)
    • Tri-fold (6pp): Supply as 2 spreads — outer spread (3 panels) and inner spread (3 panels). Remember that on a tri-fold, the right-hand outer panel is narrower to allow it to fold inside cleanly — use our templates to get this right
    • Z-fold (6pp): Supply as 2 spreads — all panels are equal width unlike the tri-fold
    • Gate fold (6pp or 8pp): The two outer gate panels are each half the width of the inner spread — use our templates

    Download our free templates for the correct spread layout for your chosen fold type, or see our guide: How to Set Up Spreads for Print

    Plan Your Content Across Panels

    Each panel of a folded leaflet is a distinct unit of communication — treat each one as a mini-page with its own purpose and hierarchy:

    • Front cover panel — your headline, key visual and brand identity. This is the first thing the reader sees and must entice them to open the leaflet
    • Inside panels — the main content area. Use a logical reading sequence — left to right, top to bottom. Don't try to put everything on every panel
    • Back cover panel — contact details, call-to-action, website URL and QR code. Many readers flip straight to the back

    A common mistake is to treat a folded leaflet as a single flat design and then fold it. Always design panel by panel with the reading sequence in mind.

    Avoid Placing Important Content on Fold Lines

    Never place critical content — particularly text, faces, logos or important graphic elements — directly on or immediately adjacent to a fold line. Fold lines are never perfectly precise, and slight variations in folding position can result in text or images being obscured or split. Keep a comfortable margin of at least 5mm either side of any fold line.

    This is also important for background colours and patterns that cross fold lines — subtle misalignment can create a visible step in what should be a continuous tone or gradient.

    Bleed, Safe Zone and Artwork Setup

    • Bleed: 3mm all round the entire spread — not just around each panel. Extend background colours and edge images 3mm beyond the trim line. See our guide: What is Bleed and Safe Zone?
    • Safe zone: 3mm inside the trim line on all outer edges. Also maintain a margin either side of internal fold lines
    • Resolution: 300dpi minimum for all images at the final printed size. See our guide: Understanding DPI for Print
    • Colour mode: CMYK throughout. See our guide: What is CMYK and Why Does it Matter?
    • Format: PDF with fonts outlined or embedded
    • Proof check: See our proof checking guide before submitting

    Choosing the Right Paper Stock

    Paper choice significantly affects both the feel and the functionality of a folded leaflet:

    • 130gsm silk or gloss — the most popular choice for tri-fold and bi-fold leaflets. Vibrant colour reproduction, professional feel and folds cleanly
    • 170gsm silk or gloss — a heavier, more substantial feel. Popular for premium brochures and gate fold products where a more impressive physical presence is needed
    • 250gsm+ — used for covers on multi-page booklets rather than folded single-sheet products. Very heavy stocks can crack along fold lines — not recommended for small fold sizes
    • Uncoated — a natural, tactile finish. Popular for eco-focused brands and designs with a more understated aesthetic. Folds well at most weights

    See our full folded leaflet printing range for available sizes, paper stocks and fold types.

    Typography and Layout Tips for Folded Products

    • Use a consistent grid — align elements to a grid across all panels for a cohesive, professional result
    • Limit your fonts — one display font for headlines, one clean font for body text. Consistency across all panels is essential
    • Don't overcrowd — white space is not wasted space. Panels with breathing room look significantly more professional than panels crammed with text and images
    • One message per panel — each panel should have one primary purpose. Trying to communicate everything on every panel results in nothing being communicated effectively

    Print Your Folded Leaflets in Brighton & Hove

    Dipol Print offers folded leaflet and brochure printing in a wide range of sizes, fold types and paper stocks for businesses across Brighton & Hove and the wider UK. Orders can be collected from our print shop at 97 St James's Street, Brighton BN2 1TP or delivered anywhere in the UK.

    Need help setting up your artwork? Get in touch with our team — we're happy to advise on fold type, paper stock or artwork setup before you place your order.