Commercial Printing

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Folding Guide

Below you will find common folding configurations and the calculations required to get correct panel sizes. These calculations can vary slightly based on the thickness of paper chosen, but serve as a good generic guide. Should you have any questions about your particular project, please contact us at 888-331-0186 and we will be happy to assist you.

You can also visit our template page and download templates for many common sizes and folding configurations.


Should you need any further assistance, please contact us at 888-311-0186 and a dedicated account executive will assist you.

Letter Fold

Single Fold

A trifold (3 panel brochure) has 2 outside panels and one inside panel.

Size of 2 outside panels: Take your overall width and divide by 3, round up to the nearest 1/32”.
Size of 1 inside panel: Subtract 1/16” from your outside panel width.

Example: 8.5x11

11 / 3 = 3.666- round up to 3.6875” for your outside 2 panels
3.6875 – 1/16” (.0625”) = 3.625” for your inside panel

Double Parallel Fold/Four-Panel Gate Fold

Single Fold

A four panel has 2 outside panels and 2 inside panels.

Size of 2 outside panels: Take your overall width and divide by 4, and add 1/32”.
Size of 2 inside panel: Subtract 1/16” from your outside panel width.

Example: 11x17

17 / 4 = 4.25” + 1/32” (.03125) = 4.28125” for your outside 2 panels
4.28125” – 1/16” (.0625”) = 4.15625” for your inside panel

Roll Fold

Single Fold

A roll fold has 2 outside panels and 2 inside panels. But, different than the parallel or gate fold above, a roll fold has 2 outside panels that are the same size, one slightly smaller inside panel, and then an even shorter inside panel. With each inside panel of a roll fold brochure, it has to be 1/16” smaller than the panel before it so it will lay completely flat when folded.

Size of 2 outside panels: Take your overall width and divide by 4, and add 1/16”.
Size of 1st short panel: Subtract 3/32” from your outside panel width.
Size of shortest inside panel: Subtract 1/16” from your 1st short panel width.

Example: 11x17

17 / 4 = 4.25” + 1/32” (.0625) = 4.3125” for your outside 2 panels
4.3125” – 3/32” (.09375”) = 4.21875” for your 1st short inside panel
4.21875 – 1/16” (.0625) = 4.15625 for your shortest inside panel