Most brochures use one of six folds: bi-fold, tri-fold, Z-fold, gate fold, roll fold or double parallel. The tri-fold on an 8.5 x 11 in sheet is the default, because it folds to about 3.69 x 8.5 in and fits both a #10 envelope and a standard 4 x 9 in rack. Its panels are not equal thirds: the panel that tucks inside is 3.625 in wide and the other two are 3.6875 in, so the brochure closes flat.
Each section of a folded sheet has two faces, and printers call each face a panel. A tri-fold has three sections and six panels; a bi-fold has two sections and four panels.
What are the main brochure folds?
| Fold | How it folds | Typical flat to folded size | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bi-fold (half fold) | One fold down the middle, 4 panels | 11 x 17 to 8.5 x 11 in, or 8.5 x 11 to 5.5 x 8.5 in | Programs, menus, simple product pieces |
| Tri-fold (letter fold) | Two panels fold in on top of each other, 6 panels | 8.5 x 11 to about 3.69 x 8.5 in | Service brochures, mailers, racks |
| Z-fold | Zigzag like an accordion, 6 panels | 8.5 x 11 to about 3.67 x 8.5 in | Maps, timelines, content read in order |
| Gate fold | Two outer doors fold in to meet at the center | 11 x 17 to 8.5 x 11 in | Launches, listings, invitations with a reveal |
| Roll fold | Four or more panels per side roll in on each other | 8.5 x 14 to about 3.56 x 8.5 in | Step-by-step content in a small finished size |
| Double parallel | Folded in half, then in half again, 8 panels | 8.5 x 11 to about 2.78 x 8.5 in | Maps, schedules, pocket guides |
What are the panel widths for an 8.5 x 11 tri-fold?
Two panels are 3.6875 in (3 11/16) and the fold-in panel is 3.625 in (3 5/8), which adds up to exactly 11 in. Equal thirds would be 3.667 in, but a panel that tucks inside has to be about 1/16 in narrower, or it pushes against the fold and the brochure springs open.
| Side | Left panel | Middle panel | Right panel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outside | Fold-in flap, 3.625 in | Back panel, 3.6875 in | Front cover, 3.6875 in |
| Inside | Inside left, 3.6875 in | Inside middle, 3.6875 in | Fold-in panel, 3.625 in |
On the outside, the fold lines sit 3.625 in and 7.3125 in from the left edge. On the inside, they sit 3.6875 in and 7.375 in from the left edge. Bleed of 0.125 in goes around the outer edges of the flat sheet, never at the folds.
The same rule scales to other sheets. An 8.5 x 14 in tri-fold has panels of 4.6875, 4.6875 and 4.625 in. An 11 x 17 in sheet folded in thirds across the 17 in side has panels of 5.6875, 5.6875 and 5.625 in.
What are the panel widths for Z-fold, gate fold and roll fold?
A Z-fold uses equal panels, while every fold where one panel sits inside another needs the inner panel slightly narrower.
- Z-fold on 11 in: three equal panels of about 3.667 in, because no panel tucks inside another.
- Gate fold on 11 in: a 5.5 in center panel with two 2.75 in doors that meet in the middle.
- Closed gate fold on 11 in: the doors fold in, then the whole piece folds in half, so each door is cut 1/16 in narrower at 2.6875 in and the center becomes 5.625 in.
- Roll fold, four panels on 14 in: 3.5625, 3.5625, 3.46875 and 3.40625 in, with the smallest panel at the end that rolls in first.
- Double parallel on 11 in: two outer panels of 2.78125 in and two inner panels of 2.71875 in.
Folding equipment and paper thickness can shift these by a hair, so treat them as the starting layout and confirm the fold positions on the proof.
Which brochure fold should I choose?
Choose by how the brochure will be handed out and how the reader should move through it.
- It goes in a rack or a #10 envelope: tri-fold or Z-fold. Both finish at about 3.7 x 8.5 in.
- The reader should follow a sequence, such as a map, a route or a timeline: Z-fold, because it opens panel by panel like a page.
- The opening is the point, such as a product launch, a property listing or a gala: gate fold.
- There is a lot of step-by-step content but it has to stay small: roll fold.
- It is a simple four-page piece, such as an event program or a price list: bi-fold.
- It needs more than about twelve panels: stop folding and make a booklet. Our guide to booklet binding types covers the options.
Enrollment and open house brochures for schools usually need room for programs, a calendar and a reply section. An 11 x 17 in bi-fold gives four full letter-size pages, and a tri-fold can carry a perforated tear-off reply panel. Our guide to school printing covers the rest of a recruitment season.
Which paper works best for a folded brochure?
100 lb gloss or matte text is the standard brochure sheet: substantial in the hand, and thin enough to fold cleanly. Cover stock, 80 lb cover and up, looks more premium but has to be scored first, which means pressing a crease into the sheet before it is folded.
Without a score, heavy paper cracks along the fold and white fibers show through the ink, most visibly on dark solid colors that run across a fold. Every brochure we fold on cover stock is scored for that reason. If your design has a dark background, ask to see a folded sample on the real stock.
A common tri-fold error at file check is a layout with three equal panels and the front cover on the wrong side. On the outside of the sheet, the cover is the right-hand panel and the narrow fold-in flap is on the left. Before you send the file, print it on office paper, fold it by hand and write the panel names on it. Five minutes with a home printer saves a reprint.
Can a tri-fold brochure be mailed without an envelope?
Yes, as a folded self-mailer, if it meets USPS rules. The folded piece must be between 3.5 x 5 in and 6 x 10.5 in, the final fold must run along the bottom edge, and it must be sealed with tabs or glue. A piece up to 1 oz needs at least 70 lb paper and two 1 in tabs, three glue spots or a continuous glue line. The rules are in the USPS Domestic Mail Manual, section 201.3.14.
An 8.5 x 11 in tri-fold on 100 lb text weighs about 0.3 oz and folds to about 3.69 x 8.5 in, so it qualifies. Leave one outside panel clear for the address and postage. Our guide to direct mail formats covers tab placement and when a self-mailer beats a postcard.
Brochure fold questions
What is the difference between a tri-fold and a Z-fold?
Both have six panels on the same size sheet. In a tri-fold, two panels fold in on top of each other, so one panel is tucked inside. In a Z-fold, the panels zigzag like an accordion and are all the same width.
What size is an 8.5 x 11 tri-fold brochure when folded?
About 3.69 x 8.5 in. It fits a #10 envelope and a standard 4 x 9 in literature rack.
Why is one panel of a tri-fold narrower?
The fold-in panel sits inside the other two, so it is cut about 1/16 in narrower, 3.625 in instead of 3.6875 in. A full-width panel would press against the fold and stop the brochure closing flat.
What paper weight is best for a brochure?
100 lb gloss or matte text suits most brochures. Cover stock works for a heavier feel, but it must be scored before folding or it cracks along the fold.
How many panels does a tri-fold brochure have?
Six: three on the outside, including the front cover and back panel, and three on the inside.
See brochure printing with scoring and folding for sizes and stocks, or read our flyer size and paper guide if one flat sheet will do.
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