If you want to develop a reputation for being an ace print designer, folding and binding are two key finishing techniques that are worth getting to grips with – mistakes or errors at the folding and binding stage can be expensive and will usually delay delivery of a job.
Nearly all commercially printed material is folded on a folding machine. Folding machines can do a wide array of types of creasing and folding.
The main thing to be aware of is cracking. It is a good idea to ask the print finisher to run a test of the stock to ensure there is no unexpected cracking. This is a potential problem with any coated stock and stock 150gsm or heavier. A good print finisher should be aware of this and will often fold with the paper grain and/or score the paper prior to folding. Very heavy weight stock should always be scored. Also, be aware that where a solid colour has been printed across the spine, cracking in the colour may appear. If in doubt, talk to us first.
The main thing to be aware of is cracking. It is a good idea to ask the print finisher to run a test of the stock to ensure there is no unexpected cracking. This is a potential problem with any coated stock and stock 150gsm or heavier. A good print finisher should be aware of this and will often fold with the paper grain and/or score the paper prior to folding. Very heavy weight stock should always be scored. Also, be aware that where a solid colour has been printed across the spine, cracking in the colour may appear. If in doubt, talk to us first.
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LETTER FOLD
(also called a C Fold or Roll Fold) -
ACCORDION FOLD
(also called a Z Fold) - SINGLE FOLD
(also called a V Fold) - DOUBLE PARALLEL FOLD
- ENGINEERING FOLD
(also called a Half Accordion) - CROSS FOLD
(also called a French Fold) - BARONIAL FOLD
- GATE FOLD