Half Fold, Tri-Fold or Z-Fold: Which Leaflet Fold Should You Use?

Tri-fold is the standard: an A4 sheet folded into three DL-sized panels, giving six faces — ideal for menus, price lists and service brochures. Half fold produces four large A5 panels, more like a greetings card, good for image-led pieces. Z-fold (concertina) opens flat in one motion, best for timelines, maps and step-by-step content.

Which fold for which job?

Fold	Panels (from A4)	Opens	Best for
Half fold	4 × A5	Like a card	Photo-led brochures, invitations
Tri-fold (roll)	6 × DL	Panel by panel	Menus, price lists, services
Z-fold	6 × DL	Flat instantly	Maps, timelines, instructions
Gate fold	6 (two flaps)	Reveal centre	Premium launches

The tri-fold trap: panel widths aren't equal

The panel that folds inside must be ~3mm narrower or the leaflet buckles. Our tri-fold setup guide covers exact widths — or use our template and don't think about it.

Does content order change per fold?

Yes. A tri-fold reveals: cover → inside flap → full inside spread → back. Put the hook on the cover, the offer where the eye lands on full opening, contact details on the back panel. A Z-fold has no reveal — the reader sees everything at once, so design it as one continuous canvas.

Which is cheapest?

Same sheet, same press — fold type barely changes price. Paper weight matters more: 130–170gsm folds cleanly; heavier stocks need creasing to avoid cracking, which we do as standard on 200gsm+.

FAQ

What's the standard folded size? A4 to DL (99×210mm) — fits DL envelopes and leaflet racks. Can folds be done same day? Machine-folded standard jobs, usually — artwork by 1pm. A5 tri-folds possible? Yes, from A4 landscape or custom sheets; ask on the flyer page.