A Comprehensive Inventory of the Most Common Types of Digital Printing Folds

With the complete lifting of the pandemic, the domestic market is gradually recovering. Major organizers are launching exhibitions and events one after another, increasing opportunities for offline interaction and promoting the prosperity of the market economy. As a powerful promotional tool, brochures are usually the first choice for many printing companies. They are not only convenient and portable but also capable of conveying a large amount of information and showcasing corporate culture. So, what kind of brochure should be chosen? What are wallet folds and accordion folds? What problems are commonly encountered in brochures? Let's take a look together.

Common types of brochures

1. Wallet Fold

The envelope fold is the simplest folding method from the outside in, also commonly known as the tri-fold, and is the most commonly used folding method in businesses.

2. Accordion Fold

Accordion fold, also called fan fold, is a form of folding back and forth with one inside and one outside, resembling a folding fan. The above pouch fold (tri-fold) can also be folded this way.

Accordion folds are usually within six folds, with a maximum of 15 folds and 16 pages. However, most companies choose to keep it within six folds, as this is the most cost-effective and also the best in terms of aesthetics.

3. Fold in half

Folding in half is very simple; just fold after printing on both sides. There is only one crease line, making the design simple and flexible. Depending on the position of the crease, it can be a symmetrical or asymmetrical fold.

Due to their lower budgets and simple operation, simplicity and plainness are very prominent features of each of them.

4. Cross Fold

The cross fold is actually not very common; usually only some companies with such requirements will choose this folding method. This fold is first folded left to right, then vertically, so when we unfold the brochure, we will see a cross-shaped crease.



5. Gate fold

Fold the brochure along the quarter-fold line, folding from the left and right sides inward, just like two doors.

6. Close the door and fold again

After folding the aforementioned gate fold in half again, you will have three crease lines when unfolded. It is important to note that a gate fold and a gate fold folded in half again are not the same thing. Printing companies should confirm the company's requirements carefully; otherwise, if a two-crease gate fold is made and the whole company has to manually fold it, it would be embarrassing.

7. Frog Fold

The frog fold looks like a jumping frog, and also like a butterfly spreading its wings. It is also called the 'butterfly fold.' Its style is unique and the craftsmanship is exquisite, usually with a focus on designing the middle part when unfolded, giving a sense of surprise when opened.

8. Pagoda fold

The pagoda fold, also called the accordion fold, has a unique style and looks like a pagoda, giving a refreshing impression. It can clearly present key promotional points without being unfolded!

The three-dimensional pagoda-like structure of the pagoda fold is full of vitality. At the same time, the content is systematically organized, with layers of pages unfolding gradually, giving a sense of progressive depth. Similarly, when the fold-out is closed, under a unified and complete picture, the meticulous construction and rich layering of the pagoda fold product are sure to amaze everyone.

Common Folding Problems

01

Toner Falling Off After Folding

During fixing, the toner melts due to heat and solidifies on the paper surface, forming the images and text. This fused toner only stays on the surface of the paper, making it easy to fall off due to friction when folding. This phenomenon is especially severe in continuous-feed folding machines with high-transfer paper feeding. Scratching of ink on the printed material's surface may also occur. Using a process that applies lamination first and then folds can effectively avoid this problem. With the improvement of toner formulations in digital printing technology, this problem is gradually being better resolved.

02

Creases at the Fold

After folding the printed material, creases often appear at the fold lines, greatly affecting the appearance of the print. This is because the paper's moisture content decreases due to high-temperature baking, increasing brittleness and decreasing strength, leading to cracks after folding.

To address the above issues, printing companies are actively seeking solutions. First, placing the printed materials indoors and using the natural humidity in the air to adjust the moisture content of the paper before folding can effectively alleviate damage caused by reduced paper moisture. Second, creasing or folding along the direction of the paper fibers can slightly prevent paper from cracking, but folding in the perpendicular direction will still result in cracks. Next, for papers with more than 16 sheets, creasing first allows the paper surface to form a preliminary fold line before folding, thereby reducing the problem of paper cracking.

However, creasing is not a cure-all. Whether or not the paper is creased first, the act of folding inevitably damages the surface of the paper to some extent, and fold lines are more or less visible.

The optimal method is to laminate the printed material first, and then crease and fold the paper. Lamination can make the surface of the printed material smoother and shinier, enhancing the vividness of the colors and giving them a more three-dimensional effect. Products with folds or creases, such as brochures and album covers, often use lamination, which not only protects the vibrancy of the printed colors but also ensures that the color, paper texture, and crease appear consistent before folding, making the product look more premium.