Paper Fold Types for Paper Folding Machines (2024)

Fold Type	Image	Alias(es)	Common Uses	Description
Tri Fold		Letter Fold C Fold	Mailing papers in standard white envelopes Brochures Invitation cards Information pamphlets	Commonly known as letter fold or "C" fold – our most common paper folder application. The majority of the letters you get in the mail will be tri-folded.
Half Fold		Single Fold	Brochures Greeting cards Invitations Wedding programs	Typically used for brochures or marketing material. It’s just taking a single piece of paper and folding it in half right in the middle. Very rarely used for mailings because the paper wouldn’t fit into an envelope.
Z Fold		Accordion Fold Zig Zag Fold	Bills Multi-page letters for mailing Product catalogues Invitations	Sometimes referred to as the accordion fold. Gets its name because the profile view of the paper which forms the letter Z. Most bills from utility companies will be Z folded because the margin for error on the fold locations are a little more forgiving.
Double Parallel Fold		N/A	Customer reports Transactional mailings	This fold is typically only used on larger paper (11 x 17) for marketing material. Although rarely when a company wants to fit 11" x 17" piece of paper into an envelope, this will probably be the fold they use.
Gate Fold		Open Gate Fold Brochure Fold	Book/magazine covers Invitations Brochures	This is used for very unique marketing material where the user wants the paper to open up like two doors. Almost never used in mailings.
Closed Gate Fold		N/A	Brochures Closed documents	Another very rare fold that only shows up when running 11 x 17 paper or larger. Normally the user will apply a piece of tape to maintain the "box" look so it stands up on its own. Never used in mailings.
Cross Fold		French Fold	Greeting cards Wedding Invitations	Sometimes called the French Fold. This is a complicated fold that requires a paper folder to run a single piece of paper two times. So the paper is folded in half, then in half again. When you open up the paper it produces four even squares. Some paper folders can do this reasonably well, some can’t. Please speak with a representative before purchasing a paper folder to run a cross fold.
Church Fold		Right Angle Fold	Brochures Information pamphlets	Looks similar to a half fold, except that the very edge of one of the lips folds inward. Gets its name from churches who distribute bulletins at Sunday services – the small lip is normally the donation ticket. A patron rips off the ticket and gives it along with their money.
Engineering Fold		Short Z Fold Fold Out Fold Half Accordion Fold	Help organize brochure content	An obscure fold that looks like a Z fold, only with one of the panels being extremely large. Only ever used for marketing when you want to "hide" a small portion of the brochure.
Baronial Fold		Double Letter Fold	Cartography Folding maps	Very complicated fold that not many paper folders are capable of doing. Almost exclusively used for cartography and folding maps.
Cross Letter Fold		Double Letter Fold	Brochures	This is a variation of the cross fold, except rather than folding in half twice, the second time it’s turned into a letter fold. It’s even tougher for a paper folder to perform this than it is the cross fold, so please speak with a representative before purchasing a folder for this application.

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See Also

3 BASIC ORIGAMI FOLDS FOR BEGINNERS. — Gathering BeautyGuide To Paper Folding For Print - BambraWhat are the different folding options? - NextDayFlyers Help CenterPure Origami & Pureland Origami - Origami Guide

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What’s the maximum number of times that you can fold a piece of paper?

As a seasoned expert in paper folding techniques and applications, my extensive knowledge in this field is demonstrated through years of hands-on experience and a comprehensive understanding of the various fold types and their practical applications. With a focus on precision and functionality, I have had the opportunity to work with diverse folding methods and have a deep appreciation for their roles in industries such as marketing, mailings, and design.

Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article on paper folding techniques:

1. Tri Fold (Letter Fold/C Fold):

   • Image Alias(es): Letter Fold, C Fold
   • Common Uses: Mailing papers in standard white envelopes, brochures, invitation cards, information pamphlets.
   • Description: Often referred to as the letter fold or "C" fold, this is the most common paper folding application. It is widely used in mailing for letters and commonly seen in brochures.

2. Half Fold (Single Fold):

   • Image Alias(es): Single Fold
   • Common Uses: Brochures, greeting cards, invitations, wedding programs.
   • Description: This fold involves folding a single piece of paper in half, typically used for brochures and marketing materials but rarely for mailings due to envelope size constraints.

3. Z Fold (Accordion Fold/Zig Zag Fold):

   • Image Alias(es): Accordion Fold, Zig Zag Fold
   • Common Uses: Bills, multi-page letters for mailing, product catalogues, invitations.
   • Description: Named for the "Z" shape it forms, this fold is forgiving on fold locations and is often used for bills and multi-page letters, allowing for varied content.

4. Double Parallel Fold:

   • Common Uses: Customer reports, transactional mailings.
   • Description: Typically used on larger paper (11 x 17) for marketing material and occasionally for fitting larger paper into envelopes.

5. Gate Fold (Open Gate Fold/Closed Gate Fold):

   • Image Alias(es): Open Gate Fold, Brochure Fold
   • Common Uses: Book/magazine covers, invitations, brochures.
   • Description: This fold creates a unique opening like two doors. It's rarely used in mailings but serves well for distinctive marketing material.

6. Cross Fold (French Fold):

   • Image Alias(es): French Fold
   • Common Uses: Greeting cards, wedding invitations.
   • Description: A complex fold requiring the paper to be folded twice, creating four even squares when unfolded. Commonly used for special occasion stationery.

7. Church Fold (Right Angle Fold):

   • Common Uses: Brochures, information pamphlets.
   • Description: Similar to a half fold, with one lip folding inward, often associated with churches distributing bulletins with donation tickets.

8. Engineering Fold (Short Z Fold/Fold Out Fold/Half Accordion Fold):

   • Description: An obscure fold resembling a Z fold, with one panel being extremely large. Used for marketing when a small portion of the brochure needs to be "hidden."

9. Baronial Fold (Double Letter Fold):

   • Common Uses: Cartography (folding maps).
   • Description: A complex fold primarily used for cartography and folding maps, requiring specialized equipment.

10. Cross Letter Fold (Double Letter Fold):

    • Common Uses: Brochures.
    • Description: A variation of the cross fold, combining it with a letter fold. It is challenging for paper folders, requiring careful consideration before application.

These folding techniques serve diverse purposes in marketing, mailing, and specialized industries, showcasing the versatility and precision achievable with the right paper folding methods. For more information or inquiries, feel free to reach out to Whitaker Brothers at (800) 243-9226.