Design
Brochure folds explained: tri-fold, half-fold, z-fold, gate fold
A brochure's fold determines the order your customer reads your content. Pick wrong and key information lands on the wrong panel. Here's how each fold works.
Tri-fold (also called letter fold) The default. A single sheet folded into three equal panels (one panel folds in, the other panel folds over it).
Reading order:
1. Front cover (right-third panel from outside)
2. Inside left
3. Inside middle
4. Inside right
5. Back panel
Use for: services menus, real-estate listing flyers, conference welcome packets. Most readers expect tri-fold and read in this order automatically.
Half-fold (bi-fold) One single fold down the middle. Creates a 4-panel piece (front cover, inside-left, inside-right, back).
Use for: anything you want to feel more like a small booklet than a brochure. Wedding programs, restaurant menus, sales letters with a hero image inside.
Z-fold Three panels like a tri-fold, but instead of one panel folding into the other, they fold accordion-style. From the outside it looks like a Z when partially opened.
Use for: step-by-step content where each panel reveals the next step in order. Health/wellness brochures, tutorial pieces, multi-stage sales pitches.
Gate fold Two outer panels fold inward to meet at the center. Opening the brochure feels like opening a gate or window.
Use for: big-reveal pieces. Luxury product launches, wedding invitations with a photo reveal inside, real-estate luxury home flyers.
Roll fold (also: French fold) Three or more panels, each folded under the next. Used for very long content where each panel is shorter than the one before.
Use for: maps, multi-step instructions, accordion-style timelines.
Panel size rules Inside panels of a tri-fold are NOT the same size: - The panel that folds in needs to be ~1/16" narrower so it doesn't bow when folded - Standard 8.5"x11" tri-fold: outer panels at 3.6875", inner panel at 3.625"
This is automatic in our product configurator but worth knowing if you're designing in Illustrator.