Common Paper Folding Patterns

The sheet is folded into two equal sections with a single fold, can be utilized to create 4 separate panels / pages to be printed upon. Common applications: bulletins, menus, programs, greeting cards, wine lists, technical instructions, booklet pages.

Using two folds, the sheet is folded into three nearly equal sections, with one panel serving as a cover. This format is quite often used for self-mailing brochures or pamphlets as it creates 6 panels for printed content. Common applications: letters, statements, invoices, bulletins, any letter size sheet (8.5" x 11") requiring insertion into a standard #10 or #9 envelope.

Similar to the letter fold with sections the same size, two folds create two outer panels folded in over the third center panel. Common applications: brochures, letters, statements, proposals, purchase orders, anything requiring insertion into a standard #10 or #9 envelope.

(Also referred to as an 8-sheet or quarter fold.) The sheet is folded in half and then half again using 2 parallel folds, creating 4 panels on each side of the sheet. Folds a legal size sheet (8.5" x 14") to fit into a standard #10 / #9 envelope. Common applications: self-mailers, newsletters, 8-panel brochures, letters, statements, proposals, purchase orders.

Typically used for ledger size sheets (11" x 17") that are bound in proposals or technical documents. The sheet is folded just off-center then the larger panel is folded in half on itself - the narrowest panel can be pulled out to expand the sheet to its full width, while the left edge is free to be bound in a book or binder.

The sheet is folded into two equal wing panels that close like a gate over the larger center panel using two parallel folds. Common applications: presentations, brochures, invitations, menus, wine lists, programs.