Understanding the Different Folds and their Uses
Printing projects of businesses do not just involve catalogs and pamphlets. In many cases, the companies require a single page or a few page-based brochures that help create awareness about their brands and businesses. These brochures are vital in marketing without spending much. They are of significant use and often a requirement at public events like trade shows. Though many companies opt for compact brochures with limited content printing, the customers to date find it easy to use them as a source of information. They rely on the information provided on these brochures to reach out to the companies that interest them. When designing the brochures, clients can communicate their needs to the printers. They can select full-color printing and other related details according to their requirements.
How the brochures are folded impacts the appeals of these marketing tools and the way content will be printed on the pages. Therefore, the companies must select the most practical layouts for their brochures to ensure that the readability of the content is not compromised. Some businesses are careful enough to add numbers to their multiple-paged brochures for ease in folding and reading them. There are several folds available for the clients who want attractive and influential brochures to win the heart of their target audiences. Some of these folds are discussed below, along with their uses and advantages.
1. Bi-Fold Brochure
This particular fold is also known in the packaging industry as half-fold brochures and single-fold brochures. The techniques used in this fold are fundamental and include a single fold running down the center. This individual fold in the middle gives a clean look to the presentation. It provides relevant sections of the documents for the printers to work. These relevant sections can be divided into four pages with a measurement of 8.5x 11 inches. To emphasize specific points, only use this brochure type as it has a limited number of pages that prevent the audience from digressing. These brochures provide a chance for our clients to remain direct in their communication with their audiences. Because of this reason, this fold brochure is used in;
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- Presentations
- Product comparison (side by side analysis)
- Product guide (often included in packaging)
- Image-centered documents
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Disadvantages
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- Though more expansive surfaces are more attractive, they may not be space-efficient. Businesses may find it a task to store them and fit them into leaflets, etc.
- The companies that are trying to minimize their carbon footprint and save the environment may not agree with the tangible brochures. It may seem outdated to them as digital brochures are already acceptable.
- Poorly designed brochures do more harm and end up confusing the customers. These customers mostly end up preferring the competitors eventually.
2. Tri fold Brochure
- Presentable infographics
- Maps
- Accessible reading documents, etc.
- Another term used in the packaging industry for this brochure type is a letter fold. It gets this name as it is presented as a letter in an envelope. The documents are created in two places dividing the brochure into three uniform rectangular parts.
Advantages
- These brochures are a cost-effective option for companies looking for pocket-friendly sizes. Even when folded in envelopes, they fit in legal-sized envelopes.
- They are easy to hand out
- They offer a great display
- These brochures are ideal for a description of step by step detailed processes
- Attractive and attention-grabbing visual content that can be displayed at once when the three surfaces become visible
Disadvantages
- In case of a spread, the creases may interrupt the extensive and detailed images printed
- Individual surfaces might turn out to be smaller for the larger images and graphics
- The cover must be attention-grabbing to lure people to read through the inner pages
Another variation of this fold is the Z-Fold Brochure;
- It is zigzag-shaped and looks like the letter Z
- Its cover is the right most surface of the page
They are ideal for;
- Promotional documents
- Company introduction
- Product awareness
- Services packages, etc.
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3. Gate-fold Brochure
Advantages
- The larger size of the main page is ideal for a single product display. It is attention-grabbing; thus, the main product can be printed here, and clients can publish the information on the sides.
They are ideal for;
- Variety of information documented
- Lengthy restaurant menus
- Services details, etc.
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4. Roll Fold Brochure
- Discount coupons
- Stack of vouchers
- Detachable gift cards, etc.
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5. Multi-Page Bound Booklet
- A more organized appeal
- Reading continuity page by page
- Informational layout
- Most guides are composed this way. The pages of this brochure allow the content to be categorized in multiple manners. Our client can opt to print content according to alphabetical order, chronological form, etc. another variation to this brochure is the Accordion Fold Brochure
- It has four or five creases with eight or ten pages
- It is often used for detailed or step by step content printing
They are ideal for;
- Guides
- Training manuals
- Pamphlets, Etc.
Some other folds include; French Fold Brochure, Double Parallel Fold Brochure and Parallel Booklet, etc. Different business entities are working around the clock to market products and services in attractive and appealing ways to their customers. It lures other individuals from their target audience into buying these products. The brochures are used as marketing tools to make the customers aware and educated about the offered services and products. They are used not just at product launches and public events like trade shows etc. audience engage in reading the brochures, which catch their eyes.
The cover of the brochures plays a significant role in attracting people. Brochures offer a cost-effective tool for marketing a product. They provide information to the customers to talk about, which can become word of mouth. Many believe that they are a better option than the flyers and other marketing tools, as the 3D element gives the content a creative spin. As a result, more individuals are likely to remember the product. The multiple panels of the brochures provide more space for the printers to play with the content. They can experiment with the different typography elements to shape the content in a more attractive manner. Even the creative use of the white space can be made exciting using it appropriately. The size and shapes of the brochures are customizable according to the customer's preferences.
This customization also depends on the length of the content and the images that require printing. Clients can print the brochures in selective colors or full-color printing. Our professionals from the design department work with our clients for the best designs and themes and the most appealing colors that grab the audience’s attention. We use modern techniques to ensure consistent use of the same tones as a brand’s signature looks. Any variation in the color tones is a major turn-off for the customers as seeds doubt about a fake product in their minds.
Therefore, we remain attentive to the branding elements at all times. Currently, several options in brochures are available for the customers. one might find themselves overwhelmed by their choices. But worry not; we are here to help you through the process of selection. Even if our clients know nothing about printing brochures, we will clarify all the technical terms to them and guide them along the way from the start to the end. Once the final selection about the fold is made, we start with the alignment of the text in the most readable and efficient manner.
It will determine how the customers will access this information by unfolding the brochure. If the layout of these brochures is too complicated, the audience might become confused and lose interest. Navigation of the content depends on the folds of the brochures. Therefore, simpler styles are preferred in the industry. It is essential to understand that brochures are not the same as pamphlets. A brochure can consist of multiple pages; on the other hand, pamphlets are more inclined to have a single page.
The objective of composing brochures is to gain financially or economically. The pamphlets provide instant information to their customers. Pamphlets are not bound, but because of multiple pages, brochures need binding.
The Brochure Usage
When ordering the brochures from printing companies, the clients must know their objectives for placing the order. We have designed a few questions for our clients to answer, which will help them understand how to order brochures and make the most of them. Let us explore some of them;
Purpose of the Brochure
It is essential to know what is going into printing and what a client wants to achieve. If the client wants to teach their customers about using, storing, and assembling products, they can be printed as instructional content. It must include complete and the most updated information for marketing and sales purposes, where the customers can respond.
Type of Content
Information required to print must be categorized according to text and images. The text and the images must be provided in appropriate formats to the printers. The flow of the content is according to the requirement of the clients. Some want a chronological flow of content, while others want their content to be categorized alpha-numerically. In other cases, a continuous string of content is the key to keeping the readers engaged. Our professionals from the design department work with our clients to identify the best solutions for their brochures before the final printing.
Design According to Your Target Audience
It is necessary to understand the needs of the target audiences. Only if the cover is attractive and designed according to the target audience’s preferences will the brochures get attention. The customers read the pamphlets to get instant information vital to their safety or whatever the cover promises. There is no greater turn-off for the audience than reading data that is useless to them.
Use Headers Wisely
When developing content for brochures, it is better to keep the text under the headers short as possible. Use the information to gain the readers’ interest and entice them to find out more on their own by contacting the representatives. Or provide links to the website or address for the ease of the target audience. This space is also ideal for product summaries.
Do not ignore the Brochure Back
The front of the cover of the brochures helps gain the interest of the customers. Its back helps finalize the next step required in the right direction. Once the customer is interested in finding out more about the product after reading the summary, they will want to contact the brand representative or the company. This page must include the latest contact details, operating links to social media accounts, and the corporate website. It must also include at least one email address to direct the queries to the digital world.
Make your brochures eye-candy by selecting the metallic foil looks on them. We use the foil stamping technique to make the visual content on the brochures appear in metallic tones that vary from the silver and gold primarily used. Make a long-lasting impression in the memories of the customers selecting this option. Add a majestic feel to your brochures marketing the glamorous products. Use our soft-touch coating on these brochures to make them stand apart from the cloud. It has a luxurious velvety touch that does not get yellow with time.
Now the brochures can be as glammed up as the products they are marketing. Laminations in matte and gloss finishes are used on the surfaces to add longevity to the brochures. The protective layer of the laminations keeps the content smudge-free. Printers can also add glossy or muted looks by using the UV coating to these brochures. Embossed brochures look amazing as they bring to life the names of the brands.
