Create Unique Brochures with Precision Folding

Though it sounds like a simple process, proper folding is a critical step to ensuring the quality of the finished product. Precision folds can create intrigue as a piece is unfolded, allowing you to create innovative and eye-catching brochures.

At Springfield Printing, we offer gate, accordion, parallel and barrel (roll) folding styles to give you plenty of creative freedom. Each type of fold requires specific panel dimensions and other layout considerations. Feel free to call your friends at Springfield Printing for specific layout information. Here are a few planning tips to keep in mind:

The range of folding and postpress services from Springfield Printing allow us to create specialty brochures like the trail map pictured above.

Take Stock of your Stock
Not all folding styles work for all papers. Stock weight, grain direction and number and arrangement of folds can lead to quality issues such as cracking, wrinkling and kickout. These factors will also determine which folding processes best suit your projects.

Know the Score
At Springfield, we score all cover stocks Stock folded without scores will likely crack or break on the folded edges, resulting in a rough appearance. We offer several scoring methods, including letterpress, litho and folder scoring.

Planning Tip: Create a Folding Dummy - To ensure the overall quality of your project, create a folding dummy early in the planning process. The dummy must be produced with the same stock as your production run. This will expose any problems with the folding progression in sufficient time to make layout or other adjustments.

Layout Tip: Alter Panel Dimensions - For barrel-folded brochures, each panel must be undersized from the following panel to ensure they will all fold properly. To achieve this, reduce each panel width by 1/16" from the panel preceding it (except for the outer two panels). Keep in mind that this is an approximation; stock thickness and the number of panels in your project may alter these dimensions. Let Springfield help you create a layout that will meet the needs of your design.

Make it Easy - Use our Layouts! For more helpful folding information, and to download easy-to-use layout templates with precision measurements for all types of folds, visit our website at http://www.springfieldprinting.com/html/designertips.html.

The Springfield Printing Advantage
Precision folding is only the beginning of the postpress capabilities available from Springfield Printing. Die cutting, collating, assembly and saddle stitching services allow us to take your project from prepress to delivery. And don’t forget that “Vermont Friendly” planning help is always available!