Folded flyers

Folded leaflets - more content in a convenient form

A folded leaflet is made from a single sheet that is creased before folding. Creasing means making a controlled indentation where the fold will be, so that the paper can be folded evenly and neatly.

Opened out you get a large surface for content; folded, the piece takes up far less room. It is easy to hand out, to put into envelopes, parcels or stands.

This is a solution between a classic leaflet and a folder or small catalogue. The individual panels can be used for different elements: a cover, a company presentation, a description of services, photographs, a price list, a map, contact details or a QR code.

A well-planned panel order lets you organise the information and lead the reader through the material logically. First they see the cover, then the key information, and finally the contact details or a call to action.

We always print folded leaflets double-sided, on the paper you choose. Correct creasing and the folding method matter a great deal here, because they affect both the look of the finished piece and how convenient it is to use.

Available formats and folding methods

In the calculator you choose the sheet format and the way it is folded at the same time. The notation A4 → DL, for example, means an A4 sheet is printed and, once creased and folded, ends up in DL format.

The following variants are available:

• A5 → A6 - a compact leaflet folded in half. It works well for short offers, invitations and information cards.
• 2×A6 → A6 (landscape) - a small, horizontal piece suitable for a menu, a voucher, a discount card or a parcel insert.
• A4 → A5 - one of the most versatile variants. Opened it gives plenty of room for content, and folded it has the convenient A5 format.
• A4 → DL - the classic folder folded in three to the slim DL format. It fits well into stands and DL envelopes.
• 2×DL → DL (landscape) - an elongated form with a horizontal layout, suitable for vouchers, folders and service cards.
• 2×DL → DL (portrait) - a similar format in a vertical layout, allowing a slim, elegant design.
• 30×15 → 15×15 - a square format that suits more decorative and non-standard designs.
• 30×30 → 15×30 - a larger variant with unusual proportions, suitable for offers and material in a more individual form.
• A3 → A4 - good for fuller offers and larger menu cards. Opened it gives a large surface; folded it keeps the convenient A4 format.
• A3 → 140×297 - a slim folder folded into several parts, suitable for tourist and event material among others.
• 2×A5 → A5 (landscape) - a horizontal folder for product presentations, sales cards and manuals.
• 2×A4 → A4 (landscape) - a larger piece for company presentations, sales offers and trade fair material.
• 3×A4 → A4 - a capacious variant intended for fuller content, presentations and offers.

If you do not know which format will suit, think above all about how much content is to go inside and how the finished leaflet will reach the recipient. A stand needs one format, an envelope another, and an extensive menu or presentation another again.

The papers we print on

We make folded leaflets on several proven papers, from light variants for larger runs to thicker substrates intended for more presentable material.

The options are:

• Coated 135 gsm - light and economical. It works well for information material, promotional folders and larger runs intended for wide distribution.
• Coated 170 gsm - a little stiffer and more solid. A versatile choice for advertising folders, service presentations and company material.
• Coated 250 gsm - a thicker paper with more of a card character. It suits offers, menus, vouchers and material that should look more presentable.
• Coated 350 gsm - a very stiff paper for invitations, menu cards and more demanding image material.
• DCP Satin 300 gsm - a paper with an elegant satin finish, suiting service presentations, offers and leaflets with a more presentable character.

Thicker paper behaves differently during folding than light stock. With higher weights, correctly prepared fold lines and keeping texts and other important elements away from the folds matter especially.

Printing and film finishing

We print folded leaflets always double-sided and in full colour.

With folded material, using both sides of the sheet is the natural solution. Once folded, the panels form the cover, the inside and the back of the folder, so each part can carry different information.

For thicker papers, one- or two-sided lamination is also available. You can choose:

• No film - the natural surface of the paper, suitable for standard information material.
• Gloss film - strengthens colours and emphasises photographs. It suits promotional designs meant to be expressive.
• Matt film - gives a calmer, more restrained look and limits reflections. It suits company folders and more elegant offers.
• Soft Touch velvet film - creates a soft surface that is pleasant to the touch. It works for vouchers, menu cards and more presentable material.

The availability of lamination depends on the paper chosen. You will see the specific variants directly in the calculator.

Creasing - why it matters

Before folding we crease the leaflet, that is make an even, controlled indentation in the paper exactly where the fold will be.

The sheet then folds at the intended place and keeps its shape more easily. Creasing also reduces the risk of the printed surface cracking unattractively along the fold.

That matters particularly with thicker papers and laminated material. A stiff sheet folded without a prepared crease could bend unevenly, and cracks could appear on the surface at the fold.

Proper creasing gives an even, predictable result, so it is an important part of producing folded leaflets.

What folded leaflets suit

This is a very versatile form of printed material. Folded leaflets can serve as:

• an advertising folder,
• a mini catalogue,
• a service card,
• a menu card,
• a price list,
• an information booklet,
• an invitation,
• an event programme,
• a promotional card,
• a manual,
• trade fair material.

They are used by restaurants, hotels, surgeries, beauty salons, clinics, travel agencies, schools, universities, institutions, shops and event organisers.

They work best wherever there is too much information for a plain flat leaflet but no need for a larger catalogue or brochure.

Preparing the file - three variants to choose from

When placing an order you choose one of three ways of preparing the file:

• No checking - the file goes straight into production. A variant for agencies, designers and people confident that the artwork was correctly prepared both for printing and for later folding.
• Checking by a graphic designer - we check the technical preparation of the file: the format, bleed, safe distances from the trim and fold lines, the arrangement of panels, the quality of graphics, the colour and the way the file is saved. The check does not cover the content, such as typos, prices, numbers, dates or terms and conditions. Their correctness is the customer's responsibility.
• Simple graphic design - if you have no finished file, send texts, a logo, photographs and basic guidance. We will prepare a legible design matched to the chosen format and folding method.

Checking is particularly worth choosing when the artwork was prepared in Canva, an online generator or with AI tools. Such files can have problems with bleed, the size of the design or the correct arrangement of panels.

How to prepare the artwork for print

Before starting the design, download the technical specification and template for the chosen variant. With folded leaflets that is particularly important, because besides the format and bleed you also have to allow for the fold positions, the order of the panels and the folding direction.

Best send a PDF prepared in line with our specification. We also accept good quality JPG and PNG files.

Photographs and graphics should be at 300 dpi at 1:1 scale, and the artwork should be prepared in CMYK.

Keep texts, logos, QR codes, phone numbers, addresses and all other important elements away from both the edge of the sheet and the fold lines. Information placed exactly on a fold can become harder to read once the finished piece is made.

If you are not sure whether the panel layout and fold lines were prepared correctly, choose checking by a graphic designer or a simple design.

See also

If you are looking for material with a more natural character, see folded leaflets on eco papers. For more presentable work there are also Prestige folded leaflets.

If you do not need extra panels and a single flat sheet is enough, see classic single-sheet leaflets.