Folded Leaflets

instantprint offers six folding styles: Half Fold, C-Fold, Z-Fold, Cross Fold, Roll Fold and Concertina Fold.

Each fold opens differently, so you can choose how customers read your design. Half Folds work well for menus and programmes; C-Folds and Z-Folds are popular for promotional brochures; and Cross, Roll and Concertina Folds are useful for maps, guides and information presented across several panels.

Both have six printable panels, but they fold and open differently.

C-Fold: The panels fold inward, with one panel tucked inside the leaflet. This works well for menus, service guides and traditional promotional brochures.

Z-Fold: The panels fold alternately in a zig-zag, allowing your design to unfold in stages. This suits event schedules, product showcases and step-by-step information.

Choose based on how you want your audience to discover the information, rather than on page count alone.

The flat size is the full sheet before folding. The finished size is the size of the leaflet after it has been folded.

For example, an A4 Half Fold leaflet is 420 × 297mm when flat (A3) and 210 × 297mm when folded (A4).

When selecting a size, check the finished dimensions and corresponding flat artwork size in the product's folding guide.

The best choice depends on the look and feel you want:

• Silk: Smooth, with a subtle sheen. A versatile choice for professional brochures and marketing leaflets.
• Gloss: A shinier finish that helps photographs and vibrant designs stand out.
• Uncoated: A natural, matt feel that is easier to write on, making it useful for forms and information leaflets.

Paper weight also matters. Lighter stocks are well suited to everyday promotions, while heavier stocks feel more substantial. Check the product options for the weights available with your chosen fold.

Choose a fold that matches the way your content should be read:

• Cross Fold: Folds a larger sheet into a compact format, making it particularly useful for maps and site plans.
• Roll Fold: Reveals panels one at a time, ideal for instructions, service guides and information in a set sequence.
• Concertina Fold: Opens out in a continuous zig-zag, making it effective for timelines, exhibition guides and visual storytelling.

For a shorter brochure divided into distinct sections, a C-Fold or Z-Fold may be all you need.

For folded leaflets, each printable panel on each side counts as a page. The number depends on the folding style:

• Half Fold: 4 pages
• C-Fold and Z-Fold: 6 pages
• Cross Fold, Roll Fold and Concertina Fold: 8 pages

These are all produced from a folded sheet, rather than separate bound pages.

Yes. Your instantprint folded leaflets arrive professionally folded and ready to use, so there's no need to fold them yourself.

They're ready to hand out at events, place in displays or include with customer orders.

Create your design at the flat, unfolded size of your selected leaflet and arrange the panels in the correct reading order.

Use the free artwork template for your chosen fold wherever possible. It helps show where panels, fold lines and safe areas sit, so important content ends up in the right place.

For clear print results, supply a high-resolution PDF, ideally with images at 300dpi, colours in CMYK and fonts embedded or outlined. Check the digital proof carefully before approving your design.

Add 3mm bleed beyond the outer trim edges and keep important text, logos and design elements at least 3mm inside the finished trim line.

Avoid placing small text or essential details directly across fold lines. Always use the artwork template for your selected fold, as panel widths and positions may differ between styles.

Yes. Panel order matters because each folding style opens differently. A C-Fold has a panel that folds inside, whereas a Z-Fold opens in alternating directions.

If you place your design on the wrong panels, the text and images may appear in an unexpected order once folded. Download the template for your chosen style and check both sides of the artwork against your proof before approval.

Choose your size, folding style, paper and quantity, then add the folded leaflets to your basket. You'll be prompted to upload your completed design through instantprint's artwork uploader.

Review the digital proof before approving it, paying particular attention to panel order, text near folds and the finished orientation. If you haven't created your design yet, use the artwork template for your selected size and fold as a starting point.

Selected folded leaflet configurations can be enhanced with finishes such as lamination, metallic foil or Spot UV.

Lamination changes the surface look and feel, while foil and Spot UV can highlight logos, headings and design details. Availability depends on the paper stock and product options you select, so check the choices shown in the builder before preparing your artwork.

If you use foil or Spot UV, follow the relevant artwork guide and keep important embellishments away from trim edges and fold lines.

Delivery depends on the folded leaflet specifications and turnaround service you choose. Express options may be available on eligible orders, while other combinations follow standard production times.

Check the delivery date shown in the product builder or at checkout, and make sure you approve your artwork before the cutoff for the selected service. Working-day deadlines and availability can vary by configuration.

Yes. If you need more than one design, add each version to your basket as a separate item.

For example, you can order different promotions, branch details or event programmes in one checkout. Select the correct quantity and specifications for each design, then upload the matching artwork for each item.

Paper folded leaflets without lamination, foiling or Spot UV can generally be recycled with paper and card.

Special finishes may affect what your local recycling service accepts, so check local guidance for your specific leaflet. If recyclability is a priority, consider an unlaminated paper option.

Many standard printed leaflets qualify for zero-rated VAT, but certain designs, uses or finishes may be subject to VAT.

For more detail, read instantprint's VAT on printing guide.