Help With Understanding the Different Types of Leaflet Fold

If you’ve ever needed to print leaflets, then you will understand the confusion that can often occur in regards to the various configurations and sizes of leaflet. Most people assume that the world of leaflets is relatively straightforward: you just print on a piece of paper and fold it to the size you want, don’t you? Yes, however, there are many different types of leaflet fold, and this can be confusing. Below, we’re going to look at some of the most common types of leaflet fold and explain a little bit about their use and suitability for various purposes.

Tri Fold

A tri-fold is the common form of letter folding. Here, an A4 sheet is folded into three panels. There are two different types of fold within the letter fold and each has slightly different advantages depending on the use of the leaflet or letter:

1.       Z-fold: when folded the A4 sheet makes a Z-shape from a side-on view. These are useful for businesses that offer different types of services and who want to show clear separations between each. For example, a beautician may ask for a z-fold leaflet for their price list. They may have a panel for haircutting prices, nail price, and tan prices, for instance.

2.       U-fold: when folded the A4 sheet makes a U-shape from a side-on view. These are useful for businesses who want their customers to be able to see as much information at once. For example, a restaurant may use such a leaflet to show their customers their main meals. To make it easier for their customers to choose, they use a U-fold. A U-fold is also referred to as a gatefold, particularly in America. This can be confusing when doing business between countries, so just remember that the terms are interchangeable.

Both z-fold and u-fold are suitable for businesses that send letters as the address block will show in the window of a standard DL (letter size) envelope.

Half Fold

However, if you are sending business letters in a C5 envelope (equivalent to A5), then you would not use a Tri-fold, instead, you would use a half-fold, which is self-explanatory.

Accordion Fold

The accordion or z pocket media cards are better for times when businesses want their leaflets to stand out from the crowd. Z pocket media cards come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but what they share in common is their accordion-like folding and unfolding. They are often used for things like maps because a lot of information can be squeezed into a relatively short space.

Bespoke Fold

Some businesses will request bespoke folds. For example, there are some complicated geometric folds (think origami). Clearly, if you want something a little more interesting, you will need to talk to a specialist, as it requires specialist equipment.

We hope that you have found this article informative, and that you now have a much better understanding of the various types of leaflet available and their possible uses.

If you would like to learn more about the z pocket media cards mentioned above, then please visit http://www.alpha-card.co.uk/products.

How to Design Leaflets to Grab the Attention of Your Audience

Leaflets are an essential means of promotion. Businesses use them frequently to promote their products and services. Given the fact that so many businesses use them, it is important that each create leaflets that stand out from the crowds. Otherwise, the message may be lost in the overwhelming volumes of information coming from the competition. In order to maximise your return on investment, it is important that you take the time to plan your leaflets carefully. A designer can help you to do this, but there are things that you can do yourself, and we are going to explain more in the following paragraphs. 

Colour Schemes

You need to be aware of several things when choosing the colour of your leaflet:

1.       If they look good, choose your company colours. By associating you company colours with the leaflets you will create greater brand awareness than if you were to use other colours. People are much better with visual cues, such as colour schemes.

2.       You need to make sure that you colours are complementary or contrasting. This will help the leaflet to stand out. Be careful with contrasting colours, though, as they can sometimes look tacky.

3.       Avoid using more than three colours. It has creates a confusing visual effect and will turn people off.

Attention Grabbing Titles/Key Features

Many leaflets will sport the company logo at the top of the page. This is wrong because it grabs people’s attention in the wrong way. Nobody cares about which business is offering the product/service, all the customer will be concerned with is the promotion. If somebody sees a leaflet and it says ‘The Training Link’, people will not pick it up and read as much as they would a leaflet titled ‘Free App Development Course’; or, ‘The Computer Seller’ and ‘50% of Mac Book Pro’.

You need to tell people what you can offer them as soon as possible. We have very short attention spans in the modern world, because we are constantly bombarded by information. Our minds jump from one thing to the next, and only things that stand out will be noted.

Be Original in Design

As stated above, you need something that can grab the attention because we are all constantly scanning the environment for information, and only the truly salient stuff stands out. When creating your leaflet, then, it makes sense to think outside the box. You can do that in plenty of ways, but here are a few ideas:

·         Make your leaflets a bespoke shape. For example, you are trying to advertise a monkey sanctuary, so you have the leaflet shaped like money.

·         Have a gimmick. A Chinese restaurant may shape their leaflets like a fortune cookie, and they can add a scratch-off section, like a scratch card, that reveals a fortune. People love those things.

·         Use a different fold. Most leaflets are flat or tri fold, but there are other folds, such as the accordion fold. The accordion fold leaflets, or pocket folding cards as they are generallyknown, are small and quirky. Pocket folding cards can fit a lot of information in a small space, and this makes them very appealing.

We hope that you can now appreciate a little more about the importance of creating a decent leaflet, and that you understand a little of what this entails. If you would like further information, including information about pocket folding cards, then please visit http://www.alpha-card.co.uk/products.