Guide

to Folding
Types 1 2 3 4 5
Within the eight broad folding
families there are dozens of
variations of styles, some simple
and others as complicated as
origami. Shown here is a sampler
Double Parallel
of styles, color-coded by family 4-Page Standard Reverse Accordion with Fold-in Double Gate Letter Fold into Double Parallel
and ranked in terms of complexity. Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 1 Level 2
Although there are too many
variables to provide a reliable
cost comparison, it can generally
be assumed that the more
difficult the fold, the longer the

9
production time and greater the
cost. For a detailed explanation
of all folding styles within 6 7 8 10
each folding family and how
the folds are achieved, we
recommend the book, FOLD:
The Professional’s Guide
to Folding, available from
Back Opening Double
foldfactory.com.
Front Opening Triple Parallel Letter into Roll L-Cross Parallel with Outside Short Fold Vertical Letter with Exposed Flap
Level 3 Level 3 Specialty Level 2 Level 1

11 12 13 15
14 16

Front-Opening Double Parallel Tent with Short Fold 2-Story Map Asymmetrical Roll 8-Page Broadside Semi-Gate
Level 1 Level 1 Level 3 Level 3 Level 1 Level 3

17 18 19 20 21
22
Front-Opening Reverse Roll
Iron Cross Fold Triple Parallel Accordion with Short Inside Fold Checkbook Accordion into Accordion Angled Accordion
Specialty Level 2 Level 2 Specialty Level 2 Level 2

23 24 25 26 28
27

Roll Fold Gate Fold Gate into Double Parallel Wrapped Accordion Triangle 3-Story Map
Level 1 Level 3 Specialty Level 3 Specialty Level 3

34
29 30 31 32 33

Letter into Accordion Double Parallel with Center Fold Open Gate Broadside Letter Accordion with Fold-In Box Top
Level 3 Level 2 Specialty Level 2 Level 2 Specialty

Folding Families
• Accordion Family
• Basic Family
• Exotic Family
• Gate Family

35 36 37 38 39 • Map Family
• Parallel Family
• Poster Family
• Roll Family

Fold Complexity Levels

Level 1 – standard, easy set
Vertical Semi-Gate up on the folding machine, fast
Accordion Corner Folder 10-page Parallel Gate into Gate with Center Fold
machine running speed.
Level 1 Specialty Level 3 Level 3 Level 3
Level 2 – moderate makeready,
possibly slower folding
machine speed, some special
considerations.
Level 3 – longer and more

42 43 difficult makeready, possibly

40 41 44 requires special machinery,

slower folding speed, need for
greater bindery expertise.
Specialty – unconventional,
possibly involves hand-folding,
special equipment, processes
and considerations, extra
Accordion
Double Parallel Gate Double Accordion Map with Outside Short Fold Broadside Vertical Roll 4-page Pop-up production time, may require
Level 3 Level 3 Level 2 Level 2 Specialty services of a specialty bindery.

Folding styles presented on this poster are from the FOLDRite™ system. To learn more about FOLDRite, visit www.foldfactory.com/what_is_foldrite O PUS W E B MATTE TE XT 60L B