Folded

Have you ever thought about the way something was folded? Have you ever even noticed it? Well all of the pamphlets and brochures you hold may be in different types of folds.

There are plenty of folds you can do and some of you may know about folds already, especially if you are into origami. Folds can convey a different experience and appearance to what you have designed. For this reason we are talking about folds because creating an experience for your user is immensely important in this ever growing user-centered world. Even though many can be used for similar, if not the same things, they still change the interaction the user engages when they open the brochure or pamphlet.

So if you’re stressed or just need to take a minute for yourself then grab some papers. Go back to your younger years and follow along in these folds and fold some for yourself.

Half Folds

Half folds are pretty self-explanatory. Take a piece of paper and hold it in half, hot dog or hamburger whichever is more your style, but it is generally done the hamburger way. This fold is good for cards, invites, price lists, menus, programs, booklets, bulletins, flyers/brochures, or announcements.

Tri-Fold

Tri-folds are, like a lot really, pretty self-explanatory. It is able to be used for statements, durable pamphlets, specials, flyers/brochures, price list. To do this fold fold the paper into equal thirds and there you have it.

Z-Fold

This fold has the same fold lines as the tri-fold we just spoke about; however, both flaps should not fold inward but one folded behind. This fold is again good for special offers and flyers/brochures.

4-Panel Accordion Fold

This has the same feel as the z-fold but has an extra fold in it and if looking at the thin edges should make a “M” or “W” shape. First fold the paper in half and each of those halves in half. make sure that they alternate their folded direction.

3-Panel Gate Fold

This fold gives the look of gates opening when well, opening. When folding the center of the paper must be known without making a crease. Then each opposite end is folded to the center.

Double Gate Fold

This fold is similar to the one above except it has an extra fold. So rather than the center panel of the 3-panel being half of the whole paper size, it is folded in half. Making each fold fold inward to the center.

Roll Fold

A roll fold can be rather confusing to understand because it seems to simply be the double gate fold; however, the folds roll into the other (the image makes it seem as though the flaps are different sizes, but they are the same size).

Double Parallel Fold

Once again another fold similar to the others. This has the 3 creases, one in the center and then each half creased in half, causing the folds to encase each other.

Vertical Half Fold

You guessed it! it’s a good old half fold except it is hot dog fold. I assume you don’t need an image for this but if you do view the image under the heading Map Fold, bottom left corner.

French Fold

The French fold is when the paper is folded in half hot dog style first and then (still in the hot dog fold) folded in half hamburger style.

Map Fold

Map fold is when the paper is folded in half hamburger style and then folded into thirds the other way. (see map fold on bottom right)

Get Crazy with it!

Now the folds mentioned above are just common folds for printed materials but that doesn’t mean you can’t change it up or do something crazy and different. There are circle lock gates, diagonal wraps, circular accordions, and corner folder open gate.

If you are looking for a unique way to engage and delight your users don’t forget about the way items are folded, it may make a huge change! To find more ideas on folds visit: foldfactory.com

Send it in an Envelope

Envelopes seem like this monotonous ugly thing that true adults seem to have around. But once you take a closer look at what they are for and how they help get things from here to there, they aren’t half bad.

As a designer and soon to be new business world adult I’ve learned a bit about how envelopes are needed and important for companies and businesses. Through google searches and print/paper companies, MOO and Neenah Paper, I have learned about different types of envelopes, when to use them, and how fun looking they can be! So let’s just tear right in shall we?

Commercial

As commercial envelopes were designed for machine insertion, allowing a machine to quickly inset a large amount of letters into envelopes in a shorter amount of time, it makes them ideal for invoices, direct mail, and all those “To Resident” or auto name filled letters. Sometimes people will use them for sending out their personal letterheads to a client or for the everyday personal use. The most common size for these are #10’s. What does that mean? Well, envelopes have standard sizes 4 1/8 inches high by 9 1/2 inches long a #10 means that it is meant to hold a normal old 8 1/5 by 11 inch paper.

Still kind of confusing? Don’t worry I get it.

Square Flap

Now a square flap is not a whole envelope as I’m sure the word flap may have tipped you off, but none the less important to know. When folding closed the envelope the flap you fold can be a commercial flap which is the triangle shape or as we are stating here a square flap meaning it will be parallel to the sides of the envelope. (view bottom right envelope on image below, side-seamed).

As I stated before #10’s (commercial envelopes) are designed for machine insertion. Whether or not that #10 has a square flap or not determines if it can be used in a machine. Often times these are used for smaller audiences mailings and are better suited for personalization with thermography, engraving, etc.

Side-Seamed

A side-seam is part of four common seams, center, diagonal, side, and weld. But let’s focus on side-seams. The seams I am speaking of are how the envelope was folded to make the shape. Being the parts that fold onto each-other to be glued and held together. Seams can be placed on the inside or outside of the envelope. These types of seams are often used because of the wide space they allow for on the back of the envelope making it ideal for extra printing!

A-Style & Square

Remember getting your family-friends wedding or graduation invite? Or that one family member’s, the one you aren’t to sure how you’re related to? Well this is the type of envelope you more than likely got the invite in as these are commonly used for social announcements, invitations, and maybe even some promotional pieces.

Square styled envelopes are practically the same thing as A-styled envelopes. They do command attention against the typical rectangle with their durability, allowing you to add 3D accents to your invites, and a modern square shaping for the envelope and flap.

Business Announcement

These types are typical for businesses, booklets, and informal invitations due to the large available colors and finishes. They tend to have square flaps, as noted at the beginning, and are often more square in overall shape.

Booklet

Booklet envelopes are great for heavy-duty mailing such as annual reports, sales materials, and proposals. These have side openings making them able to be used in automatic insertion mailing, just like #10 envelopes.

Catalog

These are very similar to the booklets in that they are great for heavy-duty mailing materials. Where they differ is that catalogs are great for presentation material, catalogs, and multi documents. But the biggest difference is where the booklet opens on the long side, the catalog opens on the short edge. (See example above).

Now that wasn’t too bad, was it?

This is just a portion of the world of envelopes, there are plenty of opportunities find more and create more. As a designer and for anyone who has their own business knowing what types of envelops I have around is important.

I stated in my More Than Just a Piece of Paper I mentioned how paper can make an impact in a users experience through the feeling and visual of the paper choice. This can also extend into you envelope (smaller use needs) by having envelopes purchased or custom made in your brand’s paper. Doing so allows the experience through multiple levels for clients as well as setting a rememberable standard for your brand. After all the graphic logo (graphic identity) and name (typographic identity) are only a portion of the brand.

Now you’ll know what type of envelope you need next time you’re at the store rather than staring blankly at all the options. Have fun mailing!