A gatefold is a type of fold used in printing and publishing where a piece of paper or cardstock is folded in such a way that the two outer sections are folded inward to meet at the center, creating a double-page spread that opens like a gate.
This type of fold is commonly used for brochures, leaflets, and other promotional materials where a large, impactful visual or text can be displayed when the gatefold is opened.
Gatefolds can be used to showcase images, maps, charts, or other important information that can be revealed when the gatefold is opened, making them an effective way to grab attention and engage readers.
Sometimes a Gatefolded piece is folded inward one more time, along a central crease. This method is called a Closed Gatefold or Double Gatefold. The Closed Gatefold method creates eight panels – four panels on each side of the paper. All panels are roughly the same width.
Gatefold vs Double Gatefold.
A Gatefold and a Double Gatefold are two distinct folding techniques used to create multiple panels on a piece of paper. Here’s a comparison between the two:
- Gatefold: This method employs two parallel folds to produce six panels, with three panels on each side of the paper. The left and right panels are roughly half the width of the center panels and fold inward to meet in the middle without overlapping.
- Double Gatefold: Similar to the Gatefold, the Double Gatefold also uses two parallel folds. However, it creates eight panels, with four panels on each side of the paper. All panels are approximately the same width, and the left and right panels fold inward to meet in the middle without overlapping.
In summary, the key difference between a Gatefold and a Double Gatefold is the number of panels produced: six panels for a Gatefold and eight panels for a Double Gatefold.
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Take care!
Jeff @ New York Printing Center
