What is a roll fold (tri-fold)?
In short
A roll fold, often called a tri-fold or letter fold, folds a sheet twice in the same direction so the end panels roll in on top of each other. An A4 sheet roll folded gives a DL leaflet with six panels.
A roll fold is a folded leaflet where both folds go the same way, so one end panel tucks inside and the other wraps over it like a roll. It is the fold most people mean by "tri-fold". We roll fold A4 sheets (297 x 210mm flat) down to DL, which gives three panels on each side of the sheet.
Why one panel is narrower
The panel that folds inside has to tuck in under the others, so it is made slightly narrower. If all three panels were the same width, that inner panel would bump against the fold and the leaflet would not close flat. When the sheet is turned over, the narrow panel ends up at the opposite end, so the inside layout mirrors the outside. Our folded leaflet template shows exactly where each fold falls, so start from it rather than dividing the page into equal thirds.
How it compares
| Fold | Folds | Panels | Finished size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half fold | 1 | 4 | A5 |
| Roll fold | 2, same direction | 6 | DL |
| Z fold | 2, alternate directions | 6 | DL |
Setting up the artwork
Add 3mm bleed on every edge, keep text 5mm from the trim and 5mm either side of each fold, and supply the outside and inside as two pages. A roll-folded DL leaflet fits a DL envelope (110 x 220mm). Roll folds suit content read in sequence: a cover, an opening panel, then three inside panels that open out together. Our folded leaflet guide compares the three folds.