Folded Leaflet Printing UK - More Space to Organise Your Message

When a flat flyer does not give you enough room, a folded leaflet creates a compact, professional way to organise more information without moving to a stapled booklet or brochure.

SM Print produces folded leaflets in half fold, roll fold, concertina fold and gate fold formats. Choose from A3, A4, A5 and A6 flat sheet sizes, a wide range of uncoated, silk and gloss papers, and single or double-sided printing. Most folded leaflets are printed on both sides so every panel can work as part of the message.

Use them for menus, price lists, service guides, product information, event programmes, instructions, tourist information, sales literature, takeaway menus, invitations and promotional handouts. Bespoke sizes and unusual folds can also be quoted offline.

Half-fold leaflets

A straightforward fold for menus, information sheets and promotional handouts.

Tri-fold leaflets

Present your message across six panels in a compact, easy-to-carry format.

C-Fold leaflets

C-fold (also known as roll fold) or Z-fold (concertina fold) — the choice is yours.

Menus and price lists

Keep your services, prices and offers together in one handy leaflet.

Visitor and event guides

Help visitors discover what’s on and where to go.

Product and service guides

Give customers a clear introduction to what your business offers.

Choose Your Fold, Paper & Quantity

Why Choose a Folded Leaflet?

A fold does more than make a sheet smaller. It creates a reading sequence. A front panel can introduce the message, inside panels can explain products or services, and the final panel can carry contact details, directions, a QR code or a clear call to action.

Folded leaflets sit neatly between a flat flyer and a bound booklet: more organised space than a flat sheet, but still compact, lightweight and easy to hand out, post, insert or display.

Choose the Fold That Fits Your Content

The best fold is the one that helps the reader understand the information. SM Print keeps the standard range focused on four genuinely useful formats rather than presenting customers with an unnecessarily complicated list.

Half Fold Leaflets - Simple, Familiar and Versatile

A half fold is the simplest format. One fold creates four panels: front cover, two inside panels and back cover. It behaves much like a small brochure or greetings card.

It works particularly well for menus, price lists, programmes, invitations and short company introductions. It can also be used for notelet-style cards, printed on the outside and left blank inside for handwriting.

Roll Fold / C Fold Leaflets - Guide the Reader Through the Message

A roll fold - commonly called a C fold or letter fold - uses parallel folds in the same direction so one panel folds inside another. This creates a natural sequence and works particularly well for information that should be revealed in stages.

Typical uses include takeaway menus, service brochures, price lists, product ranges and step-by-step guides. Because an inner panel needs room to tuck inside, panel widths may need adjustment rather than being three identical columns. Use the SM Print template for the exact specification.

Concertina / Z Fold Leaflets - Give Every Panel a Job

A concertina fold alternates backwards and forwards to create a zig-zag or accordion shape. In a common three-panel form it is also known as a Z fold.

This is useful for timelines, multiple services, event schedules, instructions, maps and product ranges because individual panels can work as distinct sections.

Gate Fold Leaflets - Create a Reveal

A gate fold uses two outer panels that fold inward towards the centre. The closed leaflet can create two front 'doors' which open to reveal the main message, image or offer.

It is a strong choice for invitations, launches, premium promotions and product introductions. Use the exact template for the selected configuration rather than estimating panel widths.

Flat Size vs Finished Folded Size

A common ordering mistake is confusing the flat sheet size with the size after folding. On this product, A3, A4, A5 and A6 describe the sheet before it is folded unless the live selector explicitly states otherwise.

Roll, concertina and gate folds can produce different finished dimensions depending on orientation and panel arrangement. Always use the dimensions shown for the exact product or artwork template.

Paper Options for Folded Leaflets

The best paper depends on how the leaflet will be used and how substantial it needs to feel. SM Print offers uncoated, silk and gloss stocks from lightweight promotional papers through to heavier card-like options.

Uncoated Paper

Natural, non-shiny and useful where writing on the leaflet matters.

• 100gsm - lightweight and economical.
• 120gsm - practical everyday uncoated leaflet.
• 160gsm - more substantial while still folded directly in our standard process.
• 200gsm, 250gsm and 300gsm - heavier options that are creased before folding.

Silk Paper

Smooth coated paper with a restrained sheen; a strong all-round business choice.

• 150gsm and 170gsm - excellent everyday marketing stocks.
• 200gsm - more substantial and creased before folding.
• 250gsm, 300gsm, 350gsm and 400gsm - increasingly card-like premium options, subject to fold and size.

Gloss Paper

A shinier coated surface suited to strong colour and photography.

• 150gsm, 170gsm, 200gsm, 250gsm, 300gsm, 350gsm and 400gsm are available subject to the selected configuration.

Why Heavier Folded Leaflets Are Creased First

SM Print folds suitable papers up to 160gsm directly. From 200gsm upwards, the sheet is creased before folding. Creasing creates a controlled line in heavier stock before the fold is made, helping it fold more accurately and reducing cracking or an untidy fold, particularly on coated papers or areas with heavier ink coverage.

Customers do not need to add a crease line to artwork: choose the available stock and fold and the appropriate production method is used.

Single or Double-Sided Printing

Folded leaflets are normally most effective double-sided because every panel becomes useful space. Single-sided printing is also available where the project calls for it. Notelet cards are a good example: the outside can carry branding or an image while the inside remains blank for handwriting.

Lamination for Premium Folded Pieces

Matt, gloss and soft-touch lamination are available on suitable silk and gloss papers from 200gsm upwards. Lamination is most useful for pieces intended to be kept, handled repeatedly or presented as a premium item.

Matt lamination

Smooth, lower-sheen and understated.

Gloss lamination

Shiny and strong for photography and bold colour.

Soft-touch lamination

Velvety and tactile for premium invitations and presentation pieces.

For ordinary promotional leaflets, lamination is often unnecessary. If handwriting matters, unlaminated uncoated paper is usually the more practical choice.

Quantities for Short Runs and Larger Campaigns

Folded leaflet quantities are generally lower than equivalent flat flyers because folding adds another production stage, but SM Print can still handle substantial campaigns.

• A4 sheets folded to A5 or DL - up to approximately 2,500 copies.
• A5 folded leaflets - up to approximately 5,000 copies.
• A6 folded leaflets - up to approximately 10,000 copies.
• Other sizes, folds and quantities - use the live calculator or contact SM Print for a bespoke quotation.

What Are Folded Leaflets Used For?

Menus and takeaway menus

Organise food, drinks, prices and ordering information into clear sections.

What Are Folded Leaflets Used For?

Menus and Takeaway Menus

Organise food, drinks, prices and ordering information into clear sections.

Service and Price Guides

Give each service or price group its own panel and reserve a final panel for contact details.

Product Information

Introduce a range, explain benefits and guide the reader towards the next step.

Event Programmes and Schedules

Concertina folds work particularly well when panels represent times, stages or parts of a programme.

Tourism and Visitor Information

Create portable guides containing attractions, maps, directions and useful contacts.

Instructions and Step-by-Step Guides

Roll or concertina folds can turn a process into a logical sequence.

Invitations and Launches

Half folds and gate folds provide a more considered opening experience.

Sales Literature

Use the front to create interest, inside panels to build the proposition and the back for the next action.

Design the Leaflet Around the Fold

A folded leaflet should not be designed as a flat flyer with fold lines added afterwards. The folds are part of the communication.

• Decide which panel is the front cover before designing.
• Plan the order in which the reader will open and view panels.
• Give each panel a clear purpose.
• Keep important text, logos, faces and QR codes away from folds.
• Do not assume roll-fold panels are equal; the tuck-in panel may need to be narrower.
• Use gate folds deliberately so the closed panels create interest before the centre reveal.
• Print a simple paper mock-up and fold it before finalising complex artwork.

Artwork Setup for Folded Leaflets

Folded artwork needs more care than a flat flyer because fold position, panel order and orientation affect the finished result. Use the correct SM Print template for the exact size and fold whenever available.

• Supply a print-ready PDF at the exact flat sheet size.
• Add 3mm bleed around the outside trim edges where artwork runs to the edge.
• Keep important content safely clear of trim and fold lines.
• Aim for 300dpi images at final printed size.
• Prepare colour in CMYK where possible and embed fonts.
• Supply both sides for double-sided leaflets and check orientation.
• For roll folds, use confirmed panel dimensions rather than equal thirds.
• For gate folds, use the exact template.
• Do not add printer marks unless requested.
• Print and physically fold a proof before upload where possible.

A separate SM Print Folded Leaflet Artwork Guide should be linked immediately beside the artwork upload step.

How to Order Folded Leaflets

Step 1 - Choose the Flat Size, Fold, Paper and Quantity

Select A3, A4, A5 or A6, then choose half, roll, concertina or gate fold, paper, printed sides, finishing where available and quantity.

Step 2 - Upload Your Artwork

After choosing the specification and quantity, upload print-ready artwork prepared for the exact fold.

Step 3 - Complete Your Order

Review the specification, delivery details and artwork before checkout.

Step 4 - Print, Crease Where Required and Fold

Stocks up to 160gsm can be folded directly where suitable; 200gsm and heavier stocks are creased before folding.

Step 5 - Pack and Dispatch

The completed leaflets are packed and dispatched using the delivery option shown.

Working to a Deadline?

If your folded leaflets are needed for an event, launch, menu change, mailing or another genuine deadline, tell us when you need them. We do not advertise one blanket turnaround because production time varies with paper, quantity, fold and lamination.

We will always do our best to accommodate genuine deadlines and tell you what is realistically achievable. For time-critical work, contact SM Print before ordering.

Need a Bespoke Size or Fold?

The online product is intentionally focused on useful standard combinations, but not every project fits a dropdown menu. SM Print is happy to discuss custom sheet sizes, finished sizes, unusual fold configurations and quantities not currently priced online.

Send us the dimensions, preferred paper, fold idea, quantity and deadline and we can advise on feasibility and provide a bespoke quotation.

Folded Leaflets vs Flat Flyers vs Booklets

Turn One Sheet into a Better-Organised Message

A good folded leaflet gives information structure. Choose your flat size, fold, paper and quantity, upload artwork prepared for that fold, and order online with SM Print. For custom sizes, unusual folds or genuine deadlines, contact us to establish what is practical.

Order Your Folded Leaflets