If you need more room than a flyer but do not want a complicated multi-fold format, single fold leaflet printing offers a clear and practical solution. It creates four panels from one sheet, giving you space to introduce an organisation, explain a service, promote an event or present key information in a logical order.
What is a single-fold leaflet
A single-fold leaflet, also known as a half-fold leaflet or bi-fold leaflet, is printed on both sides of a flat sheet and folded once down the centre.
That single fold creates four panels:
- A front cover
- Two inside panels
- A back cover
The paper size refers to the flat, unfolded sheet, not the finished folded size.
The available flat sizes work as follows:
- Flat A5 folds to A6
- Flat A4 folds to A5
- Flat A3 folds to A4
So, an A4 folded leaflet printing project starts with an A4 sheet and produces a compact A5 finished leaflet. An A5 folded leaflet printing project starts with an A5 sheet and produces an A6 finished leaflet.
“Paper size is when the leaflet is laid out flat.”
: ABC Service product instructions
This format should not be confused with accordion, C, Z, gatefold or double-fold leaflets. Each of those uses a different folding pattern and creates a different panel sequence. A single-fold leaflet has one centre fold only.
View the single-fold leaflet printing product
How the four panels can organise your message
The main benefit of single fold leaflets is their straightforward structure. Readers can open the leaflet naturally and follow the information without having to work out a complex fold sequence.
A useful layout could be:
- Front cover – your organisation name, main heading and a concise introduction
- Inside panel one – background information, key services or the problem you help solve
- Inside panel two – supporting details, features, photographs, diagrams or practical information
- Back cover – contact details, website address, location and a clear next step
This structure works well for:
- Service brochures
- Company information
- Event programmes
- Property information
- Product overviews
- Fundraising campaigns
- Community information
- Training handouts
- Promotional campaigns
The format is particularly useful when your message needs explanation rather than just a short headline. The two inside panels can work together as a broad information area, while the front and back provide a clear introduction and conclusion.
Choosing a flat size
The best size depends on how much information you need to include and how the finished leaflet will be handled.
A5 folded to A6
This is the most compact option. It suits short company profiles, event information, fundraising messages and promotional handouts where portability matters.
A4 folded to A5
This provides a useful balance between writing space and a manageable finished format. It is suitable for service brochures, training information, property details and product overviews.
A3 folded to A4
This gives the most room for diagrams, maps, photographs and more detailed information. It can be useful when your leaflet needs to explain a process or present several related services.
Remember that all three choices describe the flat sheet. The finished folded size is half the width of the unfolded sheet when folded down the centre.
Paper and board options explained
The live product configuration includes a broad selection of paper, board and specialist media. The right choice depends on the intended use, appearance and level of durability required.
Available options include:
- 130gsm Silk
- 150gsm Silk
- 250gsm Silk
- 350gsm Silk
- 120gsm Uncoated
- 300gsm Uncoated
- 140gsm Gesso
- 300gsm Gesso
- 400gsm Artboard
- 280gsm Kraft
- Waterproof 260gsm, 195 Mic
- Waterproof 365gsm, 270 Mic
What gsm means
Gsm means grams per square metre. It is a simple way of describing the weight of paper.
- Lower gsm stocks are lighter and easier to handle
- Higher gsm stocks feel more substantial
- Board and card options provide additional rigidity
The feel also changes between materials. Silk stock has a smooth coated surface, uncoated stock has a more natural paper feel, and Kraft offers a distinctive brown appearance. Gesso and artboard options provide different tactile and structural qualities.
What micron means
Micron describes thickness. A higher micron value generally indicates a thicker and more rigid material.
This is especially relevant for waterproof media. The product options include 195-micron and 270-micron waterproof stocks, which are designed for situations where the leaflet needs greater resistance to moisture and handling.
Availability can depend on the selected combination of paper size, media, finish and folding option. Always check the live configuration before placing an order.
Lamination options explained
The product includes four finishing choices:
- No Laminate – the printed surface remains unlaminated
- Matt Laminate – reduces shine and gives a subdued, professional appearance
- Gloss Laminate – creates a brighter, more reflective finish
- Soft Touch Laminate – provides a smooth, gentle tactile finish
Lamination can add protection and change how colours and images appear. It may also affect the despatch time, so check the product configuration when planning around an event or campaign deadline.
Folded or creased-only supply
The live product instructions distinguish between media supplied already folded and media supplied flat with a crease.
The following options are supplied folded:
- 130gsm Silk
- 150gsm Silk
- 120gsm Uncoated
- 140gsm Gesso
Other media are supplied flat but creased for easy folding. This can be helpful when you want to carry out the final fold yourself or need the printed sheets to remain flat during storage and distribution.
The fold choice is not the same as a single-sided or double-sided selector. The product description states that the leaflet is printed on both sides, while the live options show a Folded or Flat choice rather than a separate one-sided or two-sided control. Customers should check the current configuration if a particular production arrangement is important to their project.
Artwork preparation for single-fold leaflets
Correct artwork preparation helps protect the quality of the finished print.
The product instructions require 3mm bleed on every edge. The practical approach is to:
- Start with the selected flat A5, A4 or A3 sheet size.
- Extend backgrounds, photographs and colour blocks by 3mm beyond every outer edge.
- Keep important text and logos inside safe margins.
- Plan the front, back and four-panel sequence around the centre fold.
- Check the live product instructions for the selected configuration.
- Approve a proof before production.
Do not assume that one artwork dimension applies to every option. The selected flat size and the way the website handles bleed should be checked against the live instructions before exporting the final file.
Make a paper mock-up
A blank sheet of paper is a useful design tool.
Take a sheet in the same proportion as your selected flat size and fold it once down the centre. Mark the outside as the front and back, then open it and mark the two inside panels.
This helps you check:
- Which panel appears first
- Whether the back panel is facing the correct direction
- Whether headings sit comfortably away from the fold
- Whether a photograph or graphic crosses the fold as intended
- Whether the reading order feels natural
Panel widths and fold tolerances should be checked carefully, particularly when text, borders or images cross the centre fold. A proof or printed test copy can reveal issues that are easy to miss on screen.
For design support, ABC Service provides graphic design services for print-ready leaflets and other business materials.
Planning the paper choice around your use
A lighter silk or uncoated stock can be practical for larger handout quantities and routine distribution. Heavier silk, board, Kraft and waterproof options may be more appropriate when the leaflet needs a stronger physical presence or additional resistance.
Consider:
- How the leaflet will be distributed
- Whether it will be stored in boxes or displayed
- Whether readers need to write on it
- Whether moisture is a concern
- How much colour and photography the design contains
- Whether the finished piece should feel lightweight or substantial
There is no single best stock for every organisation. The right decision comes from matching the material to the audience, setting and purpose.
Quantities and turnaround choices
The product configuration supports quantities from 1 up to 10,000, making it suitable for a small local handout or a wider UK campaign.
The listed despatch choices are:
- 3–5 working days
- 2 working days
- 1 working day
These choices should be checked against the selected paper, finish, quantity and configuration. Despatch time is not necessarily the same as delivery time, so allow additional time for transport when working towards a fixed event date.
ABC Service produces printed materials in-house at 69 West Street, Tavistock, Devon. Local customers can arrange collection, while UK-wide delivery is available for organisations elsewhere in the country.
When another fold may be more suitable
Single-fold leaflets are effective when the message benefits from four clear panels and one central opening. A different format may be more suitable if your content requires several sequential sections or a more interactive reveal.
The leaflet printing category includes other fold options, including:
- Double-fold leaflet printing
- Accordion-fold leaflet printing
- C-fold leaflet printing
- Z-fold leaflet printing
- Gatefold leaflet printing
The important point is to choose the fold that matches the way readers should move through the information.
Summary and takeaway
Single fold leaflet printing creates a two-sided printed sheet with one centre fold and four panels. Flat A5 becomes A6, flat A4 becomes A5, and flat A3 becomes A4 when folded.
Before ordering, check:
- The selected flat paper size
- The panel order and centre fold
- The required 3mm bleed
- The safe margins around important content
- The paper or board specification
- The lamination choice
- Whether the stock arrives folded or creased flat
- The available quantity and despatch option
With careful planning, a single-fold leaflet gives your organisation a neat, flexible and easy-to-follow way to present useful information. ABC Service produces these leaflets in Tavistock for local collection and UK-wide delivery, with in-house printing and design support available when required.