The French fold, a double gatefold, or concertina fold, is used in bookbinding and printing.
To create a French fold, you start by folding a sheet of paper or cardstock in half lengthwise. Then, you fold it in half again widthwise. This results in four equally sized panels. Notably, hardcover and softcover books can be made using French folds.
French folds are commonly employed for booklets, brochures, invitations, greeting cards, and various stationery items. When used in bookbinding for hardcovers, they facilitate case binding. The technique may also be implemented in softcover bindings.
Printers often utilize French folds to enable duplex printing—simultaneously printing on both sides of the paper. Additionally, they can be employed to produce fold-out maps and diagrams.
There are diverse methods to achieve a French fold; however, the most prevalent approach involves initial lengthwise folding followed by widthwise folding. Alternatively, one may fold the paper lengthwise and then divide it into thirds widthwise, resulting in six equal panels.
Alternatively, starting with a widthwise halving before lengthwise halving will yield four uniformly sized panels.
The size of the created panels during a French fold can vary depending on personal preference or project requirements.
In conclusion, the versatile nature of French folds makes them suitable for numerous creative projects such as booklets, brochures, invitations, greeting cards, associated stationery items, and even informative items like fold-out maps or diagrams.