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 THE NEED:
Accordion folds are easy to use, easy to understand, and in general easy to produce. Lets start with why they are so great. When reading an accordion fold piece, it works just like a book. The end user can open the product up and have a nice 2-page reader’s spread. Of course, if they want the end user can also open the entire piece, displaying all the copy on one side. Also, companies can highlight individual products giving each item its own space and message. Consider too that accordion folds help tell a story one page at a time, giving a message a clear beginning, middle and end.
Common accordion folding applications include:
- Brochures
- Product information
- Multiple languages
- Promotional materials
- Maps
PROJECT PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS:
Despite the relative ease of designing a great looking accordion folded product, it is still possible to encounter production problems.
Color Breaks
 Designers have long known that color breaks uniquely define different panels. And while the color break clearly defines pages, it magnifies any variation that will occur in a mechanical process. Variation could originate from a number of areas including: paper, printing, cutting, or folding and in some cases all four. Even once a folder is properly set up the stock’s grain can and does affect the folds. When a color break is involved even the slightest variation can become objectionable.
The most obvious solution to hitting every color break dead on is to have the sheet scored. Die-scoring may help because it will help to “lock” in the folds. However, this isn’t a guaranteed fix because:
- Sheets are usually only scored from one side, unless a second pass or two shaft rotary style scoring machine is used.
- If the die score is off in any way, no adequate adjustments are possible once the job is on the folder.
Paper Issues
Since accordion folds are best done on buckle folders, the maximum recommended paper thickness is 10pt. For best results, plan accordion folds in the same direction as the paper grain. Avoid “Dutch cut” layouts and utilization of paper requiring folds against the grain.
Choose a Different Fold
Applications to avoid or at least carefully consider before using an accordion fold:
- Direct mail. Direct mail is problematic because the United States Postal Service requires at least three wafer seals, two at the bottom and one at the top of a piece. Please note: A wraparound final panel with a wafer seal at the top will solve this problem.
- When designing a wrap around after accordion folds it is a good rule of thumb to have no more than 7 accordions heading into the final wraps.
- Saddle stitching components. Accordion folded components will neither feed nor travel on the “saddle” of saddle stitching machinery, without the added time and expense of glue.
A Couple of Design Ideas
- Perforated tear off panels, ideal for coupons.
- Final wrap around panel, idea for mailings.
THE RICKARD BINDERY ADVANTAGE:
With more than 100 years of experience folding paper, Rickard Bindery is the right choice for your next accordion folded project. Our capabilities include:
- Up to 16 panels/15 accordion folds
- More than eighty folding machines
- Oversized folders – We can accordion fold a piece as long as 80-inches
- Small format folding
- More than a century of accordion folding experience
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