Folded Leaflets: Bi-Fold & Tri-Fold, 10 MOQ | ZprintPro

Three numbers decide a folded leaflet job before you talk about folding styles: the minimum order, the price per leaflet, and the turnaround. ZprintPro folded leaflets start at 10 pieces at HK$0.70-1.95 per leaflet (depending on the flat size, paper weight, single or double sided printing and the fold style), with a 3-5 working day standard turnaround and same-day options on digital runs. Volume tiers: 500 pieces at 20% off, 1,000 at 35% off, 5,000 at 50% off. Here is everything on fold styles and finished sizes, paper and creasing, the price ladder, artwork specs and the questions buyers ask most.

Need a real number now? Send the flat size, quantity, paper weight and fold style to WhatsApp +86 198 8085 1334, or price it yourself with a 30-second AI quote.

Fold styles and finished sizes (A4 / A3 flat)

The first decision is not price, it is the pair of flat size plus fold style — together they set the press sheet area, the number of crease lines and the folding labour. These are the four formats that cover almost every job:

Fold style	Flat size	Finished size	Panels	Best used for
Bi-fold (half fold)	A4 210×297mm	A5 148×210mm	4	Single offer, event flyers, restaurant menus
Tri-fold, letter fold (C-fold)	A4 210×297mm	DL 99×210mm	6	Street handouts, mailers that fit a DL envelope
Tri-fold, Z-fold (accordion)	A4 210×297mm	DL 99×210mm	6	Process steps, course schedules, price ladders
Gate fold / double parallel	A3 297×420mm	A5 or DL	8	Maps, property packs, large event graphics

Note that folding one A4 sheet into A5 (bi-fold) or into DL (tri-fold) uses exactly the same sheet area and the same paper cost. What changes is the number of creases (one for a bi-fold, two for a tri-fold) and the folding labour. So the common assumption that "tri-fold is much dearer than bi-fold" is mostly wrong — paper weight and quantity move the price far more. To compare finished sizes against flat flyers, read flyer sizes compared and A5 vs A6 flyer size.

Paper and creasing: why folded leaflets must be scored

The standard stocks are 157gsm or 200gsm art paper (four-colour offset or digital), with a lighter 128gsm option selectable in the configurator. Heavier stock feels more substantial but cracks more readily along the fold.

• Scoring / creasing: a steel rule presses a groove along the fold line before folding, so the fold sits crisp, does not spring back, and the coating does not split. Above roughly 157gsm — and on any laminated sheet — folding without scoring will almost always crack the print.
• Grain direction: the fold line must run parallel to the paper grain. Folding across the grain lifts fibres, gives a ragged edge and can split heavier stock outright. This is the single most commonly missed point in supplied artwork.
• Lamination (optional matte or gloss): matte reads as premium and kills glare; gloss gives stronger colour and better scuff resistance on street handouts. Either way the sheet still needs scoring.
• Creep allowance: once you go beyond two folds, or use heavy stock, the innermost panel is pushed out by the accumulated thickness of the folded sheets. Narrowing that panel by 1-2mm keeps the finished piece sitting flat.

Price structure and quantity ladder

Unit price is built from four things — paper, creasing, folding and the printing method — and the printing method matters most. Digital suits 10-500 pieces; offset becomes clearly cheaper from 1,000 pieces upward.

Quantity	Discount	Recommended method	Typical use
10-100 pieces	List price	Digital	Test drops, internal sign-off, small events
500 pieces	20% off	Digital or offset	Single store opening, short campaign
1,000 pieces	35% off	Offset	Local distribution, small chains
5,000 pieces	50% off	Offset	City-wide distribution, trade shows

For context when you are choosing between folded and flat, here is the rest of the flyer range with its live structured pricing:

Item (orderable product page)	Paper	Size	Price range	Minimum
A4 Flyers (FL-001)	157gsm art / 128gsm matte	A4	HK$0.35-0.95 per piece	10
Double-sided Flyers (FL-003)	157gsm art / 128gsm matte	A4 or A5	HK$0.40-0.95 per piece	10
Thick Paper Flyers (FL-005)	200gsm / 250gsm art	A4 or A5	HK$0.45-1.20 per piece	10
Folded Leaflets (FL-004)	157gsm / 200gsm art	A4 flat or DL	HK$0.70-1.95 per piece	10

Artwork specs: bleed, safety margin and fold positions

The one thing that separates folded artwork from flat artwork is that the crease lines cut the sheet into separate panels, and each panel has to be designed as its own layout.

1. 3mm bleed on all four edges; backgrounds and photos must extend to the bleed line so nothing shows white after trimming.
2. 5mm safety margin: keep text and logos at least 5mm inside the trim line to absorb cutting tolerance.
3. 1-2mm clearance at creases: the crease line is a high-wear area — never place key copy, barcodes or logos across it.
4. Narrow the inner panel by 1-2mm on tri-folds and heavier stocks so the finished leaflet closes flat.
5. Colour: supply CMYK; set black text as single black (K100) to avoid four-colour ghosting; images at 300dpi.
6. Mark the folds on a separate spot-colour layer for the printer, and keep them off the final printed layer.

For a general pre-flight checklist, read the complete flyer printing guide. Food and beverage readers should also see the menu printing buying guide and the PVC menus product page for menu and leaflet combinations.

Frequently asked questions

Q1: What is the smallest quantity of folded leaflets I can order?
10 pieces. Runs of 10-100 go through digital printing, which suits test drops and internal sign-off; above 1,000 pieces offset printing is substantially cheaper per piece.

Q2: Should I print folded leaflets or flat flyers?
One message, one offer → a flat flyer (from HK$0.35 per piece). Layered information — brand story, products, price list and store addresses — or a piece that must fit a DL envelope → folded leaflets (from HK$0.70 per piece). The premium buys six usable panels and a stiffer, more considered feel.

Q3: 157gsm or 200gsm art paper?
157gsm is the standard choice, balancing stiffness against a clean fold, and is best for street distribution. 200gsm feels more substantial and suits brand packs and premium menus, but demands tighter scoring and folding — pair it with lamination.

Q4: How long does production take, and can you rush it?
Standard turnaround is 3-5 working days. Same-day delivery is available on digital rush jobs; allow five working days or more for offset runs above 1,000 pieces. Tell us the distribution date when you order.

Q5: Can I print different content per version, such as different store addresses?
Yes. Variable data printing (VDP) can change text, addresses or numbering within a single run, which suits chains and tiered membership programmes — just supply the version list alongside the quantity.

Not sure about the schedule yet, or want to see a physical sample first? Send your distribution date to WhatsApp +86 198 8085 1334 and we will build the production plan around it.

Ready to print?

Send the flat size, fold style, paper weight, quantity and distribution date to WhatsApp +86 198 8085 1334 for a same-day free quote and a free digital proof before you commit — low minimums, fast samples, transparent factory. Or price it instantly with the 30-second AI quote. Free US shipping applies over US$99 on the US site terms.

For longer-form promotional print, read the poster size guide and the poster printing category; for event and trade-show work, browse same-day and thick paper options in the flyer printing category.