Friday Tip: Make your tri-fold actually tri-fold
- Tamas Cseza
- Nov 7, 2025
- 1 min read
Updated: Jan 12
Designing an 8.5″×11″ (216×279 mm) tri-fold? Use these panel widths so the fold-in panel tucks perfectly:
Outside (back—fold—front):3.6354″ • 3.6667″ • 3.6979″92.34 mm • 93.13 mm • 93.93 mm
Inside (left—middle—right):3.6979″ • 3.6667″ • 3.6354″93.93 mm • 93.13 mm • 92.34 mm
Specs that save headaches
Bleed: 0.125″ (3.17 mm) all around.
Safe area: keep text/logos ≥0.125″ (≈3 mm) from folds/trim.
Crossover images: don’t span folds; if you must, give 1/16″ (1.59 mm) cushion.
Orientation check: Outside = cover on the far right; Inside = reading starts on the left.
Paper & finish: score anything 100# text / 170 gsm and up for clean folds; mind grain direction (fold with the grain).
Export: remove dielines/guides; embed fonts; PDF/Press, X-1a or X-4.
Pro move: print a 100% laser proof, score, then fold—confirm panel tuck before we go to press.
