Brochure sizes: tri-fold, bi-fold and panel widths
The most common brochure is a letter tri-fold: an 11 × 8.5 in sheet folded into three panels, two of 3.6875 in and an inside flap of 3.625 in, so it closes flat. Other standard sizes are the legal tri-fold (14 × 8.5 in), the letter bi-fold (folds to 5.5 × 8.5 in) and the tabloid bi-fold (11 × 17 in, folds to 8.5 × 11). In A-size countries an A4 tri-fold folds to DL, 99 × 210 mm.
Brochure sizes: dimensions, bleed and pixels
Bleed is 0.125 in on every side for inch sizes and 3 mm for metric ones. Pixels are rounded to the nearest whole pixel.
| Flat size | Inches | Millimeters | With bleed | Pixels at 300 ppi (with bleed) | Notes and template |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letter tri-fold | 11 × 8.5 in | 279.4 × 215.9 mm | 11.25 × 8.75 in | 3,300 × 2,550 px 3,375 × 2,625 px | Folds to about 3.69 × 8.5 in Free template |
| Legal tri-fold | 14 × 8.5 in | 355.6 × 215.9 mm | 14.25 × 8.75 in | 4,200 × 2,550 px 4,275 × 2,625 px | Folds to about 4.69 × 8.5 in Template |
| Letter bi-fold | 11 × 8.5 in | 279.4 × 215.9 mm | 11.25 × 8.75 in | 3,300 × 2,550 px 3,375 × 2,625 px | Folds to 5.5 × 8.5 in |
| Tabloid bi-fold | 17 × 11 in | 431.8 × 279.4 mm | 17.25 × 11.25 in | 5,100 × 3,300 px 5,175 × 3,375 px | Folds to 8.5 × 11 in |
| A4 tri-fold | 11.69 × 8.27 in | 297 × 210 mm | 303 × 216 mm | 3,508 × 2,480 px 3,579 × 2,551 px | Folds to DL, 99 × 210 mm Template |
| A4 bi-fold | 11.69 × 8.27 in | 297 × 210 mm | 303 × 216 mm | 3,508 × 2,480 px 3,579 × 2,551 px | Folds to A5 |
| A3 bi-fold | 16.54 × 11.69 in | 420 × 297 mm | 426 × 303 mm | 4,961 × 3,508 px 5,031 × 3,579 px | Folds to A4 |
Tri-fold panel widths
In a roll fold (the usual tri-fold), the panel that folds inside is narrower than the other two by 1/16 in (or 3 mm), or it buckles against the fold. Measured from the left of the outside spread:
| Brochure | Inside flap | Back | Front cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letter tri-fold (11 in) | 3.625 in | 3.6875 in | 3.6875 in |
| Legal tri-fold (14 in) | 4.625 in | 4.6875 in | 4.6875 in |
| A4 tri-fold (297 mm) | 97 mm | 100 mm | 100 mm |
On the inside spread the order reverses, so the narrow flap is on the right. A Z-fold, which opens like an accordion, has three equal panels instead.
Setting up a folded file
Set the document to the flat size, add 0.125 in (3 mm) of bleed around the outside, and put fold lines on a separate non-printing layer as guides. Keep text 0.125 in away from every fold as well as the trim, so nothing sits in the crease. The print template maker draws the panels, folds and safe areas for you.
Heavy stock (cover weights, roughly 200 gsm and above) needs to be scored before folding or the fold cracks, especially across dark solid colors. Most printers score automatically; ask if yours doesn’t mention it.
Questions
- What are the panel sizes of a tri-fold brochure?
- On a letter tri-fold (11 × 8.5 in), the inside flap is 3.625 in and the other two panels are 3.6875 in. On a legal tri-fold (14 × 8.5 in) they are 4.625 and 4.6875 in. On an A4 tri-fold, 97 mm and 100 mm.
- What size is a tri-fold brochure in pixels?
- A letter tri-fold is 3300 × 2550 pixels at 300 ppi, flat, or 3375 × 2625 pixels with 0.125 in of bleed on every side.
- What size is an A4 tri-fold when folded?
- DL size, about 99 × 210 mm, which fits a DL envelope and a standard brochure rack.
- What’s the difference between a tri-fold and a Z-fold?
- A tri-fold (roll fold) wraps one panel inside the others, so that panel must be narrower. A Z-fold folds back and forth like an accordion, so all three panels are the same width and no panel is hidden.
If the printer sends the file back
Guides
Terms on this page: Bleed, Safe area (safe zone), Imposition, GSM (paper weight), Scoring (creasing).
Real jobs at these sizes: Saffron fold-out menu.
More print sizes, or all of them on one page:
Cards, paper and stationery: Business card · Postcard · Paper · Envelope · Letterhead · Greeting card · Presentation folder
Flyers, brochures and handouts: Flyer · Rack card · Door hanger · Menu · Table tent · Bookmark
Stickers, labels and tags: Sticker · Label · Hang tag
Bottle, can and jar labels: Wine label · Beer label · Water bottle label · Candle label · Jar label
Boxes and packaging: Mailer box · Shipping box · Tuck box · Stand-up pouch · Pizza box
Posters, books and calendars: Poster · Book · Calendar
Signs, billboards and vehicles: Banner · Yard sign · Car magnet · Billboard
T-shirts and apparel: T-shirt
Rather have it designed at the right size? See flyers, menus & brochures: a fixed price first, print-ready files back.
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