Setting up your document with correct panel widths.
The width of each panel on a folded leaflet all depends on the size of the paper, and the folding style you choose. It is highly recommended that once you choose the paper size and fold you wish, you download our artwork templates from our product page, as these will give you the precise panel widths that you need to set your artwork to.
Why are panel widths important?
Panel widths are extremely important when building your design as if they are not set correctly, your finished print may not align correctly and other artwork in different panels may creep into the wrong panel.
For example, if you take an A4 landscape and fold it for a 6-panel Roll fold, then the panels need to range from smaller to larger to ensure that the paper folds neatly into itself. If each panel was the same, then there would be an offset in the paper, and will not look professional. There is only a 1mm difference in the widths of the panels, and it is extremely noticeable when they do not align.
Setting up your panel widths
Depending on the paper size and fold you wish for your design, depends on the size of the panels you require. As previously stated, it is recommended you download our artwork templates to find out what the panel widths will be for your design.
For this example, we will be using Adobe InDesign for our A4 Roll Fold leaflet set-up.
The Panel widths for the outside of the leaflet will run, from left to right:-
98mm x 99mm x 100mm
Then on the inside of the leaflet, the panels will run
100mm x 99mm x 98mm
To set up the document in InDesign, you need to use the assistance of the ruler. You can find it under Window > Show Ruler, or CTRL R / CMD R.
Start off with the Outside page. Drag the ruler from the left-hand side and place it at the 98mm mark. Do this again and drag the ruler along to the 197mm mark (98mm + 99mm). Now you will have three panels running 98mm x 99mm x 100mm
For the Inside page, you repeat the previous step but with the inside measurements.
100mm x 99mm x 98mm.
You now have your document set up with guides that will help you keep your artwork in line. Once you have completed your artwork, export the design as a PDF and the rulers will not be shown on the artwork.
If this has been done correctly, when your leaflet is printed, the panels will fold correctly into themselves and will result in a professional finish.