Layouts for folding brochures

[mrgaric]

Every time I go to create a folding brochure in InDesign I spend a a lot of time setting up a page with guides based on measurements form the client or the printer since pages can't be the same width on a folding brochure. Folding brochures aren't that uncommon, so this seems like something Adobe would have addressed, but I've never heard of a solution. Does one exist or am I using the best available technique?

[Derek Cross · Accepted solution]

You could save your basic set up as an InDesign template.

There are also free templates available here: https://indesignsecrets.com/resources/indesign-templates

[mrgaric]

That's what I'm doing but it seems archaic and clunky. I would think Adobe had accounted for folds. They seem to think of everything else.

Thanks for the link.

[mrgaric]

I don't think there seems to be any one correct answer and I don't want to labor the issue. I just was asking to improve my InDesign skills, not because of a bug or anything like that.
That having been said I think Derek Cross gave me the most straight forward solution, so I am going to call his solution the correct answer although I wouldn't call any of these posts the wrong answer.
Thanks

[Derek Cross]

There's often several ways to approach these things in InDesign (and other applications), as you said.

[Steve Werner]

Check out the www.foldfactory.com for folding templates. Registration is free:

Foldfactory

[mrgaric]

Steve... That site is awesome!

[mrgaric]

This type of thing (Foldfactory ) should be integrated into future versions of InDesign.

[outdoorgrl333]

I agree. Thank you for recommending Foldfactory!!

[John Mensinger]

It's not really clear, but it sounds like you're referring to the so-called "tri fold brochure," (A misnomer, considering there are only 2 folds.) Yes, 3 equal panels will fold improperly, so a slight guide-shift is in order.

If that is indeed what you're referring to, have you tried Googling "tri fold brochure template for indesign"?

You'll have about 581k hits to choose from.

[mrgaric]

Tri folds, two, three and four page fold outs, accordion folds, roll folds, double gate folds etc. There are a lot of folds out there.

I have tried Googling "tri fold brochure template for indesign". Thanks for the tip.

What I was trying to ask is if there was a more elegant method of handling folds than making my own templates or downloading them from a third party. I would expect it to be accounted for in InDesign since folds are a very common thing for a designer to work with, but I guess it's not included.

[rohit_ID]

This might be what you are trying to do Changing page size .

Hope you find it helpful.

[Willi Adelberger]

Make your folding brochure as single pages, even if they have different sizes. Put them together as spreads and export them as spreads to the requirement of the printer. It has the advantage that all borders work correctly, text reflows and you can export an output in single pages too if required.

I have an example here: Dropbox - Wickelfalz.idml

[mrgaric]

Thanks Willi Adelberger.
That's an original solution.

[happie_97]

That's what I was thinking Willi. I create them as separate spreads and they work well.

I've also used a template from the InDesign Idea Book. This was a one page layout, but it printed perfect for me every time.

Also, FoldFactory is also amazing.