Tri-fold 4 color brochure question

[G Designz]

I am going to work on a tri-fold 4 color 8 1/2 x 11 two side brochure for a client that is promoting their golf packages in PA. I've never worked on a tri-fold brochure before. But what is the standard tri-fold size to use? I will be using Indesign for this. And just to make sure when they ask for 4 color it's CMYK they are referring to?

Another thing Im not sure how much to charge for this project. If anybody can give me a ballpark price. I usually charge $100 for a flyer (both sides). Should I charge more since it's a brochure?

Thanks in advance

[Two-Toe Tom]

i just did a trifold brochure, it was on 8.5" x 14" paper. And yes, 4-colour usualy refers to CMYK.

It is against forum rules to discuss price here.

[WannaBrie]

As far as pricing, we are not allowed to discuss it on this forum. Check the AIGA guide for that. I downloaded some templates for tri-folds, etc some time ago...sorry can't remember where, just google tri fold template and I'm sure you'll get a bunch of hits. Yes CMYK is usually what people are refferring to when they say 4 color.

OOP! ya beat me to it Tom!

[Two-Toe Tom]

:p

[G Designz]

Oh ok thanks for letting me know about the pricing..

Generally speaking do you think working on a brochure is more work than working on a flyer?

[ZippyTheWonderMonkey]

also, I've found the more you do mock ups (especially when die-cutting is involved) the better

[Two-Toe Tom]

more about the size, 8.5" by 11" seems too skinny for a trifold to me. if you're gonna have bleeds, you can basically choose whatever size you want since they're going to have to cut it anyway, but note that certain size ranges would be cheaper depending on how many brochures they can fit on a large page, so you might want to check with the printer.

i'd say working on a flyer is pretty much the same as working on a brochure, but that's just me.

[G Designz]

Yes i was thinking about the size being to skinny for a trifold. Should I ask the client if he is aware that it will be to skinny for a brochure?

8.5 x 14 is the standard size for a trifold brochure?

[Two-Toe Tom]

well 8.5 x 14 is a standard paper size, so if your design doesn't have any bleeds, it'll probably be cheaper to print since they don't have to do any cutting. i'm not sure if there's a standard size for trifold brochures per se, you could make it whatever size you like, just take into consideration things like where it has to fit, etc.

[CkretAjint]

Perhaps the client means a bi-fold, 3 panel brochure?

[G Designz]

I guess it's whatever the client wants. Ok good to know..

[G Designz]

Perhaps the client means a bi-fold, 3 panel brochure?

what is that?

[CkretAjint]

what is that?

We call them 'bi-folds' here at work since there are only 2 folds... I know it is politically incorrect, but old habbits die hard around here. UGH! I HATE IT!!!

Anywho, here is a fun image I found with a quick google search! :)
http://www.whatsthebigidea.com/uploads/images/149/brochure-folds.jpg

[Two-Toe Tom]

oops! i thought trifold meant three folds :o the one i did was accordian style. so yeah, if its just gonna be two folds, then 8.5x11 is probably the standard size.

[G Designz]

We call them 'bi-folds' here at work since there are only 2 folds... I know it is politically incorrect, but old habbits die hard around here. UGH! I HATE IT!!!

Anywho, here is a fun image I found with a quick google search! :)
http://www.whatsthebigidea.com/uploads/images/149/brochure-folds.jpg
Wow!! thanks alot for finding this image..It helped alot. All I need to do is find out the bleed, the size of each fold, etc..when I create this in InDesign.

[vtwin_gary]

i'm working on an 8.5 x 11 tri fold as we type.
if you go up to 8.5 by 14 then tri fold they won't fit in rack card slots.
your printer should have an indesign template for what ever you need.

good luck

[Kool]

If you are indeed talking about an 8.5 x 11, 6 panel two fold then here is a template I made several years ago that works nicely.

6-Panel-2-Fold-Brochure.pdf (http://koolsplace.com/images/6-Panel-2-Fold-Brochure.pdf)

Just remember when creating this that it's a good idea to avoid sharp changes in the background of the panels. If there is a hard line between them you may not get the fold precisely on the lines. You're venturing from the precision of the digital world to the realties of the physical world. If you ever see a folder in action it's a fairly violent process with the page zipping down a conveyor belt and slamming into a stop, then reversing direction and slamming into another stop. They are pretty precise but variations of a few thousands of an inch are common from one page to another.

[Rocketpig]

well 8.5 x 14 is a standard paper size, so if your design doesn't have any bleeds, it'll probably be cheaper to print since they don't have to do any cutting. i'm not sure if there's a standard size for trifold brochures per se, you could make it whatever size you like, just take into consideration things like where it has to fit, etc.

Every professional printer on the market buys oversized paper. For example, a 8.5x11 finished product would be printed on 8.75x11.25 and cut to size. In most cases nowadays, you're not doing yourself or the printer any favors by not using a bleed and designing for exactly 8.5x11. The last printer I worked at never bought 8.5x11 paper and everything, bleed or no, was cut down.

This isn't factoring in large runs that are cut down to size (four-ups and whatnot) but that isn't important for this discussion. You can always design for common sizes such as 8.5x11 with a bleed that extends past that point.

Oh, and 8.5x11 is a perfectly acceptable tri-fold size. In fact, it's the most common size to use as a tri-fold.

[G Designz]

If you are indeed talking about an 8.5 x 11, 6 panel two fold then here is a template I made several years ago that works nicely.

6-Panel-2-Fold-Brochure.pdf (http://koolsplace.com/images/6-Panel-2-Fold-Brochure.pdf)

Just remember when creating this that it's a good idea to avoid sharp changes in the background of the panels. If there is a hard line between them you may not get the fold precisely on the lines. You're venturing from the precision of the digital world to the realties of the physical world. If you ever see a folder in action it's a fairly violent process with the page zipping down a conveyor belt and slamming into a stop, then reversing direction and slamming into another stop. They are pretty precise but variations of a few thousands of an inch are common from one page to another.
Im not sure if that is the template he needs but I will ask him. But it looks about right

[budafist]

Bi-fold (Z fold or U Fold)
2 folds, 3 panels on the front, 3 panels on the back = 6 panels to design.

Tri-fold
3 folds, 4 panels on the front, 4 panels on the back = 8 panels to design.

I would charge more than for a non-folded double sided flyer because you have to consider the design for 6 or even 8 panels.

Try and factor in the hourly rate you think is fair and then figure out how long it should take to design each panel.

[Rocketpig]

Bi-fold (Z fold or U Fold)
2 folds, 3 panels on the front, 3 panels on the back = 6 panels to design.

Tri-fold
3 folds, 4 panels on the front, 4 panels on the back = 8 panels to design.

I would charge more than for a non-folded double sided flyer because you have to consider the design for 6 or even 8 panels.

Try and factor in the hourly rate you think is fair and then figure out how long it should take to design each panel.

I've always heard what you call "bi-folds" referred to as "tri-folds". Three panels, two folds. Yes, I realize that it should be called a "bi-fold", but we never referred to it as such.

What about everybody else?

[budafist]

Actually, we normally call them 3 panel or 4 panel. No confusion!

[bejamshi]

I am just confused, are you a graphic designer, because if you do not know what CMYK is you will have a lot of issues setting this up for the printers, you will cost your client more money than they are spending. Please hire a designer.

[Rocketpig]

Actually, we normally call them 3 panel or 4 panel. No confusion!

Three panel sounds good. Let's set an industry standard for it. :D

[G Designz]

I am just confused, are you a graphic designer, because if you do not know what CMYK is you will have a lot of issues setting this up for the printers, you will cost your client more money than they are spending. Please hire a designer.

Yes I know what CMYK is. I was just making sure if it also meant 4 color.

[bejamshi]

oh, sorry. How is it going are you going to share your progress with us?

[tZ]

Actually, regardless of if the brochure is letter there will need to be cutting because a standard press sheet is larger. There will be less cutting though so it will be cheaper.

Someone might have already mentioned that though.

Unless your talking digital then it might be a different story.

[bejamshi]

I think it is always good to ask the printer. Make a relationship with him or her and that way you can always feel comfortable in asking, also remember you are making them money by going to them so do not be afraid to ask anything, and don't worry about looking new to the whole scene we all started somewhere and always learning that is why this site is so great.

[G Designz]

Yea thats why I like coming here..alot of helpful people..

But i haven't started on the project. My client is not ready.