How Can I Do a Gatefold without Gatefold Equipment?
Posted by Andre Palko on Wed, Jan 13, 2010
A double gatefold as shown in the figure below, requires a special folding machine attachment for automatic high-speed production. There is an easy way to do this without the attachment, but it does add a manual labor step to the process.
Step 1: Use your folder to make an 8pp accordion fold with panels ‘A’ on the outside. This fold uses 3 fold plates, usually #1, 2 & 3. Be sure to cut and fold ‘A’ at least 1/32” shorter than the center panels.
Step 2: Manually fold the accordion inside out with panels ‘A’ now facing each other on the inside of the fold.
An alternative: Do a double parallel fold (2 folds, first fold in half, then in half again) and then manually refold as a gatefold. While not as fast as the method above, it is probably a bit more accurate.