Fold-Out Page

Definition

A fold-out page is used to extend the area of a standard page in a publication by unfolding it. Often the size of the fold-out page is double that of a standard page so when the book is closed, it sits neatly within it. This can also be called a gatefold and is often used for maps and illustrations to reveal extended content. Special edition books and magazines may also use a gatefold cover to reveal more information. Fold-out pages add production value and are a special add on that are not for every page as they are used to call out or feature something. Fold-out pages are physical in nature and can not be properly viewed or experienced in digital variants of a publication.

Purpose and Function

Fold-out pages create space for more visuals without having to break content into smaller pieces. They can be variable in width and add something special and interactive where the rest of a publication is typically the same trim size. Foldouts alter the ways which a reader interacts with the physical book without the interruption of turning a page itself. They can be used to hide or reveal information, add drama, highlight special editions, purposely interrupt reading flow, and more.

Similar Variations

A fold-out page is any page that is folded inside the trim size of a book and there are key distinctions between its variations. French flaps, for instance, are gate-folded covers that fold inward and function much like that of a dusk jacket on a hardcover book. They can feature extra visuals, a synopsis, or could also be used by the reader as a bookmark.

Historical Use

1 Letter Fold / C-Fold / Tri-Fold 2 Tri-Fold / Gate Fold 3 Double Gate Fold / Roll Fold 4 Z-Fold / Accordion (6-page) 5 Double Fold / Double Parallel Fold 6 French Fold / Double Right-Angle Fold

The first known fold out page was by Erhard Reuwich in Peregrinationes in montem Syon (1486) for a 1.5 meter illustration of Venice. Historically, these types of pages were featured in travel guides and encyclopedias for imagery and maps. Magazines are a more contemporary bound publication that commonly use fold-out pages to expand spreads to feature editorial photography or advertisements. Advertisers can pay the extra production cost to have a foldout to catch a reader’s attention or magazines can implement the feature for special sections like a poster that can be detached.

Production Considerations

When thinking about putting a fold-out page in a publication, it must be carefully planned and communicated with the printer. A designer must consider the trim marks, binding margins, and signatures as well as the additional cost.