Cfold

Cfold is a term used in printing and packaging to describe a three-panel fold configuration in which a sheet is creased twice along parallel lines to produce three panels of equal width. The two outer panels typically fold toward the center, allowing the sheet to be opened to reveal content, and the assembled piece often resembles the shape of the letter C when viewed from the side. Cfolds are commonly used for brochures, direct mailers, and point-of-sale sheets due to their compact form and straightforward production.

In production and design, a Cfold is created by printing on a sheet and applying two parallel crease lines. Designers select paper weight, finish, and panel proportions to balance readability with thickness. Because the fold increases the number of panels without enlarging the sheet size, Cfolds work well with standard letter-size stock and are compatible with many digital and offset presses. They are frequently chosen for mass mailings and retail inserts because they can be produced efficiently in quantity.

Advantages of the Cfold include efficient use of space, cost-effectiveness for high-volume distributions, and reliable performance in automated handling systems. Limitations include limited space for long-form content and the potential for creasing on very thick stocks, which can affect appearance and legibility.

See also: Z-fold, accordion fold, brochure printing, folding (paper).