Multi Fold

Multi-fold is a common Assembly option for making books, where you make multiple folds, then trim off the extra folded parts around the top, bottom, or non-spine edges of the book.

This is only possible for certain combinations of layouts of rows and columns; currently for 4-up (2x2), 6-up, 8-up (2x4) layouts. It’s great for 1-sheet signatures, and most commonly used by people who print on non-collating printers.

If you do not have sections/signatures on, fold the entire stack described below. Then, staple/bind as desired, and trim off the non-spine edges to remove the extra fold.

Sections / Signatures and Multi-fold

If you have Sections (also called signatures) enabled, you’ll do this folding with each signature (one or more sheets, depending on your settings), then stack each folded section and bind. You can trim before or after you bind, depending on your process.

Note that for custom Sections and multi-fold layouts, the number of pages in each section needs to be a multiple of the number of pages printed on a sheet (front and back). For example, if you have a layout with 8 pages per sheet side, you could do sections of lengths 8, 16, 24, 32 or so on — in any combination that adds up to the total number of pages. For example, you could do custom sections of 8, 16, 16 for a 40 page book. Or 16, 8, 8, 8. However, you can’t include sections of any custom length (divisible by 4) like you could if you didn’t have multi-fold enabled.

Assembly Instructions

Each time you fold, keep sheet 1 facing up. Fold the spine last.

Using a bone folder can be very helpful here. You might also use a scoring board or scoring machine. Or a folding machine, or booklet maker. You can also make jigs to mark your folds.

4-up

1. Fold the sheet in half, page 1 facing up.
2. Fold in half along the spine.
3. Trim.

6-up

1. Fold in a Z shape, with page 1 facing out.
2. Fold in half along the spine.
3. Trim.

8-up

Portrait orientation, side binding or Landscape, top binding

1. Fold in half so short edges of sheet meet (hamburger style, not hot dog)
2. Fold in half a second time
3. Fold in half a third time along the spine.
4. Trim.

Portrait orientation, top binding or Landscape, side binding

1. Fold in half so short edges of sheet meet (hamburger style, not hot dog)
2. Fold in half a second time hot dog style.
3. Fold in half a third time along the spine.
4. Trim.

Creep and Multi-Fold

Adjusting the page Creep is available in multi-fold, but note that it is only moving towards/away from the spine. When you add one or more additional folds to your assembly process, the content will also move vertically, but that is not (currently) compensated for in the app.

Thinner paper or using signatures with only one or two sheets will minimize this vertical movement so it will likely not be noticeable.