In the use of folding machines in the printing industry, the different folding methods and processes largely depend on the different layout and design schemes of books and newspapers. Therefore, when folding machines are used throughout the entire folding process, their folding methods and specific operating procedures are also different. At present, the folding methods for book and magazine binding can be roughly divided into the following three types: vertical cross folding, parallel folding, and mixed folding.
1. Vertical cross folding
Vertical folding is mainly used for folding various books and magazines. The creases of its front and back folds are in a mutually drooping state. When using this folding method, the page must be rotated clockwise by a right angle, aligned with the page numbers and edges, and then folded in order to complete the required number and format of the book. So vertical crossover, also known as turning point.
2. Parallel folding
In the parallel folding method, the folds of adjacent folds are parallel to each other. It is mainly used for folding double copies in advertising materials and book printing. The parallel folding method mainly has three folding forms.
(1) Double fold. Even after folding in page number order, the second fold still folds forward.
(2) Fan shaped folding (also known as jumping folding). After folding the book in order of page numbers, turn the pages over, then fold them in the opposite direction along the page numbers and repeat the folding process to form a single piece.
(3) Heart wrapping fold (also known as rolling fold or continuous fold). Fold forward continuously along the page numbers according to the size of the book and magazine, and when folding two, clamp the page number of the first fold in the middle of the book post.
3. Mixed folding
The mixed folding method is a different combination of various folding methods introduced above.
There are various ways to fold pages, but they all depend on the layout, which means that different layout forms should use different folding methods. The layout is designed based on the binding form and machine design form of books and periodicals. The layout arrangement of paperback and horseback bound editions, with or without inserts, is different. When folding, one of the folding methods should be used according to the specific situation of the layout for folding processing.