9 replies to this topic

[franciscocartographer]

Hello all.

I am planning to create a booklet of a series of maps that are 18 by 24 inches each. Can anyone give me any recommendations about any folding strategies for maps at this size?

Maybe I should stick with A standard paper size like the ISO. An A2 (16 1/2 × 23 3/8 inches) could be folded into an A4 booklet (8 1/4 × 11 3/4 inches), I guess.

Thanks in advance.

[Dennis McClendon]

I'm not clear what you're asking. 18 x 24 is perfect for folding to 4 x 9 to fit in brochure racks. Just fan fold (six panels) the long way, then in half top to bottom.

[franciscocartographer]

To be more clear and unambiguous (I hope) I did a series of maps that are 18 by 24 inches. I want to make a booklet (sort of like a small atlas) with text and these maps.
I just wanted to read some suggestions about folding strategies and what kind of editing one needs to do (in illustrator) before going to the printer.

[Dennis McClendon]

I'm still not clear what editing would be required. Assuming the number of copies is modest, the usual way of binding these would be with a tab glued onto the back of maps folded in quarters to 9 x 12:

 mapfold.GIF   2.11K   460 downloads

These folded leaves can then be interspersed with 9.5 x 12 pages that include text.

[franciscocartographer]

That is probably the best approach. I just saw an example of this on a street atlas.

Thanks!

[Rick Dey]

The place to start on a project like this is with a printer or bindery that can do folding of this type AND can handle binding with special inserts like the folded maps. They can let you know what needs to be taken into consideration. Sometimes a small dimension change can make a huge difference in cost. The production reps should be more than willing to work as a partner with you to make the project work best for both you and them. You may want to contact a couple to get some ideas as to cost vs. quantity also.

[franciscocartographer]

Yes you are right, rjdey.
Contacting a printer about this should be the most practical solution.

Thanks.

[Rick Dey]

I'm a firm believer of consulting the various parties involved in production as early as possible in the design process. Its amazing how much grief could be saved by early planning. During one of my previous career incarnations I was the production manager for a printer that did a lot of maps and packaging. Far too many people don't realize that a 28 x 40 press cannot print all the way to the edges of that sheet.

[Sylvie]

...18 x 24 is perfect for folding to 4 x 9 to fit in brochure racks.  Just fan fold (six panels) the long way, then in half top to bottom.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Why is it standard to fan-fold first the long way? Is it a limitation of the folding machine?

I usually end up refolding the map the opposite way, in particular with larger maps (such as AAA or forest service maps).

[DaveB]

Why is it standard to fan-fold first the long way?  Is it a limitation of the folding machine?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

One reason is if you fold in half first and then fan fold (aka accordion fold) you are usually more likely to get wrinkles in the folds.

A secondary reason is folding machines are more likely to have more folding plates in the first unit.

But it's not hard and fast. You can find specialist binderies and/or larger binderies who have different capabilities.