What paper stocks are recommended for accordion-fold booklets to prevent cracking or chaffing?

Accordion and other tightly folded pieces crack when a heavy stock is bent against its fibers, so stock choice and scoring make the biggest difference.

• Go lighter: a text-weight or lighter cover stock folds more cleanly and resists cracking along the fold better than a thick cover stock.
• Score first: creasing the sheet before folding compresses the fibers and greatly reduces cracking, especially on coated stocks.
• Watch coatings: heavy coatings on thick stock are the most prone to cracking at the fold.
• Fold with the grain: folding parallel to the paper grain gives a smoother crease than folding across it.