Question
What paper stocks are recommended for accordion-fold booklets to prevent cracking or chaffing?
Answer
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.
| Stock | Fold behavior |
|---|---|
| Text weight | Folds cleanly, low crack risk |
| Light cover | Good when scored first |
| Heavy cover | Higher crack risk, always score |
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