After the wild and crazy format from last week’s 200th episode, we’re going to the other end of the spectrum this week and featuring something simple and clever from our friends at Suttle-Straus in Waunakee, Wisconsin. It’s flat, it’s dimensional, it’s fun and it’s got lots of creative potential. There’s even a special little “guest” who shows up at the end of the video. Relax and enjoy!
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This week’s solution is . . . a surprise! It’s our 200th episode of FOLD of the WEEK and we’re celebrating with an amazing mystery format from the University of Toronto’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design. The masterpiece is part of a series that was designed by Catalogtree in the Netherlands, and also produced in the Netherlands. Do not miss this special episode!

This week’s solution combines several great techniques into one exciting format. From our friends at Specialties Graphic Finishers in Toronto, Canada, this piece was produced for IBM several years back, but the format is still totally fresh. The piece is deceivingly complex, as it combines a tricky center-format wrapped stepped accordion with an additional tapered die on the top and bottom of the accordion panels. The result is engaging and unique.
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After a few weeks of specialty formats, we’re going practical with a super-smart pocketfolder format that doubles as a mailing envelope. From the folks at Schmitz Press in Baltimore for Legg Mason, this piece is a fabulous mix of form and function. A die cut window for the address, a zip strip on the back, and two interior pockets allow for a jazzy exterior that stands out in the mail, and an interior that looks stylish and organized. Great stuff!

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This week’s solution is another great mail format, and it comes to us from Structural Graphics in Essex, Connecticut for client Sea Insure. The format is called a Telescoping Folder and it has a unique two-pull experience that reveals three panels of content. One of our favorite things about this format is its ability to mail as an automated letter. It offers a wonderful splurge/save scenario of innovative format and mailing efficiency. Enjoy!
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For everyone out there who thinks the new USPS FSM Guidelines are too restrictive, this week’s selection from our friends at GLS Companies in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota is a great example of the wonderful possibilities of folded self-mailers. Designed by Duz Creative of Minneapolis, the unusual traveling snake format follows a fun circus theme that leads the recipient through the content with an enticing message. Great Mail!
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This week’s selection is a great find from the DMAW Innovative Formats and Integrated Campaigns event in Washington, DC. It’s an integrated folded self-mailing format that looks just like an envelope, but then opens to reveal two tear-off coupons that fold inward. Smart styling on the non-address-side flap creates a tab that entices the recipient to open. We think this snazzy all-in-one format from Precision Dialogue Direct in Chicago has “response” written all over it!
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At foldfactory, we’re full of surprises. You just never know what we’ll feature each week - sometimes it’s a crazy-cool format, sometimes it’s a fabulous little low-budget trick. This week’s selection is a smart way to add some pizazz to the cover of bound materials like catalogs and multi-page brochures. From our friends at J.S. McCarthy Printers in Augusta, Maine for client SPX Precision Components, is a brochure that borrows a clever cover technique from the book industry and adds a die cut for good measure. The result is simple and stylish. Enjoy!
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Some projects just lend themselves to a really creative solution. This week’s selection is an invitation for an annual event called the “Smelt Fry,” hosted by Ariva.  It’s a popular event for graphic designers in the Cincinnati, OH area. Designed by Sanger & Eby, the invitation takes on the appearance and form of a sardine can. Using Color-Logic metallic effects and creative die-cuts, the piece really looks the part. Peel it open for the event information and for a view of the fish! We’re thankful they skipped the sensory experience of a scratch-n-sniff! Great stuff.
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This week’s selection is from our friends at Rickard Bindery - a specialty bindery in Chicago, IL. The format is called “The Bookster” and it’s a clever multi-page format that looks and acts like a 12-page bound brochure, but unfolds into a poster with one simple move. Most importantly, Rickard actually folds this complex format by machine! Available in many page configurations and sizes, this stylish and practical folded format is a real winner.
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