The 180 fold: What it is and when to do it.
When it comes to book folding, the 180 fold is something that often divides opinion. Some swear by it, others think it’s unnecessary, and many aren’t quite sure what it actually is! Hopefully, I can shed a little light on this technique and help you decide if it’s right for you.
What is a 180
The 180 fold gets its name because you fold the page back on itself. The distance you fold is up to you, but it’s usually around 1 cm from the edge of the page. This small fold helps prevent the printed text from showing through — something that can really affect the look of a finished design.
How to do a 180
Like most things in book folding, everyone develops their own preferred way of doing a 180. I tried a few different methods before finding one that worked perfectly for me.
Method 1: Simple Measured Fold
Measure your fold distance from the page edge (around 1 cm) and mark it. Then fold the page to the mark. You can even make a quick measuring guide from a folded piece of card — a great trick if you like to work at different depths.
Method 2: Double Ruler Tool
At one point, I tried using two rulers glued together, offset by about 1 cm. You line up the page edge with one ruler and score along the other. It did work… but it was fiddly and not always accurate, as the page could easily slip while scoring. I only used this method for one book before moving on!
Method 3: Professional Score Guides
There are scoring tools made specifically for book folding. They allow you to choose the depth of your fold and keep things uniform. I haven’t used these myself, but many folders in the community recommend them. If you’re based in North America, you can find them through the TLC Facebook group, and there are plenty of sellers on Etsy too.
Method 4: My Favourite — The Slide Binder Trick
My personal favourite is using a slide binder — the thin plastic strip used to hold papers together. I picked mine up for 30p from a local stationery shop (they’re also available on Amazon). The rounded edge is perfect for scoring and folding evenly.
How to Make a 180 Fold Using a Slide Binder
- Slide the binder onto the edge of your page.
- Fold the page over the binder.
- Slide it off, leaving a crisp fold line.
- Use a bone folder to sharpen the crease.
I often fold twice to create a second crease — this helps me see exactly how far to cut and fold my tabs later on. It’s quick, easy, and consistently accurate.
Why You Should Do a 180 Fold
There are a few great reasons to include the 180 fold in your projects:
Neatness
A sharp 180 fold gives your book a clean, even edge. Without it, designs can sometimes look uneven or messy.
Fullness
Folding the page doubles its depth, giving your finished book a fuller, more substantial look — especially handy for smaller books.
Card Stock Support
If you’re adding cardstock behind your design, a 180 fold gives you the space to tuck it in securely. It also helps keep small folded tabs neat and protected, especially in detailed designs.
Why you should not do a 180 fold
Why You Might Not Want to Do a 180 Fold
There are a couple of situations where a 180 fold isn’t ideal:
Large Books
If your book is already quite thick, a 180 fold can make it bulky and harder to handle toward the end.
Coloured Edges
Some books have beautiful coloured page edges, and a 180 fold can hide that feature completely.
A Comparrison
To show the difference, I made two books using the same 300-page heart pattern — one with a 180 fold and one without. Both looked lovely, but the 180 fold version had a cleaner, fuller finish.
I’ve tried skipping the 180 a couple of times (usually for books with coloured edges), but I’ve never been as happy with the result. For me, the 180 fold always wins — it gives structure, polish, and space for cardstock, which I love to include.
What do you think?
Do you use the 180 fold? Have you found a method that works better for you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments — and let me know if there are any other techniques you’d like me to write about!
Clare x
