The Foldpic collection / Accordion album
Make a travel photo album that unfolds like a map.
A trip is a sequence, and an accordion album is the format that reads like one.
Your sheet, before the magic
At a glance +
- Pages
- 4 · 8 · 12 (up to 8 free)
- Sheets
- 2 for 8 pages
- Printing
- One side only
- Time
- about 10 min · scissors, tape or glue
- A4 sheet
- 74 × 210 mm
- US Letter sheet
- 70 × 216 mm
- A3 sheet
- 105 × 297 mm · needs an A3 printer
- US Tabloid (11×17) sheet
- 108 × 279 mm · needs an 11×17 printer
Panels are a quarter of the sheet's long edge and its full height: 210 mm tall from A4, 297 mm tall from A3 (an A3-capable printer), and anything taller would need A2 — a copy-shop job.
Why make an accordion album at home
Panels run left to right from the first morning to the last night, the strip unfolds into a panorama across the table, and it folds back into a block that stands on a shelf with the cover photo facing out.
Foldpic prints the strip on one side of A4, Letter, A3 or Tabloid, four panels per sheet. Eight or twelve panels join with a taped seam. Because there is no back side to line up, you can use glossy photo paper and any printer.
Templates include a map-and-caption page, tall single-photo panels for landscapes turned on their side, and a grid panel for the food.
Reads like a journey
Panels in order, one after the other. Add a date or a place name under each and the album becomes a timeline.
Displays itself
Stand it half-open on a shelf or fully open on a windowsill. No frame, no album to open.
Photo paper welcome
Single-sided printing means glossy or satin inkjet paper works. Landscapes look best on it.
Pack flat, give easily
Folded, it is the size of one panel. Slip it in an envelope for the people you travelled with.
A few folds from finished
4 steps, printed on one side. The full instruction sheet with checks and a common-mistakes box comes with your PDF.
1Print 2 strips. Print 2 strips on one side, landscape, 100%.
2Score and fold zig-zag. Score the three creases and fold zig-zag: mountain, valley, mountain.
3Join the strips. Lay strip 2 to the right and tape the seam on the back.
4Add covers (optional). Glue card covers to the end panels. It stands on a shelf.
1Print 2 strips
2Score and fold zig-zag
3Join the strips
4Add covers (optional)
Templates for this format
Long Weekend
A white accordion strip for a trip: tall views, pairs and a journal.
Accordion album · Minimal · Travel
The Aisle
An ivory accordion for the shelf: tall wedding photos and gold rules.
Accordion album · Wedding
Growing Up
A milestone strip for the nursery shelf: photo stacks and captions.
Accordion album · Kids · Baby
Family Line
An editorial accordion for a family: tall portraits, hairline frames.
Accordion album · Editorial · Family
Before you print
- How to make an accordion photo album at home
Make a concertina photo album on your printer: single-sided card or photo paper, score and zig-zag fold, join strips, add covers. Diagrams included.
- 8 travel photo zine ideas you can print from one sheet
Eight structures for a travel zine on one sheet of paper: one city per panel, a food zine, ticket stubs, a map spread, and when to use an accordion.
- How to score and fold thick card without cracking
Card above 200 gsm cracks at the fold unless scored first. Tools that work (bone folder, empty pen, butter knife), which side to score, grain and toner.
- Best paper weights for printing zines and photo booklets at home
Which gsm to buy for zines, booklets and accordion albums on an inkjet or laser: 80 to 250 gsm explained, tray limits, glossy vs matte, scoring and grain.
Accordion album questions
How long can the album be?
Four, eight or twelve panels. Four panels come from one sheet; eight or twelve join two or three strips with tape on the back.
Can I use landscape photos on tall panels?
Yes. Layouts include a landscape photo with a caption below, and stacked pairs of landscapes. Or crop to portrait in the slot by dragging.
What paper should I use?
160 to 250 gsm card or matte photo paper if you want it to stand up. Score the folds first on heavy stock. Plain paper works for a first try.
Does it need a duplex printer?
No. The accordion prints on one side only, so any printer works and there is nothing to align.
Can I make a booklet instead?
Yes, the stapled booklet uses the same travel templates on A5 pages if you prefer something that opens like a book.
Make your accordion album now
Free during the beta, up to 16 pages. No sign-up, nothing shipped: you print it at home.