Abstract: A method for folding a newspaper tightly into compacted W-shaped cross-sectional configuration and for retaining the newspaper in that form by mechanical means wrapped around its exterior. A conventionally half-folded newspaper, for example, as produced by a standard printing press, is continuously moved along a path that is perpendicular to the center of the half-fold, folded back upon itself along a quarter-fold line coincident with the path and folded forwardly along eighth-fold lines that are parallel to and on opposite sides of the quarter-fold line and that are equidistant from the quarter-fold line and the lateral edges of the newspaper. The folded newspaper in this "W" configuration is compacted laterally, bringing its folded portions tightly against each other and a retaining element is wrapped around its exterior. The retaining element preferably is a sealed jacket of moisture-proof sheet material which is progressively formed around the compacted newspaper as it continues along the path.