Designing a custom brochure that clearly communicates important information should be simple. But it can be tricky to figure out what type of brochure to use, how to structure your information, and where to add visual design elements. Above all, a brochure is meant to share information in an impactful way. Just throwing content inside a brochure is a waste of time and money. You want to carefully craft your brochure layout to boost whatever your marketing goal is, whether it’s increasing sales, spreading brand awareness, or spreading information. The small space with its compact, folded design lets you tell a marketing narrative.
Here’s everything you need to know about designing and printing brochures.
When to Use a Brochure
What is a brochure? Typically, a business brochure is meant to promote your offerings to prospective clients and customers. For example, spa brochures can list various services, while a sales brochure can list products and deals. This lets brochures act as mini catalogs. Brochures are also informative. Share your company story as a way to pitch your brand. If your brand is hosting or sponsoring an event, then a brochure can serve as an event program with maps, speakers, and agendas.
How to Design a Brochure
Establish Your Goal and Audience
This will establish your design direction. If you’re promoting services, then you want a brochure that highlights what makes each one special. If you’re selling products, then you want to be able to list prices and product descriptions. If you’re making an informative brochure, you want to have plenty of space for text. Your target audience will also impact your design. A brochure intended to persuade potential corporate partners will likely look sleek and minimalist, while a trendy nail salon will use a brochure that reaches a younger, more casual viewer. Determine if your goal is driving sales, increasing brand awareness, or sharing informative content.
Start designing your brochure.
Choose a Brochure Fold and Size
There are many types of brochures, which can make finding the right one a bit tricky. The most popular brochure fold is tri-fold. It has three panels to share information, which most people find sufficient. The main concern is how much content you plan to share. If it’s limited, then a simple half-fold brochure will do the trick. A more elaborate informative brochure or guide will likely require more pages, like the accordion fold, roll fold, and closed gate fold. Map brochures might need more space, which makes the French fold (half then half fold) and half fold then trifold ideal. This might all sound complicated, but looking at the fold options makes it easy to visualize how the paper is formatted. Need to know how to fold a brochure? Don’t worry – GotPrint prints brochures and folds them.
Your brochure size will dictate what folds are available. Typically, an 8.5” x 11” tri-fold brochure is most popular. A 6” x 9” size is the smallest brochure option. Otherwise, an 11” x 17” brochure is very popular, as this size is available with several folding styles. Organization is important, which is why the brochure style and size matter. How your content and images flow from each page has to guide readers through a narrative. Use our brochure design templates to make sure your brochure prints as you envisioned it.
Pick a Color Palette
With so much design space available, you don’t want to use just one background color on your brochure. Your brochure colors will likely match your branding. But you can add more variety as well to add visual intrigue to the design. No matter what, the design should match your aesthetic. A modern, urban architecture firm will likely use lighter, neutral shades, while a toy company will benefit from vibrant, neon colors. Follow basic color theory guidelines to create a layout that is unique but cohesive.
Write Your Text
The benefit of brochures compared to flyers and rack cards is that there is a lot of room to write custom text. But you don’t want to go overboard. Focus on the key details and most important information. It should be concise and easy to understand. Share a product name, a type of service, contact information, or whatever else you’d like to promote. If you have extra space, you can share a bio for your company. No matter what, make sure there’s a call to action (CTA). That can be buying an item, booking a service, or connecting with a representative.
Your text can also guide the design. Use headlines, subheadlines, text boxes, and bullet points to create a visual hierarchy. Different fonts and text sizes can also help emphasize your most important info. Don’t use too many different fonts, as that can appear overwhelming, and make sure all the text is easy to read.
Add Images
Photos, graphic design elements, and illustrations make people want to pick up your brochure. They can also help demonstrate whatever you’re trying to promote. Share product photos, action shots of services, or employee photos on your brochure. Ornamental graphics like geometric shapes, floral designs, and more can also add variety to your layout. Make sure the artwork serves a purpose and relates to your promotional needs. Use high-definition photos that will print clearly.
How to Distribute Brochures
A custom brochure is a beneficial marketing tool for many companies. Small businesses, big corporations, retail stores, and freelancers can all advertise with brochures. You can use them as part of a mail marketing campaign, where you send brochures to addresses within a zip code or on a mailing list. Bring them to events like trade shows, conventions, and other networking opportunities. This lets you give out a physical reminder of what your company representative discussed with the recipient. Brochures can also be displayed inside an office, lobby, or other space with heavy foot traffic. You never know who might pick up your customized brochure and follow your call to action.
This modern brochure template is great for trendy companies with a modern audience. The blue brochure features a colorful geometric pattern and a red background on the inside. Add your own branded photos and custom text to promote an event or service. Cool brochure designs like this one help establish your modern brand identity.
Customize this business brochure design to share your corporate story. The blue and green color palette is vibrant without being too flashy. Add your company logo and photos of employees to highlight your work.
This green brochure has a textured geometric background for a cool, modern brochure style. Yellow design accents and white pop against the simple background on this trifold brochure template.
Aperture Logo in Red and Black
Ideal for tech companies, security companies, and industrial industries, this black, red, and white brochure establishes your serious brand identity.
A black and white photo of skyscrapers on this customizable brochure pairs with swooping design elements. This can also serve as a real estate brochure for urban realtors.
This travel brochure is ideal for travel agencies, hotels, activity providers, and tour guides. There are plenty of spaces to upload travel photos to showcase your idyllic locations.
This colorful brochure features a city skyline with yellow text spaces. There are plenty of design areas to include your promotional images. Add your company name, logo, and contact information to the text areas.
Use this custom spa brochure to showcase your relaxation services. The soothing blue and green color palette matches the comfortable atmosphere, and you can keep the photos of stones and flowers or upload photos of your own.
Use this car dealership brochure to promote your automobile services. Choose a green, yellow, or pink color palette to match your car photos and custom text.
Need more business brochure examples? Check out all of our customizable brochure templates to find one that fits your brand’s visual aesthetic. Use GotPrint’s brochure maker to create your own custom brochures.