Brochures are a great marketing tool that can help you convey lots of information during a marketing campaign. Brochure design can be utilized to display restaurant menus or new product offerings and special offers. You can even use brochure design to create program events and travel guides. There are some standard brochure design options that you should consider when getting ready to send your next brochure to the printer.
Brochure Design Folds
There are two common brochure folds used and a range of sizes that come standard at any printing company. Which fold or size you use will depend mainly on the business or brand you run and what you plan on using your brochure for.
Accordion
The classic tri-fold brochure will be broken into thirds and made to open toward the reader, much like classic restaurant menus. Because there is only one sheet of paper, this kind of brochure is great for:
- Restaurant Menus
- Travel Destination Guides
- Service Descriptions
- Class Offerings
- Health Information for Medical Procedures
- Tourist Maps
Using an accordion fold brochure adds extra stability to your product, ensuring that it maintains its original design no matter how it is used.
Catalog Fold
The catalog fold allows you to put more information in your brochure by creating larger spaces to work with. Instead of three smaller portions on each side, you get a full page’s length to work with. This can be extremely beneficial for brochures that:
- Show Off Product Images
- Have Large Blocks of Text
- Are Oriented Horizontally Rather Than Vertically
Using a catalog fold allows you to create a book-like appearance that has a more professional appearance that readers are sure to appreciate.
Text Layout for Brochure Design
When you’ve chosen the fold and size you want to use, you’ll need to design the text of your brochure to match your style. Many printing companies offer blank templates that you can use in your editing software to make the brochure fit exactly as you’d like. When creating the content of your brochure, be sure to pay attention to the following.
Spacing
You want to do your best to avoid clutter or information crowding. At the same time, too much blank space can lose visual engagement. Aim for a good mix of images and text, with the images breaking up text boxes, so no one page is heavily loaded with information.
Font
Whether your brochure will be a one-sheet or a multi-page piece, choose a font that’s easy to read. Avoid using two different fonts, which can distract your reader. Choose a serif for your title and body text, and a sans serif for subheadings. If you’re using two different fonts, use them sparingly. The more fonts you use, the more your reader will notice them and miss the message.
When choosing fonts, look for fonts that convey your brand’s personality and reliability. For instance, if your brochure features lawn mowers, you’ll want a font that evokes a sense of power. However, if your brochure is about lawn care, you can choose a font that’s reserved, but still visually exciting. Good fonts fit in seamlessly with your design and make it easy to read.
Brochures are usually read from left to right, and the text should follow the line of sight. But there are some exceptions to this rule. Brochures can be single-page documents or multi-page ones with flaps for branding or information. In any case, the main text of a brochure should be short and sweet. If it is too long or too thin, the message will not be received.
Alignment
Alignment is a vital part of a standard brochure design. The design should be easy to understand and navigate. The brochure should contain the company name and logo, catchy slogan, and products or services that you want to promote. It should also include a call to action and contact information. In addition, it should be on-brand, informative, and attractive.
Brochure design should have images and text aligned on the left side of the page. Center alignment is also acceptable in small sections, but should be used sparingly. The page should also have a hierarchy, with the most important elements being placed in the most prominent areas. Most conservative businesses use greens and blues to avoid being overly vibrant, but red and yellow can convey energy. Purple is usually used to convey luxury or royalty.
The content of a brochure will include a logo, marketing copy, and legal disclaimers. It may also contain captions or product specs. While these items are necessary, they can take up valuable space. To maximize space in your brochure, try to keep the copy brief, but concise. If you have to use large amounts of text, try using a smaller font and a lower font size. This will free up more space for other parts of the brochure.
By choosing the proper fold for your brochure design and ensuring your layout is visually pleasing, your brochure is sure to help boost your business or brand.