A brochure is a powerful marketing tool that can be used to communicate a lot of information about your company or product. They are used to promote events, products, and services. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about brochure design. We explain what is a brochure, when are brochures necessary, the differences between a brochure and a flyer, standard sizes, and popular layouts. We will provide suggestions on selecting a printer and brochure distribution. Most importantly, we discuss why it is important to hire a professional design company to create your brochure.
What is a brochure and what are its uses?
A brochure is a printed piece of marketing collateral that includes important information and images about your company’s products or services. Brochures come in many different paper sizes and folding options, but they all serve the same purpose: to give potential customers key details about what you’re offering.
Digital brochures are becoming more popular, but there are still many reasons to print brochures. They can be used as handouts at trade shows or events, mailed to potential customers, or given to people who visit your store or office.
QR codes can be used to link printed brochures to digital versions, making it easy for people to view your brochure on their phone or computer.
Typical uses for brochures include:
- Providing an overview of your products or services
- Highlighting key features and benefits
- Introducing new products or services
- Sharing coupon codes or special offers
- Directing people to your website or social media accounts
When are brochures necessary?
Brochures are most effective when they’re used as part of a well-rounded marketing strategy that includes other elements such as a website, social media, and digital or print ads. Brochures can be an excellent way to reach new customers who may not be familiar with your company. They can also be used to stay in touch with existing customers and remind them of your products or services.
Are printed brochures still needed?
With the popularity of digital brochures, it may seem like brochures are a thing of the past. However, there are certain situations where printed brochures are still the best option. If you’re on the fence about whether or not to print your brochure, keep reading. This article will cover everything you need to know about brochure design, from when brochures are necessary to popular brochure layouts.
The best marketing brochures are those that are designed to meet the specific needs of the audience. Brochure design can be a powerful marketing tool, but only if it’s done well. A poorly designed brochure will end up in the trash, while a well-designed brochure will be kept and shared.
What is the difference between a brochure and a flyer?
The main difference between brochures and flyers is that brochures are usually more formal and have more content than flyers. They are also typically printed on higher quality paper, which makes them more durable. Brochures can be used to provide detailed information about a product or service, while flyers are generally used to promote an event or sale.
A brochure can be a booklet (like a magazine or catalog) that is used to introduce and promote a company, product, or service. It contains several pages of information about the business, including its history, products or services, and contact information. Brochures are usually used by businesses as part of their marketing campaigns. For more information check out our blog article about the benefits of having a product catalog.
Flyers are typically single sheets of paper that contain information about an event or sale. They are usually less formal than brochures and often have brighter colors and more graphics. Flyers are typically used to promote a special event, such as a concert or sale, and are generally not as detailed as brochures.
When deciding whether to use a brochure or flyer, it is important to consider the purpose of the document and the audience you are trying to reach. If you need to provide a lot of detailed information, a brochure may be the better option. If you are just trying to promote an event or sale, a flyer may be sufficient.
If you are unsure which type of document is best for your needs, consider talking to a professional graphic design company like Silva Heeren. Our team of experts can help you create a brochure or flyer that is sure to get your message across. Contact us today to learn more about our brochure and flyer design services.
Standard brochure sizes in the U.S.
In the U.S. there are several brochure sizes but only four standard brochure sizes are widely available and used by brochure printers. These sizes are:
8.5 x 11
An 8.5×11 is a standard letter-size brochure. The actual size is 8.5 inches wide by 11 inches tall. This brochure is the size of a standard sheet of paper, making it easy to design and print. This size is also easy to mail since it will fit into a standard envelope. It can be easily folded in half (half-fold or bi-fold) or in three parts (tri-fold).
8.5 x 14
An 8.5×14 brochure is a standard legal-size brochure. The actual size is 8.5 inches wide by 14 inches tall. This brochure size is not as common as the others and may be more difficult to find a printer that offers this size. It can be easily folded in half (half-fold) or in three parts (tri-fold).
11 x 17
An 11×17 brochure is twice the size of a letter-size brochure and it’s called a tabloid-size brochure. It is 11 inches wide by 17 inches tall. This size is great for larger images and more content. It can be folded in half (half-fold), in three parts (tri-fold), or into fourths (z-fold).
11 x 25.5
It is 11 inches wide by 25.5 inches tall. This size is commonly used for take-out menus, product sheets, and handouts. It can be quarter-folded (into four equal parts), half-folded (into two equal parts), or tri-folded (into three equal sections). This size gives you the option to use more photography and include more information.
There are other sizes that are not as common but can be special-ordered from some printers.
Most popular brochure folds
Bi-fold (or half-fold)
A bi-fold brochure has two panels that fold inwards to create a brochure that is four pages long, it can be vertical or horizontal. It is the simplest brochure layout and is popular with small businesses as it is the most affordable brochure to produce.
Tri-fold
A tri-fold brochure has three panels on each side for a total of six panels and folds inwards, similar to a bi-fold but with an extra panel. It can be folded as a C-fold or Z-fold, please see below. This brochure layout gives you more space to play with and is still relatively affordable to produce. This brochure style is popular among many businesses as it can be used in a number of ways, for example as a brochure or as a restaurant take-out menu.
Z-fold
A Z-fold brochure has six panels that are folded together in a zigzag pattern, similar to how a map is typically folded. This brochure layout is often used for maps but can be used for other brochure content as well.
C-fold
A C-fold brochure is the most popular tri-fold brochure, it has six panels, three on each side and when seen from above it resembles the letter C. It is commonly used as a take-out menu for restaurants.
Gatefold
A gatefold brochure has two panels on each side that fold inwards towards the center of the brochure, similar to how a gate opens. This brochure layout gives you a lot of space to play with and is often used for more luxurious items or services.
French fold
A French fold brochure has four panels, two on each side that are folded in half and then in half again for a total of 8 panels. This brochure layout gives you a lot of space to work with but can be more expensive to produce.
Double gatefold
A double gate fold brochure has four panels, two on each side that fold inwards towards the center of the brochure and then back out again. This brochure layout is similar to a gatefold but with an extra step, giving you even more space to work with.
Spiral fold
A spiral fold brochure has six panels, three on each side that are spiraled together similar to how a phone cord is wound. This brochure layout is often used for more creative content as it gives you the ability to play with the order in which the brochure is read.
Double parallel fold
A double parallel fold brochure has eight panels, four on each side that are folded in half and then in half again. This brochure layout is similar to a French fold but with an extra step, giving you even more space to work with.
Accordion fold
An accordion fold brochure has multiple panels that are all connected and fold in on themselves similar to an accordion. This brochure layout is often used for more creative content as it gives you the ability to play with the order in which the brochure is read.
When deciding on a brochure layout, think about what type of content you will be including and how you want it to be presented. If you need help deciding, our team of professional brochure designers at Silva Heeren can help you decide on the perfect layout for your brochure. Contact us today to get started!
Essential elements of a brochure
Brochures serve many purposes. They can be used to promote a product, service, or event; they can be informational pieces that are distributed at trade shows or conferences, or they can be used as handouts or takeaway items from a presentation or meeting. No matter what their purpose is, all brochures have one thing in common: they need to be designed well in order to be effective.
There are a few essential elements that every brochure should have, regardless of its purpose. These elements include:
A strong headline
The headline is the most important element of the brochure, so it needs to have attention-grabbing text and make clear what the brochure is about.
Clear and concise copy
The brochure should be easy to read and understand, copy with short paragraphs and bullet points whenever possible.
Eye-catching visuals
A brochure is not just about the words; it’s also about the visuals. Be sure to include images, graphics, and/or photos that complement the brochure’s message.
A call to action
Every brochure should have a clear call to action, whether it’s “Buy now!” or “RSVP today.” Without a call to action, the brochure will be ineffective.
When you keep these elements in mind, you’ll be on your way to creating a brochure that is sure to get noticed. And if you need help with the design, our team at Silva Heeren is always here to lend a hand. Give us a call today!
Choosing a printing company for your brochures
You want to make sure you’re working with a printing company that has the experience and a good reputation. Brochure printing can be a tricky process, and you don’t want to have to go through the hassle of working with a company that doesn’t know what they’re doing.
The first thing you need to do is decide on the size of your brochure. Will it be a standard tri-fold brochure or something smaller or larger? Once you have the size figured out, you need to decide on the paper stock. There are a variety of paper stocks available, and each has its own benefits.
You also need to think about how many brochures you’re going to need. Printing companies typically have minimum order quantities, so you’ll need to make sure you order enough brochures to meet their minimum.
Finally, you need to decide on a design for your brochure. If you don’t have a design in mind, most printing companies can help you come up with something that fits your needs. Once you have all of this figured out, you’re ready to start working with a printing company to get your brochures printed!
If you’re looking for a graphic design company to help you with your brochure design, we highly recommend checking out ours. We have a team of experienced designers who will work with you to create a brochure that’s perfect for your business. Contact us today to get started!
Why is it important to hire a professional design company for your brochure design?
Well-designed brochures can be extremely effective marketing tools. They can help promote your products or services, increase brand awareness, and generate leads. But in order for brochures to be effective, they need to be well-designed. That’s where a professional graphic design company comes in.
A good graphic design company will have a team of experienced designers who will work with you to create a brochure that meets your specific needs. They’ll also be able to provide guidance on the best way to use your brochure to achieve your marketing goals.
Photography is another aspect of brochure design. High-quality photos can make a big difference in how your brochure is perceived. A graphic design company will have access to high-quality stock photos or be able to hire a professional photographer to take custom photos for your brochure.
Copywriting is important when creating a brochure. Your brochure should have a clear, concise, and persuasive copy that is designed to sell your products or services. A professional graphic design company will have a team of experienced copywriters who can help you create effective brochure copy.
Conclusion
A brochure is an important marketing tool that should be well-designed in order to be effective. A good graphic design company can help you create a brochure that meets your specific needs and achieves your marketing goals. They’ll have a team of experienced designers who can help with the layout, graphics, and photos, as well as copywriting. Contact a graphic design company today to get started on your brochure design!
Need help with your brochure design? Our team at Silva Heeren is always here to lend a hand. Give us a call today! We have a team of experienced designers who will work with you to create a brochure that’s perfect for your business. Contact us today to get started!