A solid brochure is a basic essential for any marketing toolkit. With more versatility than a business card or rack card, a standard trifold brochure is a great tool for presenting information in an easy to organize and navigate format. And with a wide range of sizes, finishing options and print methods, there is no end to your creativity when it comes to designing the perfect brochure.
Great brochure design doesn't always mean straying from the formula, however, and before you can start breaking the rules, it helps to familiarize yourself with the basics. Take a look at some of our brochure best practices below, adapted from
this list by the folks over at Creative Bloq.
Define your objectives - Are you looking to advertise or educate? Who is your target audience, and what is your focus? Answering these questions can help you determine what information is relevant, so that you can better prioritize the data you are presenting.
Simplify and Clarify - I cannot stress enough the importance of copy-editing when it comes to a brochure. When all is said and done, an 8.5 x 11 trifold isn't a huge canvas, and if you overcrowd your layout with big blocks of text and information, the rest will get lost. If the answer to the the questions above was "educate or inform", then sometimes that much data is necessary, but if you don't organize and break it apart into easy to navigate sections, it can be difficult for readers to understand.
Organize your Layout - Gridlines and guidelines are your friend here, use them to keep each panel separate and clean. Especially if you're doing an uneven or short fold, using margins and guidelines help keep your copy from being overcrowded.
Don't Treat Visuals as an Afterthought - Pay attention to fonts, imagery and colors. Make sure you're in keeping with your brand guidelines if there are any to adhere to. Make sure your images are high quality and professional looking, and don't let your layout get too busy.