Designing and creating the perfect brochure can take time but if it is done right you can get some great reward for your business at the end of it. A brochure can be used as a promotional tool for many industries. Whether you are promoted a venue or an event or even a range of products, a brochure allows you to do so in a very creative manner. Unlike leaflets, flyers and posters, using a printed brochure to portray your marketing message gives you more scope to get creative. Brochures give you the perfect canvas to highlight products, use imagery and explain your offering in greater detail. A brochure should be created with the idea that the reader (your customer) will take time to sit down and read through it.
To help get you started on the right path to designing a brochure that hits all the right chords, we have created these 7 simple steps to follow when designing a brochure.
Before you even start to consider how your brochure will look it’s important to sit down and plan what it is you want it to achieve. What will the main message of your brochure be and what are you hoping to provide to those who read it. Decide on the main headings and perhaps consider how your cover page will look as this often makes a big impact with consumers.
Once you have decided on the general message of your brochure, the next thing to consider is what size your pages will be. You will also need to decide on how many pages your brochure will have. The weight of paper you choose, the size and quantity will all impact on the final cost of your brochure so it always helps to have a budget in mind that you can work with.
Now that you have decided on the main message of your flyer and have agreed on the page size and quantity, it’s time to start gathering all the content that will fill your flyer. From images to prices and any other relevant information, take your time and be sure that everything that goes into the brochure will help you achieve your goals. Be sure that all images, especially product images, are of high quality and saved in CMYK format for print.
The next step in designing your brochure is to finally start to design it. You will often get best results working with a professional graphic designer but if your budget doesn’t allow this and you decide to design it yourself, there are a number of things to consider. Be sure that your text is easy to read and large enough to make it. Your photos must work well on the page and try to keep a consistent layout throughout. It is also important to remember the use of colours and the impact that certain colours have on consumer psychology.
Now that you have finished with your design it is vital that you proof everything. Check through your brochure not once, but twice to look for any spelling errors, pricing mistakes or glaring errors. It is also a good idea to ask a colleague or a friend to have a look through the brochure and see how clear all the information is. They may spot some errors that you need to change.
Before sending your final artwork to print you will need to consider the finish of your final print. Will you decide to go with a nice, shiny, glossy finish or perhaps laminate some pages. You may even decide to add a bit of quality to your brochure by opting for a card cover. The finish of your brochure can often say a lot to a customer and you will want it to scream QUALITY to them.
Now that you have finished you brochure design, proofed it and saved it, it’s time to send it to your printer. You will know the quantity required so now all that’s left for you to do is send the final artwork to your printer. The most popular file format requested by printers is PDF format so be sure that your artwork is a print ready PDF.
Be sure to check out our checklist on creating production ready artwork for more information on what to do when designing a brochure for print. One final thing to remember is the importance to plan your distribution. Consider the logistics of how you will distribute your brochures to new and existing customers.
Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ and let us know what you think is the most important thing to remember when designing a brochure for print.
Brochures are a great way to advertise your business. It gives potential customers substantial information about what you do, the services you provide, and more. Additionally, brochures can boost your social media platforms and your website.
However, if your brochure doesn’t have a professional appearance, it may deter people from using your services rather than attract customers. The right paper is thus the best way to leave potential customers with a favorable opinion of your company.
Below we’ve compiled everything you need to know about choosing the best paper for brochures. Read on to determine what paper, weight, and finish are best for you!
The design of your brochure, as well as what it will be used for, will help determine what kind of paper you need to use.
For instance, how much information and how many images do you want in your brochure? This will help inform how many folds your brochure will have.
If you are designing a brochure with many folds, you won’t want to use paper that is too thick. Otherwise, it may be challenging to keep the brochure flat when it’s folded.
If you plan on mailing your brochures, be sure that it meets postal regulations. If your folded brochure is too thick, you may not be able to mail the brochure at all. Be sure to take this into account when you choose the paper thickness and number of folds in your brochure.
In the United States, the paper weight is determined by weighing 500 sheets of a particular type of paper. The total weight varies depending on the sheet size and the paper thickness. Because of this, it isn’t easy choosing the paper weight for your brochure. Luckily for you, we have a list of the best paper weights to use.
The best type of paper weight for brochures to use is 70, 80, or 100-lb text. You can also use 80 lb or 100 lb cover.
So, which is the best for your brochure? Let’s explore the benefits and uses of each paper weight type.
The lightest and most cost effective paper weight for brochures is 70 lb text. This paper is similar to the type of paper you would find in a book. Therefore, it can be flimsy and easier to rip. However, if you want to make a thick brochure with more than two folds, the 70 lb text is a good option. Moreover, if you’re going to write on your brochure, this may be a good option.
The 80 lb text stock is a little more durable than the 70 lb text and thus is slightly heavier. This paper weight holds its shape well while still maintaining a lightweight feel. Therefore, it’s often a more popular choice for brochures that need more than two folds.
Because the 100 lb text is the most substantial text stock, it’s the ideal paper weight if you are looking for a high-quality look. This paper weight is priced reasonably and works well for standard brochure designs. Moreover, it is sturdy and holds up well after repeated use.
The 80 lb cover stock is relatively lightweight and very sturdy. However, because of its thickness, it can be hard to keep flat when its folded. Conversely, if you are handing brochures out at a tradeshow or similar event, you may want a sturdier paper that will retain its shape even after people stuff it in their bags.
100 lb cover is the thickest paper recommended for brochures. If you have more than one fold in your brochure, however, it’s probably too thick. However, if you want to make a durable bi-fold brochure that is sturdy and long-lasting, this may be a good option.
There are many benefits to both glossy and matte brochure paper. However, your particular brochure design, and the contents in your brochure, will ultimately determine which is the best option for you. Let’s consider the benefits of each.
Glossy brochures often look more high quality. If you have a lot of images in your brochure, the glossy finish can give those pictures more depth by making the colors stand out more. However, if you plan to have more text in your brochure, the gloss can make it difficult to read because of the glare.
Matte coated paper is a good option if you have more text or a good mix of text and images. Matte finishes still have a bit of a shine to them, but don’t have a glare. This will make the brochure easier to read, and your images will look nice.
Using uncoated paper is an option as well. The uncoated paper gives a more organic look to your brochure and is best for brochures with heavy text. Depending on the paper weight you choose, it may be a good option. However, the wrong paper can make the brochure look cheaper and less professional without a matte or glossy finish.
Now that you know what the best paper for brochures is, you’ll need to finish designing your brochure and partner with a quality printing company that can turn your vision into reality.
The Print Authority is a premier printing company with an array of graphic design and printing services. If you haven’t designed your brochure yet, The Print Authority can help you develop the concept, create the design, and maintain consistent branding.
With both digital and offset printing services, you can easily create high-quality brochures at the lowest prices.
If you would like to order a continuous supply of brochures, you can do print on demand. On-demand printing is a digital printing method that allows you to order prints when you need them, saving you money, storage space, and backorders. It also means you can change your order at any time without paying extra fees.
Additionally, orders with The Print Authority can often be shipped the same day or next day, meaning you get your brochures within a few days!
With low prices, great quality, and incredible customer service, The Print Authority is your one-stop print shop for any product you would like to print! Start your order by contacting us.
Choosing the Best Paper for Brochures