How to Make Brochures in Microsoft Word

Brochures can be created in Microsoft Word using a few easy steps.

Microsoft Word offers many options for creating a brochure. One option is to take advantage of the many brochure templates offered on their website (found under resource section of this article) and download your preference. Another option is to create the brochure from scratch. The following instructions use Microsoft Word 2010 to make a brochure, but can be adapted for any version of Word that you have.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Internet
• Microsoft Word software

1. Create a visual representation of the brochure. Take an 8½- by 11-inch blank piece of paper and fold it into three equal parts like you would a letter. Unfold the paper and place it before you in a landscape fashion (horizontal 11 x 8½). The paper should contain two creases separating the paper into three equal columns. Sketch a brief outline of what each page will contain once it is folded; keeping in mind that the first column is your heading page containing name, contact information, brief introduction, and corresponding picture or graphic. The second and third columns contain detailed sequential information.

2. Set up a landscape page with one half inch margins on all sides of the page. Click on "Page Layout" in the toolbar menu at the top of the screen. Click on the "Orientation" option and pick "Landscape". Choose your margins by clicking on "Narrow" under the "Margins" tab.

3. Establish three columns on your page to make a sequential tri-fold brochure. Click on "Columns" under the "Page Layout" tab and choose "More Columns". Click on the "Three" icon and change the spacing to one inch between columns. Click on "OK" when done.

4. Format the text of your document. The cursor should be positioned in the left corner of the first column. Right click at the cursor position and choose type, size and color of font. Type the text and position it correctly in the brochure. Remember to pick fonts that are easy to read. Pick different sizes and colors to emphasize headings, website links or other important information.

5. Insert pictures, clip art or Wordart by clicking on the "Insert" tab in the toolbar menu at the top. Remember to choose related pictures to the topic. Make any changes to pictures by right clicking on the picture and choosing "Format Picture".

6. Save your document often. Click on either the floppy disk icon in the left corner of the screen or by clicking on "Save" under the "File" menu in the toolbar. Be sure to spell check and search for grammar errors by clicking on "ABC " under the "Review" menu. Insert paper into your printer. Print out the brochure by clicking on "Print" from the "File" menu.

References

• Computor Companion: Use Word to create a tri-fold brochure

Resources

• Microsoft: Brochures