How to Create & Design Brochures for Free
An informational brochure is an invaluable marketing tool for any small business or nonprofit service organization. Potential customers want basic information: an overview of services offered, contact information and, in the case of a self-employed entrepreneur, credentials. A brochure's compact size makes it the perfect medium to provide this information. You can also leave your brochures at various other businesses to do your advertising for you.
You can design and create your own brochures free with a little effort and a basic understanding of word processing programs.
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Instructions
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Format your page. Most word processing documents use a portrait setting, meaning the text will fit on a piece of paper 8 1/2 inches wide and 11 inches high. Change the setting to landscape, which will orient the text on paper 11 inches wide and 8 1/2 inches high. Your printer will automatically print the text properly.
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Make columns. A brochure is an 11-by-8 1/2-inch piece of paper folded into thirds, so you need to create three even columns. Your word processing program will have a columns option in the top menu. To allow for folding, make sure the space between each column is at least 1/2 inch wide.
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Create the inside text. Decide what you want the reader to see when he opens your brochure, such as description of services, company history or customer testimonials. Start at the top-left corner of the first column and create that text.
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Make it unique. Add interesting fonts, graphic or clip art to break up the text. A brochure is an overview, not a book, so don't be afraid of white space in your text.
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Design the outside. The cover of your brochure is the last column on page 2. Whatever is on your brochure cover is most responsible for catching a customer's eye, so keep it as uncluttered as possible. If you have a logo, it should go on the front of your brochure. The middle column on the second page is the back of the brochure. Make sure your contact information is there.
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Print a test brochure. Print one side of the brochure on regular computer paper. Turn the printed paper over and print the other side. Depending on whether your printer flips the paper during printing, you may need to adjust how you put the one-side-printed paper back in the paper drawer. Fold the finished brochure and see if you like the final product.
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Print the brochure. Add card stock or other decorative paper to your printer's paper drawer and print your brochures.
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Resources
- Photo Credit business colleagues preparing for business meeting image by Vladimir Melnik from Fotolia.com
