Brochures

You can design your brochure yourself using any professional layout software such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, or Photoshop, and then upload the finished file directly to our website.

If you prefer not to design it yourself, we also offer affordable design services where our team creates a print-ready file based on your content and instructions.

To get started, select your brochure’s size, fold type, paper, and quantity in our product configurator. Then add the item to your cart and upload your artwork. Our automated system will check your file and generate a free PDF proof for your review before printing begins.

The right paper depends on how your brochure will be used. For general marketing handouts and tri-fold mailers, a 100 lb gloss text stock provides a professional feel and vivid color reproduction at an economical price. 

For brochures that need to feel more substantial, such as real estate presentations or luxury service menus, upgrading to a 14 pt or 16 pt card stock gives a heavier, more premium impression.

If you plan to mail your brochures in bulk and want to keep shipping costs down, an 80 lb text stock is a lightweight option that still reproduces color well. 

Not sure which paper feels right? Order one of our free sample kits to compare stocks side by side before committing to a full run.

Gloss text is a standard coated paper with a smooth, shiny surface that enhances color saturation and is ideal for most brochure interiors and lightweight folded pieces. Gloss cover, sometimes called card stock, is a thicker, more rigid version of the same coated finish, giving brochures a heavier, more durable feel.

High-gloss UV coating is a liquid finish applied on top of the printed sheet that adds an extra layer of shine and protection against fingerprints, scuffing, and moisture. UV coating is available on card stock options and is a popular upgrade for brochures that will be handled frequently, such as product sell sheets and trade show handouts.

If you need to write on your brochure, for example, to add a personalized note or fill in contact details by hand, choose an uncoated paper stock. This surface accepts ink from pens and markers without smearing or beading.

Gloss, matte and UV-coated papers have a sealed surface that resists standard writing instruments, so ballpoint and felt-tip pens will not write well on them.

The most popular brochure size is the 8.5” x 11” letter format with a tri-fold (also called a letter fold), which creates a compact finished piece that fits into a standard #10 business envelope.

The 8.5” x 14” legal size with a tri-fold is another popular choice when you need slightly more room for content.

Beyond tri-folds, bi-fold (half-fold) brochures are widely used for restaurant menus, event programs, and price lists because they offer four large panels. Z-folds are popular for step-by-step guides, maps, and timelines because all panels can be seen at once when fully opened.

Our configurator offers a wide selection of sizes and fold types.

The flat size is the full dimension of the sheet before any folding takes place. This is the size your design file needs to match.

The folded size is the finished dimension of the brochure after it has been folded, which is the size your customer will hold in their hands.

For example, an 11” x 8.5” flat sheet that is tri-folded produces a finished piece that is 3.7” x 8.5”. Our configurator and the layout mockup automatically shows both the flat and folded dimensions, along with a visual panel layout, as soon as you select your size and fold type.

For a bi-fold, the sheet is folded in half, so each panel is exactly half the flat width. For example, an 11” x 8.5” sheet folded in half gives you two panels of 5.5” x 8.5” on each side.

For a tri-fold (letter fold), the sheet is divided into three panels. The panel that folds inward is typically 1/16” to 1/8” narrower than the outer two panels so the brochure folds flat without buckling.

A z-fold divides the sheet into three equal panels because no panel tucks inside another. Our configurator displays the exact panel dimensions for every size and fold combination you select.

Design your brochure at the full flat size as a single page for each side, with the front and back on separate pages. Place your content in the panel positions that correspond to the folded reading order, keeping in mind that the panel arrangement differs between fold types.

For a standard tri-fold, the inside flap panel (the one that folds in first) is on the right side of the back layout, not the left. The front cover panel is on the right side of the front layout. 

Our free downloadable templates show the correct panel positions, fold lines, bleed areas, and safety margins for every fold type, so you can simply drop your content into the right panels.

No. All brochures ordered through our website are printed, folded, trimmed, and delivered ready to use. Folding is included in every brochure order at no extra charge. You simply select your fold type in the configurator, upload your file, and we handle the rest.

If for any reason you need your brochures delivered flat and unfolded, contact our support team before placing your order to discuss your requirements.

Yes. Every brochure order includes a free downloadable PDF proof generated automatically by our system after you upload your file. The proof shows your artwork with trim marks, bleed, and fold lines so you can verify that everything is positioned correctly before approving the job for production.

If you want an additional hands-on review, you can add our Expert File Check option in the shopping cart.

One of our prepress specialists will manually inspect your file for technical issues such as low resolution, incorrect color mode, or missing bleed, and correct them if necessary before printing begins.

Use images at a minimum resolution of 150 dpi, with 300 dpi recommended for sharp reproduction of photography and fine detail. Set your file’s color mode to CMYK rather than RGB, as CMYK matches the ink process used in offset printing and produces more accurate color results.

Keep all critical text and imagery at least 1/12” inside the trim edge to prevent content from being cut off during finishing. Include 1/10” of bleed on all sides so that backgrounds and images extend cleanly to the edge. Export your final file as a high-resolution PDF, ideally PDF/X-3, for the best color accuracy.

Text weight papers (80 lb to 120 lb gloss or matte text) are ideal for lightweight brochures such as tri-fold mailers, event handouts, and restaurant takeaway menus. They fold cleanly, keep mailing costs low, and reproduce color well.

Card stock papers (14 pt to 16 pt) are best for brochures that need to stand up to heavy handling, such as trade show sell sheets, product spec sheets, and real estate flyers. Card stocks feel more substantial and can be enhanced with glossy or matte lamination for added durability. 

Uncoated stocks work well for brochures that require a writable surface or a natural, eco-friendly appearance.

Start by defining your brochure’s purpose and audience before laying out content.

Use high-resolution images, limit your design to two or three complementary fonts, and leave enough white space so the layout does not feel crowded. Place your most important message or call to action on the front cover panel where it is seen first.

Always design at the full flat size and use our free templates, which include fold lines, bleed, and safety margins already set up. Keep text away from fold lines, as copy that runs across a crease can be difficult to read.

Finally, review the PDF proof carefully to confirm panel order, image placement, and color accuracy before approving the job.