What is a Brochure and how is it. Complete guide to understand your use

A brochure is a tool for print communication that is used to provide detailed information about a specific topic or in a simplified manner, that is easy to read. In mexico it is very used in the streets and businesses where there are a lot of people.

Generally, it consists of several leaves of paper that are folded and sewn, forming a series of pages that allow a structured presentation and full of content.

With eye-catching designs, and a layout that is optimal for capture the reader’s attention.

It can vary according to the purpose and the amount of information you need to include. The common sizes are A4 (21 x 29.7 cm) or A5 (14.8 x 21 cm). Select the size that best suits your needs and the amount of content.

The format can be a single sheet folded into several parts (as a booklet in triptych) or multiple sheets of paper bound. Choose the format according to the volume of information, and how you want to present because this is important.

Format Varied:

A brochure can have different formats depending on the amount of information you need to present. It can be a document on multiple sheets, or a large sheet of paper folded in multiple parts, depending on the design.

Detailed Contents:

Unlike a flyer, which focuses on short messages, a pamphlet provides ample space to include detailed information. This may include extensive descriptions, graphics, images, and other visual elements that enrich the content.

Structured Design:

The design of a brochure is intended to guide the reader through the information in a logical manner. Elements like tables, lists, and sections clearly defined help to organize the content and make it easy to read.

Print quality:

Brochures are usually printed on high quality paper to ensure that content is presented in a professional manner. The choice of the finish, such as matte or glossy, it also can affect the appearance and durability of the booklet.

These examples may give you more insight about some of the situations in which you can take advantage of them.

Catalogues of Products: Companies that sell a variety of products can use brochures to present their offers in a comprehensive manner, including pictures, descriptions and prices.

Programs, Events: events, like conferences, fairs and festivals, often use brochures to provide complete information about the schedule, speakers and activities.

Tourist guides: The tourism agencies use brochures to offer detailed information about destinations, tourist attractions and services.

Educational materials: Schools and educational organizations can create leaflets to explain programs of study, courses and other academic events.

When designing a brochure is crucial to consider the structure and organization of the content. Here are some tips to create a brochure, effective, step-by-step:

Clarity and Organization:

Divide the content into logical sections, and use headers and clear. This will help readers find the information they are looking for quickly.

Visual Attractions:

Includes pictures and relevant graphics to complement the text and make the booklet visually appealing. Make sure that the visual elements are of high quality.

Complete Information:

Take advantage of the available space to provide all the information necessary, but avoids overburdening the booklet with text too much. Keep a balance between text and images.

Calls to Action:

Include calls-to-action clear, such as contact information, website links or instructions on how to proceed. This will guide readers to the next step.

Choose Appropriate Sources:

Use fonts that are easy to read and align with the tone of your message. Sans-serif fonts such as Arial or Helvetica are good choices for general text, while sources serif font like Times New Roman can be useful for sections which are more formal.

Spacing, and Size of Text:

Make sure that the size of the text is legible. A font size of at least 10-12 points is generally recommended for the body of the text. Use sufficient spacing between lines and paragraphs to improve readability.

Quality of Images:

Use high resolution images (minimum 300 dpi) to avoid that look pixelated or blurry. The images must compliment the text and not to distract.

Charts and graphs: Includes charts and graphs to illustrate data or processes in a visual way. This can make complex information more understandable.

Palette Colors: Choose colors that align with your brand identity or the subject of the brochure. Use contrasting colors for text and background to ensure a good readability.

Keep a consistent layout throughout the booklet. This includes the use of the same colors, fonts and image styles to create a look professional and cohesive.

File format:

For printing, it is preferable to deliver files in formats such as PDF or TIFF format, that preserve the quality and format of the design.

Bleeding and Margin of Safety:

Be sure to include bleeds (additional space around the design) and safety margins (the space between the edge of the booklet and the important content) to prevent parts of the design are cut off during printing.

Create a table of Contents

For brochures with multiple sections, such as triptychs, consider adding a table of contents. This allows the reader to quickly find the information you are interested in improving the usability of the booklet.

Test and Review
  • Print test: Perform a test print before you proceed with mass production. This will allow you to check the design and quality of the print and to make adjustments if necessary.
  • Comprehensive review: carefully Review the content to detect grammatical errors, spelling, or design. Consider asking for feedback to colleagues or friends to get an additional perspective.

Let’s not forget how important it is to the hierarchy of the texts at the time of presenting appropriately to the content, and make it clear which is the title, theme, main and secondary, and so on.

Main title in a brochure

The main title is the most prominent element of the brochure. You must grab attention immediately, and communicate the main theme of the brochure in a clear way.

Subtitle Main

The main sub-headings divide the content into sections important that support the main title. They must be clear and directly related to the topics that will be discussed.

Subtitles Side

These subtitles detail the specific points within each main section. They help to break down the information into smaller manageable and detailed.

Key points or Specific Details

These are items that provide additional information or specific details under each subheading secondary. They can be lists or short paragraphs that expand on the information.

Notes or Additional Information

Additional information that may not be essential for understanding the main, but it offers extra details, examples, or notes to the reader.

Calls-to-Action (Optional)

Section for specific instructions or call to action that invite the reader to perform a specific action, such as to register, call or visit a web site.

With this additional information, you’ll have a complete guide to creating a brochure that is both effective and professional. Here I’ll explain how to do it in the best way:

First, plan carefully. Think about what you want to say and how to organize the information. It is like preparing a good meal: you need to know what ingredients you use and in what order are you going to mix.

Then, pay a lot of attention to the details. This includes everything from choosing the correct images to make sure that the text is easy to read. If you make sure that each part of the booklet is well-made, the result will be much better.

Finally, check your work carefully. Before you print a lot, make a test to see how it looks.

Check out every detail in order to detect possible errors and correct them. Following this hierarchy, your brochure will be clear and well organized. This will help the reader to find and understand information quickly and easily.

How to write a brochure

Cover: Title striking and attractive design. Interior: Introduction, description of the problem, solution, benefits, and graphics. Back cover: a Call to action, contact information and logos.