Brochures are an excellent marketing tool for summarizing key concepts in a way that grabs attention and is easy to remember. They are a cost-efficient and effective way of getting the word out about your brand, event, or product. In contrast to the flyer or poster, brochure folds give an interactive 3D element, and due to this feature, they have more chances of sticking to your audience’s mind. Choosing the right types of brochure folds are almost as important as the content you place on each page. The best brochure fold depends on your objectives. Certain folds are naturally better at product reveals or humor, while others automatically offer a sense of luxury.
We differentiate brochures on two bases:
- Format and Layout
- Intended Use
Format and Layout
The brochure design format refers to the size and fold of the brochure, while the layout includes elements such as text placement, image arrangement, and use of white space. It can be helpful to envision how the finished product will appear before starting the design process.
For example, will it be a tri-fold or bi-fold brochure design? Will there be one large image on the front or multiple smaller images? These decisions can significantly impact how effectively your message is communicated to potential customers.
Intended Use
Intended use refers to the brochure’s purpose or goal. Are you trying to boost brand awareness, generate leads, or promote a new product? This will help determine your brochure’s overall tone and content and select one of the best brochure design templates.
For example, if you are trying to increase brand awareness, include more information about your company’s history and values. If you are promoting a new product, the brochure design should focus on features and benefits.
This blog will explain the diverse types of brochures worth knowing about. Knowing them will help you in the entire brochure design process while creating your brochure. So, let’s talk about these brochure design ideas.
Types of Brochure According to Intended Use
These are the three main types of brochures, each with its own purpose.
1. Response Brochure:
Organizations and companies use response brochures to solicit a response from their audience. Response brochures often have attention-grabbing graphics and clear calls to action, including contact information for further engagement. The primary purpose of a response brochure is to generate leads or sales. These brochures typically contain a call to action, such as a coupon, special offer, or contact information.
2. Informational Brochure:
An informational brochure is a fantastic way to share important information with your audience in a concise, visually appealing format. Whether promoting a product, sharing important health information, or educating visitors about your organization, a brochure allows for organized messaging that is easy for readers to digest and reference later.
3. Promotional Brochure:
A promotional brochure is a marketing tool for advertising a product, service, or organization. It can also be used as a real estate brochure. Typically containing colorful graphics and descriptive language, these brochures aim to persuade the reader to take action, such as purchasing the product or signing up for an event. They are often included in direct mail campaigns and handed out at professional events and trade shows.
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Types of Brochure Folds
1. The Half-Fold
The most basic brochure option is the half-fold, which consists of a single page folded equally. This brochure folding option excels because of its simplicity and versatility.
- Paper Size: 8.5 x 11
- Number of Folds: 1
Businesses like restaurants, charities, and schools usually like half-fold brochures because they’re an easy way to display a large amount of information more dynamically than on a plain piece of paper.
2. The Tri-Fold
Tri-fold brochures have an attention-grabbing vertical style that is easy for businesses to hand out, mail (fits easily into a standard-size legal envelope), and display (less counter space!). The tri-fold brochure size is also convenient for customers to slip inside a pocket or purse.
- Paper Size: 8.5 x 11
- Number of Folds: 3
A single page is divided into three equal sections, with one side folded on top. Because the customer views one panel at a time as they open the brochure, it’s sometimes been described as a more “suspenseful” experience.
Tri-fold formats allow you to share more ideas but with less space for each one. Bullet points are an excellent solution, keeping readers engaged from beginning to end.
When creating images for a tri-fold, consider whether your pictures will display appropriately on a third of the page rather than stretched across the entire document.
3. The Z-Fold
This unique style is exceptional for taking your audience on a journey or compartmentalizing different types of content.
- Paper Size: 8.5 x 11
- Number of Folds: 3
Once opened, the Z-fold brochure type shows a single cohesive narrative, making this style of media ideal for brand history or “from idea to execution” content.
It’s also a helpful way to display content in multiple languages. Since you have complete control over panel length, the Z-fold works to extend images across multiple pages.
Since the Z-fold takes the same shape as a tri-fold, it’s also easy to display and hand out, but it’s more challenging to mail since the non-folded edges can be easily damaged when placed in an envelope.
4. The Gate-Fold
Gate-fold brochures are a version of three-panel brochures with a large center page and two edge folds covering the main content. They’re usually printed on 8.5″ x 11″ or 8.5″ by 14″ paper, with folds equal to 8.5″ x 5.5″ and 8.5″ by 7″.
- Paper Size: 8.5 x 14
- Number of Folds: 3
The front’s striking questions or bold images are designed to pique passersby’s curiosity and motivate them to open the brochure to discover more.
5. The Die-Cut Z-Fold
Die-cuts use a blade to form a specific shape within a brochure, similar to a cookie cutter cutting out a specific shape from the dough. By cutting a unique or fun shape into a typical Z-fold brochure’s front panel, die-cut options let the user glimpse the content inside the brochure before it’s even opened.
- Paper Size: 8.5 x 11
- Number of Folds: 3
The witty nature of die-cut formats is excellent for getting people to pick up your brochure, and it offers a way to create a more visible impact than some of the other, more traditional brochure options.
6. The Accordion Fold
Technically, there’s no limit to the size or length of accordion-style brochures, although they’re usually formed by folding an 11″ x 17″, 8.5″ x 14″ or 11″ x 25.5″ into a zig-zag pattern with four or more panels.
- Paper Size: 8.5 x 14
- Number of Folds: 4
While more costly than the previously listed options, these powerful pamphlets will grab your attention, thanks to large pages with plenty of room for details. Alternatively, they’re a money-saving option for compactly printing a lot of details, as opposed to something like a multi-page bound booklet. Ironically, many successful accordion brochures—such as fashion promotions—rely on amazing photos to do the talking, thus keeping written statements short and sweet.
How to Choose the Right Types of Brochure Folds for Your Business
Here are a few aspects to consider when deciding on how to fold a brochure:
- What kind of product or service do I want to highlight?
- What is the brochure size?
- How much space do I need for additional information?
- What kind of emotional response am I looking for?
- How can I highlight my brand’s identity?
- What is the primary purpose of this campaign?
- What visual story am I trying to tell, and how do words and photos play into that story?
Things to Keep in Mind When Designing a Brochure
Here are some pointers to keep in mind before printing your brochure template if you wish for your brochure to fulfill its purpose:
- Brochure folds are the most distinct features of brochures: Use the unique design of each types of Brochure folds to help you compartmentalize information.
- Limit your font choices: Usually, two or three different fonts are more than enough—one for the main title, one for the headers, and one for the body.
- Know your paper stock and coating: Use thicker paper for added durability. The coating you choose depends on the effect you intend to produce. Choose a glossy finish if you want to highlight images without fading out your text. The matte coating is more subtle and guides customers through reading the brochure design.
- Proofread: Use simple statements to get your point across and proofread before printing.
- Use high-resolution photos: That first impression is important. Often, customers are disappointed by blurry or grainy images.
Conclusion
The structure of the brochure allows you to be innovative with design possibilities. There are endless variations to choose from in order to make your brochure attractive and exciting.
Brochures can be of various sizes, with a variety of content, serving various purposes. However, since they can include more detailed information about a product or brand than, for example, a poster, they are often used for customers who already have some interest in the subject matter. They present a unique opportunity to deliver extra details to potential customers using eye-catching colors, powerful text, and innovative design. Always choose you the types of brochure folds according to your need that enhances you marketing to the next level.
However, with so many options available, knowing where to start with your brochure design can take time and effort. One key print marketing design decision is to decide how your brochure will be folded. The way your customers open your brochure, read the text, and navigate the information affects how they perceive your product or how your organization might come across. You’ll also need to adapt your design according to the fold of your selected brochure. So this isn’t a decision to be taken lightly.
An experienced brand like Ice n Fire Media can help you design the most impactful brochure for all your marketing needs. Don’t worry about the small and big details because our team of artists and writers has it all sorted. Visit our website to book a consultation, and let us help you take your marketing to the next level.
FAQs
- What is the most common types of brochure Folds?
The most common types of brochures are the half-fold or the tri-fold. They are the easiest to fold and snuggly fit in the most common envelopes. The tri-fold also shows more information on a single side compared to the z-fold.
- What is the easiest type of brochure to make?
The easiest brochure to make is the half-fold. It features a single fold in the middle. This takes less time to fold, costs less, and can be a more straightforward design.
- How much does brochure printing cost?
Printing costs for brochures depend on the brochure type, material, and quantity. The more you order, the lower the cost per unit. You can use the order calculator to check the price of the brochure you would like to order. Simply indicate the quantity, size, paper, and type of fold so the order calculator can generate an estimated price for your brochures.
