Design and print
Brochure design and printing
A brochure gives people something to take away and read at their own pace: a range of services, a property, a course, a venue or a product line. Good brochures start from who will read them and what they should do next, then plan the content across a fixed number of pages before any layout begins. Page count and binding shape the design, because printed brochures are made in multiples of pages, and the way they fold or bind affects where images and text can sit. The print stage then needs files prepared to the printer's specification, a proof checked carefully and a quantity that matches how the brochure will be used.
This page covers purpose, page planning, binding, content flow, imagery, claims, files, proofs and quantities. Printing can be included in a LetGetGrow quotation, with specifications, quantities, production arrangements and delivery agreed for each project, or files can be prepared for your own printer. Delivery and distribution of printed items can also be arranged through our team or suitable partners.
Illustrative diagram
- Brief
- Page plan
- Design
- Artwork
- Proof and print
Purpose and reader
Write down who the brochure is for, where they will get it (at an event, in the post, on a counter, left behind after a meeting) and what they should do after reading. A brochure for prospective students is structured differently from one for trade buyers. The purpose decides what goes first and how much detail is needed.
Common formats
| Format | Suits | Design note |
|---|---|---|
| Folded sheet | Short content, a few panels | Panels read in a fold order |
| Stapled booklet | A moderate number of pages | Page count in multiples of four |
| Perfect bound | Longer brochures with a spine | Allow for the spine and inner margins |
Plan the pages
Before layout, list what goes on each page or spread: cover, introduction, sections, details, contact. This page plan, sometimes called a flatplan, shows whether content fits the page count and where spreads face each other. Adjust content or page count at this stage, not after design.
Content flow
Readers skim. Use clear headings, short sections and a consistent layout so they can find what interests them. Put the most important message on the cover and first spread, and the call to action and contact details where they are easy to find, often on the back.
Imagery
Photos carry a lot of weight in print. Use images at sufficient resolution for print, as low-resolution web images can look soft or pixelated. Check you have the rights to use every image. Where you show people, products or premises, make sure they are genuine and current.
Claims and the CAP Code
The UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising (CAP Code) applies to advertisements in brochures, leaflets, catalogues and other printed material. Claims about results, prices, comparisons or environmental benefits need to be supportable. Keep evidence for any factual claim, and avoid testimonials that are not genuine.
From plan to printed brochure
Brief
Reader, purpose, format.
Output: Brief
Page plan
Content per page.
Output: Flatplan
Design
Layout and imagery.
Output: Draft spreads
Artwork
To the printer's specification.
Output: Print-ready PDF
Proof and print
Checked, then printed.
Output: Brochures
Example: a wedding venue brochure
Illustrative example — not a client case study
Situation: A venue wants a brochure for couples visiting on open days.
- A page plan puts spaces, catering and the booking process on separate spreads, with prices referred to a current price sheet.
- Photos are taken at real events with permission, at print resolution.
- A printed proof is checked for colour of the venue's rooms before the run.
What this shows: The brochure stayed current because prices sat on a separate sheet. This example is illustrative.
Print-ready files
Ask the printer for their specification: page size, bleed, safe margins, spine width if bound, colour mode and file format. Text near the spine or folds can be lost, so keep it within safe margins.
Quantity and shelf life
Content that changes often, such as prices or dates, can go on a separate insert so the brochure lasts longer. Order a quantity you will use before content changes.
A digital version
A PDF version for email and download extends the brochure's reach. Prepare it separately from the print file, at a sensible file size and with working links.
Readable print
Use a comfortable type size, strong contrast between text and background, and avoid setting long passages over busy photos. Some readers will need a larger-print or digital version; offering an accessible PDF helps.
The cover
The cover decides whether someone picks the brochure up. Keep it simple: the business, a clear title and one strong image.
Questions about brochure design and printing
What should a brochure start from?
Who reads it, where they get it and what they should do next.
Why plan pages first?
To check content fits the page count and binding.
Do brochures need multiples of four pages?
Stapled booklets usually do; check with your printer.
Does the CAP Code apply to brochures?
Yes, to advertisements in printed material.
Can we use website images?
Only if resolution is high enough for print and you have rights.
How can a brochure last longer?
Put changing details on a separate insert.
Sources referenced
Platform features, guidance and rules change. We check the current versions before committing to an approach. This page is general information, not legal advice.
- ASA / CAP: CAP Code: scope of the code (opens in a new tab) — reviewed 2026-11-04
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