Last Updated on November 22, 2022 by Packoi Team
From the theme to the design and the layout, make sure you’re aware of the latest trends in business brochure strategies. It’ll help you create the right brochure that’ll get your audience’s attention and increase your sales.
In this article, you’ll learn more about brochure printing trends and various tips to help you create a perfect brochure that’ll showcase both your brand personality and product or service.
What are Business Brochures?
The main purpose of business brochures is to assist companies in marketing their products and services. These aren’t like catalogs. They are smaller versions that target specific campaigns or products only.
A typical business brochure is either a single or multi-folded paper. It can come in different shapes and sizes that bring useful information to promote either a product, brand, or company.
How are Brochures Different from Pamphlets?
Brochures are printed marketing materials that can easily be mistaken for a pamphlet. But there are distinct differences – specifically when it comes to the number of pages. A pamphlet only has one page while a brochure can have several pages. This is why brochures can come bound while pamphlets are unbound.
Not only that, the purpose of each can vary. A pamphlet is mostly for information purposes brochures can also inform – but it’s done for commercial purposes. That means it has valuable content that intends to promote your products or services.
Different Types of Brochures
If you think that you’re stuck with only one brochure design, that’s not true. You have a lot of options that are characterized by how it’s folded.
Here are the different brochure types you can choose from.
- A tri-fold brochure is folded into 3 parts. 2 of its sides are folded on the same side and on top of each other to cover the center part.
- A Z-fold brochure is also folded into 3 parts. Each side is folded to cover either the front or back of the center part – just like a Z.
- A parallel fold brochure is folded into 4. It’s first folded in half and then folded again in half to create 4 parts.
- A roll fold brochure is also a 4-way fold. One part is folded on top of the other to make it look like it is rolled over.
- An accordion fold brochure is also folded into 4 parts but like an accordion.
- A single-gate brochure is folded in a way that makes the 2 side flaps look like gates. The 2 sides are folded to cover the center part without overlapping each other.
- A double-gate fold brochure is like a single-gate fold – but with the center part folder onto itself. This gives the brochure the illusion of opening 2 sets of gates to completely unfold.
- A half+half fold brochure folds the paper crosswise first and then lengthwise.
- A half+tri fold brochure folds the paper crosswise first then into 3 in a lengthwise fold.
- A half-fold brochure can be done in two ways: either a crosswise or lengthwise single fold.
How to Choose the Type of Brochure
Take note that the type of brochure fold that you should use must complement the content inside. Make sure you make that your primary consideration.
Not only that, but you should also think about your target audience. Make sure they won’t feel frustrated while they’re trying to open your brochure. As they unfold the brochure, it has to tell a story that’ll encourage customers to look until the very end.
Another thing that you might want to consider is where you’ll display this marketing material. Will it be on a rack or brochure stand? Or will you be adding this when you ship off products? Will you send this via direct mail? Or maybe you’ll use it as a giveaway? This can influence how you want the brochure to look.
If none of these brochure types interests you, make sure to ask your brochure printing company for other options. They may be able to help you with other types of fold that they know. Or they could even help you create a new way to fold that’s unique to your brochure design.
4 Brochure Printing Trends That are Hot Right Now
Before you start planning the brochure design of your marketing material, familiarize yourself with the latest trends. These could give you ideas on how you can make your brochure incredibly appealing to your target audience.
Here are 4 of the trends that are currently hot at the moment.
Bold Typography
This can be risky for some people because they might think that having too many different fonts can be distracting. But the truth is, if you can do it well, you might be surprised.
You can even ask for a specific font for your brochure design. This is something that you can use on other marketing material designs so there’s familiarity.
Feel free to opt for bold typography so you can stand out and be recognized by your target market. Use this specifically on the cover of the brochure.
Then, have a different font for the headings, subheadings, content, etc.
Bright Colors
Using vibrant colors is another trend you can use for your brochure design – as long as it helps you stay true to your branding. If you’re after sophistication, then you’re better off using subtle hues.
Or if you’re trying to convey a message or vibe in your campaign, you might have to stick to a black-and-white brochure. There’s nothing wrong with that.
But if your purpose is to create a beautiful brochure that’ll catch the attention of your target readers, then using vibrant colors is the right way to go.
It doesn’t have to be just color blocks. You can use vibrant colors and gradients to give it a softer look.
Geometric Layouts
The use of geometric shapes continues to be a popular trend regardless of the marketing material being used. It’s no wonder this is part of this list of brochure design trends.
This does not just refer to the design printed on the brochure. You can even implement this on the shape of the brochure – or how you decide to fold it.
You can make your brochure take on the shape of a triangle instead of the usual square or rectangular shape. You can even have hexagon shapes. It’ll set your brochure apart.
Vivid Images
While you want your brochure to have valuable content, you want the readers to enjoy looking at it, too. That means you have to make it visually appealing as well.
Use vivid images like artful photography or artistic graphic designs. While stock images may fit your marketing budget better, they won’t have the same effect as having your photos.
Invest in the photos and images of your brochure. Make sure it communicates the right message.
5 things that’ll help with your brochure design
If you want to have the right brochure design, it takes proper planning and consideration. There are 5 specific things that you need to look into before finalizing your design.
Brand Identity
A great brochure should be able to represent the brand well. This is why the first consideration in your design is the brand identity. Make sure that the front and back cover as well as the multiple pages on your brochure showcases your brand very well.
This will allow your potential customers to notice your brochures even from afar.
Ideal Customer
Apart from the brand identity, you should also take into consideration your target readers. The design, content, layout, and visual appeal of your brochures should entice your target audience to read them from cover to cover.
That means you have to ask yourself, what information would your readers want to get from you?
More importantly, how can you design your brochure so potential customers will be encouraged to buy or do business with you?
Marketing Message
Before you start designing your brochure, make sure you know the message that you want to deliver. A big part of the brochure design will have to conform to your marketing message.
It will tell you what images are needed and even the font that you’ll use. You want to identify the keywords and phrases that you want your reader to take notice of so you can choose the right font for it.
Not only that, but the message will also set the tone for the theme of your brochure. Will it be fun? Sophisticated?
These are only a few of the things that can help you design your brochure once you know your message.
Metrics for Success
Don’t forget that your brochure is for marketing purposes. That means you have to be ready with some metrics so you can see if the brochure is doing its purpose.
This will help you design the brochure so it can meet these metrics.
Set quantifiable targets that you can monitor. By doing this, you can check if you need to make tweaks to improve future brochures.
Budget
Finally, your budget will play a role in identifying how many brochures you can print, what the fold type will be, and even the materials that’ll be used on it.
If your budget is tight, you might want to talk to the printing company. They may be able to give you a quote that’ll help meet your brochure requirements without going beyond your budget.
5 Steps to Design and Print Your Brochure
At this point, you’re ready to design and print your brochure. You want to make sure it comes out incredibly well so here are the 5 steps that you should follow.
Design With Your Brand Standards and Readers in Mind
You usually design the brochure with the message in mind. But it also makes sense to keep the brand identity and your readers in mind as well.
Remember, the point is to deliver the message in such a way that’ll represent your brand and entice the reader to look at the whole brochure. Make sure your designs meet that requirement.
Choose Your Brochure Style
The brochure style is another part of the design process. Your decision will depend on the content that you want to put. But this will also dictate how many images you can squeeze in there.
While you’re deciding on this part, consider how the reader will look at the brochure. How do you want them to read the message as they unfold the brochure?
That should help you decide on the right style to choose.
Gather Your Images and Copy
This time, you know how many images will fit the brochure and how you’ll do the layout of your message. Start putting the elements together on the brochure design.
When you have a draft, have someone look at it. Make a mock-up of the brochure so you can determine if you need to change the layout, font, length, and other elements.
Create a Compelling CTA
When you’re putting the finishing touches on your design, don’t forget to include the CTA or call to action. This is the part where your potential client will get in touch to do business with you.
Make sure this is clear and visible. Ideally, you want it to be positioned where everyone can see it – even those who won’t completely look at the brochure.
Get in Touch with a Printer
After you’ve done the design and the layout, call a printer. Meet with them to discuss what you need for your brochure.
This is the time to decide on the materials that you want to use. You also have to decide on the ink options and the printing style.
You should also ask the printing company for a quote so you can see if it will fit your budget.
Don’t forget to ask them for a mock-up that you can approve before they produce the whole batch.
Do You Need Help Designing Your Business Brochure? Packoi Printing Can Assist
Creating a brochure can help your business market your brand and product offers. But you have to do it the right way so you can get the results that you’re expecting.
One of the ways to make it easier is by partnering with the right printing company – like Packoi Printing. We can help answer your questions and give you the best options for your brochure.
Get in touch with us with your ideas and we can give you a fair quotation.
