10 Top Tips for Designing Printed Brochures That Get Results
Whether you're promoting a new product, showcasing your services or launching a marketing campaign, a professionally designed brochure remains one of the most effective print marketing tools available. Unlike digital adverts that disappear with a click, a printed brochure gives potential customers something tangible to keep, read and return to.
However, even the highest quality printing can't rescue a poorly designed brochure. From choosing the right layout to preparing artwork correctly, every design decision affects how your brochure performs.
Here are our 10 top tips for designing printed brochures that not only look fantastic but also help convert readers into customers.
1. Know Your Audience Before You Start
Before opening your design software, think about who will be reading your brochure.
Ask yourself:
- Are you targeting businesses or consumers?
- What problem are you solving?
- What action do you want readers to take?
A brochure aimed at architects will look very different from one promoting a local café or charity event. Understanding your audience helps shape the colours, imagery, messaging and overall style.
2. Choose the Right Brochure Size
The size of your brochure affects both presentation and usability.
Popular choices include:
- A4 – Ideal for product catalogues and company brochures.
- A5 – Perfect for promotional booklets and event guides.
- DL – Great for menus and price lists.
- Square Booklets – Modern and eye-catching for portfolios and lifestyle brands.
Choose a format that complements your content rather than trying to squeeze too much information onto smaller pages.
3. Keep Your Branding Consistent
Every page should reinforce your brand.
Use:
- Your company colours
- Brand fonts
- High-quality logo
- Consistent photography style
- Matching iconography
A consistent design builds trust and makes your business look more professional.
4. Use High-Quality Images
Nothing lets down a brochure faster than blurry or pixelated photographs.
For professional printing:
- Use images at 300dpi
- Supply artwork in CMYK
- Avoid screenshots or social media images
- Use professionally edited photography whenever possible
High-resolution imagery helps your printed brochure reflect the quality of your products or services. Professional print-ready artwork also reduces the risk of colour or sharpness issues during production.
5. Make Your Content Easy to Read
People rarely read every word.
Instead, they scan.
Break up your content using:
- Clear headings
- Short paragraphs
- Bullet points
- Icons
- Pull quotes
- White space
Good typography improves readability and encourages readers to spend more time with your brochure.
6. Focus on One Message Per Page
Avoid trying to sell everything at once.
Each page should have one clear objective.
For example:
- Company introduction
- Products
- Services
- Customer testimonials
- Case studies
- Contact information
A clean, structured layout makes information much easier to absorb.
7. Choose the Right Paper and Finish
Paper stock has a huge impact on how your brochure feels.
Common options include:
- Silk paper for vibrant images
- Gloss finishes for promotional brochures
- Matt lamination for a premium feel
- Soft-touch lamination for luxury brands
Choosing the right finish can enhance durability while reinforcing your brand image.
8. Include a Strong Call to Action
Every brochure should encourage readers to do something next.
Examples include:
- Visit your website
- Request a quote
- Scan a QR code
- Call your sales team
- Visit your showroom
- Book an appointment
Don't assume people know what to do—tell them clearly.
9. Prepare Your Artwork Correctly
Even the best design can run into production issues if the artwork isn't set up properly.
For professional brochure printing, it's good practice to:
- Include 3mm bleed
- Keep text within the safe area
- Supply artwork as a print-ready PDF
- Embed or outline fonts
- Use pages in the correct running order
For saddle stitched booklets, remember that the total page count must be in multiples of four because of the way sheets are folded and stapled together.
10. Select the Right Binding Method
Not every brochure needs the same type of binding.
For brochures with lower page counts, saddle stitched booklets remain one of the most popular and cost-effective choices.
They are ideal for:
- Company brochures
- Product catalogues
- Event programmes
- Prospectuses
- Price lists
- Annual reports
- Training manuals
- Promotional booklets
Saddle stitching creates a neat, professional finish by folding printed sheets and securing them with staples along the spine. It's particularly well suited to brochures that need to lay relatively flat while remaining affordable for short and medium print runs.
Bring Your Brochure to Life with Professional Printing
A great brochure combines thoughtful design with exceptional print quality. By following these ten tips, you'll create marketing materials that not only look professional but also engage your audience and encourage action.
If you're ready to print your next brochure, explore our range of Saddle Stitched Booklets. Available in a variety of sizes, paper stocks and premium finishes, they're perfect for businesses looking to make a lasting impression.
View our Saddle Stitched Booklets here: https://www.rugbyprinter.co.uk/product/saddle-stitched-booklets
Whether you're producing a product catalogue, company brochure or event programme, Rugby Printer offers high-quality booklet printing, expert artwork support and free UK mainland delivery to help bring your ideas to life.