Create a Brochure in Microsoft Word: Layout, Steps and Tips

To create a brochure in Microsoft Word, start with a brochure template or set up a blank document with the right page size and panel layout. For a basic tri-fold, use a landscape page with three equal panels on each side, add separate content for the outside and inside, then print a test copy to check the folds and panel order.

Choose a template or build your own

A Word template is the quickest option if you want a ready-made design. In Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows, select File > New and search for brochure. Open a template that suits your purpose, then replace its sample text and images. Template availability can differ by account, language, and Word version. Check the finished layout rather than assuming the sample will fit your paper or printer.

Building a brochure from a blank document gives you more control over panel sizes, text, and branding. It is useful for a tri-fold handout, but also for a simple two-sided flyer or a menu. Decide what paper size and fold you need before designing: a brochure made for US Letter paper will not have the same panel dimensions as one made for A4.

One common source of confusion is Word’s Book fold setting. It is intended to arrange pages for a folded booklet that is stapled or bound, not to create the three vertical panels of a standard tri-fold brochure. A tri-fold needs a panel layout that you control yourself.

Set up a tri-fold page in Word

For a typical three-panel brochure, make a two-page document: one page for the outside of the sheet and one for the inside. On Windows, use the Layout tab to set the page orientation and margins. The following setup works as a starting point for Letter paper:

Select Layout > Orientation > Landscape.
Select Layout > Size and choose the paper size you will print on, such as Letter or A4.
Select Layout > Margins > Custom Margins and set margins that leave room for your printer. Half an inch is a practical starting point, but check your printer’s printable area.
Select Insert > Table and insert a table with one row and three columns.
Repeat the table on the second page. To start that page, click after the first table and insert a page break with Ctrl+Enter on Windows.

In each table cell, add the content for one panel. Use the table’s column widths to make the panels consistent, and adjust cell margins if text sits too close to an edge. To change table borders, select the table and use Table Design > Borders. You can remove the printed borders with No Border; while editing, Word may still show nonprinting gridlines that help you see the cells.

On Word for Mac, the same general approach applies: use the Layout tab for orientation, paper size, and margins, then use Insert > Table. The ribbon labels and arrangement can vary slightly by release. The page-break shortcut is generally Command+Enter on Mac. If a shortcut differs in your installation, use the command from the ribbon or Word’s Help search.

Plan the panels before adding content

A brochure’s panels do not necessarily read from left to right in the order people will see them. In a common roll-fold design, one outer panel folds inward first and is slightly narrower so it can tuck inside. The remaining outer panels become the back cover and front cover. The exact left-to-right arrangement depends on the fold style and how the sheet is turned over for printing.

Before laying out the final copy, make a paper mock-up. Fold a blank sheet the way the finished brochure will fold, label each panel, and write down what belongs there. For example, a local garden centre might use the front panel for its name and a clear offer, an inside panel for seasonal plants, another for services and prices, and the back for opening hours and contact details. This simple test prevents a frequent mistake: putting the front cover on a panel that ends up hidden inside.

Plan the two sides as a pair. One side is the outside, which often contains the cover, back cover, and folding flap; the other is the inside, where the main information unfolds. Keep essential details away from fold lines. If the brochure uses a tuck-in panel, make that panel a little narrower than the other two, following the printer or paper supplier’s specifications. Equal widths are easier for a first draft, but may not fold cleanly for every paper and fold combination.

Add and format text that is easy to scan

Brochure panels have limited space, so organize information by reader need rather than trying to fit in every detail. Put the most useful message near the start, then use short headings and compact paragraphs. A visitor brochure, for instance, might lead with the destination and its main attraction, then give directions, facilities, and contact information. If a detail is lengthy, a website or QR code can point to the full version, but include a readable web address as a backup.

Use Word’s heading and paragraph formatting consistently. Select text and choose styles from Home > Styles, or use the font, size, color, and alignment controls on the Home tab. A few distinct styles are usually clearer than many competing fonts. Make body text large enough to read at actual print size; zooming in on screen can make small text seem more legible than it will be on paper.

Give each panel one main purpose, such as an introduction, a list of services, or contact details.
Use bullets for short lists such as features or included services, rather than compressing them into a dense sentence.
Keep phone numbers, dates, prices, and addresses easy to find and verify.
Leave visual breathing room around headings, images, and the edges of panels.

Use images, color, and accessible design

Add pictures with Insert > Pictures, then choose an image source available in your Word version. After inserting a picture, use the picture-formatting controls to size and crop it. Choose an image that remains clear at the size it will print, and avoid stretching it out of proportion. If text needs to sit beside a picture, use the picture’s layout options carefully; floating images can shift when text changes. A simple table-based layout often keeps panel content more predictable.

Choose color combinations with strong contrast. Pale text on a light background, or small text placed over a busy photograph, can be hard to read in print. Do not use color alone to communicate a distinction: label categories with words or symbols as well. Add meaningful alternative text to informative images where appropriate, and use descriptive link text instead of instructions such as click here. These choices make the file more useful to people using assistive technology and to readers who cannot distinguish certain colors.

Check the document at normal page size and in print preview. Look for words that sit on a fold, low-resolution images, uneven spacing, and text that is too close to the page edge. If you are using a background color or full-page image, confirm whether your printer supports borderless printing; many office printers leave a small unprinted margin.

Print and check both sides

Before printing a stack, make one test copy on ordinary paper. Use File > Print to review the preview and choose the correct paper size, orientation, and printer. For a two-sided brochure, select the printer’s duplex or print-on-both-sides option if available. The setting for flipping on the long or short edge depends on the printer, paper orientation, and how the document is arranged, so there is no single choice that works for every setup.

Check the test sheet by folding it. Confirm that the cover is on the intended panel, the inside reads in the right sequence, and no text or important image crosses a fold. If the back side is upside down or appears on the wrong face, adjust the printer’s duplex setting or the page arrangement and print another test. For a printer without automatic duplexing, Word’s print options may let you print selected pages separately, but follow the printer’s instructions for reinserting paper. Test the paper path first to avoid wasting a full run.

For a print shop, ask for its preferred file format, bleed requirements, and panel measurements. A standard Word page may not include bleed, which is extra artwork extending beyond the trim edge so small cutting variations do not leave a white sliver. If the design needs edge-to-edge color or precise commercial finishing, a print-ready PDF prepared to the provider’s specifications may be more appropriate than sending the editable Word file.

Common problems and practical fixes

Text flows into the wrong panel: Separate panel content in table cells rather than relying on long continuous text across columns. Check that text has not pushed a table or image onto another page.
The second side is out of order: Use a folded paper mock-up to map the outside and inside faces, then compare it with Word’s print preview and a test print.
Columns or panels are uneven: Check page margins and table column widths. If using Word columns instead of a table, remember that continuous text flows from one column into the next and may not stay in the panel you intended.
Images move after editing: Try a different picture text-wrapping option, reduce the number of floating objects, or place the picture within the relevant table cell.
Content is clipped when printed: Move it inward from the edges and check the printer’s printable area. A document can look fine on screen but exceed the printer’s margins.

Word, PDF, and other design tools

Word is a sensible choice when the brochure is mostly text, uses a straightforward grid, and needs to be edited by people who already work with Office. Templates can speed up a basic design, and the file remains editable. Its limitations become more noticeable when you need precise print production, intricate image placement, custom folds, or exact control over bleed and color output.

Saving or exporting a finished copy as PDF is useful when you want to preserve the page layout for sharing or printing. In Word for Microsoft 365, look under File > Save As or File > Export for a PDF option; the available command can vary by platform. Open the PDF and inspect both pages before sending it. Other page-layout or graphic-design applications may offer more specialized print controls, while a simple online design service may be quicker for a one-off template. Choose based on the required output and whether others need to edit the source file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Word have a brochure template?
Yes. In Word for Microsoft 365, go to File > New and search for brochure. Templates and their availability can vary, so review the chosen design for your paper size and printing needs.

How do I make a tri-fold brochure in Word?
Set the page to landscape, choose the correct paper size and margins, and create three panels on each of two pages. A one-row, three-column table provides clear panel boundaries; map the outside and inside with a folded paper mock-up.

Is Book fold the same as a tri-fold brochure?
No. Word’s Book fold layout is designed to arrange pages for a folded booklet. A tri-fold brochure has three panels on each side of one sheet and needs a separate panel layout.

How do I print a brochure double-sided?
Use File > Print and select the printer’s two-sided or duplex option if available. Test one sheet and fold it to check orientation and panel order, because the correct flip setting depends on the printer and layout.

Can I make a brochure in Word on a Mac?
Yes. Word for Mac supports page orientation, margins, tables, pictures, and PDF output. The ribbon layout may differ slightly from Windows, so use the Layout and Insert tabs or Word Help to locate a command in your version.

Try it: the Date Difference Calculator: days, months, years and weekdays between two dates, with the DATEDIF formulas.

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Sources: Function behaviour and menu paths: Microsoft Support documentation for Excel. Method & sources

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