How to Design a Brochure in Word: Layout, Panels, and Print

To design a brochure in Word, set up a landscape document with two pages, arrange each page as three panels, add concise text and images, then print a test sheet before making copies. You will need Microsoft Word, your brochure content, and a printer or a plan to send the finished PDF to a print shop.

What You’ll Need

Microsoft Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows. The main steps are similar in Word for Mac, though some dialog names and print options may differ.
Your brochure text, including a headline, key details, contact information, and a clear next step for the reader.
Good-quality photos or graphics that you have permission to use, plus a logo if needed.
Letter-size or other intended paper, and access to a printer for a folding test. If you will use a print shop, check its size, bleed, and PDF requirements first.

Step-by-Step

Plan the audience and content. Decide who will read the brochure and what you want them to do after reading it: book an appointment, visit a location, compare services, or contact you. Write a short outline before formatting. A typical tri-fold might use the front panel for a clear promise and image, inside panels for the main information, and the back for contact details. Keep the copy brief; a brochure is easier to scan when each panel has one main purpose.
Start with a template or a blank document. For a quick starting point, select File > New and search for brochure templates. Open one that suits your paper size and fold, then replace its sample text and images. Templates can save setup time, but inspect their panel order and print instructions rather than assuming they match your printer. To build your own, choose a blank document and continue with the following steps.
Set the page size, orientation, and margins. In Word for Windows, choose Layout > Size and select the paper you will print on, commonly Letter or A4. Choose Layout > Orientation > Landscape. Then open Layout > Margins > Custom Margins and set modest margins, such as 0.5 inch, if your printer supports them. Avoid setting margins so narrow that text or artwork falls outside the printer’s printable area. For Word on Mac, use the Layout tab for orientation and margins; paper size may also be set through File > Page Setup.
Create a three-panel layout on each page. A simple, dependable approach is a one-row, three-column table on each of two pages. Put the cursor at the top of page one, choose Insert > Table, and select three columns by one row. Add a page break with Ctrl+Enter on Windows, then insert the same table on page two. On Mac, use Command+Enter for a page break. Keep the table within the page margins. Use the table’s contextual Table Layout tab to adjust column widths; if the fold-in panel needs extra room, make that column slightly narrower than the others. Equal columns are fine for a first draft, but test the actual fold.
Map the panels before adding finished content. A folded brochure has an outside and an inside, and the printed sides can be confusing when viewed on screen. Type temporary labels such as OUTSIDE LEFT, OUTSIDE CENTER, and INSIDE RIGHT in the cells. Print one draft, fold it the way you intend to distribute it, and note where each label lands. Use that test to decide which table cell is the cover, back panel, and fold-in flap. Panel order can vary with the fold style and duplex printer settings, so do not rely on a generic left-to-right diagram without checking it against your own printout.
Add and format the text. Replace the temporary labels with your copy. Give each panel a useful heading and keep paragraphs short, using bullets for lists of features or instructions. Put the most important point near the top of the panel and make contact details easy to find. Use a small set of consistent fonts and sizes: for example, a prominent title, readable subheadings, and body text that remains comfortable at the final printed size. Avoid shrinking text just to force a long draft into the panels; edit the copy instead.
Insert images and your branding. Select Insert > Pictures to add an image from your device, or use the available stock-image option in your Word version. Choose images large enough to remain clear at print size. For predictable placement inside a panel, select an image and set its text wrapping to In Line with Text; this keeps it in the paragraph flow. If you use a different wrapping option, check that the image has not drifted over a fold or covered text. Keep logos, faces, and important details away from panel edges, where folds and trimming can make them awkward to read.
Make the layout consistent and readable. Use the same heading style, color palette, and spacing approach throughout. Leave breathing room around text and images instead of filling every inch. Check contrast by viewing the brochure in grayscale or printing a draft; pale text and subtle color differences may disappear on paper. Add useful captions or short labels to images when their meaning is not obvious. If you use a table only as a layout guide, remove its visible borders before printing: click in the table, open Table Design > Borders, and choose No Border. Gridlines seen while editing may be nonprinting guides, so confirm with Print Preview.
Proofread and check both pages. Read the brochure once for meaning and once for small errors, including phone numbers, web addresses, dates, and spelling. Check that every panel is on the intended side and that no text or image crosses a fold. In Word, use File > Print to inspect the preview of both pages. If the brochure contains a link or QR code, scan it from a printed test copy rather than assuming it works because it appears on screen. Ask someone who has not written the copy to check whether the main message is easy to find.
Save a print-ready copy and test the fold. Save your editable document as a Word file. To share a fixed-layout version, use File > Save As and choose PDF, or use File > Export > Create PDF/XPS in Windows Word. In Word for Mac, choose PDF from the format options in the Save As dialog or use the PDF option in the print dialog. Print one copy with two-sided printing enabled if available. The correct flip setting depends on the printer and page orientation; try its long-edge or short-edge option, then fold the paper and check that the back is upright and the panels are in order. Only print a larger quantity after this test looks right.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong panel order: A screen layout can look sensible but fold into the wrong sequence. Label a draft, print it, and fold it before finalizing the artwork.
Making the fold-in panel too wide: In some tri-folds, the panel that tucks inside must be a little narrower to close neatly. Test the paper and adjust the column widths if the edge bulges or catches.
Putting too much copy on the page: Tiny type and dense paragraphs discourage readers. Cut secondary details, use concise headings, and point to a website for information that will not fit comfortably.
Using low-resolution images: A picture that looks sharp on a small screen may print blurry when enlarged. Use a larger original and check it in a full-size print preview.
Assuming the printer can print to the edge: Many office printers leave a white border. Keep important content inside the safe area or ask a print provider about bleed and trimming specifications.

Tips

Work with a copy of your document or save versions as you make major layout changes. This makes it easier to return to a clean draft.
Use Word’s built-in heading styles where practical. Consistent styles make it faster to change the look of all panel headings together.
Keep a clear visual path: one headline, one key image or graphic, and one main action are often more effective than several competing focal points.
Set a real-world print size early. A design that works on a large monitor may feel cramped when reduced to a standard folded panel.
If a print shop will produce the brochure, ask whether it wants a two-page PDF, a particular paper size, crop marks, or bleed. Follow its instructions rather than adding marks or extra margins on your own.

Troubleshooting

The table moves or creates an extra page: Reduce paragraph spacing inside its cells, check that the table width fits between the margins, and remove empty paragraphs after the table if they are forcing a blank page. Turn on formatting marks with Home > ¶ to spot extra paragraph marks or page breaks.

Text or pictures cross a fold: Click in the affected cell and adjust its width or content. For pictures, try In Line with Text wrapping, resize the image, and leave a clear gap near the fold. Print another draft to confirm the change.

The back side prints upside down or in the wrong order: Check the printer’s two-sided setting and try the alternate flip option. Printer dialogs use different labels, so test one sheet and fold it before printing a batch. Also verify that page one and page two contain the intended outside and inside panels.

The brochure prints with unexpected borders or blank pages: Check whether the lines are table borders or just editing gridlines, then inspect File > Print preview. Remove unwanted borders, review page breaks, and confirm the paper size in both Word and the printer dialog.

The PDF looks different from Word: Reopen the saved PDF and review every page at print size. If fonts or images have shifted, use standard fonts, keep images within the page, export again, and compare the new PDF with the Word print preview.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Word make a tri-fold brochure automatically?
Yes. Search templates from File > New for a tri-fold or brochure design. Templates vary, so check the page size, panel order, and printer settings with a folded test sheet.

How many pages should a tri-fold brochure have?
Usually it uses two landscape pages printed on the front and back of one sheet. Each side has three panels, making six panels in total.

Should I use columns or a table?
A table gives you separate cells for each panel, which is convenient when placing different content in fixed areas. Columns can be useful for flowing continuous text, but managing deliberate panel breaks and images may take more care.

Can I print a brochure on a regular home printer?
Often, if the printer supports your paper size and two-sided printing. If it cannot print both sides automatically, print one side, reinsert the sheet according to the printer’s instructions, and test the orientation with a single copy.

What file should I send to a professional printer?
Ask the printer first. A PDF is commonly suitable because it preserves page layout, but the provider may specify paper dimensions, bleed, color settings, or a different export method.

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