How to Make a Brochure in Microsoft Word, Step by Step

To make a brochure in Microsoft Word, start with a brochure template or create a landscape document with panels for each side, then add concise text and images, check the fold order, and print a test copy. In Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows, choose File > New and search for “brochure” to find templates, or build your own layout with a table.

Choose a brochure format before you start

Decide what the brochure needs to do and how readers will handle it. A common handout is a tri-fold brochure: one sheet is divided into three panels on the front and three on the back, then folded twice. A bi-fold has one fold and four panels. A single-page flyer may be a better fit if you do not need separate cover, inside, and contact sections.

For a tri-fold, think in panels rather than ordinary pages. One side usually contains the front cover, back panel, and a flap that folds inward; the other side presents the three inside panels. The exact left-to-right arrangement depends on which way you fold the sheet and how it is fed through the printer. A quick paper mock-up, labeled with the intended content, is more reliable than guessing from a screen view.

Tri-fold: useful for event information, visitor guides, service overviews, and menus with several short sections.
Bi-fold: gives each section more room and can suit a product overview or a small program.
Flyer: works well when the goal is one strong message rather than several folded sections.

Also decide whether the brochure will be printed at home, sent to a print shop, or shared as a PDF. Printer margins, paper size, and whether the sheet will be printed on both sides can affect the layout.

Start with a Word brochure template

A template is usually the quickest route because it already has a page structure and sample design elements. In Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows, select File > New, enter brochure in the template search, and choose a design that fits your purpose. Template selection and availability can vary, and some results may require an internet connection. Replace the sample content rather than assuming that its wording or images suit your audience.

Before editing, confirm the template’s page size and orientation. Select Layout > Size to review paper choices and Layout > Orientation to check whether the pages are portrait or landscape. Use File > Print to inspect the preview; it can reveal extra pages, clipped content, or a layout that does not match your intended fold. If the template has a layout you like but the wrong panel order, make a test print before investing time in detailed styling.

Click inside a text area to replace its sample text. To change a picture, select it and use the picture-formatting options, or insert a replacement through Insert > Pictures. Templates may use text boxes, tables, or other layout elements, so clicking a panel’s background may not select the text itself. If objects are difficult to select, use Home > Select > Selection Pane where available to view and select objects on the page.

Build a tri-fold layout from scratch

If you want a simple custom design, create two landscape pages and give each page three panels. On Windows, start a blank document and choose Layout > Orientation > Landscape. Select Layout > Size and choose the paper size you plan to print on. Under Layout > Margins, select a preset or use Custom Margins to set margins that your printer can handle. Avoid placing essential text right at the paper edge; many ordinary printers cannot print to the edge.

One practical layout method is a table. On the first page, choose Insert > Table and create a table with one row and three columns. Use a second matching table on page two, inserting a page break between the pages with Insert > Page Break or Ctrl+Enter on Windows. Put each panel’s text and images in its own cell. This keeps the panels separate and makes it easier to control their content than a continuous three-column text layout.

Adjust the table to fit the usable width between the page margins. Right-click the table and open Table Properties to review its alignment and width; use the table layout controls to adjust column widths. For a standard tri-fold, three equal panels are a useful starting point, but the panel that tucks inside may need to be slightly narrower to fold neatly. The amount depends on the paper, fold, and printer, so follow a print provider’s specifications if you are sending the file to a shop. You can keep temporary borders as guides while designing, then use Table Design > Borders to remove or change them. Check that the removal does not erase intentional artwork or rules.

Make a paper dummy before filling every panel. Mark the outside and inside, fold the sheet, and write a label on each visible panel. Then compare those labels with the Word pages. This simple check helps prevent a frequent mistake: placing the cover on the wrong panel or putting text upside down or on the wrong side.

Plan the panel content and reading order

Brochure space is limited, so give each panel one clear job. A local repair service might use the cover for its name and a short promise, an inside panel for services, another for prices or process, and the back for hours, contact details, and a web address. A community event could use panels for the event summary, schedule, directions, and registration details. The examples are starting points, not fixed rules; put the information readers need most where they can find it quickly.

Write and edit the copy before polishing the design. Use a specific heading for each section, short paragraphs, and lists when readers need to scan items such as dates or included services. Include a clear next step, such as how to book, register, call, or find more information. Check names, dates, phone numbers, links, prices, and addresses carefully. A brochure can look finished while still containing an outdated detail.

Keep the front cover focused. A title, relevant image, and brief explanation are often more effective than trying to summarize every panel there. Avoid filling every available space: empty space separates sections and makes the page easier to read. If a panel feels crowded, shorten the text or remove a nonessential detail before shrinking the type to an uncomfortable size.

Add images and format text for readability

Use images that support the message rather than merely decorate the page. In Word, place the cursor in the panel and select Insert > Pictures to add an image from your device. After selecting an image, use the picture-formatting controls to crop it or adjust how text wraps. If moving an image causes nearby text to jump, try an inline placement or use a text box for a separately positioned caption. Keep an original copy of important image files, and check that you have permission to use images in a printed or public brochure.

Choose a small set of complementary type styles and apply them consistently. Use larger, distinctive headings to make sections easy to locate, but keep body text comfortably readable at the brochure’s final printed size. A design that looks legible when zoomed in on a large monitor can be too small on paper. Print a draft at actual size and read it at a normal viewing distance. Use strong contrast between text and background, especially for contact information and fine print.

For a consistent appearance, use Word’s styles from the Home tab for headings and body text rather than formatting each heading from scratch. Check alignment, spacing, and image edges across all six panels. If the brochure includes a logo, use a sharp source image and avoid stretching it out of proportion. Word’s document view is useful for editing, but the print preview and a physical proof are better checks of the final result.

Check printing, folding, and PDF output

Save the editable document as a Word file before preparing a final copy. Then select File > Print and review the preview page by page. Confirm the paper size, page count, orientation, and printer selection. If the printer supports duplex printing, choose its two-sided option; the wording and available controls depend on the printer and driver. If it does not, print one side, reload the paper according to the printer’s instructions, and print the other side. Test with plain paper first.

Do not assume the duplex setting will orient the back correctly. Depending on the printer and how the sheet is fed, the wrong flip setting can leave the reverse side upside down or in the wrong order. Print a labeled test sheet, fold it, and inspect every panel. If you are printing a large batch, this check can prevent wasting paper and ink. Use the printer’s recommended paper weight and type, and make sure the selected paper size matches the document.

For digital distribution or a print shop, make a PDF and inspect it separately. In Word for Windows, use File > Export > Create PDF/XPS, or use the PDF option in the save workflow. Open the PDF and check all pages, fonts, images, and panel order. A PDF makes the page layout easier to preserve when sharing, but it does not guarantee that every printer will fold or duplex it as intended; provide print specifications to a commercial printer when relevant.

Common problems and how to fix them

Text spills onto an extra page: look for oversized table rows, extra paragraph marks, or content extending beyond the panel. Turn on formatting marks with Home > Show/Hide to spot extra paragraph breaks, then shorten copy or adjust spacing.
Panels do not line up with the folds: verify page size, margins, and the physical fold with a test sheet. Do not rely on equal screen divisions if the intended fold requires one panel to be narrower.
Pictures move unexpectedly: check the image’s text-wrapping setting or place it inline. Keep images within the panel and use print preview to find cropping or overlap.
The reverse side is upside down: check the printer’s duplex options and paper-loading direction, then print another labeled test. These settings vary by printer.
Printed colors look different: screen colors and printed ink or toner can differ. Use a proof to judge the actual paper result, especially for dark backgrounds and small text.

When a table layout becomes difficult to edit, simplify it rather than adding more floating objects. A template, text boxes, or a two-page table may be easier to manage than a mixture of columns, shapes, and independently wrapped pictures. Keep a clean working copy so you can return to the last version that printed correctly.

Word for Windows and Mac, and other options

The main approach is similar in Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows and Mac: use a template or set up pages, add panels, and inspect a proof. Ribbon labels and window layouts can differ. On Mac, template access is under File > New from Template in versions that show that command, and picture insertion is available from the Insert tab. Page layout and table settings are also available, though their exact placement can vary with the Word version. If a menu label differs, use Word’s command search or the Help search rather than assuming a Windows-only shortcut will match.

Word is useful for a text-led brochure and for people who already work in Office. A dedicated desktop-publishing or graphic-design program may offer more precise control over grids, typography, and print production, while an online design service may provide ready-made layouts and easy sharing. Those alternatives can have different costs, file formats, or account requirements. For a straightforward handout, Word is often sufficient; for complex artwork, special folds, or professional print specifications, ask the printer what file setup it prefers before designing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Word have a brochure template?
Yes. In Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows, go to File > New and search for brochure. Available templates can vary, and some may need an internet connection. You can also create a layout yourself with tables or other page elements.

How do I make a tri-fold brochure in Word?
Set the document to landscape, make two pages, and divide each page into three panels. A one-row, three-column table gives each panel a separate area. Add content to the outside and inside pages, then print and fold a labeled test sheet to confirm panel order.

Should I use columns or a table?
Columns are suitable when text should flow from one column to the next. A table is often easier for a brochure because each panel can hold independent text and images without the content automatically flowing into the next panel. A template may use either method or a combination.

How do I print a brochure double-sided?
Open File > Print, select the printer, and choose its duplex or two-sided option if available. Because printers handle paper differently, print a labeled test and check the fold before making multiple copies. If duplex printing is unavailable, follow the printer’s manual paper-feed instructions.

Can I save a Word brochure as a PDF?
Yes. On Windows, use File > Export > Create PDF/XPS or select PDF in the save options. Review the exported PDF to confirm that pages, images, and panel order look right before sharing or sending it to a printer.

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

More in How-to basics

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

Spotted an error in this guide? Let us know.