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

To make a brochure in Microsoft Word, start with a brochure template or set a blank document to landscape with three columns, add your text and images panel by panel, then print a test copy to check the folds and page order. Before you begin, decide what the brochure should help readers do and gather the text, photos, contact details, and paper size you plan to use.

What You’ll Need

Microsoft Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows, or Word for Mac. The steps below use the Windows ribbon; Mac differences are noted where they matter.
A printer and paper if you plan to print. A standard US letter sheet is 8.5 by 11 inches; in many other countries, A4 paper is 210 by 297 millimeters.
Your brochure copy, high-resolution images or logos, and accurate contact information.
A clear purpose and audience. For example, a brochure for a gardening service may focus on services, service area, and booking details.

Step-by-Step

Choose a format and plan the panels. A common handout is a two-sided, tri-fold brochure: one landscape sheet divided into three vertical panels on each side. Before opening Word, list what belongs in each panel. A simple plan might include a front cover, a short introduction, service details, benefits, a testimonial, and contact information. Keep the fold-in panel slightly less crowded than the others if your paper or printer needs extra room at the fold. If you need a different format, such as a half-fold, use a matching template rather than forcing a tri-fold layout.
Start from a template or a blank document. In Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows, select File > New, search for brochure, and choose a design that suits your content. Select Create to open it. Templates can include panel layouts and sample images, but check that they have the number of pages and folds you need. To build your own, choose File > New > Blank document. On Mac, use File > New from Template or the template search on the New screen; the available templates can differ by version.
Set paper size, orientation, and margins. For a blank tri-fold, open Layout > Orientation > Landscape. Choose Layout > Size and select the paper you will print on, such as Letter or A4. Then choose Layout > Margins > Narrow, or set custom margins through Layout > Margins > Custom Margins. Keep text away from the sheet edges and fold lines; printers often cannot print to the very edge. If you are using a template, confirm its page size and orientation rather than changing them without checking the layout.
Create three panels on each page. In a blank document, select Layout > Columns > More Columns, choose Three, and leave Equal column width selected. Adjust the spacing if you want a visible gap between text areas, then apply the setting to the whole document. Word’s columns flow text from one column to the next, so they are convenient for a simple layout but can be awkward when each panel needs different positioning. For more precise control, use a brochure template or a three-cell table on each page, and set the table borders to none before printing. Word for Mac has a similar Layout > Columns control, though dialog labels can vary slightly by release.
Build the first side panel by panel. Type the content for the first panel, then insert a column break using Layout > Breaks > Column. Add the next panel’s content and insert another column break before the third. A column break moves the cursor to the next column without filling the previous one with extra text. For a table layout, click in the next cell instead. Add concise headings and short blocks of text; a brochure is meant to be scanned, not read like a long report. Use a clear call to action, such as a website, booking instruction, or event date.
Add the second side. After the third panel, insert a page break with Insert > Page Break or press Ctrl+Enter on Windows. On a Mac, use Command+Return for a page break. Create three more panels on the new page, again using column breaks or a separate three-cell table. Plan the outside and inside deliberately: the front cover, back panel, and fold-in flap share one side, while the remaining content goes on the other. Which panel is physically on the left, middle, or right depends on how the sheet is folded and how the printer turns the page. Label your draft panels temporarily, then remove the labels after you have checked the arrangement.
Format text and add images. Use a small set of readable fonts and consistent heading styles. To add a photo or logo, choose Insert > Pictures and select the file. Select the image to open Picture Format, then use Wrap Text to control how text sits around it. In Line with Text is usually the easiest option to manage; other wrapping styles give more freedom but can shift when you edit nearby content. Resize from a corner handle to preserve the image’s proportions. Keep important words and faces clear of fold lines, and use enough contrast between text and background.
Check the page layout before printing. Select File > Print to review the preview, checking both pages at a readable zoom. Confirm that no text or pictures are missing, clipped, or on an unintended extra page. Use a plain paper test copy, fold it, and check that the cover, inside panels, and back information appear in the expected places. For a duplex printer, choose the two-sided setting and use the preview or printer instructions to select the correct page-flip option. Printer controls vary, so do not assume one setting works for every model.
Save and print the final copy. Save an editable version using File > Save As. If you are sending the brochure to someone else to print, export a PDF using File > Save As and choose PDF as the file type, or use File > Export if that option is available. Open the PDF and inspect it before sharing; exporting can reveal layout or font issues. When printing, select the same paper size used in the document and avoid scaling options that shrink or enlarge the panels unexpectedly.

Common Mistakes

Putting panels in the wrong order: A two-sided brochure does not read like two ordinary pages side by side. The outside spread and inside spread have different roles, and the printer may rotate or flip the reverse side. Mark a scrap sheet with top, bottom, and panel names, fold it, and use it to verify the layout before printing a batch.

Using too much text: Small panels become hard to read when every detail is squeezed in. Replace long explanations with brief headings, short paragraphs, and useful bullet points. Move extended terms or background information to a website when appropriate.

Ignoring folds and printer margins: Text or a face placed directly on a fold can look awkward, and content too close to an edge may be cut off. Leave a comfortable buffer around folds and edges, and check the printer’s printable area. Do not rely on a screen preview alone.

Changing the layout late: Switching paper size, margins, or fonts after filling the panels can push content into another column or page. Set the page first, then review the print preview after significant edits.

Tips

Write the front-cover headline first. Readers should be able to tell quickly what the brochure offers and whether it is for them.
Give each panel one main job, such as introduce, explain, build trust, or prompt action. This keeps the message organized.
Use images that are clear at print size. A picture that looks sharp when enlarged on screen may appear pixelated when printed.
Use Word’s built-in heading styles where practical, and keep body text large enough to read comfortably on the printed sheet.
Keep a clean master copy. Save a separate file for major revisions so you can return to a known-good layout.
If exact panel widths matter, check the paper and fold requirements with your print shop. Some folded formats use a slightly narrower tuck-in panel to prevent buckling.

Troubleshooting

Text jumps to the wrong column: Word’s columns reflow as text changes. Remove extra blank paragraphs, then place a deliberate column break where the next panel should begin. If edits keep disrupting the design, switch to a template or use separate table cells so each panel’s content stays together.

The brochure has an extra page: Turn on formatting marks with Home > Show/Hide ¶ and look for extra paragraph marks, page breaks, or section breaks after the content. Delete only the unwanted mark or break; removing a section break can also change formatting. Recheck the print preview afterward.

Images move or cover text: Select the image and choose Picture Format > Wrap Text > In Line with Text for a more stable layout. If you need text wrapping, reposition the image and inspect the page again after editing nearby paragraphs.

The back side prints upside down or in the wrong order: Make a single test print and fold it. Then adjust the duplex flip option or rearrange the panels, following your printer’s controls. If the printer cannot print two-sided, print one side first, reinsert the sheet as directed by the printer manufacturer, and test again with plain paper.

The print looks different from Word: Check that the document and printer use the same paper size, and disable unexpected fit-to-page scaling. If fonts or spacing shift on another computer, export a PDF and verify that file before sending it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Word make a tri-fold brochure automatically?
Yes. Search the New document templates for brochure and choose a tri-fold design if one is available. Review its page order and print settings because templates and printers can handle the reverse side differently.

How many pages does a tri-fold brochure have?
It usually has two landscape pages printed on opposite sides of one sheet. Each side contains three panels, giving six panels in total.

Should I use columns or a table?
Columns are quick for flowing text from panel to panel. A three-cell table on each page gives more control when you need separate panel layouts, images, or precise placement. Either approach needs a print test.

Can I make a brochure in Word without a printer?
Yes. Create and review the layout in Print Preview, then save or export it as a PDF. If someone else will print it, confirm their paper size, fold style, and file requirements first.

How do I make sure the panels are in the right order?
Write panel names on a blank sheet, fold it as the finished brochure will fold, and compare that mock-up with the two-page print preview. A one-copy test print is the most reliable final check.

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