Half-fold brochures come in a variety of sizes and are used for many different purposes. They provide 4 large panels compared to z-fold or tri-fold brochures which have 6 smaller panels. These larger panels allow you to display your information in more detail.
Whether you are looking to print a half-fold menu, infographic, program, or marketing material to promote your products or services, a half-fold brochure is sure to deliver a sophisticated and effective message about your brand.
How To Create a Print-Ready Half-Fold Brochure
Creating a half-fold brochure—also known as a bi-fold brochure—and getting it ready for print is a bit easier compared to the other types of brochures. This is because there are only 4 panels to account for instead of 6 or 8. However, it’s still important to make sure your layout, paper selection, size, and design are exactly the way you want your audience to read and feel your brochure.
Tips On How to Choose the Right Paper for Your Half-Fold Brochure
When choosing the right paper for your half-fold brochure, you need to take into consideration the fold. This is because the thicker the paper is, the harder your brochure is to fold, and you risk creating a crease where the paper fibers begin to separate.
You also don’t want your paper to feel anything less than substantial, so you need to find the right paper for your message that isn’t too thick or too thin. What type of paper would that be?
For brochures, the most recommended paper stock is a 100# text weight paper, or an 80# cover weight paper. These two paper selections offer a high-quality and professional feel while not being too bulky or too flimsy.
Many printers offer other standard paper options for folded brochures as well, like 14pt C25 cover paper or a 100# cover weight paper which are both thicker than 80# cover. They also typically offer an 80# text paper which is thinner than the 100# text.
If you are unsure of what paper you think would deliver your brochure message in the best way, ask your printer about a paper sample booklet. These free booklets include your printer’s standard paper stocks so you can see and feel how your audience will see and feel your brochure.
Tips on How to Choose the Right Size for Your Half-Fold Brochure
The standard sizes for a half-fold brochure include 5.5” x 8.5” and extend all the way up to 12” x 9”. However, the four most commonly used sizes are 8.5” x 11”, 8.5” x 14”, 11” x 17”, and 11” x 25.5”. Of course, you can always print your half-fold brochure in a custom size, although this will increase the price of your brochure project.
So, how do you choose the correct size for your half-fold brochure?
First and foremost, you need to keep in mind that the size you choose is the size of paper before it is folded in half. For example, if you choose 8.5” x 11” for your half-fold brochure, it will fold into 5.5” x 8.5” giving you four 5.5” x 8.5” panels. So, it’s important that if the information you want to include within your brochure seems cramped in these small panels, that you choose a larger half-fold brochure size.
Larger paper sizes are typically used for displaying a wide variety of information such as a service listing, event program or restaurant menu.
Smaller paper sizes are ideal for promoting a sale, a short newsletter, an infographic, gift card holder, or even a table placeholder or nameplate.
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Tips on How to Design Your Half-Fold Brochure
Who is Your Audience?
Before you even begin designing your brochure, you need to define who your target audience is and what your goals are.
Are you targeting a specific demographic? Are you looking to drive more customers to your website or simply inform your audience about specific details in your industry?
Depending on who your target audience is will determine what images, colors, and text you use in your brochure design. For example, if you are targeting 60–80-year-olds, you wouldn’t include images of 20–30-year-olds. Instead, you would want to include images of people your audience can relate to.
If you’re driving your audience to your website your design would also be very different than if you were to use your brochure for a restaurant menu. For example, you would want to include a call-to-action and design elements that drive your audience to your website. On the other hand, if you are creating a menu, you would want to include images and details about the food that you offer so your audience is intrigued to order.
Half-Fold Design Layout
When getting your half-fold brochure ready for print you need to make sure you have a proper design layout.
When creating your half-fold brochure design in your design platform, make sure that you have 2 pages with 2 panels on each. Your first page will include the front side and back side of your brochure, while the second page will include the 2 inner panels when you open your brochure.
Each page in your layout program should include the proper bleed, margin, and trimming parameters.
Along with these you need to include a fold line, representing where your brochure will fold. This will typically run down the center of each page. On each side of the fold line, you should also include copy margins that are at least 1/8” in from the fold line. This will ensure that all design elements are safe from being “folded.”
To make the design process easier, you can utilize a half-fold brochure design template which you can find here. Just place the template in a separate layer in your layout program and delete or turn off the layer before exporting your file.
You can even take advantage of complete design files for the most popular half-fold brochure sizes by clicking on your desired half-fold brochure size below.
Half-Fold Image and Copy Placement
Now that you have the proper parameters within your design layout to ensure perfect printing, you need to figure out how your copy and images will be placed and flow from one panel to the next.
For the front side of your half-fold brochure, you need to include a clear message. Include an effective headline, this will be the largest text in your brochure and should clearly deliver a message of what your audience can expect within your brochure. Because the front side is typically the first thing your audience sees, you want to include an eye-catching design and clear but concise information that intrigues your readers to open your brochure. For example, if you are advertising a product, let an image of your product speak for itself while including a headline that tells the reader how your product will benefit them.
On the inside of your brochure, you want to include information about what you are promoting along with relevant images. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your text and imagery either. Place an image across the fold, or layer copy on top of images. As long as your brochure design elements are legible, the more creative you get with your design, the more your brochure will stand out.
The back side of your half-fold, or bi-fold brochure should include information that wraps up the information included on the inside but also needs to be just as intriguing as the front side. This is a good place to include a call-to-action and contact information.
Tips on How to Keep Half-Fold Brochure Printing Costs Low
Brochures are one of the cheapest marketing materials available. In fact, depending on how many, what paper, and size you choose, you most likely will be paying only cents per brochure. For example, let’s say you are ordering 500, 8.5” x 11”, 100# text, half-fold brochures. You would be paying only around 30 cents per brochure.
It can be easy to just go with the thinnest paper and smallest size to save some money, however, depending on your marketing message and strategy, a thinner and smaller brochure could negatively affect your ROI. The best way to keep the costs low is to choose one of the recommended, standard sizes and paper selections offered by your printer that best fits your goal. Also, choose a printer who will help you choose the best strategy for your budget while offering low prices with high-quality print.
Now that you have chosen the right paper and size for your half-fold brochure and you have the perfect design, it’s time to print your brochures! Click below to get started on your half-fold brochure project today!
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