How to Make a Brochure (Free Templates, Print-Ready)

To make a brochure, open Canva’s brochure templates, pick a fold type (bi-fold or tri-fold), swap in your text and images, then download as PDF Print. Templates handle the layout — you supply the content and check the print setup at the end.

First, decide the fold

This determines your page setup, so decide before you design.

Tri-fold is the default choice for most businesses. It’s what people picture when they hear “brochure.”

Free tools

Canva is the practical pick. For a Word-based approach, Word has tri-fold templates built in under File → New → search “brochure”.

Step by step (Canva)

1. Go to canva.com and search “tri-fold brochure”.
2. Pick a template that matches your purpose. Don’t fight the layout.
3. Design the inside first — the three panels that carry the detail.
4. Then the outside — the front cover, the back, and the inside-flap panel.
5. Replace images — click and use Replace, or drag from Uploads.
6. Set your colours — see best colour palette generators if you’re starting from scratch.
7. Share → Download → PDF Print (not PNG — see below).

New to the editor? How to use Canva covers the basics.

The tri-fold panel order (this trips everyone up)

A tri-fold panel layout is not left-to-right as you’d expect:

So the front cover is the right-hand panel of the outside sheet — because that’s the panel that ends up facing out when folded. Get this wrong and your cover ends up on the inside.

Tip: print a blank test on cheap paper first, fold it, and label each panel with a pencil. Ten minutes now saves a ruined print run.

What to put on each panel

Tri-fold, outside:

• Front cover — your logo, a clear title, one strong image
• Back cover — contact details, address, QR code, social handles
• Inside flap — a short intro or “why us”

Tri-fold, inside:

• Three panels that tell the story in order — usually what you do → how it works → what to do next

Keep it to one idea per panel. A brochure is scanned, not read.

Printing it properly

Before you send it to print:

1. Check the margins. Keep text at least 5 mm from the fold and the trim edge.
2. Use 300 dpi images. A low-resolution photo ruins an otherwise good brochure.
3. Ask for a proof if you’re printing more than 50.
4. Check the fold lines don’t cut through headlines or faces.

Design rules that keep it readable

• Big headline, small body text. Contrast in size creates hierarchy.
• Two fonts maximum — one for headings, one for body.
• Real photos beat clip art. A genuine image of your premises beats a generic stock icon.
• Plenty of white space. Cramming is what makes a brochure look cheap.
• One call to action, repeated. A phone number, a website, or a QR code.

Related layouts follow the same rules — see how to make a flyer or how to make a poster for those formats.

FAQ

How do I make a brochure for free?

Use Canva: search “tri-fold brochure,” pick a template, replace the text and images, and download as PDF Print. Free templates are plentiful.

What’s the difference between a tri-fold and a bi-fold?

A tri-fold folds twice into 6 panels, and is the standard business brochure. A bi-fold folds once into 4 panels — simpler and cheaper to print.

Which panel is the front cover of a tri-fold?

On the outside sheet, the right-hand panel — because it faces outwards when folded. Panel 1 (left) is the inside flap, panel 2 (middle) is the back cover.

Should I download a brochure as PDF or PNG?

PDF Print for anything being printed — it keeps text crisp and the size correct. PNG or JPG only for sending by email or posting online.

Can I make a brochure in Word?

Yes — Word includes tri-fold brochure templates under File → New. They’re basic, but workable for a simple text-led brochure. Canva gives you far more control.