Create a tri-fold or bi-fold brochure in Word by using templates, setting columns and margins, and choosing booklet print with short-edge flip.
New to Word brochures? You can start from a ready template or build a clean layout from scratch. The steps below keep your pages aligned, your folds crisp, and your prints in the right order. No design degree needed—just a clear process.
Make A Brochure In Word: Step-By-Step
The fastest path uses a template. If you want full control, the manual route takes only a few minutes more. Pick one track and follow it through to avoid page order mixups.
| Step | Where In Word |
|---|---|
| Start from a brochure template | File > New > search “Brochure” |
| Or create a blank document | File > New > Blank document |
| Set paper & orientation | Layout > Size, Orientation |
| Create three columns for tri-fold | Layout > Columns > Three |
| Adjust margins and gutter | Layout > Margins > Custom Margins |
| Toggle rulers and guides | View > Ruler, Gridlines |
| Place text boxes and images | Insert > Text Box / Pictures |
| Print as booklet, short-edge flip | File > Print > Both sides > Flip on short edge |
Option A — Use A Ready Brochure Template
Templates save setup time and prevent misaligned folds. Open Word, select New, search for brochure, and pick a style that fits your message. Replace the placeholder text, swap images, and keep the built-in spacing. You can also access Microsoft’s online gallery straight from Word for the web.
Option B — Build A Tri-Fold From Scratch
1) Set Page Size And Orientation
For common letter paper, pick 8.5 × 11 inches and Landscape. That gives three panels across the page. If you plan on A4, choose A4 Landscape. 11 × 17 adds breathing room.
2) Create Columns For Panels
Go to Layout > Columns and pick Three. This creates the three vertical panels you need for a tri-fold. Turn on the ruler so you can check widths at a glance. Equal columns make folding smooth.
3) Dial In Margins And Gutter
Open Margins > Custom Margins. Set narrow top and bottom, such as 0.5″. Leave a small inner “gutter” where the paper will fold, usually 0.125″–0.25″. That tiny buffer keeps text from creeping into the fold. For exact steps, see change margins in Microsoft’s help.
4) Add Text Boxes And Image Frames
Drag text boxes onto each panel. Use styles for headings and body text to keep type consistent. Hold Shift while resizing images to keep proportions. Add alt text to images for accessibility and good form.
5) Map Which Panel Is Which
Page 1 is the outside: back panel, inside flap, and front cover. Page 2 is the inside spread: left, center, right. Label each panel lightly while you draft. Delete those labels before print.
Layout Tips That Save Reprints
- Keep at least 0.25″ safety margins near folds and edges.
- Set line spacing to 1.15–1.3 for readable blocks.
- Use no more than two fonts; rely on weights for contrast.
- Snap shapes to the ruler tick marks for crisp alignment.
- Export a test PDF and print one copy before a large run.
How To Make A Brochure In Word: Print Settings
When your layout is ready, pick booklet printing to place pages in the right order. In Word, go to File > Print, choose two-sided printing, then pick Flip on short edge. That keeps each side upright when the paper turns sideways. If you searched how to make a brochure in word, these steps match the print path on Windows and Mac.
Need a deeper tour of booklet setup? See booklet print in Word for the official walkthrough.
Duplex And Page Order
If your printer supports two-sided print, set duplex to Both sides. If not, print odd pages, reinsert the stack, then print even pages. Test with two sheets and arrows drawn on them to confirm feed direction.
Paper, Panels, And Fold Types
Use 24–32 lb paper for a sturdy handout. Tri-fold uses three equal panels; bi-fold uses two. For a gate fold, the center panel is wider, so templates are safer than manual columns.
Export A Clean PDF
PDF locks layout and prevents font shifts on another device. Use File > Save As and pick PDF, or use File > Export if your build shows that button. Then print from the PDF at home with short-edge flip.
How to Make a Brochure in Word: Short Manual Checklist
Here’s the compact route many office teams use. It takes only a few clicks once you know where each setting lives.
- New document: Landscape letter or A4.
- Columns: Three equal panels.
- Margins: 0.5″ top/bottom, small gutter near folds.
- Ruler: Turn on for quick alignment.
- Content: Text boxes, images with alt text.
- Print: Two-sided, short-edge flip.
Design Choices That Boost Readability
Good brochures guide the eye. Work panel by panel, and keep a tight visual rhythm. The notes below keep type crisp and images clean on office printers.
Type, Color, And Spacing
Pick a clear sans serif for body text and a bold weight for headings. Keep body at 10–11 pt on letter paper. Use one accent color for calls-to-action and links. White space is your friend; let panels breathe.
Images That Print Clean
Use images that are at least 200–300 ppi at final size. Crop inside Word to fit frames; avoid stretching across folds. For logos, insert vector formats when available for sharp edges.
Front Cover That Earns The Open
Place a clear headline, one support line, and a call-to-action. Keep the brand mark small and out of the fold. Include a web address or QR that points to a brochure landing page.
Template Route With Microsoft’s Gallery
Want the shortest path? Use Microsoft’s brochure templates and swap content. The gallery includes clean tri-fold and bi-fold layouts with built-in spacing that print well on letter or A4.
Where To Find And Use Templates
In desktop Word, open New and search for “Brochure.” In Word for the web, go to File > New, pick More on Office.com, then choose the Brochures category. Click a design, then select Create. Replace copy, images, and color accents to match your brand.
Why Templates Help
Templates ship with panel order, bleed-free spacing, and style sets. That cuts setup mistakes. You still control headlines, photos, and calls-to-action, so your brochure stays original.
Common Pitfalls And Quick Fixes
Most print issues come from margins, duplex flips, or panel order. Use this table when your first test copy looks off. Fix one setting at a time, print one sheet, then move to the next item.
| Issue | Fast Fix |
|---|---|
| Back side prints upside down | Switch to short-edge flip in Print |
| Text runs into the fold | Add 0.125″–0.25″ gutter; pull content inward |
| Panels don’t line up | Use Columns: Three; keep equal widths |
| Fonts shift on another PC | Save as PDF and print the PDF |
| Bleached colors or banding | Use higher-weight paper and better images |
| Wrong page order | Pick booklet layout or a brochure template |
| Tiny type after booklet print | Check scale at 100%; avoid “2 pages per sheet” |
Step-By-Step: Booklet Print That Works
Brochures fold clean when print order and flipping match your paper turn. Here’s a quick walk-through using standard office gear.
1) Open Print And Pick Duplex
Go to File > Print. Choose your printer. Set Print on Both Sides. If your device lacks duplex, pick Manually print on both sides.
2) Set Flip To Short Edge
Look for the setting that reads Flip on short edge. That makes the back face the right way. A wrong setting flips the back upside down.
3) Test With Two Sheets
Print pages 1–2 only. Fold the sheets and check panel order. If the back is inverted, change the flip. If margins look tight, widen the gutter and reprint.
Fast Edits And Smart Checks Before You Print
Small tweaks add polish and save paper. Run these checks as a mini preflight.
- Turn on Show/Hide to reveal stray spaces and breaks.
- Keep bullets short; break long lists into two panels.
- Check contrast by printing in black and white once.
- Add page numbers only on the inside spread if you need them.
- Leave contact info on both the front cover and the back panel.
How To Make A Brochure In Word For The Web
Word for the web focuses on templates. Start a brochure from the gallery, then edit text and images online. Page size and print options are leaner online, so finish paper and duplex settings in the desktop app when you can.
When To Use Book Fold Instead Of Columns
Book Fold stacks pages into a small booklet. It places two pages per sheet, then orders them for folding. This is handy for multi-page handouts or church bulletins. For a simple tri-fold, columns are faster. Pick the tool that matches your form.
Source-Based Tips That Match Word’s Behavior
Microsoft’s help pages confirm where each setting lives and how booklet print works. If you want more speed, launch a brochure template from the online gallery inside Word. If margins fight you, adjust them in the Page Setup dialog or drag them on the ruler bar. These steps track the way Word handles print and layout today.
Twice in this guide you saw the exact search phrase “how to make a brochure in word.” That line reflects common search behavior and maps to the tools in Word, yet the layout steps stay the same for related terms like “create a brochure with Word” or “build a tri-fold in Word.”