How to Make a Brochure on Microsoft Word

Windows

Updated October 11, 2019

You can create a brochure in Word by opening one of the application's many templates and personalizing it to suit your needs. You can also create one from scratch by opening a blank document and using the page layout options, creating your own columns and designing your template from scratch. Learn how to make a brochure in Word using the method you prefer.

Brochures may also be called booklets, pamphlets, or leaflets. Some are trifold while others are bifold, but by definition, they will be folded sheets with defined pages and sections.

The instructions in this article apply to Word 2019, Word 2016, Word 2013, Word 2010, and Word for Office 365.

How to Create a Brochure from a Template

The easiest way to create a brochure in any version of Microsoft Word is to start with a template, which already has the columns and placeholders configured. You only need to input your own text and images.

Select File > New.
Type brochure into the Search for Online Templates field and press Enter.
Select the style you want and select Create to download the template. It will automatically open up in a new Word document when the download finishes.
Select sample text in any section and enter your custom text. Replace the sample text throughout the template.

Further customize the text by changing the font, color, or size, if desired.
Replace sample images, if desired. Select an image, right-click, and point to Change Image. Choose the location of the picture you want to use, navigate to the image and select Insert.
Change the default color theme of the template, if desired. Go to the Design tab, select the Colors drop-down arrow, and choose a new theme.

Point to a theme in the Colors drop-down list to preview before applying it.
Save the changes to the brochure when you are finished customizing it. Refer to your printer's manufacturer for instructions on double-sided printing.

How to Make a Brochure in Word from Scratch

Although we highly suggest you use a template to create your brochures, it's possible to create them from scratch.

If you want to change the document's orientation, select Orientation under the Layout tab.

Orientation is set to Portrait by default.
Add a second page for a double-sided brochure. Go to the Insert tab and choose Blank Page in the Pages group.
Go to the Layout tab and select Columns to choose the number of columns you want to add. Pick two if you want a bi-fold and three if you want a tri-fold.
Add your text. You can go to the Home tab to choose fonts, font sizes, and font colors, and to add bulleted lists or numbered lists.

Alternatively, insert text boxes first and add text to them.
Add photos or graphics by clicking on the spot in the copy you want them to go and selecting Pictures from the Insert tab.
Save the changes to the brochure when you are finished customizing it. Refer to your printer's manufacturer for instructions on double-sided printing.