Buzz
This guide explains how to create a brochure using Microsoft Word on both Windows and Mac computers. A brochure is a compact, foldable document used to convey information. You can either use a pre-designed template or create your own design from scratch.
Steps
Using a Template
Launch Microsoft Word by clicking on the white 'W' icon on a blue background.
Type brochure in the search bar at the top of the screen, then press ↵ Enter. This action will search for brochure templates in the database.
- If you're on a Mac and can't see the Template page, click File at the top and select New from Template… from the menu options.
Choose a brochure template. Browse through the options and click on the brochure template you prefer. A preview of the brochure will appear on the screen.
- Since most brochure templates have a similar format, you can select based on the design style.
Click on Create on the right side of the brochure preview page. This will trigger Word to begin loading the brochure, which usually takes only a few seconds.
Enter the information for the brochure. This step will vary depending on the template you choose; however, with most brochures, you can replace the placeholder content in each section with your own company details.
- Most brochures contain multiple pages of information, including a testimonial section.
- You can replace images in the brochure by clicking on the image, selecting the Format tab, choosing Change Picture, then selecting From a File and choosing a file from your computer.
Save the brochure as follows:
- Windows - Click File, select Save As, double-click This PC, choose a folder on the left side, name the brochure in the "File name" field, and click Save.
- Mac - Click File, select Save As..., enter a name in the "Save As" field, click on "Where" to select a folder, and then click Save.
Design a brochure according to your style
Launch Microsoft Word by clicking on the white "W" icon against a blue background.
Click on the Blank document icon in the top left corner to open a fresh Word page.
- Skip this step if you're using a Mac.
Click on the Layout tab at the top of the Word window. This will display a new toolbar below the tabs.
Click on the Margins option on the far left of the Layout toolbar to open the selection menu.
Click on the Custom Margins… below the Margins options to open a new window.
Reduce the margin size. In the "Margins" section at the top of the window, you will find various alignment options (e.g., "Left"), with a value of 1 in the adjacent box. Adjust this value to 0.1 to ensure the brochure's margin is reduced enough to fit all the content.
Click on the Landscape option in the middle of the window.
Click on the OK button at the bottom of the window to save your changes and reformat the Word document.
Add columns to your document with the following steps:
- Make sure you're still on the Layout tab.
- Click on Columns
- Choose the desired number of columns from the dropdown list.
Add a column break. This step ensures that each column (frame) on the brochure displays separate pieces of information. Follow these steps:
- Make sure the Layout tab is still open.
- Click on Breaks
- Select Column from the available options.
Enter the brochure's content. There are two main types of information you can add to your document:
- Text - Type your brochure's information in the columns. You can edit the text by selecting it, then clicking on the Home tab and choosing options under the "Font" section.
- Images - Ensure your cursor is positioned where you want to add the image, then click on Insert, choose Pictures, select your image, and click Insert or Open.
Save the brochure as follows:
- Windows - Click on File, select Save As, double-click on This PC, choose a folder from the left side of the window, name the brochure in the "File name" field, and click Save.
- Mac - Click on File, select Save As..., name the brochure in the "Save As" field, click on "Where" to choose a folder, then click Save.
Tip
- It's best to design the layout of your brochure on paper before working on it in Word.
- Remember to select the double-sided printing option when printing your brochure.
Warning
- Designing a custom brochure will take more time and effort compared to creating one using a template.
